All About Brian

Chapter 5

“Mr. Hawk, what are you doing here?” Hunter asked as he looked up at the sound of someone at his office door.

“I told you to call me Dennis.”

“I repeat, why are you here, Mr. Hawk? We didn’t schedule another meeting,” Hunter said ignoring what Hawk had just told him.

“I have a few more questions,” Dennis replied seating himself across the desk from Hunter. He didn’t wait to be asked.

Hunter studied the man for a moment before asking, “So what do you want to know?”

“I’ve been doing some research.”

“I thought you would have done that before you came here the first time.”

Dennis tried not to glare at the young man across from him, but Hunter saw the look that passed across his face. Hunter knew he didn’t like this man.

“I understand Brian Kinney had a lot to do with this foundation,” Dennis began.

‘Bingo!’ Hunter thought to himself. Now we’re getting to the point. “That’s correct,” he said aloud.

“What exactly is Mr. Kinney’s relationship with the Jason Kemp Center?”

“There isn’t one.”

“What do you mean? I found in my research that he bought all this block of buildings and his brother did all the renovations. Doesn’t he still own this clinic?”

“We rent from him, but we pay our own way,” Hunter replied.

“I don’t see how that’s possible.”

“Charitable donations, which is exactly what I was hoping your article would help to augment, but I’m beginning to have my doubts.”

“So, Kinney doesn’t contribute anything to this place?”

“No more than any other concerned citizen.” Although that wasn’t exactly true, that was all Hunter was prepared to say.

“You’re quite close with him?”

“One of my adopted father’s is his best friend. We spend some time together at family gatherings,” Hunter admitted.

“Family gatherings? You mean that a… that Kinney has a family?”

“Surely you must have read about his partner Justin Taylor, the artist, and he has children.”

“I don’t believe everything I read.”

“Even when it’s your fellow journalists who write it?” Hunter asked pointedly.

“I take most crap in newspapers with a grain of salt. Anything can be skewed to make it sound however you want.” The venom in Hawk’s voice was seeping through.

“Mr. Hawk, I think maybe I made a mistake in granting this interview,” Hunter said. “Maybe we should just forget the whole thing.”

“No, no, don’t do that,” Dennis replied hastily. “I promise to be fair and truthful in whatever I write.”

Hunter thought over what the man had just said. “I have your promise that you won’t write anything that isn’t the truth?”

“You do,” Dennis replied, knowing that whatever he might dig up about Kinney would be the truth, but that wouldn’t stop him publishing it, even, or maybe especially, if it was bad.

Hunter frowned. He still had major misgivings. “I hope you don’t intend to do some hatchet job on the clinic. We help a lot of kids who really need it.”

“I’m sure you do,” Dennis said starting to relax. “I have just a few more questions.”

 

*****
 

“Come in,” Justin said as he answered the door. “Bree, Ashley’s here,” he called.

With a squeal of delight, Bree came racing to the door. She and Ashley jumped up and down and hugged before racing off to Bree’s room to play.

“I guess I don’t even rate a kiss goodbye,” Susanna said with a little laugh. She handed Justin an overnight bag. “I think I packed everything she’ll need.”

“I’m sure we’ll do just fine,” Justin assured her. “Can you come in for a few minutes?”

“I’d love to,” Susanna replied, “but I have a batch of errands I need to do, and this is the perfect opportunity to get them done.”

“I understand,” Justin said with a smile, and he did. Shopping and other errands with a child always took twice as long. “Shall we drop Ashley off tomorrow afternoon, or would you like to come over early and we could look at some of our mutual research into JAB Kinney.”

“I’d love to exchange research,” Susanna said with a smile.

“Why don’t you come for brunch? I’m sure the girls will still want to play and we can spend some time together.”

“Oh that would be lovely … if you’re sure it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

“I’ll get Brian to make one of his famous breakfasts.”

“Famous?”

Justin nodded. “He’s pretty good with breakfast.”

“I can’t imagine Mr. Kinney cooking,” Susanna giggled.

“You can see it for yourself tomorrow morning,” Justin replied. “But call him Brian. Mr. Kinney reminds him of his father.”

“This will be the first time I’ve been out for breakfast in years. I’m already looking forward to it.”

“See you in the morning, and I’ll have Ashley call you before she goes to bed tonight.”

“Thanks,” Susanna said before heading out to her car.

 

*****
 

“What are you two up to?” Brian asked as he opened the door of Bree’s bedroom.

“Playing princess, Dada,” Bree said. She and Ashley had paper crowns on their heads, ones left over from the crackers at Christmas. Bree held a ruler like a scepter or magic wand. Ashley had her crown and one of Bree’s fluffy pink skirts around her waist.

“That sounds interesting.”

“We’re having fun, Mr. Kinney,” Ashley said with her shy smile.

“I’m glad.”

“Come play with us, Dada. You can be the prince.”

“I can, can I?” Brian chuckled.

“Yep, the handsome prince.”

“I don’t think so, Squirt.”

“Pwease, Dada, me and Ashley want you to.”

“Well…”

“Pwease,” Bree repeated.

“Yes, please,” Ashley chimed in.

“What do I have to do?” Brian asked with a sigh. He knew he was going to regret this, but he also loved the way the girls looked with their fluffy dresses and paper crowns.

“Put this on,” Bree instructed. She handed her father a paper crown that was almost big enough for his head. Brian put it on, but it sat precariously atop his head. “Sit here, on the throne,” Bree told him indicating the rocking chair. Brian sat down. “What would you like, your majesty?” Bree asked with a giggle.

“Like?”

“Yes, do you want some tea?” Ashley ventured to ask.

“Tea would be lovely, my lady,” Brian replied with his most formal English accent.

The girls giggled. Bree picked up her little teapot and Ashley handed Brian a cup and saucer. Bree poured her father an imaginary cup of tea.

“Would you like a raspberry tart, Prince Kinney?” Ashley asked holding out an empty plate.

“I’d love a tart, Princess Ashley, but I think you should call me Prince Brian.”

“Okay, Prince Brian,” Ashley giggled.

“And I’ll call you Prince Dada,” Bree decided.

“Is your tart good, Prince Brian?” Ashley asked.

“So good, I think I’ll have another.”

Ashley held out the plate so Brian could pretend to take another tart.

“I want a picture of the royal family,” Justin said pushing open the door of Bree’s room. He was armed with his camera.

“How did you know?” Brian asked.

“I was coming to get you when I heard the tea party in progress, so I thought I’d like a picture of Prince Brian and his princesses,” Justin explained.

“If you must,” Brian said regally, as the girls lined up on either side of the rocking chair. Brian smiled as he placed a hand around each and looked into the camera. Justin snapped several shots. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

“These are great,” he said looking at the screen on the back of the camera.

“But only for your consumption,” Brian warned.

“Of course.”

“I think Prince Brian better go look after his kingdom. Have fun, Princesses,” Brian said as he stood up and removed his crown.

“Bye, Dada.”

“Bye, Prince Brian,” Ashley added.

As Brian walked out of the room he heard Ashley say, “Your Dada is cool.”

“I know,” Bree declared.

Brian smiled as he followed Justin down the hall to the kitchen. “Coffee?”

“Just made a pot,” Justin said. He was still looking at the pictures he had snapped.

“You’re enjoying seeing me like that, aren’t you?” Brian asked taking a sip of his coffee.

“You look very handsome with your crown, Prince Brian,” Justin chuckled.

“Thank you, kind sir.”

“I never thought I’d see the day…”

“When I’d deliberately make a fool of myself?”

“When you’d get to play prince to two such cute little princesses. They loved it.”

“So did I,” Brian admitted. “But I’ll have to kill you if you tell anyone.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

 

*****
 

“Do you have enough information?” Hunter asked.

“Almost,” Dennis Hawk replied.

“What else?”

“Are all your kids here gay?”

“Um…”

“Problem?” Hawk asked perking up at Hunter’s indecision on how to answer that question.

“No problem. It’s just that most of the kids who come here are gay. We’ve had one or two who weren’t, but they still needed help.”

“So you don’t turn anyone away?”

“Why would we?” Hunter asked.

“Sometimes people start these kinds of institutions and they become quite exclusive … or there are other reasons for taking only one kind of person?”

“We take anyone who needs help,” Hunter declared.

“And Brian Kinney doesn’t mind?”

“Brian? I told that he has little to do with this place.”

“Yes, that’s what you told me.”

“But you don’t believe me?”

“Let’s just say that I have other ideas about Brian Kinney’s involvement here.”

“Such as?”

“I think I’ll keep that to myself,” Dennis said smugly.

“Are you gay, Mr. Hawk?” Hunter asked.

“Yes, but so what?”

“I just wondered.”

“Wondered what?” Dennis asked his face clouding over.

“If you might have known Brian way back when.”

“So what if I did?”

“Is this some kind of vendetta against Brian … because I won’t help you do that?”

“Nobody’s asking you to.”

“Maybe you’re not asking, but I get the feeling that’s what you’re using me for.”

“Then let’s put the cards on the table,” Dennis stated.

“That would be refreshing,” Hunter replied sarcastically.

“I think Kinney is the asshole of the century. I wouldn’t be surprised if he used this haven for young hustlers to get himself some prime ass whenever he wanted it. And the boys would be only too happy to give it up to the rich and powerful Brian Kinney, and then they keep their mouths shut for fear of what might happen to them.”

“You’d be one hundred percent wrong if that was what you thought,” Hunter said angrily. “I think you better leave and you better not write that fucking article of yours if that’s the kind of thing you’re planning to say. You’ll be in for the biggest lawsuit of your life.”

Dennis raised an eyebrow, but he looked into Hunter’s eyes. “Prove me wrong.”

“I know you’re wrong. That’s enough for me.”

“I think I’m right.”

“What … what do you want?’

“I want to talk to some of the kids who’ve passed through here. I want to see what happens to them after they leave. And most of all I want a meeting with Brian Kinney.”

“I can talk to some of our alumni, and see if they will speak with you. However, I doubt that Brian will want to talk to you,” Hunter said.

“What’s he afraid of?”

“I doubt he’s afraid of you, but I also doubt that he would speak with someone who has such disgusting ideas about him.”

“He might be able to put them to rest,” Dennis said hoping that ploy would work. “Ask him.”

“I … I’ll talk to him,” Hunter said. “But no guarantees.”

Dennis stood. “Let me know what he says,” Dennis replied before he walked out the door.

 

*****
 

“Ted.”

“Brian?”

“Yeah, listen I have you conferenced in with Richard Connolly.”

“Okay, I’m listening.” Ted considered coming back with some snappy retort but thought better of it. This must be important for Brian to call him at home and to have a reporter in on the conversation. He took out a pad and pencil just in case he needed to take notes.

“Hunter just called. It appears my past may be catching up with me and this time it may endanger the clinic.”

“How so?”

“A reporter by the name of Dennis Hawk requested permission to do an article about the clinic and kids on the street.”

“Sounds innocent enough and the clinic just might get more backers out of it,” Ted said reasonably.

“That’s what we thought except that Hunter, the very streetwise master of social work, got a bad feeling from this Hawk person. And now it seems his suspicions have been justified.”

“What does Hawk want?”

“He wants to talk to me. Find out my involvement.”

“What does he really want?”

“To find out if those rumors about me being a chicken hawk are more than just rumors.”

“Brian, there isn’t one shred of evidence to substantiate those rumors. And that was almost twenty years ago with a young man that was of legal age and that you eventually married!” Ted was growing very agitated.

“Ted, I don’t care about me, but what if Hawk makes a big deal about this. Richard tells me that when Hawk goes after someone, their reputation is usually ruined after. I don’t care about me; I’ve survived worse but the kids, the clinic and Justin. They can be hurt by all of this.”

“I can tell you that the Times doesn’t condone Hawk’s methods but we have run his exposés on occasion. I don’t normally pay too much attention to sensationalism but when it’s in ‘Hawk’s Prey’ we all take notice,” Richard added. “Did Hunter say what Hawk’s plan is?”

“He told Hunter that he wanted to interview some of the clinic’s kids,” Brian explained.

“Can he do that?” Teddy asked.

“No, not legally. Not the current kids in Hunter’s care. Hunter becomes their temporary guardian so that they’re protected. But once they become legal and graduate out of the program, they’re up for grabs.”

“How can I help, Bri?”

“Do some digging. Find out if this is just a case of an old rejected trick trying to use his position to get back at me. Hawk must be a pseudonym; see if you can find out his real name.”

“Um, Brian, do you remember, uh, um...”

“Spit it out, Theodore!”

“Do you remember doing him?”

“I Googled his picture. I can’t say that the face is familiar but then it wasn’t usually the face I was interested in back then.”

“I’m on it, Brian. I’ll call you as soon as I find out anything.”

“Be discreet.”

“Bri, discreet is my middle name,” Ted declared as he hung up, his fingers automatically making a lock and key motion over his lips. Brian rolled his eyes out of habit.

“Brian, I have contacts at the Tribune. I’ll let you know if I hear anything,” Richard offered.

“Thank you. I appreciate your help.”

“May I make a suggestion?” Richard ventured.

“Go ahead.”

“Tell your family. Don’t do this alone. Hawk is good at divide and conquer. He begins with a little blackmail to get his intended victim to alienate himself from their family. They think they’re protecting them and in the end even if the rumor is proven unfounded, the damage has already been done. You have a wonderful family, Brian, let them help you.”

“I’ll consider it,” Brian said as he ended his conversation.

Brian sat back in his chair, running his hands over his face and through his hair. The sounds of a normal family surrounded him. John across the sun porch in his office, tapping away on his keyboard. Justin in the porch below, blissfully painting. Bree and her best friend were in her room playing princess, and a heated discussion regarding the Pittsburgh Pirates was going on between Bobby and Patrick. All normal, day to day and perhaps a little too tame, but not for Brian.

“Divide and conquer,” he murmured. A tactic Brian used a lot in business, when one potential new client wasn’t sure about going with Kinnetik, Brian would seduce an associate to win the account.

“Not this time,” Brian said with some resolve. He steeled his back then went to call a family meeting.
 

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