Death On Duval Street (Chapter-6)

Perry, Theo, and I finished lunch on Perry’s patio as a calming breeze flowed through the trees and cooled the air. Theo picked up the dishes and went into the kitchen leaving me and Perry alone.

Perry leaned back in his lounge chair with a stretch attempting to hide the pain that creased his face. I just knew that if he lived another year he would be lucky. But, I was not going to be the one to spread rumor or spoil the limelight that he so deserved as the parade’s Grand Marshal. If he was up to it, he would be leading the parade on Halloween night.

As I sat looking at what was once a dominating figure within the greatest police force in the world; well, let’s just say AIDS is a horrible mistress.

A New York City native, Perry applied to the police academy after graduating near the top of his class in high school. He turned down a scholarship to attend Columbia University in order to become one of New York’s finest. He knew that if he wanted to continue his education, he could do so at night with the department’s blessing.

His natural insight, plus his strength and agility, made him a perfect candidate to be a NYPD police officer. At nineteen he was one of the youngest men to go through the academy. Yet, he was never intimidated nor did he ever shrink from any problem he encountered. He graduated from the academy at the top of his class.

After joining the precinct near his home, Perry proved to be an excellent beat cop and rose to the ranks of detective and was later promoted to Chief of detectives in the Manhattan district by the time he was thirty-five. Bright, intelligent and dedicated to his work he caught the eye of many politicians in New York, some of whom suggested that he should be on the fast track to become Chief of Police and even Police Commissioner one day.

However, all that changed when the people of the city read about a two-bit criminal who accused Savant of misconduct and criminal activity. And now fifteen later, Perry was facing an even more horrible fight: this time for his life.

Sitting before him now, I was determined not to show the pity I felt inside for this man who had become such a good friend. So, I pulled out a notebook I always carried with me to take notes. It was not yet filled with copious notes on this group of people set to invade our little community.

“Okay, Perry. It seems that the Reverend and his assistant were not happy with your letter. Brian talked to some of his contacts in Miami.”

“I can’t wait to hear this.”

“I know. So, it seems that you caught them off guard by not refusing their application. Champion was totally miffed by your explanation of some minor errors and problems with the application itself.”

“That was my idea!” Theo yelled through the pass-through window between the patio and the kitchen.

“Get back to your chores, Sweetheart!” Perry leaned forward and spoke in a softer voice. “Actually, Theo did make that suggestion. The attorneys loved it.”

“So your explanation of having to wait until the attorneys ruled on what to do must have been brilliant because these guys were incredulous.”

“I hoped as much. The attorneys insisted that I use the phrase ‘under review.’”

“You know they’ll be filing another application next year that will be letter perfect--no mistakes.”

“I know. I’m just afraid that they’ve actually chipped away at our celebration of the gay life-style. I hope they haven’t ended it or force it to be changed into something else.”

“I was hoping you wouldn’t say that.”

“Over the next several months, I fully expect these people to prepare for a major religious assault on the beautiful freedom we’ve enjoyed for so long in our little haven in the sun.”

“Yep. And you can fully expect these people to arrive here well before the festival fully armed with every spiritual weapon in their arsenal.”

“I know.”

“During the last two weeks, I’ve researched this church and discovered that the coffers are overflowing with cash. Marcus Champion seems to be a financial genius. I mean instead of putting their money into checking and savings accounts where it could easily be traced and accounted for, he’s purchased hundreds of expensive paintings and other art works.”

“Damn clever!”

“I visualize this man being able walk down the halls of the church quoting the exact price of each painting hanging there. And I’m willing to bet that most people in that church have no clue the value of those innocuous pieces of art that decorate their hallways. I have to admire the hutzpah of this man that Santos claims as a personal friend, confidant and financial advisor.”

“I understand. But have you discovered any specifics?”

I handed Perry a couple of sheets of paper. “One of these newspaper articles recounts how Santos and Champion started with a small congregation of about fifty people meeting in Santos’s back yard. And now, less than twenty years later, it’s a mega-church of over twenty-five thousand people with assets exceeding a hundred million dollars.

Unfortunately, that’s where the trail ends. I could find no mention of Marcus Champion or John Santos prior to twenty years ago. I mean, there’s simply nothing there. Of course, I took Brian’s word that the two men had emigrated from Cuba around the same time. And yet, I just can’t dismiss my gut. You know, the facts just don’t seem to fit.”

“What else is in that mystery-magical notebook you carry around with you?”

I smiled. “It seems that Champion will be arriving in the city by the middle of October. He’s supposed to get a large tent erected and ready for Santos’ arrival. I don’t know that date. They plan to begin a series of evangelistic meetings three or four days before Halloween.”

“Okay. So, we’ve got our work cut out for us. You keep me updated on everything you find out. Oh, and I like the idea of you being an intermediary between me and Brian. I love him to death, but he’s way too high maintenance for me to deal with. I’m sure he’s a wealth of information. So, encourage him to continue feeding you everything he hears.”

“He’s promised to keep me informed. Also, I’ll continue my research into this church and its leadership. Wait a minute. There was one other thing.”

I thumbed through the pages. “Here it is. It seems several highly influential people are members of his church. There’s at least two state legislators and one state senator; oh, and one congressman. He has five of the city’s richest businessmen on his board of trustees. We’re talking heavy hitters. I can only assume that if we get into a court room tussle with these guys they could cause all sorts of problems for us and the city.”

“I understand. And thank you for the good work. All I know is that I made a good choice in asking you for advice in this matter.”

“We’re on the same team. I want to keep this place peaceful, too.” And with that, I shook Perry’s hand, yelled good-bye to Theo, and slipped out through the patio door.