Redemption

Part Four:

"Robert ... where are you?" Rankin asked.

"Sitting in the fucking condo," Was the reply. "That damn DA has a police unit sitting out in front of my building 24/7, I can't go anywhere."

He was in a rare mood this morning and cell phone calls were just another aggravation. It didn't help that the condo association had sent him a notice politely asking him to leave. It seems convicted felons weren't allowed to live in the building. He hadn't even gone to court yet and they considered him convicted. He ought to sue the bastards.

"You'll never guess who called me this morning," Rankin said.

"The Pope ... how the fuck would I know?" Robert said.

"Janet Chong ... Danny's lawyer."

"Oh ... oh, damn. What does she want?"

"A meeting, supposedly to discuss Danny's musical career," Rankin said.

"I hope she brings the boy ... "

"You won't be here or anywhere near here," Rankin said. "I'll have those two incompetent fools of mine follow them when they leave. They got mugged in Chinatown the other night, how stupid can you get? But once we know where he's living ... well, enough said."

"All right, but think this through," Robert said. "He wants to perform his new music and you control that. It's a bargaining chip in our favor."

Rankin sighed. "If he gives us the briefcase he can go perform a hundred concerts for all I care. This whole thing is one big screw up and it's your fault. We're going to cancel his contract and make him re-negotiate."

"What about me?" Robert asked. "How am I supposed to make a living?"

"Use some of that money I know you skimmed off the top. You're a fool, Robert ... just be glad you're walking away from this with your life." And Rankin hung up.

Robert sat looking at the dead phone in his trembling hand. His life? That was something he had not considered, but he knew Rankin had people who did terrible things. Danny had no idea what kind of danger those people presented. Why did the kid have to take the briefcase?

Take the money and run, instinct told him, but could he really do that? The cops were keeping a close eye on him so they would need to be distracted. There was plenty of money and he could start over in Mexico or South America. Wherever it was had to be out of reach, not just from the cops but from Rankin.

His eyes fell on the notice from the condo association ... how perfect. He would put the condo on the market which meant he would have to visit the bank to retrieve the deed. There was enough in the safety deposit box to get him far away from here. And Robert smiled. When the condo sold he would have Freeman handle the transaction and secretly send him the money. Perfect.

Rankin sat behind his desk and waited for his boys to arrive. Barrett and Simpkins had been pretty handy over the years and that Chinatown business had been just one incident. Shit happens. Like loyal dogs, these two men followed orders without question. It wasn't every record company executive who had two ex-soldiers on the payroll and willing to kill if necessary.

Robert Rhodes was a big concern, and Rankin didn't like problems. If things got any worse he would have Barrett take care of this problem, just like he had several others. The phone on his desk gave off a single beep.

"Yes, Marcie?"

"Mr. Rankin, I have Janet Chong on line three ... are you available?"

"Yeah, I'll take it." So here we go, Rankin thought. "Good Morning, Ms. Chong."

'Mr. Rankin, I was calling back to set up that meeting we discussed," Janet said.

"Yes ... the Chairman of the Board was just asking me about Danny's music this morning," Rankin lied. "He wants Danny to get right back on the horse after this ... um, little disturbance."

"I couldn't agree more, we're wasting a lot of precious time here."

"Are you available this afternoon?" Rankin asked.

"We are, but I need assurances that Danny's father won't be there," Janet said.

"Oh, that's easy ... I told our security people he's not allowed in the building anymore. I think the publicity from this incident hasn't damaged Danny's reputation one bit. We need to get him back in circulation."

"That's one of the things we will discuss. What time?" Janet asked.

"Will two o'clock be suitable?" Rankin asked.

"Fine, I'll make sure he's there."

"I have just one question," Rankin said. "Without his father, who can legally make these important decisions?"

"I can, Mr. Rankin ... the court has appointed me his guardian," Janet said.

"Ah, that's good to know ... so I'll see you at two. Thank you, Ms. Chong."

"Good-Bye, Mr. Rankin."

Perfect, Rankin thought. A guardian with no knowledge of the industry would be most helpful. Of course the boy would need a new contract, one that eliminated his father completely. Perhaps CRA could lower the artist's percentage. Chong probably had no idea what Danny was making now. New music, that's what they needed, and Rankin knew the boy had plenty of that in his head.

CRA had cultivated Danny's fan base very carefully. Details like that were important to the bottom line in this business. Robert could skim off the box office and concessions all he wanted, but Rankin had made sure CRA got the lion's share of the recording profits. There was no need for that to change now, was there?

They needed Danny back in the studio and Rankin just hoped that Robert hadn't damaged the kid's looks in any way. Stupid asshole, you never hit the talent in the face. Danny had two albums worth of music, twenty-four songs which included two videos. The kid looked great on camera and Rankin had decided it was time to do a complete DVD.

The profit margin from iTunes and Amazon sales had pushed Danny into the top twenty-five. The kid was a money-maker. They would get him a new wardrobe, perhaps a new, more adult looking hairstyle, and give him a push towards the college crowd. It was fine that the tween girls loved him, but Danny would soon be too old for them.

"Marcie," Rankin called over the intercom. "Where are those two idiots? Get me Barrett on the phone."

"Yes, Mr. Rankin."

Janet didn't think she would be followed this time. Why would Rankin bother when he knew where Danny would be at two o'clock? Still, she stayed away from the Keene house and planned to meet Danny and Michael for lunch.

Danny had never been to the Yum Wok before, although he had been in plenty of Chinese restaurants. Michael drove them from the alley behind the house and out Garfield before turning into the hospital complex. Janet had been very specific in her instructions. Michael pulled into the parking garage and drove up to the second level.

Janet had watched them arrive from her spot in the doctor's parking lot. Perhaps she was being too cautious, but it appeared no one was following them. She had her mother's car today, something those two men from the other night would not recognize. Janet smiled and pulled into the garage to pick up the boys.

The lobby of the Chong family restaurant had a waterfall on one side which tumbled down rocks and into a fish pond, while on the other wall was a line of benches. Danny was pleased to see that half of the crowd waiting to get in for lunch was Caucasian. Janet didn't even stop there and preceded them into the large entrance doorway.

The smells were overwhelming, and delightful enough to make Danny's mouth water. The main dining room was lined with red leatherette booths and tables filled the middle around a huge buffet line. It looked like there were a hundred people in the room, many of them standing with plates for the buffet.

A hostess walked over to Janet and they chatted in Chinese for a moment before she smiled at Danny and Michael.

"This way, please," The hostess said.

"That's Alice Chong, she's one of Janet's younger sisters," Michael said.

"The whole family works here?" Danny asked.

"Most of them ... I don't see her mother yet, she must be in the kitchen."

They walked through the crowded tables and stepped through a beaded curtain into a short hallway. The hostess left them here and Janet led them to a set of ornate carved doors.

"The family dining room," Michael said. "A privilege for us white boys."

Unlike the public space, this room was filled with Chinese art and pottery. A long, black lacquered table was lined with chairs ornately carved with birds, trees and gilded with gold leaf. The walls were a deep red, with brass lanterns spaced down the length on both sides. It looked pretty formal for just a simple lunch.

Janet seated them at one end of the table as two young ladies entered the room from a nearby archway.

"These are my cousins, Natalie and Roberta," Janet said. "Girls, this is Danny and ... well of course, you know Michael."

Roberta giggled behind her hand while Natalie walked over and shook Danny's hand. She then turned to Michael and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Grandmother says the meal will be ready shortly, we will bring you tea," Natalie said.

"Thank you," Janet replied.

The girls left and Danny turned to Michael. "You worked here?"

"I did ... and a few years ago I dated Natalie. She's a very traditional girl and we were not a good match."

Janet chuckled. "Your needs and hers were not the same. I give you both credit for recognizing that fact."

Roberta returned with a teapot and three cups, pouring the first cup for each of them and leaving the pot in front of Janet. The girl moved gracefully around the end of the table, trying very hard not to take her eyes off of Danny.

"I believe Roberta is aware of your identity," Janet said.

Danny turned his smile on the girl. "Do you like my music?" He asked.

Roberta seemed a little stunned and glanced at Janet who nodded. "Oh yes, you make wonderful music, Mr. Rhodes."

"It's Danny, and I'm very glad to meet you, Roberta."

She shook his proffered hand and Danny thought she might faint. Instead she blushed and then quickly left the room.

Janet grinned. "I see you have fans even in the Chinese community."

"Music is the universal language. I value fans no matter where they are," Danny said. "So what did you order for lunch? I hope it's not as hot as that dinner we shared."

"I think you will be pleased," Janet said.

The food when it arrived was something Danny could appreciate. A baked fish, a noodle dish loaded with vegetables and a sweet and sour soup that had just the right amount of spice. They were halfway through the meal when an elderly woman came into the room and Janet stood up to greet her.

Danny and Michael stood as Janet introduced them. "Danny, this is my mother, Mrs. Chong."

From her choice of clothing Danny could tell this was a woman who valued her Chinese roots. Her silk brocaded dress hung almost to the floor and was decorated with huge yellow chrysanthemums and large green leaves. This didn't look like a woman who had been slaving away in the kitchen. She shook Danny's hand and nodded to Michael.

"Sit ... sit, you must eat before the food gets cold," She said.

They resumed their seats and Natalie appeared with a fresh pot of tea and another cup for Mrs. Chong who took a seat beside Janet. Natalie poured the woman a cup and bowed before leaving the room. Of course, this was the Grandmother, the most important person in the family.

Danny resumed eating his meal and watched the interaction between mother and daughter. This was the family business and yet Janet had chosen a different career. The women were still talking when Danny finished and Michael lay down his chopsticks. Without a word Michael rose from the table and gave Danny a nod, inclining his head towards the archway.

Michael led the way as Danny followed towards what he assumed would be the kitchen, but they turned in the other direction and mounted a staircase.

"Where are we going?" Danny asked.

"There's something I want to show you," Michael replied.

At the top of the stairs was another hallway running the length of the second floor. Michael headed down the hall and then turned right into a passageway. The carpet beneath their feet gave way to a concrete surface and Danny realized they were outside the building on a raised walkway surrounded with frosted glass windows.

Ahead was a heavy metal door that opened silently at Michael's touch. Danny stepped through and Michael closed the door behind them.

"You must remain very quiet or risk breaking the concentration of the students," Michael said.

Ahead was a room of vast proportions and Danny stepped forward towards a railing on the balcony that looked down on the activities below. There were almost two dozen young students dressed in black from head to toe, and one older man in a yellow garment.

As a whole, the group was practicing slow movement in a rigid form and to Danny it looked like they were almost dancing.

"The Taijiquan," Michael whispered. "This is a style of inner focus so essential to the practice of martial arts."

"You studied here?" Danny asked.

"I did ... I do," Michael said.

The students on the floor moved silently through their routine and then suddenly stopped. Without a word they moved into a large square and sat down on the floor while the man in yellow moved to the middle. So this is where Michael had learned his skills, and then Danny noticed that all the students below were Chinese.

Michael pulled at his sleeve and they walked down the balcony to a spiral staircase and followed it down. They ended up in a small room on the same level as the practice floor. Windows looked out at the group of students but Danny was in awe of the weapons hanging on the walls.

"This is the armory, we can talk here and still watch," Michael said. "I know you have seen the Shaolin styles of Kung Fu. That's what you see most in the movies. But this is based in Taoism. I don't know how to describe the differences, almost all martial arts in China has a religious affiliation.

"Waijia and Neijia are the external and internal components of the art we call Taijiquan. When we have the time I will have to explain it to you further. But look, they perform the ritual combat."

Out on the floor two of the students had risen and taken places within the square. Each assumed an open stance, arms spread wide and legs apart. The whirling dance that followed was a flurry of activity in slow motion involving hands and feet. The opponents writhed and bent, legs and hands moving in and around one another until finally one of the boys managed to lay two hands squarely on the chest of his opponent and they stopped. They turned to face the man in yellow and bowed before resuming their seats in the square.

"I don't get it," Danny said. "There was very little contact in that bout."

"Taijiquan has a very internal focus. Their combat was first mental and then followed by the physical manifestation you saw. If a man can master the internal fight then he will control every fiber of his being and let loose the tiger within. This is only a class of novice students and they will take some years to master the techniques to make them fearsome warriors."

"How much have you achieved ... how good are you in this Taijiquan?" Danny asked.

Michael smiled. "I am still very much a novice. I have learned many of the styles in the fighting arts, but I struggle with the philosophy. Tao means way, and Taoism is focused on achieving harmony with the universe. Combining that philosophy of balance with styles of combat is a study for a lifetime.

"You see Master Chen out there, the man in yellow? He has been studying the Tao for most of his life, first as a monk in China and now as a teacher of others. He is the embodiment of patience and I learned a great deal from him.

"He was once asked to define how patient a student must be to achieve mastery of the Taijiquan. He led that student to a blank place on the wall and asked the boy to place a single finger on a dark spot he found there. The boy did that and Chen told him to push with all his might and count to ten. The boy did this and then Chen nodded and they returned to the lessons.

"It took maybe fifteen minutes before the boy raised his hand. He asked the Master what lesson had been learned by pushing on that spot. Chen said he had been teaching in this room for twenty years and dozens of students had asked him that same question. He had taken each of them to push on the spot and then receive the knowledge that would follow.

"Patience is pushing on the same spot for a lifetime without apparent results, Chen told the class. Perhaps in a century or two there would be a hole in the wall. It would take many lifetimes and many curious students to achieve that goal, if indeed that was the goal at all. Patience is not asking 'are we there yet,' but is about understanding the journey to that final destination."

Michael smiled. "Master Chen is the wisest man I know and I made the mistake of telling him that one day. He responded by saying it was a shame that I didn't know too many wise people."

Danny laughed. "He sounds like a very smart man. So other than combat what did he teach you?"

"Be prepared, Chen always says. Life will give no warning, no time to prepare for the worst. In his lifetime Master Chen has been shot, stabbed and beaten, but there he stands in perfect health. Any of those assaults could have been deadly, except he was prepared. He will not say what happened to his assailants, but I know they were destroyed in the attack.

"The Master prefers to teach his students how to disable an opponent and that's what I did to your father. Killing disrupts the harmony within and it is not always necessary. I certainly agree with that. I think we should get back to the dining room, we don't want Janet to get worried."

They made for the stairs but Danny paused to look at the weapons on the walls. "Do you know how to use these?" He asked.

"Some of them, but the Taijiquan teaches that any object can be a weapon in the right hands. Look over here in the glass case," Michael said.

The long glass case held a fierce looking blade, wide at the head and tapering down to a socket where it was held on a long carved wooden pole.

"This is a Dao, a very ancient fighting tool. Not a spear, but a sword on a pole. Master Chen says this one is centuries old and a very revered object. I was allowed to touch it, but only once. The master says if you knew how that you could defeat a man wielding this weapon with only a pair of chopsticks."

"Oh, I find that hard to believe," Danny said.

"Nothing is impossible with the right knowledge. Tao teaches that, and the more I understand the more I believe it."

"How long have you been studying?"

"Not too many years," Michael said. "I began when I was fourteen."

"Have you won many tournaments?"

"We have no contests in public, just the small combat struggles you saw here among the novices and a larger combat practice among the experienced. The methods of the Taijiquan are not to be shared with others, we are most secretive. The practice can be deadly, my friend, and we don't want the knowledge to fall into the hands of the wrong people."

"So you're one of the dangerous guys you've talked about," Danny said.

Michael smiled. "I can be."

As they climbed back up to the balcony Danny began to think about what Michael had said. He had been fourteen, almost seven years ago ... that was back when Tommy Chong was a great influence in his life. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together. They must have studied the Taijiquan together for a long time before ... what went wrong?

Janet was sitting with Natalie when they returned, but her mother was already gone.

"There you are," Janet said. "Did you go see the school?"

Michael nodded. "Yes, I had to show Danny the source of strength behind the Chong family."

"The school is yours too?" Danny asked.

"We only give the space for Mr. Chen to use. The school is open to all who qualify," Janet said.

"The students were all Chinese ... how did Michael get in?"

"The Tong allowed," Janet said. "Shall we go see Mr. Rankin?"

CRA Recording was in a massive modern building, a place Danny had visited on several occasions. They took the elevator to the sixth floor and then walked down the hall to the executive offices. A young woman sat at a desk in the lobby of the suite labeled Media.

"Mr. Rhodes," Marcie said, standing to greet him. "And this must be Ms. Chong."

Michael stood back by the door and slowly glanced around the room. He would not be introduced since Janet didn't want anyone to know his name and trace it back to Danny. But dressed in black from head to toe Michael could have been their driver and Marcie seemed to take it that way.

"Mr. Rankin will be right with you," Marcie said. "Let me tell him you're here."

Danny took a seat after Marcie left the room and began to thumb through the industry magazines piled on a side table. Janet walked around the room looking at the framed photos of performers tacked to the wall. She paused before one of them, a magazine cover that held Danny's picture. 'Rising Star for CRA' it declared.

A quick review online had given Janet a list of the entertainers that recorded under the CRA label. A publicly held company, CRA was an offshoot of a Japanese electronics outfit. That had made her smile, realizing that the large reach of Asian business held sway over Rankin. The man might be the titular head of the industry here, but if things panned out he might just lose ... his job and his head.

The District Attorney had already informed Judge Gwynn that there were some mighty suspicious activities recorded in the documents found in the briefcase. The Los Angeles County Tax Investigation Division was pouring over them now. Janet had decided to wait for their findings before engaging her own accounting experts. It could be only a matter of weeks before the DA brought the whole affair to the Grand Jury. He was also very interested in this meeting today and what Janet might discover about CRA's relationship with Robert Rhodes.

Marcie reappeared and nodded. "Mr. Rankin will see you now."

She escorted Danny and Janet down the hall while Michael remained in the outer lobby. Marcie returned a few moments later and sat back behind her desk. Michael took a seat and picked up a magazine.

It was perhaps five minutes later when a tall muscular man entered the room and walked straight over to Marcie. They quietly exchanged some information and the man left, giving Michael a glance on the way out. Michael gave no outward sign, but he knew he had just met the opposition.

The guy was ex-military, his looks betrayed that. There had been a slight bulge under the man's coat, a holstered weapon. The man had been injured at some point in the past, his gait expressed that. But he also displayed a fluidity of movement that spoke of physical training, some form of hand to hand combat, possibly martial arts skills.

Master Chen taught all his boys that the best defense began with a glance. Recognizing the abilities of an opponent was the first step in planning a good offense. Michael had seen many of the ex-military types who went into law enforcement and fortunately his father wasn't one of them. They carried a certain amount of bluster around with the badge, and it did not serve them well.

Michael sat quietly in thought knowing that what Janet had said would come true. This man Rankin had a lot to lose if Danny walked away from all this. There had been criminal activity, some of it encompassing the father. Greed was always something that encouraged bad behavior and shattered the harmony of being. Michael knew he had best be prepared for whatever these people had in mind.

Janet and Danny sat on the plush leather couch facing Rankin. He had offered them refreshment and she had declined for them both. Of course there would be no mention of the briefcase, she knew that. Rankin would not directly ask Danny for anything like that and she had already told the boy to express no knowledge of the case's contents.

"So, Ms. Chong, you'd like to get Danny back on stage," Rankin said. "We think that's a wonderful idea. Put all this nonsense behind us and move on."

"The industry already seems to be clamoring for something new," Janet said. "There's lots of competition out there, and he doesn't want to lose any of the market share to them."

"Well said," Rankin replied. "You're at that crossover point of attracting older fans and that is a real consideration for any new music you write, Danny. I have a couple of sources who can help you boost that appeal to the older crowd."

Danny smiled and said nothing. "Danny seems to feel he can do that very well by himself," Janet said. "His new lyrics are giving serious consideration to adult relationships. Did you have any specific venues in mind?"

"Several in fact," Rankin said. "Looking ahead, I think this fall after his birthday we can do a return to the Las Vegas club scene. Not any of those afternoon children's shows, but a solid evening of entertainment with Danny Rhodes and an orchestra. But first, you know we have to work out a new contract. Perhaps you have some ideas there?"

"I do, but I would like to review the current contract and see if there needs to be any major changes," Janet said.

"Robert didn't leave you anything?"

"I doubt if Mr. Rhodes will be very co-operative in this renegotiation, he has other issues at the moment."

Rankin smiled. "I suppose he does. I'll get Marcie to pull together a copy of the current contract. I know we're fast approaching the deadline for some new music releases and we can incorporate that in the new contract as well."

"Frankly, Mr. Rankin, you already know what's in the paperwork, this approach doesn't fool us. I'm not sure Danny has a valid contract with your company," Janet said.

"He does and it's been in place for the past two years."

"That would be a contract with Robert Rhodes and not Danny," Janet said. "You do understand that Danny is not able to enter into any contractual obligations as a minor."

"His father signed the contract assigning Danny's music to us," Rankin said.

"But that's the point. Robert Rhodes has no music to give this company. That will be an issue you'll have to take up with him."

Rankin sat back in his chair and frowned. "This is not a good deal for either of us, Ms. Chong. Contractually we have the first option to any new music Danny writes."

"It may read that way on paper, but is it legally defensible?" Janet asked. "You have a contract with a man who has lost guardianship over Danny through an order of the court. He has no legal means to compel Danny to meet the contract that was signed. I would suggest that contract is null and void at the moment."

"You're going to destroy the boy's career, Ms. Chong. This matter will be tied up in court for years and during that period we will seek an injunction to keep him from recording any music whatsoever."

"I would suggest that you do not own Danny's intellectual property, Mr. Rankin. Perhaps you might involve some of the music you have already recorded, but you cannot stop him from recording anything new. I imagine our negotiations on this matter have come to an impasse for the moment. I would suggest you seek some legal advice, Mr. Rankin, especially before you commit yourself to any course of action."

Janet stood up and Danny followed. He had not said one word to Rankin and now the man turned to him with what he considered some solid advice.

"Danny ... you need to read your contract. I'm sure your father has a copy somewhere. He was always carrying it around. He has a briefcase, have you seen that?" Rankin asked.

"Our discussion is at an end, Mr. Rankin," Janet said. "You may have your legal team contact my office. As his legal guardian I would ask that you have no direct contact with Danny and I will pass that request on to the court for enforcement."

"I don't even know how to get in touch with him, Ms. Chong."

"Good," Janet replied, and she opened the door to leave.

Michael stood up the moment he saw them appear at the door and Janet moved quickly across the lobby and down the hall to the elevators.

"Didn't go well?" Michael asked.

"No," Danny said, and then he turned to Janet. "Where are we going now?"

"The courthouse," Janet said, looking at her watch. "The judge should be out of court by the time we get there."

The elevator opened and Danny stepped inside. "Here come de judge," He said.

Janet chuckled. "That's so old school, where did you hear that?"

Danny shrugged. "Television, I guess."

"We'll have company on the way out," Michael said.

Janet handed Michael the car keys. "Then you drive in case I have to call for backup."

They left the visitor's parking garage with a dark green sedan following discretely behind. Michael did his best to ignore them as they made their way across town to the justice center. The car on their tail pulled over to the curb as Michael pulled into the courthouse parking garage.

"You think it's the same guys as the other night?" Michael asked. "I got a good look at one of them while you were in with Rankin."

"Short hair, square face ... that's Barrett," Janet said.

"Yes, him," Michael said.

"Who are these guys?" Danny asked.

"Rankin's muscle," Janet said. "He didn't get what he wanted today, but you notice he brought up the briefcase ... he's worried."

"Isn't that dangerous? You think Rankin knows what's in that briefcase?" Danny asked.

"I'm sure he does, and I think your father told him. That was a very foolish thing to do," Janet said.

Danny was quiet as they went through the doors into the courthouse. Janet greeted the secretary at the entrance to the judge's chambers and discovered that Gwynn was still in court so they sat down to wait. It was the waiting that made Danny start to think about what was happening.

Michael was across the room sitting quietly, his body in repose. What Danny had seen today served to explain why this young man was so self assured. This inner and outer manifestation of the martial arts is what had made the changes in Michael. It did not explain why Tommy had failed to keep the lessons he had learned.

Danny could only imagine how hard Michael had studied the Taijiquan. But the irrational behavior of his younger years had been set aside and the discipline had worked for him. In no way had Michael given a clue to the explosive power he held inside. Except for that few seconds in the confrontation with his father, Michael had acted like a lamb instead of a lion.

With what he now knew Danny felt safe even as he understood that Rankin was angry and could become irrational. The two men who followed them would not know of Michael's strength in combat. But who was protecting his father?

Perhaps he shouldn't worry about what might happen, the man had been less than a good parent. But his life was at risk and that did not sit well in Danny's mind. Greed did not make a man worthy of death, if that was what Rankin had in mind. The more he thought about it Danny was almost sure that Rankin would try something to hurt his father.

"Oh, Janet ... I forgot, the DA sent this over for you," Gwynn's secretary said.

The large envelope held a stack of photocopied documents, all of them from Robert's briefcase. The contents had been sorted into folders and labeled. Janet spread them out on the coffee table and picked up the hand written note from Billy Beale.

"FYI, you will need to give me a written request for discovery to make this official," Beale had written. "The Grand Jury meets next Tuesday and I am expecting two further warrants will be served on Robert Rhodes. Those embezzlement and tax evasion charges will also encompass the recording company's agent Carl Rankin. That information is sealed, but I thought you might like to know."

"What does it say?" Danny asked.

"The accounting documents prove your father and Rankin were stealing," Janet said. She leaned over and picked up a folder. "And here we have a copy of your contract with CRA, that's handy."

Danny took the folder and began to read the contract document. The legal terms were so confusing he couldn't understand the half of it. Page after page of whereas this and whereas that. It would take a lawyer to decipher the code.

"I don't understand this at all," Danny said.

"I don't think your father did either, but he signed it," Janet replied. "Don't worry about that now. I will have someone knowledgeable about such things look at this."

Danny nodded. "I guess we have to. Is it true that my father can't force me to give any music to Rankin?"

"I think that's how the court will see it, and after they file charges against him for stealing your money I think Rankin is touting a lost cause. I would go on writing your new music and we'll work on finding a way for you to present it."

"Thank you," Danny said. "What will they do to my father?"

"He'll get some prison time, perhaps that will help him mend his ways," Janet said.

"No, I meant what will Rankin do to him?"

"You think Rankin is a threat to your father?"

"I do ... they might hurt him." Danny looked at the files on the table. "These show more than how much they stole. I think my father was just a little piece of the game and that Rankin has been doing this for a long time to me and others. He's got to be worried that my father will turn against him. Isn't that how the law works?"

"Sometimes," Janet said. "If the DA decides to go after Rankin your father would be the most likely witness against him. Now I see what's worrying you ... and perhaps you're right. I was only thinking of any danger to you, but your father has an even bigger problem."

"Can we do anything ... will Mr. Beale protect him?"

"If he becomes a witness they will, but I don't think the DA has decided anything yet."

Janet looked at Danny. Could this be the boy who so despised his father and was now concerned? Perhaps he still had some feelings for the man and she judged that to be a good thing. It would be best for Danny if he could find some way to forgive the man who had given him life and allow them to move past this incident.

Of course Robert should pay what the law allowed. He didn't need to think he could ever do something like this to his child and get away with it. Perhaps she should discuss this with the DA if Gwynn allowed. To speak directly with Robert would be a conflict of interest ... unless ...

Judge Gwynn walked in a few minutes later and they went into her office. "I see you got the copies," She said.

"Yes, thank you," Janet said. "We met with Rankin this morning and now we have a contract dispute as well."

Gwynn nodded. "You knew that was coming."

"Yes, the battle is just beginning. I wonder if you have any insight as to the DA's approach to handling this case. Robert Rhodes now seems to be the smaller fish compared to the probability of corporate malfeasance with Rankin and CRA. Do you think Bill is planning to tag Robert as a witness for the prosecution?"

"You mean a plea deal?" Gwynn asked. "That would serve the hand of justice, but I don't think there will be any immunity on the table."

"And if Danny asks the court for a lenient sentence for his father, will they oblige?" Janet asked.

Gwynn raised her eyebrows and looked at Danny. "That would be highly unusual, but I can't comment even though it won't be my case to try. What's behind this?"

"Rankin has his goon squad following us around. Danny is worried that they might try to inflict some punishment on his father for the way things are going. I'm going to increase our level of security but Danny's father is unaware of his own danger."

"What can Rankin do?" Gwynn asked.

"They might kill him," Danny blurted out.

Gwynn gazed at the boy for a moment, surprised at the outburst. Danny was obviously worried and his welfare was her main concern. She might ask Bill to assign some further police patrols, but that had rarely worked for witness protection. If the bad guys wanted to shut Robert up they would find a way to do just that.

"I'm not sure what we can do," Gwynn said.

"I do," Michael said. "Why don't you let me go talk to him?"

Both Gwynn and Janet turned to Michael with puzzled looks. "He probably knows who you are, Michael," Janet said.

"He might be afraid of you," Gwynn said.

"No ... I think Michael is perfect," Danny said. "My father might be afraid of him, so what? It's our chance to win him over to our side, to show him a little ... "

"Kindness?" Michael said with a smile.

"Yes, kindness. He was a fool for stealing the money, the bigger fool for hitting me, but he doesn't deserve to get hurt or ... or killed. He thinks Rankin is on his side and that the man will protect him. He won't even see it coming if they decide to ... " And here Danny stopped, looking over at Michael. "I'm sorry ... I didn't even ask if you wanted to do this."

"I offered ... I mean it," Michael said. "I'll go sit with him for a few days until the DA decides what to do. Janet can call Master Chen and he'll send Leonard over to watch out for you and my Pops."

"This may put you in grave danger," Gwynn said.

"Won't be the first time, Your Honor," Michael said. "Have a little faith in me."

"I have a lot of faith in you, Michael," Gwynn said.

"Then that's settled. I'll leave quietly," Michael said, handing the car keys back to Janet. "You be sure to call Master Chen before you leave here."

Janet nodded. "I will ... you be careful."

"Careful is only a solace for fools, awareness guides my feet," Michael said as he stood up. He smiled at Danny. "I hope you know how to cook because my father sure doesn't."

"We'll order out for Chinese," Danny said.

Michael was almost to the door when Danny called out. "Michael."

Michael turned back just as Danny reached out and pulled him in for a hug. Michael could feel the boy tremble and held on for a moment longer.

"Thank you," Danny whispered.

"You take care of my Pops ... and I'll take care of yours," Michael replied. "Together we can't fail." And with that he released Danny and slid out the door.


On to Chapter Twenty-Two


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