Killer Cupid (The Redemption Series: Book 1) (22 page)

He turned back to Francisco. “These are people I’ve worked with. They can tell you what I’ve done for them. I don’t come cheap, but they’ll tell you I’m worth it. And when I decide to take on a client, I give them my all. That’s about it for now. Look forward to talking tomorrow.” Joe disappeared through the door.

Chapter Fourteen

General Pearson saw to it that the family’s celebration that evening was a catered event on the hospital’s deck. He said he was delighted that this wonderful opportunity came to such deserving people. As he raised his glass in a toast, he chuckled. “I bet someday I’ll be saying I knew them when. Congratulations to the world’s newest rock stars!”
Cool
.

Cindy was relieved the appointment with Doug went so well. Francisco, Camellia, and their family were so complimentary to her about her brother. Paulo’s grandfather was in high spirits, hugging and kissing everyone. He knew his youngest grandson’s dreams were about to come true.

Then General Pearson introduced Colonel Jerry Lee Johnson to those he had not met before. Colonel Johnson greeted each person individually like he was using some memory technique to remember all their names. He spoke with a thick southern accent, using expressions most of us never heard before.

The Colonel must have fancied himself a ladies man. As I sat at the table with Cin, Debbie, Nita and Cat, he hovered over me with a lecherous stare. I wondered whether his face was the victim of a terrible case of teenage acne or an explosion.

I decided to take advantage of his attention. “Colonel Johnson, I wonder if you know Alain Dusseault? He’s a friend of mine, and no one seems to know his schedule.” I tried to be casual and off-hand. “Would you happen to know when he’ll be back here?”

The Colonel’s measured, loud laughter sounded like it came from the devil himself. “Dusseault? Honey, that boy’s comin’ back in a body bag.”

I felt like ice was growing in the pit of my stomach. The General had stepped up behind him, and his face turned from shock to rage.

Colonel Johnson regretted his comment. “Hey, I’m jokin’.” He laughed sarcastically. “It was a joke.” He scanned the deck and saw everyone thought his joke was not funny. “Bad joke!” He waved his arm to dismiss it, still chuckling. Then he picked up his beer and left.

“Asshole.” I heard Eduardo say under his breath. “Jimmy always said that guy is bad news.”

Nita

It was a long day for everyone, and shortly after dinner most of the celebrants excused themselves for the evening. Nobody noticed that Ellen, the candy striper, left the deck just a few minutes before Paulo kissed his family good night.

Eduardo walked me back to my room, prepared to invite himself in. “You know the rules, Eduardo. I don’t want any trouble, and there’s bound to be if someone comes looking for me. People just knock and open the door without – ” His kiss was intended to change my mind. Instead we were distracted by rustling and voices in Paulo’s room across the hall.

He barged in the door with me right behind. “What the –” He was standing on a candy striper’s uniform. Kicking it from underfoot, he switched on the light.

Shocked, Paulo backed to the far wall, his unbuttoned shirt now encircling Ellen, who struggled to get her slip back on. Eduardo came out with every obscenity he knew. This only made Paulo tremble, and Ellen burst into tears. She ran to sweep up her uniform and locked herself in the bathroom.

Eduardo strode over to Paulo and yelled inches from his face.

“Eduardo! That’s enough.” But my protest meant nothing. The stream of obscenities and instructions continued. Ellen rushed past me and out the door, Paulo calling her, still trapped by his brother. I picked up her shoes and ran after her.

The door to the deck was closing, and I charged through. Cat and Cisco cuddled in an oversized chair. “Cisco! Get Ellen.” At six and a half feet tall, it didn’t take him much of an effort to reach her and take her by the hands. She sobbed and struggled to get away.

Cat and Cisco coaxed her to a couch, and I landed beside her, dropping the shoes and taking her hand. Cat took a seat and held her other hand.

“Cisco,” I said, “Please go help Paulo. Eduardo is losing it.” He took off.

Ellen sobbed for a while, and we tried to comfort her. Cat didn’t need much of an explanation as to what had happened. We’d seen them making eyes at each other since we’d arrived here. And I’d noticed Paulo retrieved the soft drink Eduardo had tossed in the trash, unopened. It remained on his bureau ever since. I supposed it had been a little gift from the candy striper.

Cat bowed her head in silent prayer, still clasping Ellen’s hand in both of hers.

When I let go of her, Ellen held her stomach much the same way Paulo always did. She spoke softly. “I’m really sorry. I really am. It’s, it’s just that I – I really, I really do love him.”

I had to ask the question. “Ellen, have you slept with Paulo?”

“No! I mean I wanted to. Tonight we were…” Her voice trailed off.

“Ellen, what do you really know about Paulo?”

She inhaled her tears. “I know that I love him. That’s all I need to know.”

I let out a groan. “Ellen. Do you know that he’s a hemophiliac?”

“Hemophiliac?”

“He didn’t happen to mention that little fact?”

“No! I – I didn’t know. Does he… do you think he has… AIDS? Why wouldn’t he tell me about it?”

“Why? To start, he probably didn’t think you’d have sex with him if you knew. And he will rarely volunteer the information to anyone. I suppose he wants to fit in as much as possible, and this disease makes it difficult to do that. But I will put your mind at ease
—
he does not have AIDS. That much, I know. His parents are careful, and fortunate enough to get him the best medical care. And luckily, he is able to use the factor to prevent bleeding problems, so he can live a relatively normal life.”

Ellen closed her mouth. “I guess I don’t really know a whole lot about him. I mean he’s so hot. And he’s so shy and sweet. I didn’t think he ever even kissed a girl before.” Her voice caught in her throat.

“You’re right. He’s painfully shy, especially where girls are concerned. And immature.”

Ellen nodded. “Yeah, I had to teach him how to kiss me. Most boys have some idea by sixteen. But he’s a real sweetie. I hope he doesn’t hate me now.”

“Honey, I’m sure he doesn’t hate you.” I squeezed her arm.

Cat raised her head and opened her eyes, though she didn’t seem to focus on anyone or anything. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.”

Ellen gave me a “What is she talking about” look, and I shook my head.

Cat popped out of her reverie and turned to her. “Ellen, you should stay with me tonight. I have a very comfortable reclining chair in my room, and you can take the bed.”

By the next morning, Cat had led Ellen to Christ. And when I asked Cat what she meant about laying down one’s life, she deftly changed the subject.

***

When I returned to Paulo’s room, there was a lull in the yelling. His hand to his forehead, Eduardo looked on as Cisco administered the factor to his teary-eyed baby brother.

“He’s fine,” Cisco said as he rubbed Paulo’s back to soothe him. We were both concerned that all this stress could trigger a bleeding problem.

“Ya know, never mind the fact that she could get pregnant, she could give you all kinds of nasty little diseases.” Eduardo was again raising his voice.

“Eduardo.” Cisco intervened as Paulo retreated further into his arms. “You’ve already been through this. Let’s all calm down.”

“Calm down.” Eduardo repeated as the bathroom doorknob snapped in his hand.

Paulo drew closer still to Cisco. “Please don’t tell Cat about this, Cisco.”

“Why not?”

Paulo hung his head in shame. “I – I don’t want to disappoint her.”

I covered my mouth so as not to laugh, and Eduardo pointed the doorknob at him. “That ship has sailed, pal. You know she knows everything. But it’s Mama that’ll kill you.”

I swiped him with my elbow, but he got away this time. Cisco burst out laughing.

“I think it would be a nice idea if Paulo and Ellen had a chance to get to know each other a little better, you know, outside the bedroom,” I said. Eduardo just shook his head. I pressed on. “I suggest you and I accompany Paulo and Ellen to a nice restaurant for dinner tomorrow evening. I think it would be a fun time for all of us.”

Cisco smiled his agreement, and Paulo looked grateful for the help. Eduardo was still irritated, motioning with the battered doorknob. “Nita, we already have enough going on.”

“And an evening out would be a pleasant distraction. After all how many more drug dealers would want to shoot us? We need to relax sometime.”

Cisco looked amused. “It’s a good idea, Eduardo. Will you do it?”

Eduardo exhaled. “Yeah.”

Glori

I sat inconsolable in my favorite conference room with Raphael and Cindy. I remembered Jimmy’s voice. “Miss Coulson, you’ve been the victim of a crime.”  Fun times.

Cin sipped her tea, but I couldn’t even swallow by that point. So I didn’t want to test my legs to walk to the car and go home. Besides, I still had the fantasy Alain would walk through the door.

“Jerry Lee. Huh! Who names their kid that, anyway? He knows, that bastard knows, just what hell-hole Alain is in. They all know – Pearson, Eduardo and David, and they won’t say a word.”

I blew my nose again, and wiped tears with a soaked, shredded, gray tissue. Mascara had to be all over my face. Cindy was quietly shaking her head. She probably already used all the words of comfort she could think of.

“Ya know,” I sniffed, “David and Eduardo shouldn’t let their friend go someplace they know he’s probably not gonna live through.”

“Glori, that’s what they do. That’s their job.” Raphael’s black eyes were full of pity.

“Yeah, I s’pose. They had their near-death experience. So now it’s time for Alain.”

Nita

“You’re going to have to get ready to go, Paulo.” Cisco looked at his watch. “Papa will be done with that lawyer soon, and we’ll have to leave right after that, to be on time for Harris’ appointment.”

Paulo’s face carried the worries of the world. Cat and Ellen walked through the door.

“Ellen!” Paulo instantly had her in his arms. “Are, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Paulo.” Ellen clung to him and started to cry. He held her in a long embrace, as I extended the dinner invitation we’d discussed the night before. Ellen thanked me profusely and wished us all good luck as we prepared to meet Joe Harris.

***

It was a long day for the family, but a successful one. We were impressed with Joe’s ability and accomplishments, and Francisco felt he would do an excellent job in representing us. We had related well together, and came away from the meeting satisfied that we would be able to work with each other. Joe had outlined a logical strategy, and discussed the implementation of the plan. Francisco and Camellia were comfortable that this plan would allow for our success, without undue stress on health and family life.

Francisco agreed that Joe’s fee, a generous percentage, was reasonable provided he followed through with his plans and performed as specified in the agreement. Encouraged by both his attorney’s and Cisco’s approval of the contract, Francisco decided to proceed.

The deal done, Joe immediately proved his worth. Realizing Paulo had done his own CD’s, and that he and his parents were aware of the costs and procedures involved, Joe saw an opportunity to easily get a number of concessions from the record company, which was anxious to sign us. This, he knew, would more than make up for his excellent compensation.

Elated with the prospect of his new career, Paulo spent much of the day in the studio. He found himself surrounded by celebrities pouring in to introduce themselves. Joe sat ready to intervene, sizing up the business possibilities with each one. Eduardo sat ready to intervene with those who became too interested in me.

Doug appeared with two musicians that both he and Joe recommended should join Paulo’s band. Robby Wilson, a curly-haired young Briton, was a talented guitarist, and a strong vocalist. His voice blended extremely well with ours, and he was quite capable of doing lead vocals on many of Paulo’s songs. He had achieved some success with a band that Joe felt was not equal to his talent. This, he believed, would be a great fit for all involved.

Robby and Paulo worked well together from the start. Robby wasted no time in presenting some lyrics he had done, and Paulo almost instantly put them to music on the piano. Joe nodded approvingly, telling us Robby’s boy-next-door good looks, coupled with his talent and outgoing personality, would help catapult the group to superstardom.

Kurt Schneider had achieved notoriety as a guitarist in his native Germany, and more success in the United States, since emigrating four years prior. Paulo was thrilled that Kurt would be interested in joining the band. He had been a fan since he first heard him at a concert in Munich.