SIXTY-FOUR
They sat around a table sipping from shot glasses. Eric, along with the attorney, listened as Maruichi outlined the details of their agreement. One of the main points was that Eric would receive protection. At a cost, Eric would have real muscle and real security. He was about to be provided with a two-man security team that would not draw attention to him or them. They would be able to blend into the environment, Maruichi had explained. That was earlier. Now they sat around and sipped Cognac, toasting the deal.
“May our agreement be bulletproof, Eric,” Mr. Maruichi said and raised his glass.
Eric sipped but his mind was still on the outrageous events from last night. From the time Deedee had called until the time he was arrested, his life had been reduced to a series of mishaps. He nodded, raised his glass, and sipped but all the time, Eric wondered what Sophia’s next move was. He knew she didn’t want to talk to him. He’d heard it in her voice. Sitting downstairs from where his troubles with the photo had begun, he wanted to talk to Maruichi in private about it. Now, he wouldn’t be surprised if Sophia threw the engagement ring at him the next time they were face to face. “You still have problems with your fiancé, yes?” Maruichi asked as he cozied up to Eric.
“You could say that,” Eric said after sometime.
“It is such a beautiful thing to be in love, isn’t it?”
“Yeah but right now, the view isn’t so lovely. Not from where I’m sitting, Mr. Maruichi. It ain’t such a pretty picture,” Eric said and pulled out a cigarette.
“Apparently someone sent pictures and a doctored videotape with the car,” the attorney added. “I had someone look into the dealership. They’re straight. Our informant told us that the envelope contained pictures from the...ah, club.”
“Upstairs?” Maruichi asked, pointing to the ceiling. The attorney nodded. “We got a dirty rat in this place?” he asked violently bringing the glass down against the table. The action caused some of the cognac to spill out onto the table. “How long have you known about this? Where’s Eddie? Tell Eddie to get his nose out of the card game and get over here now,” Maruichi shouted. “Why wasn’t I told immediately?” he asked. He turned to Eric and said, “I’m sorry you’ve got to be a witness to this outburst but if your problems were a result of someone leaking information from the club then that mess must be cleaned up right away. I’m sure you can appreciate the expediency and efficiency that will be used to eliminate this minor hitch.”
Eddie Maruichi appeared at his father’s side. After a brief conversation with the attorney, he walked away.
“Eddie I want to know when you find them,” Maruichi called to his son then Eddie was off again. After that, the meeting ended. Eric walked out with a confident feeling about his security but was uncertain about his relationship with the person that mattered the most. He dialed Sophia’s cell as he drove. No answer. He listened to the outgoing message and realized how much he needed her. Along the way to the studio, Eric stopped at a florist and placed an order for a dozen roses to be sent to her office everyday for the rest of the month. There were still twenty four days left in this month. From there, he drove to the recording studio where he could hide behind the blues he felt and drown his sorrows in the creation of the better beat. It was now the only place where he still had the presence to exert his full influence with no questions asked.