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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 2
Josef was sitting in his office in Torremolinas, head in hands, when his computer screen signalled an incoming call from Juan.
Juan, oblivious to the problem in Chicago, was upbeat.
"Hi Bro, what did you need me for?".
Josef realised at that moment, something he hadn't thought about in reaching out to Juan.
In order to get Juan's input, he'd have to break the confidence Jace had sworn him to about Dillon's return, he knew he had to deal with that issue first.
"I need your help figuring out how the hell I'm supposed to deal with a potential problem, but first I have to have your word, if I tell you what this something is, you'll keep it to yourself, you can't share this problem, or anything to do with whom it relates too, not with anyone, including, and especially family, can you give me that assurance?".
Juan was intrigued, but also a little annoyed, his reply made the later clear.
"I'm a partner in this company, you have no right to question my discretion, but I'm also not stupid, and I'm conscious of the fact you must have known how I would react to such a request, and that tells me you have a pretty important reason for going there and pushing that button, so yes, I'll give you my word, 'it', whatever, 'it', is, or anything 'it', relates to, will remain only between us two, is that good enough for you?".
Josef understood Juan's irritation.
"I'm sorry Bro, perhaps I could have phrased that a little better, but whatever, I'm not questioning your discretion, I apologise if it came across that way, what I'm really asking is that you be doubly careful not to drop even the smallest hint of what I'm about to tell you around Montclair".
Juan was now getting more irritated waiting for Josef to explain, and he said as much.
"Okay, I get the secrecy thing, now please, get to the fucking point".
Josef sighed before answering, something not lost on Juan.
"Jace sent me a message around five o'clock this morning, he wanted an urgent secure video chat, it struck me as really odd, then it worried me, because it was eleven o'clock in the evening Chicago time"
Juan's irritation disappeared immediately at the mere mention their family in Chicago might have problems, if that were the case they'd move heaven and earth to help, his concern was obvious in his response.
"What's wrong, is everyone okay?, what did Jace want, we still don't have anything more on Dillon, has he heard something?, it's been ten years, and it's still the one thing that's been the most painful to bear, that we, with all our resources couldn't track or trace him, it's almost as if someone spirited him away the minute he left the grounds".
Jo almost smiled, Juan didn't know how close to the truth he was.
"You're actually a lot closer to the truth than you realise Bro, Dillon turned up out of the blue yesterday evening, at the boys' Chicago concert".
Josef heard his brother gasp, all Juan could say in reply was.
"Oh thank god, Jace and Mel must be on cloud nine, was he just calling to share the news?".
But by now Juan had worked out there must be a much bigger problem looming, Josef wouldn't have gone through that secrecy ritual at the beginning of the call if it were nothing more than Jace calling to update them on the good news.
Josef explained about Dillon being picked up by an officer in a Police Cruiser, how the officer had robbed Dillon, how he'd escaped, how the evidence had led Josef to the very officer who was driving that cruiser.
Juan was understandably furious.
"Is the bastard still alive?, if he is I can imagine Jace will want to beat the shit out of him, and I'll volunteer to hold him while he does it, where the hell has Dillon been, is he alright, not harmed I hope?".
Josef explained what Jace had told him when he called again at around one in the morning Chicago time, about Dillon being on the streets for four years, how he'd been adopted, changed his name, who he now was, but most importantly, how Jace had been almost crying as he described the Dillon who'd returned, a sad, quiet shadow of the Dillon they all remembered, who, despite his vast wealth, dressed in thrift clothing, travelled by bus, and snuck a leftover bread roll into his pocket at dinner.
And he'd shared Jace's anger, and his threat of going to a competitor if Josef didn't come up with the information he wanted.
Juan had listened, being a parent he'd been in tears hearing what Josef was telling him, but he knew he still hadn't heard the real crux of the matter, whatever it was that Josef was having trouble with.
"Bro, it tears me apart that any child should have to go through life on the streets, the fact that someone could have prevented it just makes me want to rip into that someone, so, is this where the problem starts, does the problem revolve around who, or what that individual is?".
Josef didn't didn't beat around the bush, his simple, straightforward answer, left Juan stunned.
"That officer is now The Superintendent of Police in Chicago".
Juan's reply did nothing to dispel Josef's sense of foreboding.
"They say a problem shared is a problem halved, well, not so in this instance, this is going down badly however we try to manage it, so right off the cuff I'm saying, tell Jace the truth, he deserves it, and it wouldn't sit right with either of us if we didn't, however it affects us is a secondary consideration, if that cunt really did that to Dillon, I'm all for hanging him out to dry, whatever the cost".
Josef gave an audible sigh of relief.
"Thanks Bro, I know I don't tell you this often enough but, a lot of times, you've become my spirit level, much the way I used to get a sense of balance from bouncing things off Leo".
Juan didn't reply, he knew Josef had more to say.
"I think you're right, but this has the potential to seriously hurt Guardian's position in the market place, it's going to badly affect our US operation, every Law Enforcement Agency in the US, and maybe elsewhere around the world, will take umbrage at an attack on what they see as one of their own, I'm wondering if we are strong enough to survive the shit storm this will create, but at the same time I'm a parent and, like you, I want to nail this fucker to the wall, but because of the possible repercussions, I'm asking for your permission to bring Carry up to speed before we give Jace the information".
Juan's reply didn't surprise him.
"I'll gather the kids together, I need to check on Gabby and little Carlo anyway, if they're agreeable we'll fly over for dinner, if not I'll be with you later this evening, explain it to Carry now, or later when I arrive, whatever you feel best, but here's a tip, don't go down the secrecy route, she'll be incensed, she's a Momma, I'll see you soon Bro, I'm totally in your corner whatever you decide".
Josef left the office early, arriving home at 'The Nest', Thorn Towers, on the Promenade in Torremolinas only fifteen minutes later.
He'd surprised Carry when he said they needed to talk in private, and Juan was on his way.
Carry had picked up immediately on Josef's worried state of mind.
"Okay lover, tell me everything, you're obviously worried about something, spill it all, then we can see what we're dealing with".
Josef couldn't believe how much Carry reminded him of his Grandmother Lenny, the same drill down, but caring approach.
He'd told her everything and she'd sat there crying.
"I'm trying to picture how Mel and Jace are dealing with this, all I can see is rage, because it's what I would be seeing if it were our baby we were referring to, nothing, no one, would be able to hold me back, I would publicly flay that bastard, then I'd kill him".
Those last words were said with a steely conviction that sent a chill down Josef's spine.
In Chicago it was morning.
Dillon and Trevor had doubled up, in Trevor's room at the Thorn house, the one he used even at twenty three, when his Poppa was traveling, it only had one bed, a king size, and he'd mentioned this, in a panic, as soon they were alone.
"Dil, I only have one bed, it's big, plenty of room, we don't need to touch, but if you want to have your own bed I'll get Ary to arrange it".
Dillon could see he was actually shaking, so he purposely looked him in the eyes and took his hands as he answered.
"One bed is fine Trev, just hold me, I don't want anything more, it's been so long since I slept feeling protected, give me that tonight, maybe I can go back some way, wipe away part of the bad memories from these last ten years, just hold me, that's all".
And so it was, two boys, snuggled like spoons, grateful beyond words for where they were.
In Montclair Juan had called his daughter Gabby, asking that she meet with him at the house on Avenue Montclair.
Berto had married Maria, the girl who had caused him all the embarrassing problems nearly eleven years before.
Because of her inadvertent attention, she'd caused a sexually naive Berto to come in his pants.
It had been a traumatic time for Berto, but with his brother Juniors help, he'd figured it out.
He was now happily married to Maria, and she idolised him.
They had a beautiful little boy, nearly seven years old, though Juan doubted either had any clue how he'd been conceived, they were so perfectly suited.
Berto, Maria, and their son Eduardo, lived at the house on Avenue Montclair with Juan, Maria ran the house.
Berto still worked at The Inn, in Montclair, for his Poppa Pierre's parents, Aly and Bo, though nowadays he only did the odd shift in the kitchens if they were extremely busy.
Gabby had fallen hopelessly in love with a village boy, a long time friend, of Junior, her big brother.
Carlo was a macho, all man, all sports, Adonis, who immediately became a simpering, whimpering wreck around Gabby, he was completely devoted to her.
They'd married seven years earlier, just before he'd been posted to Afghanistan, alongside Junior.
They'd enjoyed six months of married life, but only three months together before he was posted, when the news came.
Carlo had been shot whilst trying to rescue a fallen comrade, he'd died instantly, no pain, no suffering, not so for Gabby, she'd taken it hard, determined his death was hers as well.
Before her husband had left for his tour of duty, they'd set up home in a quaint little cottage on the Main Street of Montclair, for Gabby life was idyllic, until that day when her world came crashing in on her.
Juan had begged her to return to Avenue Montclair after her husband was killed, but Gabby was having none of it, cutting herself off from everyone, accepting few visitors, making it plain to those who did gain entry, they should leave, as soon as possible.
The reason for her withdrawal had become apparent in the months following her loss, as her pregnancy was no longer something she could hide.
A pregnancy she'd found out about on the day after word came of her husbands death.
In her darkest moments Gabby would say, life had mocked them, denying Carlo from even knowing he was going to be a father.
Juan had struggled with how to make his daughter understand, her late husband, a decorated soldier, would have wanted her to celebrate his life, bring up their child in the knowledge that they, his parents, had been deeply in love, but it was a constant uphill challenge, hence why Juan worked mostly from home.
He tried to visit Gabby, and his grandson every day.
As the months and years passed, he saw her making little or no progress out of the hell she often described, he knew she relied heavily on a raft of different medicines to get her through each day.
Juan would describe to his grandson, with genuine conviction, how brave his father had been, how he would be so proud of his son.
He watched every time as his grandson beamed at the thought of his father being proud of him, the thought of leaving them even for a few days, terrified him.
It was at times like this he visited Pierre's rose garden, which he still tended lovingly.
It was the one place where he felt close to Pierre, where he could beg for his help, to give him a clue how to deal with whatever problems were looming, and tell him over, and over again, how much he missed him every day.
Gabby had arrived at the house on Avenue Montclair, announcing as she entered that they couldn't stay long.
She'd been regressing lately, into a darker more somber mood.
Juan ignored Gabby's attempt to make a quick exit, instead, setting the table with an extra two places, seating his grandsons closest to him, he really loved their company.
As they ate he told them he needed to go to Torremolinas to take care of some urgent business, asked if they would like to accompany him, take the opportunity to catch up with family for a couple of days.
Berto and Maria immediately said yes, with Eduardo jumping up and down at the prospect of traveling anywhere with his Gramps.
Gabby gave an abrupt rejection of the idea.
Juan watched his grandsons' disappointment register, the sad look on Carlos' little face hurting Juan, who responded with.
"Okay, but if Berto, Maria and Eduardo are coming, why don't we take Carlo, he'll have his cousin for company, and Maria will look after him whilst I'm working.
Gabby had looked daggers at her Poppa, he knew exactly how she would respond, with an emphatic 'No'.
But they were all shocked by Gabby's reply.
"Okay, I'll go home and pack some things for him, you can collect them on the way to Nice".
No one answered her, they were all completely shocked, Gabby ignored them, leaving without even saying goodbye to her son.
Juan didn't give her unusual response much thought, he was too happy in the thought of having both his grandsons accompanying him.
Carlo whispered, after his mother had left.
"Am I really coming with you Gramps, really?".
Juan beamed at him.
"Yes my boy, you really are, and I promise to work as little as possible, I'm not wasting the opportunity of having both of my grandsons to spoil for a few days".
They'd picked up the things Gabby had packed for Little Carlo, with Gabby dismissing them, then closing the door, and they'd been on their way.
Accepting Gabby's decision, because he was so ecstatic to have his grandsons with him, would come back to haunt Juan for a long time.
In Barrington Hills, Chicago, they were enjoying breakfast when the gatehouse rang to say the Grandparents limousine had entered the property.
Jace, Jo, and Will, went out to the entrance vestibule, to greet their parents, along with their Uncle Woody, and Aunt Jacqueline.
Leading them inside, Jace stopped them, getting their attention he said.
"Don't be upset or freaked out, whatever you feel when you get inside, I'm begging you, try to hold it together, we have a very special guest this morning, one we've longed for, prayed for, these ten long years, please don't go over the top, don't frighten him away".
Looking pointedly at his Uncle Woody and Aunt Jacqueline, he added.
"And no one can know about this, we need to have time, he needs time".
By now all five were crying, they understood immediately, Jace was talking about Dillon, he was was here, the boy they'd all prayed would one day return.
In the dining room, as they entered, Dillon stood up.
Walking deliberately toward his grandmother.
Jolly scooped him into her arms sobbing uncontrollably.
"Oh baby boy, there can never be a moment that will be better than this, I've prayed so hard for this day, but I never really believed it would happen, promise you won't ever leave us again".
Dillon was crying too as he answered.
"I might leave gramma, but I'll be back, and you can come see me, stay with me in Philadelphia, it's where I live and work".
Reluctantly, Jolly let him go, conscious that Billy and Jay needed to hold him as much as she had.
Moving toward them, he wasn't surprised when they both opened their arms scooping him into a joint man hug, they said mostly the same as Jolly had, begging him to call them if any problem arose in the future.
Woody and Jacqueline acted just the same, engulfing him in hugs as the tears flowed.
It was touching to witness, and plain to see that everyone was walking on eggshells, terrified they would scare him off again, Jace broke the ice, saying.
"Dillon has to be back in Philadelphia later today, could we possibly borrow your plane Aunt Jacqueline?".
Jacqueline's answer was firm and clear.
"Definitely, on condition I get to come with you, I want to see where my great nephew lives, so I can drop in for a visit".
They'd set off at around one o'clock in the afternoon, the flight itself less than two hours, by four in the afternoon they were in two cars, heading for Dillon's home.
He lived on Delancey Place, only a few yards from Rittenhouse Square, just about the most prestigious neighbourhood in Philly.
From outside, as their cars drew up, the building looked the epitome of old, refined, understated elegance.
A three story red brick building, four steps led up to a pillared portico entrance with two enormous black doors, the paintwork like polished glass, one of which opened as they approached.
An elderly, suited gentleman greeted them.
"Welcome home Mr Strelloe, I hope your journey was enjoyable, I've had tea laid out in the green drawing room for you".
Dillon positively beamed at the old man, it was easily noticeable, he adored him.
Turning to his family he said.
"This is Albert, he runs the house for me, deals with everything, he was Jonny's right hand man for nearly forty years, this last two years he's made it his mission to bully me into moving forward".
Turning back to Albert he said.
"Albert, this is my family, my parents, Jace and Melanie Thorn, my brothers, Ary and Bobby Thorn, my grandparents, Billy, Jay, and Jolly Thorn, my Uncle Woody, and Aunt Jacqueline Montclair-Thorn".
Dillon stopped for breath, before looking pointedly at Trevor, saying.
"And this is Trevor".
Albert stood almost transfixed, hardly acknowledging all of the other introductions, staring only, deliberately, at Trevor, before replying, without taking his gaze from Trevor.
"Oh, yes, now I understand, yes, I think I really do sir".
He paused for no more than a moment before, as if he hadn't paused at all, he turned back to the group.
"I feel, I've known you all for so long, it's almost as if the characters in a novel I've been reading have come to life, welcome to Strelloe House, please don't be strangers, visit often, we will welcome you with open arms, now come, you must be weary, refreshments are waiting for you in the green drawing room, please follow me".
In Torremolinas, Carry welcomed Juan and the family, telling Maria to pick out rooms for the boys, Berto and Maria would have the same suite they had every time they visited, and she knew the boys would end up sharing a twin bedded room, they enjoyed each other's company, three years apart, but more like brothers than cousins.
Carry told Juan that Josef was in his office, trying to get as much information as possible on that bastard.
Juan understood, as he replied.
"He's explained it then, I knew how you'd react, you're a mother, and a damn good one at that, it's a natural reaction, I'm supposed to be a hard man, in the field I am, but I'm also a father, and I don't understand how anyone could do that to a child".
Carry nodded.
"Josef said to have a beer, he'll be out in the next few minutes, then we three have to make some decisions.
Juan relaxed, soon enough, Josef came out of his office, crossing the room as Juan stood up, they embraced in true Thorn family style.
"Good to see you Bro, sorry it's not for more pleasant reasons, let's go into my office, we don't want the rug rats overhearing us".
In his office they sat, Josef and Carry on a sofa, Juan opposite in a comfortable leather armchair, as Josef led the conversation off.
"Okay, I've spent the last three hours scouring every single bit of information we were able to dredge up about the night Dillon disappeared, I have absolutely no doubt now, the officer who arrested him, robbed him, caused him to keep running, was Martyn Warren, it seems Dillon's story is not the only one where Martyn Warren figures as a robber of so called suspected felons, there have been many who've levelled the same accusations against him, he's always been able to fend off the flack, he has some powerful allies, but there's no doubt, he's the one who was driving the cruiser Dillon escaped from".
Josef paused, looking directly at Juan.
"So Bro, it's down to me and you, I already have Carry's okay to go with bringing him down, but for me and you it's a much bigger decision, we have to consider, if we do this, we could harm the company beyond the point where it could recover, how would Leo see that, he trusted us to grow his baby, not destroy it".
Juan was truly torn, he started to answer, but Josef cut him off.
"Before you answer, I have an admission to make, I shared our secret with someone else, someone who can give us as close to the answer Leo would have given us as possible, I don't know what the answer will be, I only explained the problem, I asked for an opinion if I call back, I have that person on speed dial, I just want you both to listen".
Josef hit a button on his central landline, they heard the call connect, it rang only twice before a voice familiar to Juan answered".
"Hello guys, I'm guessing everyone knows who I am".
Juan smiled.
"Hello Aly, I'm glad Josef brought you in on this, it's not an easy decision, please, tell us your thoughts".
Aly paused before replying.
"It's true, no doubt about it, my father regarded Guardian as his third child, that company, and what it achieved in the face of some pretty stiff opposition, was his pride and joy, but that was what anyone looking in saw".
After a short pause he continued.
"In truth he faced quite a few decisions akin to the one you face today, he faced off with the biggest, the most powerful, and he didn't back down, he put principles and honour above anything else, I don't think I need remind any of you, if Pierre were still with us we wouldn't be having this conversation, because he'd already have that bastard nailed to the wall".
He'd paused again, the thought of Pierre causing his voice to wobble.
"I understand why you brought me into this decision making process but honestly, there is no need, it's your decision, I will tell you, if you need a war chest, Bo and I will pledge you a hundred million, more if you need it, remember, this is one powerful, enormously wealthy family, that pledge is but a fraction of what you can rely on if your intentions are honourable, so think on guys, and goodnight".
Before he could cut the call Juan asked.
"Aly, could you do me one other favour, look in on Gabby, we have little Carlo with us but she wouldn't come".
Aly assured Juan, he'd call in daily, then he cut the call.
In the silence after Aly cut the call, you could have heard a pin drop, before Carry said.
Call Jace.
The call rang several seconds before Jace answered, and Josef spoke.
"I'm sorry cousin, I lied to you earlier, I know who it is, but I panicked, he's an influential person now, I worried about a lot of things, would Dillon want all of that to come out, but I'm ashamed to say I was also worried about what it would do to Guardian's reputation, I'm sorry".
Jace was listening, but he was in a room, watching his long lost son blooming slowly in the bosom of family, it's possible his reply was tempered by that vista.
"Right now I'm in a very forgiving mood Cus, but that only relates to family, so you've got yourself a pass, now tell me who this bastard is, unless you feel this is something we need to do face to face".
Josef saw the opportunity to diffuse the problem slightly.
"Actually, I think a face to face would be better, if you could manage it, Carry and I are due a vacation, we could come to you".
Jace responded with a genuine enthusiasm.
"It's always good to have the Montclair and Torremolinas Musketeers visiting, I'm assuming Juan's listening in, howdy cousin, let us know when you're arriving, I'll pick you up, now I'm really busy, I'm watching my boy rebuild links with a family who never believed they'd ever see him again, I can't explain how heart rending that is, see you soon".
Jace had cut the call.
Carry was crying.
They'd carried on to agree, Jace had to know everything, every last detail, if his, and critically, Dillon's decision, was to bring the bastard down, then, and only then they agreed, would they move forward, using the full might, the combined forces of both Guardian and the Thorn family.
They'd gone to bed that night with plans to fly to Chicago the following day, the adults intended to get a good nights rest, but two boys were awake most of the night, excited to be traveling to see their Chicago family.
In Philadelphia, the family had stayed long enough to have tea and be shown around Strelloe House, before they said there goodbyes, heading for the airport and a flight back to Chicago.
The goodbyes had been difficult, tearful, with Dillon promising to visit for a couple of days in the next few weeks, and extending his open invitation for any and all, to come stay.
Trevor had pulled him aside, nervously asking if he could visit the following weekend.
Dillon's reply had sent him on his way with a beaming smile.
"I'll look forward to that, I can show you around my city, maybe I'll convince you to live here one day".
On the flight home Jace had shared details of a private conversation he'd had with Albert, Dillon's housekeeper.
He'd asked Albert if Dillon was doing okay.
Albert had ushered Jace into his small study office, off the kitchen, and spent around half an hour telling Jace how much progress his son had made since Mr Strelloe Snr had first brought him home.
"Back then he'd been a nervous, jittery, insecure, thirteen year old, but even then, he was well mannered, respectful".
"He was a boy who didn't seem to believe for a long time that his good fortune could, or would last, didn't believe he had any worth, or that he deserved any happiness".
"In those early days, he hoarded everything, leftover food, newspapers, I knew he regularly sifted through the trash late at night, saving the most bizarre items".
"Mr Strelloe Snr finally convinced him to see a counsellor, and he still sees that same counsellor once or twice a year".
Jace had asked about his shabby clothing.
"It's typical of his approach to spending on himself, he's frugal in just about everything relating to himself, except where the upkeep of the Strelloe residences are concerned, they all are maintained exactly as they were when Mr Strelloe Snr was alive".
Jace had queried, residences?.
"There's this house, an apartment in New York overlooking Central Park, a house in Florida, an apartment in London England, an apartment in Paris, France, and an estate with a mansion house just outside Kingston, Jamaica, which is also a thriving Jamaican Rum making business, every residence, except this house, is maintained with a skeleton staff, as it was when Mr Strelloe Snr was alive.
Jace had asked how he was coping with managing the business, and been surprised by Alberts reply.
He's an absolute maestro, after he completed his college courses, he started work at Strelloe, he's experienced every role, including a stint in maintenance, Mr Strelloe Snr officially handed the reins of the business over to him on his eighteenth birthday, named him Chairman, I remember him telling me the business was in safer hands from that day on, than it ever had been before".
"He reorganised just about every area, increased turnover and profit on an unprecedented scale, and his employees worship him, he can, and does, turn his hand to just about anything, it's not uncommon to find him working in the mailroom, cleaning the washrooms, or something similar, because they're short staffed for some reason, he's a remarkably kind, caring person".
Alfred had added as a final comment.
"Don't get me wrong Mr Thorn, I know he still has a long way to go in repairing some of the damage those years on the streets did to him psychologically, but these days I'm sure he recognises it as well, and that is what gives me confidence, he's actively trying to improve his self esteem, today I witnessed a huge leap forward, I saw a light in his eyes I've never seen before".
Jace described how, by the time he'd finished talking, Albert had glinting wet eyes, convincing him, Albert truly cared for Dillon.
TBC Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.