Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 19:38:57 -0400
From: Eff Del <nolitimere156@gmail.com>
Subject: Flights of Angels Chapter 23

Flights of Angels-Chapter 23

By Eff Del


To act with courage is deemed to be a virtue because a courageous man is a
man who faces life fearlessly.

This of course is in conflict with the truth.

Courage is not demonstrated because fear is absent. Courage is displayed
when we are filled with fear, but make the conscious decision that
something else is more important than that fear.

Courage might be considered the most significant of all possible virtues,
because without it, it would often be impossible to practice any of the
others.

The four of us were laughing as we walked across Deegan's parking lot
headed back to the blue BMW.

Jack had just taken Sean and me for a wonderful ride along the winding
roads through the hills around Joyous Gaurde. With John, silent and smiling
as he sat in the `shotgun' seat, the boy had confidently handled the
automobile with ability and skill that belied his age and the short time
he'd actually been behind the wheel.

We'd celebrated his first `run with passengers' by stuffing ourselves on
Deegan's wonderful hamburgers, mountains of fries and onion rings and
milkshakes.

The conversation was all about Jack, and his grin of pride and
accomplishment was the most beautiful thing I'd seen so far today. Not only
had he received effusive praise from Sean, John and me over his driving
skills, we'd discussed his boxing match tomorrow and his first dance at the
Club on Saturday.

I privately relished the fact that in such a short time, his life had
changed so positively and he seemed so genuinely happy. I'd joked with him
concerning the proximity of the fight in relationship to the dance;

"You have to try and not take too many punches to the face Rufus. You don't
want to look like some palooka when the girls check you out."

"Don't listen to him, Jack." John interjected with a big smile. "A small
bruise or cut, especially just at the eyebrow will make you look
dangerously attractive. The women will love it!"

We were still joking in that manner as we got back into the car and the
blushing, but smiling redhead steered us out of the parking lot and headed
us back towards home.

We'd only gone about a quarter of a mile when my cell phone rang. I could
see on the display that the call was from Walter. I answered in a hushed
tone and we had a very brief guarded conversation. After breaking the
connection, I spoke;

"Sean and Jack when we get back to Joyous Gaurde before you guys go up to
the classroom with Professor Swaim I need to speak with you both in my
study alright?"

"Sure Dad. Is everything OK?" Jack responded. I noted with satisfaction
that he never took his eyes off the road as he answered. John was a
wonderful driving instructor.

"We're not in trouble or something' are we Dad?" There was a bit of concern
at the edge of Sean's volice.

"No boys. Nothing's wrong, nothing like that. I just need to talk to you
that's all."

*********************

The three of us were sitting in the corner of my study sipping on tall icy
glasses of lemonade. It had been Jenny, who'd brought the pitcher and
glasses down from the kitchen and I had to resist the temptation to make a
comment to her. I knew John was planning on popping the question sometime
soon, but I didn't know if she had an inkling he was going to do something
so significant.

 I smiled to myself as I watched her leave the room, noting that even
though I was completely gay, I had no trouble appreciating how attractive
she was. On top of that, though, she was a wonderful sweet person.

After some small talk, I got down to the point.

"Boys, I think you know how I've come to think about the `special training'
and the `contracts' that NEST boys have been forced to participate in.
Sean, you never had to go through that ordeal because by the grace of God,
we found each other before you were subjected to it. On the other hand,
Jack, you of course weren't so lucky. I know a great deal about what you
and boys like you have been forced to endure and I've begun the process of
bringing about some serious changes in that regard."

I had their attention, especially Jack's.

"You're both aware that something significant and secret has been going on
around here for a while now, and while I'm not going to try to confuse you
with too much information or talk about things you don't need to really
understand yet, everything that is happening is because of You." They were
both staring at me with wide opened and slightly worried eyes so I tried to
tone things down a bit. I smiled at them as I continued;

"Let's just say that having the two of you in my life has convinced me that
something has to be done for all of the NEST boys. They should ALL have
bright futures without the dark prospect of `contracts' and such terrible
things. Do you understand me so far?"

"Only kind of Dad." Sean's face was serious, but he was obviously confused.
He wasn't actually aware of the horrific future he had avoided because I'd
fallen in love with him and had chosen to make him my Son. His memories and
impressions of the NEST were by and large all happy and pleasant.

"I hadn't started any of that stuff before you brought me home. I only know
a little `cause (of course) we all talked and asked questions and stuff."

Jack on the other hand was glassy eyed, almost as if he were on the verge
of crying. He knew what I was talking about all too well.

"Well, Dad, you certainly know I understand. I've been through it all. I
told Doctor Swaim all about it when I first got here and I suspect he's
told you a bunch huh?"

I nodded in acknowledgement. I wasn't ready to tell him that I'd read his
entire transcript. I didn't know if he'd be comfortable knowing that I knew
such intimate information about him. I knew I'd tell him someday, but not
now... not when he was so newly happy.

"It was horrible Dad, but, I can't help thinking that if there were no
contracts, then I never would have met you. Being here with you and Tadpole
makes everything I went through worth it."

I smiled and reached over and squeezed his knee and then on second thought,
I got up, hugged them both tightly to me and kissed them each on the
forehead. We shared warm smiles as I sat back down.

"Well then, in simple terms, let tell you what has happened so far. I have
purchased the majority of the shares in the Nestwell-Turnbridge Academy;
what you've called the NEST all of your life. I know you don't fully
understand shares, stocks and what that all means, but putting it simply; I
own the NEST now or at least enough of it that I call all the shots.

Director Coleman is gone, as are a lot of the Proctors... mostly the ones
who'd been involved in the `special training'.

Commodore Tipton is in charge now, but pretty soon Ricky Flores will take
over because the Commodore wants to be through in time to get ready for
next year's season of Camp West Wind.

Doctor Scott will continue to work with Ricky as what we're calling a
Curriculum Advisor.

Uncle Phil is there helping out as well, but in a couple of weeks he'll be
returning home to Joyous Gaurde.

Taylor... Tip is away on a special assignment, but in a couple of days he'll
return to Houston and stay there as Ricky's assistant running the school.

Effective about a week ago, all `contracts' were canceled. There are no
more contracts; there is no more `special training'. That's very hard for
the clients and the Nesters that have been involved with that stuff to
understand, but we're working on an alternative kind of `special training'
that will help NEST kids get ready for exciting and productive lives
without having to put up with all of the sex stuff... all of the abuse
they've been subjected to."

Sean of course didn't really understand what I was telling them, but Jack
nodded his head affirmatively.

"As you can probably guess all of the clients and a lot of other people
who've been involved in the operation of the NEST for a long time are not
very happy about these changes and some of them are reacting very badly.

I've got to tell you that some of these people, including a few of the
ex-proctors have actually kidnapped some of the boys in order to keep them
available for contracts." I could tell from their faces that this news
frightened and horrified them. Violence was completely foreign to their
nature and their upbringing. To learn that people they'd grown up
automatically trusting so implicitly could do such a thing was genuinely
shocking to them.

"Just last night Barry and some of our people rescued twenty three of those
boys and they're on the way back to the NEST. There are four boys still out
there and we're working on a plan to get them back. That plan will require
the help of one of the boys we rescued last night."

I retrieve a photograph from a folder on my desk. It was a screen shot from
last night's secondary rescue and it was a clear picture of the boy Bobby
wrapped up in a blanket. I offered it to the boys and asked;

"Do you know this boy?

Jack's eyes opened wide.

"Of course I do, that's `Scooter'. He's a tier lower than me. Mine was the
first cock he... I mean I was the first person that he ever gave a blow... I
mean he and I did some stuff during special training and... Well yes, I know
him."

I knew what he was meaning to say here. I remembered that part of Jack's
memoir, and recognized the NEST NAME as being the boy that was assigned to
give his very first blow-job to Jack as part of his `special training'. I
further recalled Jack mentioning that he'd taken the boy aside later and
given him advice and guidance.

"I know him too; a little Dad." Sean added. I nodded.

"Well, then, I'm going to ask Professor Swaim to make today's school day
very short. I'm going to talk to Bobby... I mean `Scooter' for a while and
then, you boys can entertain him until dinner time OK?"

"You mean he's HERE? Here at Joyous Gaurde?"

"Yes, but only for a short time. I'll call for you when I'm through talking
to him."

***********

The man was named Gary Sellers. It  turned out that we knew each other very
slightly. I actually didn't recognize him until I heard his name. On the
other hand, he recognized me at once.

My Skuggor team had barely given them time to get dressed before whisking
them out of their condo and delivering them to Joyous Gaurde in less than
three hours. I'd arranged for them to be put in a very nice suite in the
guest wing and while they didn't know it, they were under tight security.

They were both quite obviously confused and frightened over the events of
the past few hours, but I was informed that they did manage to eventually
get some sleep and they had been served a very nice brunch upon awakening.

I entered their rooms and found them sitting together on a couch in the
sitting room. Mr. Sellers had his arm around Bobby and they were talking in
low earnest voices. They stopped their conversation as they saw me enter
the room and it only took a glance to recognize that I instantly had their
complete attention. I smiled and tried to look friendly and reassuring.

"I must apologize to both of you for not talking to you longer when you
arrived this morning, but I judged you to be fatigued as well as under
stress. In that regard, I must also apologize for the anxiety, but I'm
hoping everything that has happened will be adequately explained and that
you'll understand what is going on."

I crossed the room and activated a secret panel in the wall. While it
looked like an enormous gilt framed painting of a mountain lake scene, it
was actually a pocket door which when opened revealed a recessed fully
equipped bar.

"I suspect that you could use a drink Mr. Sellers? What's your preference?"

He smiled nervously and replied;

"Scotch would be very welcome right now Mr. Tucker."

It became my turn to smile.

"You're a man after my own heart Sir. Single Malt? Glenn Fiddich?" He
nodded appreciatively.

"Ice?"

"Just two please."

I smiled again.

"Water? Soda?" He fixed me with a scowl that was obviously intended to be
humorous.

"Don't be a barbarian." His smile was far more natural and comfortable now.

I made an identical drink for myself and then looked to the boy.

"And you Bobby, what can I get you to drink?" The boy turned his gaze from
me to the man beside him and it was Mr. Sellers who answered;

"When he's with me, I allow Bobby to enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or a
weak whisky and soda." I nodded and asked the boy;

"What would you prefer son?"

"A beer would be nice Sir." I opened the small refrigerator and took out a
bottle of Sam Adams Boston Lager and wondered as I poured it into a glass
if it might not be too sophisticated for a youngster's taste, but I noticed
him smile at Mr. Sellers as I poured.

"Was that just luck, or did you know that's Bobby's favorite beer?" I
grinned and simply anelered;

"You know what? Some things just turn out the way they're supposed to I
think."

After handing the boy his beer, I took my own glass and sat in a chair
facing them. I took a slow sip and thought to myself that the single malt
certainly tasted so much better now that I wasn't guzzling it as if it were
soda pop anymore. I settled back into my chair and spoke directly to the
man sitting cautiously across from me;

"So then Mr. Sellers..."

"It's `Gary' Mr. Tucker."

I nodded and smiled.

"Great Gary, but then... I'm `Eric' OK?" He returned my smile and raised his
glass in a small salute.

"Gary, why don't you tell me about the two of you? It certainly doesn't
appear that you've got a typical `Client/NEST Boy relationship."

He watched me intently and I realized that he was sizing me up; attempting
to determine just how far I could be trusted.

I could see in his eyes the exact moment that he chose to tell me
everything.

He took a long pull at his drink and leaned forward and told me the full
story of the relationship that existed between the boy and him and how it
had come to be. There were heartbreaking similarities between his story and
my own and on several occasions I had to fight back the impulse to
interrupt him and share my own experiences. I didn't interrupt him though.
I just listened and absorbed the information.

Gary had inherited his father's mildly successful electronics manufacturing
company on the occasion of his father's death after a prolonged bout with
cancer. He was twenty seven at the time, and had; through skill and
creativity, turned that modest enterprise into a major international
manufacturer of electronic components.

In a mere five years, he had elevated his financial status from fairly
comfortable to that of a multi-millionaire.

Shortly after taking over the company, he had married his childhood
sweetheart and a couple of years after that, their son Gary Junior was born.

Gary's life was almost storybook happy for the next eight years. His
business expanded and grew; he and his wife were blissfully in love with
each other and with their bright young son. He smiled bitterly as he said;

"I might have guessed that the gods don't let anyone stay that happy for
too long.

One night, while I was up in San Francisco on business, Sandy; my wife,
returned to our home after dropping little Gary off at a friend's house for
a birthday/sleepover party.

She surprised a man who was in our home committing a burglary.

He'd somehow by-passed or otherwise negated my home security system.

He... he overpowered her and then he..." Gary drained his glass and sat there
with a look of pain on his face that I related to instantly.

 I took his empty glass and moved to the bar and refilled it. He accepted
the new drink from me almost as if he were in a trance. He blinked his eyes
and swallowed hard before I saw life and recognition return to his eyes.
His story had for a moment, forced him to revisit a very wicked place in
his life, but he was back now and seemed ready to continue talking.

"Sandy was... she was SUCH a little thing Eric. He could have just grabbed
her and tied her up... or locked her in a closet or something. He didn't have
to... he BEAT her Eric! He beat her senseless and then he raped her... The
coroner couldn't tell me if she was conscious or not when he raped her,
but... he didn't do it just once... he did it repeatedly and it was hard and it
was brutal.

When he had at last finished with my poor little wife, he... he took a knife
and cut her throat.

He didn't have to do ANY of that, Eric... he'd invaded my home to rob me. It
was an accident that she came home and interrupted him. He just... he just..."

Gary swallowed hard again and took a long pull at his whisky.

"The police tried to sound reassuring and professional... you know; all that
crap, but I knew Eric... I knew that even if they eventually caught him...
well, the law doesn't always provide justice.

After the funeral, I left little Gary with my mother and did what I had to
do."

I arched an eyebrow quizzically and wiping the back of his hand across his
lips, he fixed me in his gaze.

"By then, I was rich Eric... oh not rich like you, but I was qualified to
call myself a billionaire. He... that slime; that fucking animal had
unleashed something within me that I'd never known existed.

I had resources that most men in my situation wouldn't have.

I made discreet inquiries and slowly, secretly hired the very best men that
money could buy.

It only took them six weeks to locate the son of a bitch and less than
twelve hours to grab him. I had him brought to a very remote place that I
had access to out in the Arizona desert.

Oh fuck, he was cocky and arrogant! When I confronted him, he didn't even
flinch. He smiled at me... no he SNEERED at me and never stopped smiling as
he admitted everything!

When he got through with his despicable confession, he laughed at me. I
remember what he said to me; `Now cut the crap shit ass. I know my rights.
Nothin' I just told you will hold up in a court of law. Untie me and take
me back home or I'll sue your fucking ass `til you won't have a pot to piss
in. On second thought, I want to see my lawyer right NOW! You're gonna be
so fucking sorry you violated my rights this way you fucking cock sucking
shit ass!'

I didn't laugh back, I didn't even smile. I didn't even move. I just looked
him in the eye and said;

`What in the hell makes you think that you're in a place where you would
have access to a lawyer? And...What in the hell led you to believe that
you've got any rights?'

 It took a minute for that to sink in, but once it did, I could see the
terror overtake him."

Gary took another sip and his gaze shifted to Bobby, who was now sitting
close against him holding his hand.

"The men I'd hired were VERY good Eric... they were professionals... masters of
their trade.  It took him twenty eight hours to die and believe me, they
were twenty eight hours of pure agony.

He screamed for the first six hours almost nonstop and God help me, I drank
in those screams as if they were a fine wine! Finally, though, he'd
screamed himself hoarse... he'd shrieked his throat raw and after that, he
only made harsh rasping sounds and pathetic little squeals. Even though he
couldn't scream anymore, I could see the excruciating pain in his face.

Oh, my guys were so good. Every time he'd pass out, they had him revived in
minutes and then, they'd start in on him again.

By the time he died, he was almost not recognizable as a human being, but
he was aware of the pain right up until the moment when I finally allowed
my men let him die. That body is out there in the desert where it will
never be found.

That whole endeavor cost me three million dollars and to this day, I
consider it excellent value for the money.

When it was over, I returned home, retrieved Gary Jr. from my mother and
devoted my time to being the best father I could possibly be to my son."

I realized that I'd literally been holding my breath as he told that part
of the story. His glass was empty so I took it and made us each another. I
even poured Bobby another beer without giving it a thought.

"Eventually, the love of my little boy helped heal the pain of Sandy's loss
and we had a wonderful relationship; a fantastic life. The joy of watching
him grow and helping him become a fine young man almost erased the agony of
Sandy's murder. He was everything to me and I know he loved me just as much
as I loved him.

He should be a sophomore in college right now, but, those pesky damned gods
or whatever they are...

Gary was driving home from a high school dance with his girlfriend... man,
they were a cute couple!

He and I had a really serious conversation about love, respect and
relationships that very evening before he left to pick up his date.

Seems he really liked this girl and didn't want to do anything to hurt her
or make her feel she had to do anything improper. He was really cute. I
tried so hard not to laugh as I offered him the best advice I could; even
though I knew my Gary could no more hurt another person intentionally, than
he could flap his arms and fly.

I didn't even wait up for him because he was a safe driver; a careful kid
you know? Sensible, levelheaded and good...just plain good.

It was about four in the morning when the State Police woke me up to tell
me that a drunk driver had t-boned Gary's car on the Sky Crest Drive.

Both vehicles careened off the road, down a cliff and into the canyon
below.

They were all dead; Gary, his girlfriend and the drunken son-of-a-bitch
that hit them. Just like that, my life came to an end. I'd lost everything
I'd ever loved. There was nothing left to live for.

I started drinking hard. By then, my company was practically running
itself. I could stay drunk and still continue to get rich... what a fucking
deal eh?

Eventually I tried to return to life. I dated a few women, but they were
either superficial or uninteresting. I tried Call Girls, but that was a
completely hollow experience; useless for me.

I was empty. I was lost. Then, one evening, an associate suggested that I
try something completely different. He explained about the clandestine side
of the famous Nestwell-Turnbridge Academy for Boys. He even gave me the URL
for their secret WEB site.

I was probably drunk the first time I signed on, but as I looked at the
photos of the boys they were offering as...'companions', Bobby's sweet young
face just jumped out at me.

I was well known enough in the circles that matter, that I had no problem
getting instantly approved. After being added to their client list, I
contracted Bobby for a three day weekend.

It turned out that I was only Bobby's second client...some Chinese guy had
gotten him first, but that didn't matter to me."

When he said that, I thought of Jack's first contract and the infamous Mr.
Chang. It had to be the same person.

"I took Bobby to my ranch up in the mountains and pretty much all we did
was talk. Oh, we got naked and cuddled... initially I went along with that
because being naked with his 'client' was something Bobby was conditioned
to do. So, I allowed it...hell, Eric, I ENJOYED it, but it was simply
hugging, touching and we did sleep alongside each other naked... pretty
harmless shit when all is said and done, we didn't once... in fact we've
NEVER done anything that I'd classify as SEX. That's not the nature of our
relationship.

Bobby's intelligence, his good nature... his sense of humor, somehow brought
me back into the living world again Eric.

Perhaps we simply needed each other or found something between us that
filled a hole in our individual souls.  Whatever it was, affection turned
to love and I think I can speak for Bobby as well as myself when I tell you
that we adore each other."

The teary eyed boy looked up at me and nodded his head in heartfelt
agreement.

"I want to share my life with him I want him to be my son... not a
replacement for Gary Junior; I want him to be Bobby... but my SON Bobby. I've
tried three times to petition the Academy to let me adopt him, but was
politely told that adoption is not one of their policies, but that I could
book regular contracts which, while not assuring me exclusivity with him,
would at least ensure I could be with him anytime I wanted to be... all it
took of course, was money. Luckily for both of us, money is not a problem."

Almost absent mindedly, he pulled the boy into a hug and ruffled his thick
blonde hair.

"I've tried since then, for us to be together at least once a week, but
that hasn't always been possible. Often, he'd been contracted out for
extended periods of time and I learned quickly that they have a waiting
period between contracts so that the boys can recover from their ordeal.
The mother fuckers! Do you have any idea what these poor boys go through
when they're out on these so called `contracts'? Bobby has told me about
them... what this poor kid has had to put up with from some of those men...
It's... well... thank god when he's with me, he gets to be just a boy... a boy
who is loved and respected and not required to... to.."

His eyes were teary and he was having a hard time speaking. I noticed that
Bobby was silently crying as he leaned against the man. It was evident that
they were seeking mutual comfort through their physical closeness.

"Then, last week, I pulled up the WEB site to contract for Bobby and to my
horror, I saw that instead of the expected gallery of available boys, there
was a simple message saying something to the effect that the services
formerly offered on this site are no longer available.

I felt like I'd stopped breathing. For a moment, I thought I was having a
heart attack. I gathered my wits and located the actual telephone number
for the Academy.  A polite, but firm man explained that 'certain practices'
formerly conducted by the school had been permanently discontinued. I was
frantic and I suspect a bit rude to the guy on the other end of the phone,
but somehow, my sincerity must have been obvious because the young man made
an appointment for me to fly to Houston and meet with the new Director of
the Academy; a Mr. Tipton. That appointment will be for next Thursday.

I figured at that point keeping the appointment was the best thing I could
do and I hoped the fact that I couldn't contract Bobby out also meant that
NO ONE could contact him out.

Then, the very next day, I received a telephone call from a man who
identified himself as Martin Longstreet. He explained that he knew about my
fondness for Bobby's `company'. Eric, the way the man said `company' made
it sound slimy and dirty. In any event, he explained that Bobby was no
longer associated with the Academy, but was still available for contract.
If I was interested, the new situation was going to be that I could arrange
for `visits' which would take place in very private, very comfortable
cabins on a secluded estate in Montana. He wanted to know if that sounded
like something that would be satisfactory to me and if so, would I like to
make arrangements to meet with Bobby..

I became distraught and enraged at the same time. I explained to this Mr.
Longstreet that I had a unique relationship with Bobby and I wanted to see
him at once. I told him that money was no object and that after speaking
with the boy, if everything he'd just told me seemed legitimate, then we
could discuss arrangements for regular `visitations' at the resort in
Montana.

This Longstreet fellow said that for me to meet with Bobby off the estate
(especially so early in the formation of their new organization) was going
to be very expensive. He threw out a number and he was right; it was DAMNED
expensive. I didn't care. I accepted his terms and we arranged for Bobby to
be delivered to a condo I owned where we could be together for a week and
discuss the latest situation. The condo was private and... Well shit... I don't
need to tell you. That's where your people found us."

He sighed deeply and then looked into my eyes.

"So... that's MY story Eric. What's yours? What the hell is this cloak and
dagger stuff, including your kidnapping Bobby and me all about?"

I nodded and handed him my now empty tumbler.

"Fair enough Gary, it's your turn to play the bar tender and I'll talk."

He smiled agreeably and I proceeded to tell him of the tragic accident that
took my family from me, my ensuing three years of drunken madness and the
wonderful circumstances that led to my finding Sean and how he had saved me
and changed my life.

Initially, I was going to start off by presenting the manufactured story of
my mother and Sean's grandmother that Barry had so skillfully concocted,
but something about him and his narrative made me want to share my
information honestly and ungarnished.

As I finished, the similarities in our stories obviously touched him deeply.

"How was it Eric, that you were able to circumvent all of the Academy rules
and regulations and eventually adopt Sean?"  I smiled gently because I knew
that deep inside he was not just curious, he was angry.

"In the first place, Gary, you're very rich, but you're not even remotely
`Tucker Rich'. In the second place, I was able to by-pass the director and
all of the rules because I had a personal relationship with the chief
stockholder and chairman of the board of the school.

You know the old saying; `It's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know'. That
essentially sums up how I was how to adopt Sean and now, with-in a week or
so, Jack as well."

Gary was looking at me with an almost fiery intensity.

"Do you think I might be able to persuade you to intervene with your friend
on behalf of Bobby and me?"

"I would have been happy to do so Gary, but that would no longer be
advantageous for you. Bernard Turnbridge is no longer associated with the
Academy. There is a new chief stockholder who pretty much decides what will
or will not happen."

He looked crestfallen at this news.

"You don't happen to know this new man do you?"

"Oh, indeed I do. I know him intimately."

He looked both curious and hopeful at the same time.

"So you know him well then?"

I had to chuckle a bit as I answered;

"I certainly hope so Gary. He's me. I'm him."

The poor man didn't know whether to be hopeful or devastated.

Rather than leaving him in a complete state of confusion, I related my
feelings about the child prostitution aspect of the NEST and what I'd done
and intended to do in that regard.  I explained about the financial and
physical takeover of the school. I told him about the resultant kidnappings
and last night's subsequent rescue missions.

While I didn't go into great detail regarding the Skuggor, I did imply that
I had a quasi-military group at my disposal and I think he understood that
well enough based upon his experience last night.

"I always knew that making this change in the school policy and denying
some of these people access to a fresh supply of compliant boys might turn
into an ugly situation, but these people seem to have been prepared for
this contingency.

I'm certain they were taken by surprise by last night's rescue of the
twenty two boys from Atiu and that's going to put a major damper in their
future plans.

Today, those boys will be back on the Academy campus and they'll be safe.
The computer system is now completely under our control and the school is
well protected by my own security teams.

They still have four boys at the Montana Ranch...five if you count Bobby." I
looked pointedly at both of them.

"Those boys will no doubt be used to raise funds for their new child
prostitution ring while at the same time being utilized in training any new
boys that they acquired from God knows where.

The men providing the muscle for this operation...especially your Mr. Martin
Longstreet are ruthless but skilled and dangerous.

We know that the security provisions around the ranch are very hi tech and
the layout of the place has been very well designed. Gary, they've been
planning for this possible turn of events for quite some time. They
obviously intend to create a `service' such as the NEST used to offer
without any of the benefits the school provided for the boys. This will be
child prostitution at its sleaziest and worst. I need to stop them before
they can get any further and I've got to recover those four boys."

Gary had mixed two fresh drinks and I paused in my narrative to take a sip.
I leaned back in my chair and looked at the two of them. They were nervous
and agitated. It was obvious that they were wondering what they had to do
with what I'd just told them.

"What we know about the Montana compound so far is that it has been
extremely well designed. Security is absolutely first rate. There's nothing
there that my people cannot override of course, but speed and efficiency
will be paramount. I greatly fear that if we don't retrieve all of the boys
quickly and together, then, we may not get a second chance at these people.
>From what we can determine, the boys are never kept together for too long.
Is that right Bobby?"

He was looking at me in an anxious but helpful manner.

"I was only there for a couple of days Mr. Tucker, but you're right. They
pretty much kept us in groups of two or three. They didn't do anything
scary or nothing like that. In fact, it was pretty much fun. They said it
was an adventure and a new part of our special training. We were all
together at night and for meals. We ate and slept in the loft of the big
ranch house. It was kind of neat actually and they told us that soon we'd
be learning to ride horses and stuff just like in the Western movies."

"That's what we gathered from our observations. The big house is on top of
a hill and it commands an unobstructed view of the surrounding property.
That building has its own secondary and highly sophisticated radar system.

My people have very tiny drones that normally we could fly remotely into
the building and render the inhabitants temporarily unconscious. The
problem is that regardless of the fact that they are very small, they could
be detected by radar. Since, thanks to the Atiu raid, Longstreet and his
people are now alerted to the fact that someone is after them, they'll be
watching out for any anomaly and even a tiny blip on their radar may alert
them into some defensive action. These are not stupid people and we believe
they're using state of the art Chinese technology.

I'm pretty certain that the entire operation is financed and perhaps
masterminded by a gentleman named Chao `Charles' Chang. I suspect he was
Bobby's first `client', he was certainly Jack's first and, for the past few
years at least, was probably every boy's first.

He is a sort of `Ambassador at Large' and is very wealthy. We're only just
now beginning to investigate just how extensive his reach is into the
former NEST organization and child prostitution in general."

Bobby was nodding his head in agreement.

"That's right Mr. Tucker! That was his name...I had to call him `Mr. Chang'
and I know from talking to the other guys, he was the first client for most
of them."

I nodded and then continued;

"Due to their extensive security and the tight control they have on these
boys, our only way to be certain of a complete rescue depends upon complete
surprise. If tried an overland assault, they'dl see us coming for miles and
their radar is the best there is. We'll probably have to try taking them
down initially with `shadow flies'...that's what we call our little drones,
but if they detect them coming in, the whole operation may be blown and by
the time we'd be able to react, some or all of the boys would be gone.

Gary, I don't just want to rescue those boys, I want to capture Longstreet
and his men. A perfect situation would include our Ambassador Chang as
well.

Sadly, the only safe way to assure a successful mission would be to plant
some of our `shadow flies' in the main house and around the compound using
insiders." I again looked pointedly at both of them. My expression was not
lost or ignored.

"What are you getting at Eric? I'm almost afraid to ask." He pulled Bobby
closely against him and held him lovingly. There was fear on his face. I
believe he knew what I was going to say next.

"Gary, let me be just as honest with you as you have been with me. You've
been through a great deal in your life and you've suffered the worst kind
of loss and pain a man can be expected to endure. You now know that I
understand what you've gone through because to a large extent, I share your
experiences.

Although, on paper Longstreet and his crew have legal custody of Bobby, I
can have that changed in a matter of minutes. After I bring him back into
the custodial care of the Academy, I would then have the legal right to
open the way for a smooth and quick adoption. Just say the word and I'll
begin those proceedings and in a matter of a month, you'll be father and
son and you'll never have to think about any of this again."

"You'd do that for us?"

"In a New York minute Gary. It would be a great pleasure."

"Eric, I sense a `but' in there somewhere."  He said and I nodded grimly.

"Gary, there are still four boys on that ranch in Montana. Four boys that
no more deserve the life that's in store for them than Bobby does. Some
inside help could really stack the cards in our favor.

They don't know that you were brought here last night...my people are VERY
efficient.

If you were willing to let them take Bobby back to their compound at the
end of the week as per your initial agreement, while at the same time, you
arranged a visit to the ranch for yourself in order to spend more time with
him in one of their cabins, we could equip you each with a couple of unique
pieces of `jewelry' that contained some of our remote control devices.

We'd instruct you both in how to deploy them and where to do so and you'd
have a small device that could signal us when the placement was complete.

We'd do the rest and in a couple of hours we should have a successful
mission.

It sounds simple I know, but there are risks. These are ruthless
intelligent predators. From their point of view, arrest and prosecution
would be a horrible situation. They have absolutely no idea of the far
worse alternative I've got in mind for them. They wouldn't treat you kindly
if you were detected Gary.

There are no strings attached to my earlier offer. Just say the word and
I'll do everything that is required to smooth the way allowing you to adopt
Bobby and you'll never hear from me again...or, you can both bravely agree to
help me in my intention to rescue the other boys and hopefully put an end
to this despicable group of men for good.

You can get on the bus or stand on the curb. Either way, I'm driving to my
destination."

I stood up and squeezed them each on the shoulder.

"I'll leave you alone to talk about it. It's a big choice I know and it
would certainly be a difficult decision for me to make if I were in your
shoes. I'll respect whatever you decide to do."

I turned to leave them, but I never even reached the door.

"Wait Eric! You don't need to give us time to talk. We both know that
there's only one thing we can do if we expect to ever have a life together
with shared self-respect. Whatever you need us to do, we're ready for it."

I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I was speechless. I did the only thing
I was capable of doing at the moment; I wrapped my arms around them both
and hugged them tightly for what seemed like a half an hour.

**************************

After calling for Jack and Sean, Gary and I both enjoyed watching the happy
re-union of `Rufus', `Tadpole' and `Scooter'. Eventually, Sean and Jack
loaded our guests onto the `Red Kitty' and took off for a tour of the
estate  as only Sean could provide.

I got together with Walter and Barry and put things in motion so that Gary
and Bobby could be secretly returned to their condo tomorrow night.

While my boys didn't understand why their friend's visit was going to be so
short, they also now had some idea that secret things were going on and
they didn't pry.

When Sean pulled his golf cart back onto the car park and plugged it in,
he's suggested that everyone head off to the pool for the rest of the
afternoon. Regardless of the fact that it was early October, it was still
quite warm and it was very pleasant weather. I did think to myself though,
that soon we'd be closing down the outdoor pool and begin using the one
inside.

Bobby of course, had the expected reactio:

"But, I don't have a bathing suit!"

"It's ok Scooter. We don't usually wear swim suits here." Sean wasted no
time in cutting to the chase. Bobby looked a bit bewildered but Gary smiled
broadly and said;

"Great! There's nothing more wonderful than skinny dipping. Whenever I'm in
San Diego, I make it a point to spend at least one afternoon at Black's
Beach even though the goat trail leading down the cliff can be quite a work
out. Once we're together full-time Bobby, I'm putting a pool in at our
house and we'll be doing just what these guys do. You'll love it."

In the pool house we all stripped down and I noted that though he was at
least ten years older than me, Gary had a wonderful body and kept himself
in very good shape. There was small wonder why he enjoyed clothing optional
beaches and swimming nude; he had nothing to feel embarrassed about. I
thought to myself that it was a damned shame that he seemed to be
essentially straight. I would have been quite interested in exploring a
relationship with him.

Bobby was like every NEST boy I'd encountered so far; beautiful.

His thick blond hair hung down the nape or his neck and his dark eyes were
shaded by equally dark lashes that were all the more striking due to his
light eyebrows.

He was built sturdier than either Sean or Jack. He had sturdy broad
shoulders and the long muscles of his arms and legs were strong but not
over developed. He cock hung limp below a healthy bush of dark pubic hair
which contrasted nicely with the blond hair on his head. The rest of his
body was essentially smooth with the expected light down on his arms and
legs.

If he had been shy initially over the idea of swimming naked in a pool with
other people, he certainly got over it quickly.

After horsing around for about a half an hour, the boys talked us into a
game of water polo. Regardless of the fact that Gary and I fought valiantly
to keep the score close, youth triumphed this time and in the end we were
beaten by five points.

As Gary and I sat together in the library sipping on before dinner drinks,
the three boys were huddled together in the far corner talking softly but
enthusiastically. Occasionally, they'd glance over at us and there would be
a stifled giggle. I leaned over and whispered to Gary;

"Don't look now, but I think those three are up to something." He smiled
and nodded his head.

"I don't care what it is Eric. I could die happy right now."

"For chrizzakes, don't think about doing that Gary!"

He laughed and replied;

"No, no! I just mean that it's been a long time since I've felt so
comfortable and so human and Eric, I've never seen Bobby laugh like this.
This is all I want for him. He deserves to be happy like this. I can afford
to give him the best of everything but...as tempting as it is to take this
happiness and run, we've got to do our part in rescuing those other boys
and in ending this horror. Do you believe in God Eric?" I shook my head.

"Well then what about fate? Kismet? Destiny?"

"Gary, I don't really believe in much stuff like that. I do believe in the
human spirit and the inherent kindness of the human heart. I guess that
I've always believed...or hoped at least, that good always triumphs over
evil. More than that...I don't know."

"Well, don't worry. I've got faith enough for both of us despite everything
that I've lost in my life. I believe in a God that loves us and has a plan
for us."

I shook my head in quiet surprise.

"I don't know how someone like you with everything that's happened to you
can think that way. If there was really a God, how could he let you suffer
everything you've endured? Why does he allow the world to be so full of
horror and cruelty? "

He grinned and reached over and patted my knee.

"See, here's how I look at it; he loves us so much that he gave us a gift
that he didn't give any of his other creations. He gave us free will. He's
got a plan for each of us but that plan is not a railroad track and we're
not choo choo trains. We can leave the track, we can blaze our own way and
do whatever we damn well please. That's our right and he understands but,
every so often, he gives us a nudge back in the right direction and if we
pay attention to that nudge, we're going to be all right.

Bringing us together was that kind of nudge Eric. I won't pretend I'm not
frightened, but I feel this is the right way to be moving. I felt that as
soon as you laid it out for me.

This is supposed to happen Eric."

********************************

Martha has an instinct about food that never ceases to amaze me despite the
fact that by now I should just take it for granted.

Dinner was heaping platters of her buttermilk fried chicken, mashed
potatoes, steamed green beans with baby carrots with a side wedge of
iceberg lettuce covered with her own creamy dressing.

Gary and I shared a very nice bottle of sauvignon blanc from a small winery
in Modesto that I owned stock in. The two older boys each had beer while
Sean was very happy with his root beer.

As we were finishing our desert of  pots du crème, Sean announced;

"Soon as we're done here, we're going down to the music room. When you guys
are finished with your coffee, come down...you too Mrs. Edwards, you come too
please."

************************

After Jack had arrived and I'd learned that he was an accomplished
violinist, I'd taken him to the music room and opened the climate
controlled cabinet that contained my Grandfather's violin.

I only had vague childhood memories of his playing but I'd been told that
he was so accomplished that he's often give concerts for charity and had
been invited to sit in and play with orchestras all over the world.

It had been Pa Pop who's had the music room designed and it was he who'd
started the tradition that every child in the family had to play a musical
instrument. My father had been more than proficient on the saxophone. Mine
had been the piano and Kyle's had been the guitar. My mother had played the
flute and when I was young, she and I would entertain family and guests
with our duets.

My grandfather's violin was a Bergonzi manufactured in 1738. Carlo Bergonzi
had been apprenticed to Antonio Stradivari as a youth and is generally
considered the Master's greatest pupil.

Many great violinists...Paganini being not the least of these, actually
preferred Bergonzi instruments to those of Stradivari.

My grandfather was one of these, and though he most likely could have
afforded a Stradivarius, he'd located and acquired a Bergonzi.

When I'd first placed it in Jack's hands, he'd trembled. He knew more about
the value and greatness of the instrument than I did.  He'd gently tucked
it under his chin and drawn the bow across the strings and within fifteen
minutes I'd realized the little violin was in competent and safe hands. I'd
asked Jack several times if he wanted to pursue advanced lessons and every
time, he'd avoided the question. I suspected that he was still overwhelmed
by his new life and wasn't yet ready to commit to anything that felt
permanent...at least until his life did as well.

I understood that and had decided to allow him to adjust at his own pace.

Jack greeted us at the door to the music room. Bobby was seated at the
piano and Sean, guitar in hand, was seated near the Steinway.

After we were seated Jack explained;

"Tadpole, Scooter and I would get together sometimes and we'd fool around
with some of the music. Proctor Maestro and most of the kids seemed to like
it. I hope you do too."

He nodded and I could see the three of them do a silent  `three count'.
After a shared chord, Sean began with his little fingers flying up and down
the neck of the old Martin guitar.

I recognized immediately that he was skillfully playing the Bach E major
Prelude. I was marveling at how he accomplished the quick staccato notes.
These would be hard enough on a piano...to my mind they should be
unattainable on a guitar. Shortly, Jack and Bobby joined in and I realized
that this was no classical rendition but rather, a very contemporary
re-working of the piece that they had obviously contrived upon their own.

The lead was tossed in a seemingly random fashion between them as they each
in turn took up Bach's driving, maddening rise and fall of notes. As each
boy in turn toyed with the actual melody, the other two provided a very
non-conventional but appropriate backup to the piece. It was very pops in
feeling and just when I thought I'd gotten it figured out, they slid
smoothly from the fugue like prelude into a slow almost one chord rest
before Jack, grinning like a little wild man, called out:

 "Freude, schöner Götterfunken!" and the three of them launched into an
enthusiastic rendition of the final movement of Beethoven's ninth...most
commonly known as; "Ode to Joy".

The boys played with this music in such a fun original fashion...tossing
the lead amongst themselves and interspersing it with strange contemporary
interludes until suddenly...the music stopped.

Sean jumped to his feet with both arms thrust into the air, he shouted;

"One, two three..." And he slashed a plectrum down across the strings of
the guitar and his two fellow musicians immediately joined in a clashing
rock and roll chord.

" As I was motivatin` over da hill

    I saw Mabellene in a Coupe de Ville

  Cadillac rollin` on the open road

    Ain't nuthin out runnin` my V-8 Ford...."

The transition was smooth and musically hilarious. The idea of a Chuck
Berry song performed by what just seconds before was a classical music trio
was astonishing and wonderful. By the time they had finished, we were
stomping our feet and clapping our hands in delighted enthusiastic
appreciation.

Gary had tears in his eyes as he looked to me.

"Bobby has mentioned that he played the piano, but I never had any idea
that he was this talented...These boys should be professional entertainers!
My God Eric, this has proved to be most wonderful day!"

The boys played us two more pieces and then it was time for bed. I urged
them to say goodnight and good bye to Gary and Bobby.

"They'll be leaving tomorrow. They have to spend some time with Walter and
Barry before they leave though.

 Don't worry guys, they'll be back and if everything goes as we've planned,
the next time we get together. Scooter will be `Bobby Sellers` just as Jack
will be `Jack Tucker`.

I wasn't all that surprised that night when I found two naked boys under my
comforter. I'm not sure how much information they'd exchanged with Bobby,
but they were very subdued but very affectionate. Four little hands were
all over me as we cuddled and whispered silly words of endearment. The
touching was far more important than the words right now. I slowly took the
time to explore them each individually. As I did so, the other one kissed
and caressed my bod. The shared touching was every bit as loving as it was
erotic and eventually we fell asleep in a tangle of flesh.

In the almost dark of the bedroom, I felt as though I could sense the warm
glow of love shimmering above the bed but of course, that could have simply
been an illusion created by the onslaught of sleep.

***************************

I was with Gary and Bobby as Walter and Barry instructed them on how to
extract the remote devices from the pendants, rings and wrist bracelets
we'd created for them. While in place in the silver jewelry, the little
drones looked like perfect little onyx studs but when properly removed,
they would become fully functional `shadow flies`.

After they had become proficient in manipulating the little devices, we
spent time reviewing maps of the Montana compound and determining strategic
places to leave the little machines.

"Exact placement won't be critical." Walter had advised them. Just leave
them in the approximate locations and once we activate them, we can place
them right where we want them."

By late afternoon, they were ready to be delivered back to the condo we'd
snatched them from. The same team of Skuggor who'd brought them was going
to return them via clandestine means so we said our goodbyes on the front
stairway.

We'd barely known each other for forty eight hours, but my heart felt as
though I was sending part of my family into danger.

In the end, it was Gary who comforted me;

"I couldn't help but notice the inscription on the mantle of the fireplace
in your library Eric. `Noli Timere`...I'm a bit of a classics scholar so I
know that it means; `don't be afraid`in Latin. That's good advice at the
best of times don't you think?"

When they were gone, I walked back into the house.

Tonight, Jack had a fight and then tomorrow he was going to his first co-ed
social event. On Monday, Walter had his first chemo treatment and about the
same time. If everything went as planned Gary and Bobby would be placing
shadow flies strategically around the Montana ranch compound.

I looked up towards heaven or whatever was up there.

"Dad, how come I can't think of any of your words of wisdom right now? Am I
doing the right thing or am I just screwing up badly? "

I'd no sooner had that thought, than a sudden beam of sunlight streaming
through the window caught a bit of crystal in the chandelier. Through a
complete set of unique circumstances, it reflected a large bright rainbow
right on the floor at my feet.

"What a strangely random coincidence!" I thought to myself and then I
remembered Gary's conversation yesterday.

"Thanks Dad. I needed that right now. "

I smiled and walked towards the kitchen to find out what Martha might have
for my lunch.

(To be continued)

*************************************************

Everybody...I don't have words to thank you all for your kind notes of
encouragement and concern. I'm still overwhelmed.

I'm also so pleased that so many of you continue to enjoy this little
adventure.

Please feel free to drop me a note whenever it moves you. Your in-put
really helps keep things going.

ALSO...

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