Charley and Johnny were flying first class to Chicago thanks to Dave's enjoyment of lavishing his wealth on friends and family. Charley lay back in his comfortable wide seat enjoying the luxury and thinking about how quickly Dave had found his way into his heart. He loved Dave unconditionally as a close friend and as his bodyguard he would willingly put his life on the line for him, not because he had lots of money; that never entered the equation, but because Dave was just a wonderful guy, warm caring and loving. Even though Charley enjoyed this luxury of flying first class, he was still miserable being away from Jake. He glanced at his partner in this venture. Johnny didn't look any happier than Charley was feeling. Johnny felt Charley studying him and they exchanged looks.

"Must be hell, having only three days in your new home with Jake before having to go off like this," Johnny said.

"It's not a good feeling," Charley replied.

"Well, the time should go fast in Chicago. Before we know it we'll be headed back."

"I know you're right, but it doesn't make me feel any better right now."

Johnny gave him a commiserative smile. They sat back and closed their eyes, waiting for the plane to fill.

The flight attendants started their routines for take off. As soon as it was done and they were in the air, Charley laid his seat back and stared out at the passing clouds and thought about Jake.

He was still amazed when he thought about how Jake, without hesitation, had taken care of him after he had been shot and broken his leg. It had to have been love that made Jake put up with his mother's treatment while he was on the mend. He shuddered thinking about the cruel nasty threats his brother, Robert, had made against Jake. It never upset Jake's equanimity, he'd not said a word even when Charley had found the notes and confronted him with them. Charley could still see and hear him say, "I love you, Charley. That's all that matters."

Jake had seemed like his old self for the last month. There had been no relapses into the black depression he'd suffered after the rape. Of course, living with Jason and Pete had a lot to do with Jake's well being, but now they were living in their own home. Jake would be in Kirksville most of the week and he'd be safe with his dad near by to watch over him, but Charley still worried.

He wondered if Jake felt the need for a public declaration of love from him like Tim and Johnny were planning. He couldn't really believe that those two were actually going to do it. He turned and looked at Johnny sitting next to him. Johnny caught his pensive glance. "What are you thinking about, Charley?"

"You and Tim, for real, are getting married the week after we get back?"

"Well, my sisters insist on calling it a wedding. We are having a commitment ceremony."

"I think that is fantastic, Johnny."

"I'd like for you and Jake to be there."

"Really? You haven't even met Jake yet."

"No, but I've read both of his books and admire the man that wrote them. You and I are becoming good friends and I have a feeling that Tim and Jake will feel the same."

"Paul was telling me about the day you two met. Tim must really be something."

"Yes, he really is special."

Charley thought to himself, 'So is my Jake.'

After saying goodbye to Charley and watching him get into the airport limo, Jake quickly packed his saddlebags, secured the house, mounted his motorcycle and headed off to Kirksville. He'd asked Tim if he wanted to get away while Johnny was gone, but Tim had declined saying he had thing to get done for their commitment ceremony before Johnny returned. Jake called Chess upon arrival, then spent a couple of hours over a cup of coffee visiting with Sally. When he figured Chess'd had time to get home and settle in, he bid Sally good bye and headed over to the Hill's. Gloria had made a tasty meal which the three enjoyed with conversation, mostly about the new house and Charley's new job.

Jake spent the Friday helping at the estate sale, lugging and loading furniture and everything else into people's vehicles as they purchased them. He had enjoyed the light flirtatious banter with his two sister's-in law. That's the way he thought about them for he considered himself married to Charley for the rest of his life. The two women had taken Jake into the family without hesitation. Gloria had seemed friendly most of the time. Jake still caught a furtive look from her occasionally. He wondered what was going on in her mind. Chess and his two sons hadn't come around, being Friday they all had to work. They'd all three probably be at the house helping tomorrow. Jake looked forward to spending the day with the whole family. It would be good to get to know Tom better. Maybe he could get over the feeling that Robert was still antagonistic toward him.

Gloria left a little early to rest. Jake, Elaine and Dottie, Tom's wife, had stacked everything into the garage for easy set up the next morning. The two women had gone home to their families and Jake had headed over to the Hill's to clean up. Chess greeted him with a warm hug and suggested that he and Gloria take Jake out to dinner.

Jake agreed, saying, "Chess, I'm too pooped to go some place fancy. Make it Sally's and I'll gladly join you."

After dinner Chess and Gloria went home and he'd spent a couple of hours sitting on a stool next to the cash register visiting with Sally. When closing time came, she had her routine to go through closing up the place, so he left her and her cook to do it.

Jake stepped out of Sally's café into the pool of white sodium light in which his classic 1953 Indian motorcycle sat. He stood in the harsh glare and breathed in the night air. A hint of night-blooming Jasmine reminded him of his new home. He wished Charley was with him. He missed his warm loving smile and his lascivious grin. As he started to heft his leg over the cycle he heard his name called. Dropping his foot back to the ground, he turned to see Robert standing at the corner of the building, barely visible in the dark shadows. "Robert," he said, and turned to walk towards him.

"You and I have to talk, Jake. Come over to my car." He turned and walked away as if he expected Jake to follow him.

"What's so secret that we couldn't just go back into the café and talk over a cup of coffee?" Jake asked, following his brother-n-law into the darkness. His senses were on alert. The vibes Robert emitted made him nervous. He didn't trust the man.

Robert proceeded to the driver's side of the big black Cadillac as though he hadn't heard Jake's question. The car was a big black, ominous shadow in the darkness. Jake heard a scraping noise behind him and whirled. He heard the thud more than he felt it as a policeman's baton struck his shoulder. He moved with the direction of the blow lessening its impact. Before his attacker could raise the hard black rubber stick again Jake slammed his fist into his attacker's big beer gut. It was soft and the man whooshed with the impact. He folded forward with the blow. Jake's other fist connected with the man's eye. He staggered backward into the light and Jake recognized him.

This wasn't going as Robert had planned. That big clumsy cop had given himself away. Now Jake was fighting back. Robert quickly opened the trunk and grabbed the tire iron and ran toward the two scuffling men. He was torn about which one to use the iron on. The thought flew though his mind that if he took out the cop he could claim he was coming to Jake's rescue. But then he'd have to explain why he was there in the first place and his insane anger boiled up.

Jake heard Robert running toward him. He glanced back at him. For some stupid reason, he momentarily thought he was coming to his aid and turned to ward off the 'beer gut's' next attack. As Robert swung the tire iron, Jake realized his mistake and tried to dodge, but it grazed the side of his head, raking over his ear and bounced off his shoulder muscle. The blow was enough to drop him to his knees.

A booted toe to his chin from the 'beer gut' laid him out on his back. He heard them both curse and call him foul names. A kick to his side cracked a rib. A hard heel ground into his groin. Jake bellowed, rolled over and tried to get up. A kick to his head set off a burst of red stars. Then a scurry of fleeing feet as a car pulled into the parking lot, its headlights raked over the scene missing Jake's crumpled form and the two men running away from him. The occupants of the car seeing the closed sign in the café window, drove away, unaware that they just might have saved Jake's life. Tires screamed as Robert and his accomplice fled the scene

Jake lay on the hard rough pavement for a few minutes, trying to dim the pain in his chest, crotch and head. Then he staggered to his feet. The red searing pain in his head nearly blinded him. He thought for a moment that he was going to pass out. He stumbled back to the café, holding his side with one hand and his testicles with the other. Each breath was a short gasp. His legs gave out and he collapsed against the door as he tried to mount the steps. Sally heard the heavy thump and walked over and peered out the window. Seeing the motorcycle still sitting where Jake had left it, she opened the door to peer out. Jake slumped at her feet.

"Jake," she screamed, turned toward the kitchen and called out to the cook, "Slim, come out here and help me." Slim was the opposite of his name. He waddled out, took stock of the situation, lifted Jake in a fireman's hold against his barrel chest and big belly, and said, "Where'd ya want 'im, Sal?"

Sally ran to the nearest booth and pulled the table out of the way. "Lay him on the seat," she said.

Slim duck walked Jake to the booth seat and gently sat him down. He lifted Jake's feet and turned him. Sally had grabbed a couple of clean bar towels and pressed them against the freely bleeding wounds on each side of his head as she helped him to lie back. She had Slim hold the compresses while she dug her cell phone out of her handbag and called 911, and then she got a fresh bar towel, wet it and wiped the blood off his face. She thanked God that his face wasn't cut as she gently dabbed at the cut under his chin and prayed that he wasn't badly hurt. It was only a few minutes before she heard a siren wailing in the distance, a police car pulled into the parking lot. Two policemen jumped out and ran into the café. "Sally, who is it?" one of them called out as they approached the booth

"Oh Jimmy, I'm so glad it's you two guys. It's Jake Shipman. Charley's partner."

Curt, Jim's partner on patrol as well in his private life, looking at the mass of blood, said, "Oh Christ, Charley's going to come unglued."

"Yeah, I know."

"You don't know who did this, do you?" Jimmy asked.

"No, I don't. I was just closing up when I saw his motorcycle still out there. I opened the door to look out and he fell in on me."

Jake groaned.

Curt squatted next to him. "Jake, Jake, can you hear me?" He laid his hand gently on Jake's cheek.

Jake groaned again and turned his head into the comforting hand.

"Who did this to you, Jake?" Curt asked again.

"Cop." Jake mumbled. "Robert." He was coming around and the pain made him want to curl up in a protective ball.

"Lie still, Jake," Sally said, rubbing his arm.

Curt laid his other hand on Jake's chest to hold him down. Jimmy looked at Curt. "We don't have any policeman named Robert." Curt said.

"That's Charley's brother's name." Sally said, looking up at them. "He and Jake had a falling out the first time they met back when Charley was in the hospital after he was shot."

"Oh yeah, I remember Bubba telling me about Robert's rampage." Jimmy said.

"I remember that, too," his partner added.

"Ma--McCall," Jake mumbled through dry lips. "The cop was McCall." Although his head was throbbing horribly as he lay there, he watched the interaction between the two cops as Jim laid a hand on Curt's shoulder and squeezed. They'd had their own run-ins with the bigoted cop.

Sally looked up at Jimmy and then at Curt.. "Jeb and Charley exchanged insults last week when he came in with Jake. He called Charley an ex faggot cop and Charley called him stupid."

Both cops laughed at the twisted sentence, then Jimmy asked, "Jake, did either man say anything while they were beating you?"

Jake had figured out they were more than patrol partners. "Yes, they called me a faggot cocksucker, a fudge packer and a few other derogatory things. Curt had a small recorder close to Jake's mouth while Jimmy was furiously writing down what he had said.

"Damn, this is obviously a hate crime," Jimmy muttered.

"Yes, and to make matters worse Jake is nationally known," Sally said.

"What do you mean?" Jimmy asked.

"He wrote the book I just finished reading," Curt said, before Sally could answer.

"Oh, the one you told me I should read."

"Yeah."

"Damn, this is a tough one. We'd better call in on this," Jimmy said, striding back out to the cruiser to call his superior.

With a dying wail of the siren an ambulance drew up next to the patrol car and two medics ran into the café. Slim and Curt stepped back to let the medics take over. Sally watched as they examined Jake. "Is he bad off?" she asked.

"I think he has a couple of broken ribs and possibly a concussion. Until he's thoroughly checked out and x-rayed I can't say more."

"I think I should call Chess and let him know what has happened." She walked away again digging in her purse for her cell. Curt followed her.

Jake tried to sit up and object, but the medic held him down with a firm hand on his chest. "Lie still, Buddy, we don't know how badly you're hurt yet." Jake groaned and closed his eyes.

"Who is Chess?" Curt asked.

"Chester Hill, Charley's dad. Jake is staying with him and his wife."

Curt raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything.

Sally called and told Chess how she'd found Jake nearly unconscious and bloody. Chess asked if she was going to the hospital with him and she replied, "Of course."

"I'll meet you there." He turned to his wife who was lying in bed next to him, reading. He was perplexed by her reaction when he told her what had happened. Even though she acted shocked, he got the feeling that she wasn't totally surprised. He didn't like the feeling. He looked at her several times as he dressed. She'd gotten up and put on a robe. She seemed genuinely concerned. He shook himself out of his suspicions, kissed her cheek and left for the hospital.

Four policemen along with a supervisor descended on Officer Jeb McCall's home. His mousy little wife answered the door. When they asked to speak with Jeb, they were informed that he wasn't home. When asked his whereabouts, the frightened little woman told them she didn't know, but that he'd spoken with someone by the name of Robert before he left the house. After asking the approximate time that had occurred, they thanked her and left. She hadn't asked why they wanted to speak to him.

An APB was put out on his car. A call came in immediately saying that the car was parked in front of the bar two blocks from the police station, where most of the police fraternity hung out. The APB was cancelled and the five policemen proceeded to the bar.

As they entered, a jocose Jeb was regaling three of his cohorts about the faggot bashing. "The fucking faggot was a fighter, though," he was saying as he showed them his swollen, discolored eye as if it were a badge of accomplishment. He then noticed the five uniformed cops around him. "Hey, you guys know you're not supposed to wear a uniform into a bar."

"We're on duty, McCall."

"All the more reason for you not to be here." Jeb roared with laughter. These cops in uniform were men he didn't like and it was obvious by their demeanor that they despised him. He didn't notice that his small group of listeners had abandoned him, nor that he was the only one laughing.

"Are you coming quietly, or do we have to add resisting arrest to the charges?"

"What the fuck are you talking about, Johnson?"

"You are under arrest, McCall."

"For what? A little gay bashing?"

"Your little 'gay bashing' is considered a hate crime, Stupid. It's going to be hitting national headlines."

"Hey, don't call me stupid. I'm not stupid."

"Do you know who you just assaulted?"

"Yeah, that faggot 'girl' friend of Charley Hill."

"You are stupid, Jeb. The man is Jake Shipman."

"I know his name. So?" His belligerence faltering.

"He's a popular writer. He's got a book on the national best sellers list," the supervisor said, repeating what Kurt had told him. "Don't you think there will be repercussions from your little escapade?"

"Oh." He gave no resistance to being handcuffed and led out of the bar. The policemen took statements from the three fellow cops that had been listening to him.

Across town in the wealthy country club district two policemen knocked on the door of Robert Hill's elegant home. Elaine answered the door. After asking the two policemen to come in, she called her husband to the door. In shock she heard the charges as he was handcuffed. She only nodded as the policemen made their apologies, and silently, she watched her husband led away, spewing hateful words about her sweet gentle new brother-in-law. He was still cursing Jake as the policeman closed the car door. She stood at the door and watched the police car out of sight and then picked up the phone. When the call was answered on the other end, she calmly spoke into the mouthpiece, "I hope you are happy, Gloria. Robert was just arrested for assault and battery with a deadly weapon and committing a hate crime."

"Elaine, I told Robert to leave Jake alone."

"So you knew Jake was the victim."

"Chess just got a call that Jake was being taken to the emergency. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out."

"I'm suing for divorce."

"Elaine, you can't."

"MY children won't be taught hate like that."

Jake'd been x-rayed and examined. His ribs had been wrapped, and the two gashes on the sides of his head stitched. He was adamant that he was not going to be put into the hospital.

"You need to be under observation for, at least, the next twelve hours, Mr. Shipman. You may have a concussion."

"I am okay, Doc."

Chess stepped up. "I will keep a watch over him, Blair." Chess and the doctor were old golfing buddies. "Just tell me what to watch for."

Jake was released into Chess's care. As they walked to the car, Sally on one side of him and Chess on the other, Jake remembered his motorcycle. Chess volunteered to ride it home. So Sally drove them over to pick up the old classic Indian and then followed Chess to his house. Chess got into her car after parking the motorcycle in the driveway, and Sally drove him back to the hospital parking lot where Jake and he said good night to her, got into the Mercedes and headed home.

Gloria was at the door when they drove up. She was very solicitous. Jake was too tired to be suspicious of her. He let her mother him. Since he had to stay awake for at least the next eight hours, she make a pot of coffee and settled in to help her husband keep him awake. Chess forgot about his suspicions about her earlier reactions.

They turned on CNN news. The woman on the screen said, "Tonight, Ladies, and Gentleman there was another hate crime committed in the heartland of our country. In the small city of Kirksville, a local policeman and an upstanding citizen of the community attacked and beat Jake Shipman, a popular novelist, who at the moment has a book, Those Shifting Sands, in the number three spot on the New York Times top ten best sellers list." The picture from the inside of the book cover was shown on the screen.

"Kirksville Police officer Jeb McCall and Robert Hill, who is the brother of Mr. Shipman's life partner attacked him in the parking lot of Sally's Café in Kirksville with a tire iron and a patrolman's baton."

"Fortunately, Mr. Shipman survived with a slight concussion, a broken rib and a few contusions. It's our understanding that Mr. Shipman is resting comfortably in the home of his partner's parents, while their son Robert Hill, and Jeb McCall, the policeman, sit in the city jail waiting for arraignment. We've been told that since both men are so hostile and verbal, they may not be given bail before their trial.

"Mr. Shipman resides in University City. He is visiting his in-laws for a few days while his partner is in Chicago for special training to be the personal body guard to the reclusive billionaire Dave Gates who also resides in University City."

Gloria turned off the TV. "How do they get all this information so quickly?" she asked.

Chess sat in shock. He'd been so worried about Jake he'd forgotten to ask him who his attackers were. "Robert did this?" He turned and stared at Jake. "Did Robert do this?"

Jake bowed his head and didn't answer.

"I told him to leave Jake alone." Gloria said.

Chess turned on her. "You knew he was planning this?"

"No, of course not. I only knew that he has an active hatred for Jake. He insists that Jake made Charley gay and that he should pay for it. He's jealous of how you feel about Jake."

"Robert has always kept me at arms distance. I've never been able to get close to him. He's so different from Tom and Charley."

Jake had gotten up and left the room as they continued their arguing. He appeared in the doorway with his duffle and saddle bags. Gloria was saying, "It's so obvious how you feel about Jake. It's no wonder Robert was jealous."

"Robert is my son. I love him as much as I do my other two sons. How I feel about Jake has nothing to do with Robert."

"Maybe I'm the one who should be jealous."

Chess was astounded that she had said that. "You're being ridiculous, Gloria."

The last thing Jake heard as he quietly closed the back door was Gloria asking, "Am I?" He attached his bags to the back of his motorcycle. As he pushed it down the long drive way to the street before starting it, he was filled with deja vu. He'd once left another member of the Hill family the same way.

He had thought about just heading back home, but decided he wasn't up to the long ride. He stopped at the hotel where he'd stopped the first day he'd spent in Kirksville months ago. It was the same wizen little old man at the desk. He eyed Jake suspiciously, but didn't make any comments.

Jake climbed the stairs, not trusting the ancient decrepit-looking elevator. Fully clothed, he collapsed onto the hard bed, and drifted into sleep wondering how Charley was doing.

Tim sighed and closed his text book. He wished Johnny was home. Tim needed the knots massaged out of his shoulders and back. Johnny had spoiled him doing that for him nearly every evening when he got through with his studies. He sighed again. More than missing Johnny's massaging, he missed Johnny himself. The mere presence of the man did more to soothe him than anything.

Standing up, he stretched, ambled over and flopped into Johnny's favorite chair. It not only flattened out into a chaise lounge, it vibrated with rollers that went up and down the back. Tim turned it on and then turned on the news. When he saw Jake's photo he turned it up to hear more.

It was too late to call Johnny and Charley to tell them about it. Johnny had expressly told him not to call after nine o'clock. He felt slightly guilty for not having accepted the invitation Jake had extended to join him on the run to Kirksville, thinking that this might not have happened if he had. He knew the feeling was nonsense, but it was there none the less. He promised himself he'd call Charley and Johnny first thing in the morning. He fell asleep. Eventually the chair and the TV automatically turned off.

Johnny and Charley were sharing a suite in a hotel near the school they were attending in Chicago. The concierge had awakened them at five a.m. as they had requested. It was Charley's turn first in the bathroom, so Johnny lay back and flipped on the morning news. When he saw Jake's photo on the screen he yelled for Charley who came scurrying out of the bathroom still dripping.

He collapsed into a chair. When the news went to the next item, he mumbled, "I'm going to kill them. How dare they lay a hand on Jake."

"First find out if that's the truth. Call Jake."

Charley picked up his cell phone and called his parents home. Gloria answered. "Charley, have you heard from Jake?"

"No, I just saw what happened on the news. Is he all right?"

She proceeded to tell him how Jake had just walked out while she and Chess had been arguing after hearing that Robert had been one of the attackers. Charley asked her if they had tried his cell phone. When she said that they hadn't and that she didn't know the number, and that Chess was down at the police station trying to get Robert released on bail, Charley said he'd talk to her later. He broke the connection and called Jake's cell.

Jake's cell phone woke him. He sat up, dug into his 501s, pulled it out of the pocket and looked at the caller ID. He turned the phone on and put it to his ear, his voice groggy as he answered, "Hi, Charley."

"Babe, are you okay? I saw it on TV. Where are you? I called and Mom said you left without even saying good-bye."

"I'm okay. I'm in a motel on the edge of Kirksville. You're Dad and Mom were fighting about me. I couldn't stay there."

Charley felt frustrated that he couldn't be there to straighten things out with his family and to protect Jake. He battened down his emotions and said, "I love you, Jake."

Jake was silent for a few seconds. Charley started getting apprehensive. And then Jake said, "I love you, too, Charley. I'm sorry. I never had love from my dad. I shouldn't have taken love away from you and your brothers."

"What the fuck are you talking about? My dad loving you has nothing to do with how he feels about me or Tom, or Robert."

Jake didn't respond.

"Please call Dad, Jake. They are really worried about you."

Jake was still silent.

"Jake, please tell me you will call them. I need to hear you say you will, before I go to class." He heard a sigh. "Jake?"

"All right. I'll call." Jake murmured.

"Thank you, Babe. I love you Jake. I'm late. I've got to go."

"I love you, too, Charley, call me tonight."

After talking to Jake, Charley called his dad's cell. He told Chess where Jake was and was informed that the judge was reluctant to release Robert because of all the hatred he'd spewed out when he was arrested. Chess told Charley he'd head right over to the motel and talk to Jake, not to worry. Charley went off to school feeling that things were going to be okay at home. At least his brother was where he should be.

Jake sat on the edge of the bed cradling the phone in his two hands resting on his lap as he thought about the last sixteen hours. He'd promised Charley to talk to his parents. Despite what he'd heard Gloria say as he left the house, he'd keep his promise. He decided to call Chess's cell phone instead of the house. It was busy. He got up and slowly stretched his sore aching body, being careful not to breathe too deeply. He hobbled into the bathroom to relieve himself, then started to carefully strip his clothes off. His whole body was stiff and aching. He got a sharp pain in his side every time he breathed too deeply. He moved slowly. He'd gotten his shirt, both boots and one sock off when there was a knocking on his door. He removed the other sock and then hobbled to the door. He peeked through the spy hole, and seeing Chess, he opened it.

Chess immediately enfolded Jake in his arms. "Are you okay, Buddy?" he asked, running his hand up and down Jake's naked back.

Jake clung to him. "Yeah, Chess, I'm doing okay. Charley called you, huh?" He relaxed his grip on his father-in-law.

"He's worried about you, Son." Chess let go of Jake and let him move back into the room. Jake sat down on the bed and studied the ugly shag carpet. Chess took the only chair, a straight back. "Now tell me why you left."

"I've caused your family enough trouble by being here. You don't need it. I'm sorry, I'm headed home this morning."

"Bullshit, Jake. You have nothing to be sorry for. My idiot son and that redneck cop are the ones that caused the trouble. Not you."

"Robert wouldn't be in jail if I had stayed away."

"What Robert did was totally reprehensible. He deserves to be where he is. I never knew that he harbored such feelings. Apparently nobody did, except that stupid cop."

"Still if I had stayed home none of this would have happened."

Chess could see he wasn't going to get through to Jake so he changed tactics. "Were you just getting into the shower?"

Jake nodded.

"Go ahead and do it. When you get dressed I'm taking you for some breakfast and then I'm going to escort you back to the house."

Jake looked dubious. He glanced up at Chess, shrugged and stood up. He unbuttoned his 501s and stepped out of them. Chess gasped. Jake looked up at him to see what it was about. Chess was staring at Jake's crotch. The area was bruised, black and blue, and his testicles were swollen. "The doctor said that even though it's very colorful, it isn't bad. McCall didn't do any real damage."

"Did he photograph it?"

"Yeah, he did. My ribs and my head, too." Jake felt like he should cover himself, but figured what the hell, Chess had already seen it. He turned and hobbled into the bathroom.

When Jake came out several minutes later, Chess was still sitting where he'd left him. Chess looked up at him. "If McCall did that," he pointed at Jake's balls, "that means my son was at your head. Right?" Jake glanced at him and turned to pull a clean pair of jeans out of his duffle. "This is the scenario as I figure it," Chess continued. "You can tell me if I'm wrong." He stood up and approached Jake. "Robert lured you into the darkness. Jeb attacked you from behind. You heard him approaching and ducked. His club hit you here." He touched the bruise on Jake's left shoulder; Jake winced. "Sorry. You hit him in the eye."

"I punched him hard in the belly first."

"Robert came from behind and hit you with a tire iron. It was a glancing blow that hit the side of your head and then hit your right shoulder."

Jake turned back to getting dressed.

"That knocked you to the ground. Jeb kicked you here." he pointed at the cut under his chin. "That laid you out on your back. He then stomped your groin while Robert kicked you in the ribs." Jake calmly ignored Chess and put on his boots. "An approaching car scared them. Robert kicked you in the head and then they fled."

Jake put his shirt on, packed his dirty clothes, picked up the duffle and saddlebags and turned to Chess. "I'm ready for breakfast. Sally's?"

Chess stood with his hands on his hips blocking Jake's exit. "I figured it right, didn't I?"

Jake looked at him and smirked with one side of his mouth. "Nope, you got one thing wrong. It was McCall who kicked me in the ribs." He pushed past his father-in-law and opened the door. "Come on, I'm hungry."

Chess followed Jake back to the house after they had breakfast. Gloria met them at the door. She gave Jake a careful hug. He couldn't help but see the look she gave her husband. She went to her study up stairs leaving the two men to fend for themselves. Chess led Jake into his study off the den. "This is the most comfortable room in the house, Jake. Make yourself at home." Jake chose a high-backed wing chair and settled into it. Chess pulled a hassock over and lifted Jake's feet and placed it under them. He then pulled another hassock in front of the matching chair and made himself comfortable. They talked sporadically though the afternoon. Jake dozed off and on while Chess read. When Gloria didn't appear after dusk, Chess fixed the two of them a light meal. Jake retired early. Chess went back to his study and read until he fell asleep in his chair

Monday morning, the police came to interview Jake more thoroughly. He was asked to stay in town until the investigation was completed. Chess gave him an 'I told you so' look and Jake grinned. Late in the day the court called Chess and informed him that the charges against Robert had been changed to include attempted murder because of things he'd said.

Tears filled Jake's eyes as he watched Chess's remorse. "I rue the day I volunteered to come help with the estate sale," he said and turned to go upstairs to the bedroom.

Chess stepped in front of him and got right up in his face. He gripped Jake's biceps. "You listen to me well, Jake Shipman, Robert may be my son, but I want you to know you are so much a better human being than Robert will ever be."

Gloria had appeared during the phone call, she watched stoically as Chess hugged Jake to his chest and then she turned and walked away.

For the next couple of days Jake saw very little of Gloria. He got up and had coffee with Chess each morning, and then he'd spend the rest of the morning sitting at the window in the guest room writing on his laptop. He'd meet Chess for lunch downtown, and then spend a couple of hours visiting with Sally over coffee. Dinner each evening found Jake, Chess and Gloria sitting formally in the dining room. Conversation was stilted. Gloria would go immediately to her rooms after the meal. Jake spent the evenings in conversation with Chess, cloistered in his study.

The two policemen, Jim and Curt, made a point of stopping and visiting with Jake everyday when they saw his motorcycle parked in front of Sally's. The last day he was in Kirksville he invited them to come visit in University City sometime soon.

Robert and Jeb McCall were arraigned separately on Wednesday. Chess sat with Jake and observed the proceedings. McCall was charged with aggravated assault and committing a hate crime. He was acting remorseful and contrite about what he'd done and was quiet as the charges were read. He was released on bail and suspended from the police force pending being fired. Even though he never even glanced at Jake the whole time, Jake got the distinct feeling that the cop would do it again given the chance. He wondered if the judge was fooled.

Robert was formally charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and committing a heinous hate crime. When Robert entered the room and saw Jake sitting next to his father he exploded with invectives, railing about how that cock sucking faggot had seduced his brother and now had stolen his father's love from him. His lawyer tried to quiet him, but he ignored him. The judge managed to get his attention with much gavel pounding and told him that if he had another such outburst he would be physically gagged. Robert shut up, but that didn't stop his eyes from expressing what he felt. His trial was set for Nov. 3. He would stay in jail until that time.

Jake was given permission to go home. Since he still felt uncomfortable staying under the same roof as Gloria, he decided to leave the next morning. He refused Chess's offer to drive him back to UniCity. When he'd packed his things into the saddle bags, Chess hugged him and kissed him on his cheek. "I'm going to miss you, Son. I wish you'd let me drive you back. Tell Charley to take good care of you." Jake mounted his Indian, again thanking Chess for everything, and rode down the long driveway. At the end of it he stopped and looked back. Chess was still standing where he'd left him. He waved and Chess waved back. Jake rolled into the street and gunned his bike toward the freeway, toward home and Charley. He wondered if and when the Hill women would finish having the estate sale.