Chapter 14: Finn - Pisces

Sunday wasn’t any better than the rest of Finn’s trip. He’d left Bay’s penthouse in the early morning, but the man had never made a move to try and give him what he wanted. He should have known better than to ever think he would. But when his phone rang while he was leaving to meet with an artist for the movie, he was happy to see that is was Bay.

“What’s up, Bay?”

“Just thought I’d call and warn you that our favorite detective just called and said that your head is on the chopping block.”

“Very funny. If you’re fucking with me, Bay, it’s not cool.” He didn’t think it was funny at all, and to kid about it was to make a mockery of what had happened to their friends.

“I’m not kidding. I’m serious. I don’t know where he’s getting the information, he wouldn’t tell me, but if he says so, you better believe it. If you don’t, call him.”

Finn’s belief that Bay was fooling around faded, and panic slowly set in. “I’ve got places to be today, Bay. I can’t be worried about this shit.” He knew it was silly since his life was on the line, but so was his career. And if this bullshit ended up being just a shallow threat, he was going to be giving up a whole lot because of it. “Dammit. Should I go to this fucking meeting?”

“If it’s about where I’m putting my goddamned money, you bet your sweet ass you should. Although, now I’m starting to reconsider the loan again. I don’t want to hand you a wad of cash, and you get killed before I can recoup it.”

“That’s bullshit. I’m making the fucking movie, even if I have to go into hiding to do it. I’m going to get back home, and then I won’t have to fucking worry about it.”

“God, I knew you’d flip out and run home. Look, you have work to do. Not only do I want that fucking file of you and Seth edited, but I need you to get a good start on this project before I regret promising you the money.”

“It’s not like I don’t want to, dammit, but for fuck’s sake, Bay. Someone is out there gunning for me.”

“I’ll have my men tail you. They’ll let me know if someone is after you or not, and maybe this way, we’ll be able to find out who this motherfucker is.”

“I’m a sitting duck here,” Finn said.

“Fine, you can come stay here at the penthouse for a few days.”

He couldn’t believe the invitation and decided to take him up on it. “I’ll pack my things, and when I’m done with my next meeting, I’ll head over.”

“Fine, I’ll be here for a while. I have Mia coming over again.”

Finn hated knowing that Bay was having his girlfriend around. Finn thought he and Bay would have more fun with Bay’s wife than her younger sister. Still, he wouldn’t pass up the chance to spend some more time around the man he was infatuated with, and to be fair, he would be a lot safer there than anywhere else in the city.

Finn packed up a few of his things to take along, and he called for help with the sculpture he’d bought from Logan and had it brought down to his car. Thankfully, it wasn’t that big a deal, and the same men who helped him get it up to his room took it back and loaded it. He was going to have to take it into Bay’s penthouse and hoped that he didn’t mind.

Once he had his stuff situated, he checked out of the room and tipped the men handsomely for their help. He made it across town to his meeting and hoped this time he’d found a winner.

“Come in, come in,” said Wes Finkle, the artist whom he hoped would take Logan’s place. “Thanks for coming on a Sunday, my friend. You don’t know what a lifesaver you are.”

“Well, it helped me out, too,” Finn said. “I’m afraid that I’ll be leaving town soon, and I appreciate you arranging this so I could see your work in person.”

“I’m always happy to show my work off.” The man was flamboyant, and Finn didn’t have to wonder if he were gay. The half-naked men depicted in the art around his studio told him that much, if his mannerisms and effeminate voice didn’t. “I’m such a shameless bitch. You have to watch me.”

Finn laughed along with the man, and when he walked into the back room where the man worked on his metal masterpieces, he knew this was his guy. The works weren’t quite as intricate as the ones he’d ordered from Logan, but the man’s style was close enough that he knew he could handle Finn’s vision.

“Now I see why you want to show it off,” Finn said. “You do amazing work.”

“Thank you. My father wanted me to be an engineer, but I couldn’t be the son he wanted. I had to spread my wings, and that’s when I picked up a torch and turned our old lawn furniture into something amazing for my mother. Gave my father the red ass, but I didn’t care.” He spoke lively with his hands and patted Finn on the shoulder. “Sorry, I’m a bit hands-on. Hard not to be with a handsome fella like yourself. Are you married?”

“No, I’m seeing a woman in California where I’m from.” Finn wanted to send a clear message to the man that he wasn’t in the market, or even on the same playing field.

“Good for you. That’s wonderful.” The man seemed genuinely happy for him, and Finn felt like that was just what he needed, someone genuine to be involved with him. Someone passionate and confident. The man fit that description perfectly.

“Thanks,” Finn said. “So, how would you like to take on a special project for my movie?”

“Really? You mean, you think it’s what you’re looking for?”

“I do. I really think your work is special, and I hope you’re willing to put your flare on the specs when I send them. I’ll have to call my investor, of course. He likes to see where his money is going, and then I’ll call you and let you know the deadline if that’s going to work for you.”

Wes held his hands together as if it was all he could do to contain his excitement. “It more than works. I’ve been hoping for a special project.”

“You’ve got one,” Finn said. “I’ll go make some calls, and then I’ll come back here tonight with a check for the deposit if that’s okay? I have another meeting with a special effects makeup artist, and of course, as you know, I’ll be leaving town in a day or two, if not sooner. Life’s crazy when you’re making a movie.”

“That’s fine, and I understand. Thank you for the opportunity.” Wes shook his hand and showed him out, and as Finn walked down, he thought it safer to be on the phone. He called Edie, who answered on the first ring.

“Please tell me you’re coming home soon. I miss you terribly.” Edie was using her baby voice again, talking to him like he was her pet golden retriever or worse, a two-month-old baby.

He suppressed his irritation. “I miss you, too. I just wanted to share the good news with you.” She’d been working so hard for him, he knew she’d appreciate something happy for a change.

“Good news? Oh, what is it?” He could imagine her bouncing up and down in her seat as she did anytime he gave her good news, and he hoped she was, because she was due some happiness, too.

“I found an artist,” he said. “He’s just as good as the last one, and although his style is unique, it’s similar to the one who fell through, so I think we’re good to go. I’ve got to go talk to the investor, and then I will bring him his deposit and the specs tonight. I can’t wait.”

“Oh, honey, that’s spectacular. I can’t believe your luck has turned.” She was always going on and on about his luck, but he had always made his own instead of depending on charms or prayers.

“If it’s luck, then I’ll take it. I like to think of it as hard work, and when that pays off, it’s much more gratifying.” He wasn’t about to give luck all the credit.

“Did you find a makeup artist yet?”

“I have a person I’m meeting within an hour, but I’m going to have to find the designer closer to home, I think.” He hadn’t ever intended to fill all the positions he’d needed in a single trip, and now with these things situated, he at least felt confident enough to take Bay’s money.

“I can’t wait until you are home, baby. I have a surprise for you. You’re going to love it.” She had stopped using her baby voice and started using her more serious, sultry voice.

“Is that so?” he asked, thinking of how it would compare to all of the crazy kinks he’d been tied up with on the trip. He hadn’t intended on hooking up with so many, but he and Raven had been having a wonderful time at the club.

“Yes, that’s so.” She said with an alluring tone. He had no idea what it could be and didn’t care to know or to press.

“I love surprises, Edie. Miss you, darling.” He got into his car and shut the door and locked it. “I should get to my next meeting. I’ll call when I’m done.”

“Oh, okay.” She sounded a bit deflated, but he hadn’t entirely burst her bubble. “I can’t wait.” She giggled, and the call ended on a chipper note, at least on Edie’s end.

He rolled his eyes and tossed the phone into the seat. He cared about her, he really did, but she was so fucking pleasant that it became exhausting at times, especially when she played her games. He figured he’d go home to find she’d bought him a set of golf clubs or maybe something random like a pair of gloves. She was always doing small things for him, and while he appreciated it, it wasn’t necessary.

He drove to his next meeting feeling lucky and hoping that the meeting with Wes Finkle had set a tone for the rest of the day. But when he heard the steampunk heart shift on the back floorboard, he remembered that no matter how nice and sunny the day was, he had a dark cloud looming over his head.

At the next stoplight, he looked back to make sure the sculpture wasn’t messed up and stood it upright, hoping the damned thing hadn’t ruined his seats. Everything looked okay.

When the light changed, he continued on, feeling a sense of paranoia creep in. What if one of his meetings was a setup? What if when he got to the location, the killer got him? No one would know what happened to him until his body turned up in a sewer somewhere, or perhaps a dump or a ditch. Being a writer, he could think of all sorts of scenarios, and not one of them had a happy ending.