Undigestible Agreement

Jeff frowned, opening his mouth to speak, and the detective raised a hand. "Please, Mr. Tracy, hear me out." Jeff subsided, and she took a deep breath. "I can't blame you if you don't want Alan to meet with Lee. I wouldn't want my teenage son in that kind of situation either, especially since there's no guarantee that we'd learn anything new, or he'd say anything incriminating." She spread her hands and shrugged. "I can't compel Alan to do as I ask, nor do I have any real arguments as to why he should. I just have this gut feeling that, if Alan were to talk to Lee, some matters would become clearer. Then the District Attorney might know for certain if it was worth his while to charge Lee and his cohorts with a hate crime in Alan's case, and whether to press forward against Lee in Erik's."

She paused, considering her words. "They're going to jail anyway, Mr. Tracy, for pleading guilty in Alan's attack. The questions are: for how long, and who will pay for beating on Erik? The recording implicates only Mickey specifically. Pierce actually confessed to the beating when he'd heard it was entered into evidence – but not to it being a hate crime on his part. Alan's testimony today may help there. They've both fingered Lee, but his lawyer has told him to stand his ground."

"What about Steve?" Alan asked suddenly. "Was he in on Erik's beating? Erik did say there were three of them."

"It doesn't look like it; his roommate came forward and provided an alibi." She shook her head again. "You don't have to give an answer now, but please, Alan, Mr. Tracy, at least consider it."

Jeff sat back, absently tapping his chin with his stylus. "Wolfe? Would it do anything to hurt Alan's case?" Alan glanced over at his father, surprised.

"No, it wouldn't." Palmer had his elbows on the arms of the chair, his fingers steepled. "As Detective Larson has stated, they are going to jail for what they did to Alan. The only difference would be in the sentencing."

Father and son gazed at each other through the computer screen. "Alan?"

"Yeah, Dad?"

Jeff sighed. "I'm... leaving this one up to you. I know you've said you weren't going to see Lee, but you also said you wanted to know why he attacked you, why he hated you." He dropped the stylus onto the desk, and looked at it for a moment before raising his eyes to the screen once more. "If you don't want to go, fine. I've given you my opinion on the matter. But... if there's a chance of helping your friend's cause, or answering your question..." He let his words trail off. Have to let him make the decision this time. He needs to be at peace with whatever he chooses. "You do what you think is right, son."

Alan's shoulders slumped, and he began to feel queasy. Why is this back in my lap? Everybody said "don't go", and I listened. I mean, that's what wise people do, right? They listen to advice they're given. Dad said there were questions that never get answered; I was fine with that, too. But now there's Erik, and Lee might've been involved, and... the question's still there: "Why?" I told the detective why I thought Sugi attacked me, but with the question she asked, now I don't know for sure. And I do want to know for sure. Dad's leaving it up to me. Why can't he just say 'no' and let me off the hook? He took a deep breath. The room felt like it was small and getting smaller as the weight of the decision pressed on him. The others were looking at him, waiting for his response. What'll they think of me if I refuse? And will I be left wondering if I could've gotten some answers?

Finally, he sighed and passed a hand through his hair. "Okay. When do you want me to see him?"

Detective Larson seemed to relax and gave him a small smile. "I'll get back to you on that. It'll take a couple of days to set things up. And Alan? You can back out at any time. No one is forcing you to go through with this. I personally appreciate your willingness to do this, and your courage. But if it's too much, call me and we'll cancel it." She stood and handed him a business card. "Just to make sure you have my number." She turned to Mr. Wolfe and gave him one, too. "In case you have any questions."

"Thank you, Detective." Wolfe tucked it into a small folder. "Alan, as soon as you know when the meeting is, please call me, or have your father do so. I will be there as your legal representative."

Alan stuck the detective's card in his pocket, and rubbed the back of his neck. His face was still troubled as he glanced at his father's picture. Jeff's eyes and smile were sympathetic, and he nodded slightly.

"Is there anything else that needs to be discussed?" Jeff asked. He glanced at his watch. "We've been here a while, and I'm sure Alan has some homework to do before dinner."

"I think I'm finished," Detective Larson said. She picked up her jacket, and shrugged into it. "Thank you, Mr. Tracy, Alan, for hearing me out. And thank you, Mr. Magnuson for letting us use your office. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome, Detective. Always happy to work with the local police." Mr. Magnuson stood, too, and shook her outstretched hand.

She shook hands with Wolfe, then with Alan. "If there's anything else you remember, or you feel we should know, call me. And as I said before, if you want to back out, you can."

"I'll remember," Alan said, mustering up a slight smile. The roiling in his stomach hadn't eased, which made it hard for him to be upbeat about much of anything. She returned the smile, and left. A draft of cooler air came into the room with her departure, emphasizing the comparative stuffiness of the office; something that Alan hadn't even noticed until that moment.

"You and I will speak again, later, Alan," Mr. Wolfe said as he gathered his own things. "You might want to get a list of those witnesses who heard... what was his name?" Wolfe glanced down at his PDA, where he'd been making discreet notes all during the session. "Ah, yes. Pierce. A list of those who heard Pierce make those suggestive comments to you, with dates and times, if possible. If the District Attorney decides to charge your assailants with a hate crime, those witnesses will be essential."

"Yes, sir," Alan replied.

They shook hands, and Mr. Wolfe said to Jeff, "I'll be in touch, Mr. Tracy."

"Talk to you again soon, Wolfe."

Mr. Magnuson went to walk Mr. Wolfe out, leaving only Alan and Jeff. Alan's attention was on the door, and he was absently rubbing his right shoulder.

"Alan?" Jeff called, concerned.

The teen turned. His face looked bleak and tired. "Yeah, Dad?"

"How's the shoulder?"

Alan pulled his hand away and gazed at it, as if realizing what he'd been doing, then let it drop. "It's fine. I'm just..." He faltered, and shook his head.

"Overwhelmed?"

Alan finally turned his full attention to his father, and saw the understanding in his face that he'd heard in Jeff's voice. "Yeah. A little." He sighed. "I thought this whole thing was over, y'know what I mean? But it's not." He reached up to touch his cheek. "Will it ever be?"

"Yes, son. It will come to an end, and soon. I promise." Jeff smiled in sympathy. "You'll heal, those who hurt you will be punished, and things will get back to normal. But it's something that will still leave marks, and I'm not talking physical scars, either. That's something you'll have to expect... and that we'll deal with together, okay?"

Alan nodded. "Yeah, okay." He paused, then asked, "Can you come out here? When I have to talk to Sugi?"

Jeff's face turned serious as he thought over the request. "Possibly. I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, you get something to eat, and do that homework! I'll talk to you again later, and I'll email you the details for Thursday. "

"Okay, Dad, I will." Alan glanced over at Mr. Magnuson, who had just looked in. "I think Mr. Mags wants his office back." He turned back to Jeff. "I'll talk to you soon."

"Whenever you need to, son," Jeff told him. "Have a good night."

"Thanks, Dad. Bye."

The screen came up with a "call disconnected" and Alan sighed heavily. Mr. Magnuson came in, and put a hand on Alan's shoulder.

"You all right, Alan?"

Alan nodded, picking up his jacket, sliding it on carefully, then picking up his backpack. "I'll be okay. Better go; I have homework to do."

"Right." Mr. Magnuson ushered him to the door. "You have a nice night, now."

"Thanks." With a nod, Alan left the office. The twilight took him by surprise; he hadn't realized how long they'd been in the security office. The cool air felt good at first, and the openness was welcome after the close feeling of the office. Still, after just a few moments he'd zipped his jacket up, settled the backpack on his shoulders, and stuck his hands in his pockets. His shoulder ached with the weight of his books, but though he was tempted to pull it off and sling it over the uninjured shoulder, he didn't. The ache reminded him that he still had a good amount of physical healing to do.

"Hey, Pinky!" called a voice. Alan looked up to find Jason and Qaeshon coming toward him.

"Hey, guys." The two friends met up with him and reversed their direction, falling into step.

"How'd things go with Mr. Mags?" Jason asked. "The Brain told us you had to see him after classes were over."

"Yeah, we were on our way down to see if you were through," Kay told him.

"It was... long," Alan admitted. "The detective who's working on the case had a lot of questions for me." He shrugged his right shoulder, sliding a thumb under his pack's strap, trying to settle it in a different spot. "They had my dad there via satellite, and my... my lawyer was there, too."

"Is your pack bothering you?" Jason asked, frowning, as he noticed Alan's actions. When Alan didn't answer, he stopped and put a hand out. "Give it here."

With a relieved sigh, Alan stopped, and with Kay's help, slipped out of the backpack's straps. Jason took charge of it, while Kay took up the thread of their conversation as they continued walking toward the dorms.

"A lawyer, huh?" Kay scratched the back of his neck. "So, they think this is going to trial?"

"No, not really." Alan rolled his shoulder again. "Dad just thinks it's good for me to have legal counsel. I suppose because the investigation is still going on."

"Investigation? I thought those turds pleaded guilty!" Jason asked, incredulous. "What's left to investigate? Just lock the door and throw away the key!"

"Not that easy, Jase," Kay said, spreading his hands. "There's this thing called sentencing, you know."

"And there's another case involved," Alan said quietly. He stopped and turned to Jason. "Jase, why do you think Sugi and his creepy friends attacked me?"

Jason blinked, and frowned. "I dunno. He didn't like the way you stood up to him, and there was the whole thing with Trey..." He shrugged. "I don't think I gave it much thought before. He said he'd make your life miserable, and this was part of it."

"Kay?"

Qaeshon had figured he'd be asked the question, too, and had thought about his answer for a moment. "I guess it's like Jason said; you stood up to Sugi and he didn't like it. Though," he paused for a thoughtful moment, "from what Zave tells me, the steroids might have done something to Sugi's brain, made him irrational." He spread his hands. "I'm not saying that's an excuse, but it might be a reason why he went so overboard."

"What about the creepy friends?" Alan pressed, resuming his walk. "Why do you think they helped him?"

Jason gave him a "I can't believe you just said that" look. "Duh! They're his friends, Pinky."

"Yeah, but were they good enough friends to risk jail time just to help him beat someone up?" Alan turned to Kay, who looked thoughtful. "Kay? What do you think?"

Qaeshon was quiet for a moment, then said slowly, "I remember what we heard on that radio thing the Brain was wearing. Mickey wanted to stop, and Sugi just reamed him out for it. He blamed Mickey and Pierce for getting him hooked on the steroids." His eyes widened. "Wait. I think I know what you're getting at. What Mickey said about the 'gay kid'."

By this time they were climbing the steps to Birchwood. Alan shook his head. "Yeah, that. Though I can't remember exactly what he said." He sighed. "Things are so jumbled now; it's like it was all a bad dream."

"Well, you were kind of occupied while those creeps were talking," Jason said as they arrived at Alan's room. Alan knocked briefly, and when there was no answer, he put his hand to the scanner and opened the door. No one was there.

When the door closed behind them, Kay asked quietly, "You think the police think Mickey and Pierce were helping because they thought you were gay?"

"Yeah," Alan admitted. "That's what the detective seemed to be getting at, anyway. They're trying to see if the creeps, Sugi included, could be charged with a hate crime in my case." He took his backpack from Jason. "Thanks, Jase. I appreciate the help."

"No problem, Pinky," Jason replied. Scratching his head, he added, "I don't remember them talking as if you were gay. It all seemed to be about Sugi and his getting kicked out of school."

"I agree," said Qaeshon. "We can ask the Brain tonight; he'll remember all the conversation."

"Speaking of the Brain..." Jason waved toward the clock on Alan's desk. "We'd better head for dinner."

"I'm... not very hungry," Alan said, frowning.

"Doesn't matter," Kay said, tugging his arm. "We have a strategy to plan, and you need to be there, food or no food. Come on!"

Jason got behind Alan and gave him a careful push. Alan glared at him as his two friends maneuvered him out the door, but he finally gave in and headed down to the dining hall with them.

"So, Dad," Scott said as the family sat down for lunch. "You were holed up in your office for quite a while this morning."

Jeff rubbed his eyes and sighed. "Yeah. I had a conference call with the folks at Wharton."

The glass stopped on its way up Virgil's mouth. "Wharton? What's going on there?" he asked, frowning.

"The detective who is handling Alan's case wanted to ask him some questions, and wanted me handy." Jeff smiled wearily. "I can't always ask for hours that suit my schedule."

"I guess not," Virgil replied, his frown easing.

"So, what kinds of questions did she ask?" Gordon asked between bites of chicken. "I mean, didn't she get all the info she needed from Alan earlier?"

"Not to mention what's on that recording," Scott added.

Jeff shifted in his seat, his face showing how uncomfortable he was with his subject. "It seems that the District Attorney is having trouble figuring out how to charge Alan's assailants. He's looking at the possibility of a hate crime..."

"Hate crime?" Scott put down his fork and turned his full attention to his father. "What kind of hate crime?"

With a sigh, Jeff said, "The comments made on the recording... they're looking at charging Lee and his friends with assaulting Alan because of the rumor that went around."

Gordon's fork dropped onto his plate with a clang. "You mean, because they thought Alan was gay?" he growled.

Jeff nodded.

"Damn." Virgil scowled. "Didn't Sugimoto start that rumor? Wouldn't they know it was one?"

"Who knows? Alan said Pierce made comments to him about it... he might have believed it was true."

"Pierce is not the brightest bulb in the box," Gordon said, picking his fork up again. "I should know."

"In any case, I'd better be ready to fly out there." Jeff stretched, drawing in a deep breath. "The detective talked Alan into talking to Sugimoto..."

"What?!" Four voices cried in near unison. Brains had entered the conversation, and his reaction blended with that of the three brothers. "He's going to t-talk to that c-c-c... b-b-b... sh...sh...sh..." he took a deep breath, "unmentionable person?"

"Yes." Jeff shook his head. "The detective thinks that they'll be able to learn something if he talks to Lee Sugimoto. He's asked me to be there."

"When is it going to happen?" Scott asked, sitting back, a frown on his face.

"I don't know yet. Detective Larson said it'd take a couple of days. Hopefully it'll be after Alan's doctor's visit."

"H-Have you made the a-a-a... have you c-called about that?" Brains asked.

"Yes, for both Alan and Fermat," Jeff replied, stifling a yawn. "I didn't think you'd mind."

"No, I d-d-don't," Brains told him. He took a sip of water, and a bit of the salad he'd taken. "How will they g-get there?"

Jeff sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'll make arrangements for a car and someone to take them..."

"Dad?" Scott piped up quickly. "Do you think Alan would mind it if I were there with him? I mean, you've been flying back and forth a lot lately, which isn't good for you physically. Jet lag and all, you know. And frankly, I'd like to see him myself."

"So would I," Gordon added, nodding vigorously. "Wouldn't mind seeing Fermat in action at a quiz meet, either."

"I'd like to go, too," Virgil said, sitting up straight, a look of anticipation on his face.

"I could rent a car and be the one to take him and Fermat to their doctor's visit," Scott pressed. "Please, Dad. Let me go this time."

Jeff rolled his eyes at Scott's comment about the jet lag, but as the conversation progressed, he rubbed his right temple. He was getting a headache, one born of tension and – if he were honest with himself – lack of sleep. "Tell you what, Scott. You run it past Alan. If he's willing to take you in my place, then I'll consider it." He gave his eldest a bleary, baleful look. "However, don't push him. If he wants time to think about it, give it to him. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" Scott grinned and snapped off a sharp salute.

Jeff drained what little was left of his iced tea, then rose from the table. "With that, I'm off."

"What about Virgil and me, Dad?" Gordon asked, turning to watch his father leave.

Jeff stretched and yawned, not bothering to stifle or hide it. "One at a time, Gordon. One at a time." He waved languidly at those in the dining room. "Since Scott thinks I'm suffering from exhaustion and jet lag, I'll be in my quarters, resting. Don't call me for anything less than a rescue."

"F-F-A-B," Brains responded as Jeff left.

"I d-don't think so," Fermat said, shaking his head. "Other than the c-comment about the other k-kid, I don't r-r-r... recall them saying anything specific about y-you being... gay."

"Unless, of course, they said something to you before the recording started," Xavion said, glowering. He picked up a glass full of punch and drank it down.

"Not counting the comments Pierce made while he was working here," Dom offered.

Alan stopped pushing his food around on his plate and looked up at his friends. "I don't remember them saying anything like that before the recording started. But one thing my lawyer asked for was a list of people who heard those comments Pierce made."

"What good will that do?" Xavion asked, waving a speared forkful of cooked carrot pieces. He put the forkful into his mouth and chewed. When his mouth was nearly empty, he added, "Pierce pleaded guilty, didn't he?"

"Yeah, in my case and..." He paused, realizing he couldn't mention Erik's name. "...in the other case. But there's still sentencing to be carried out in. Since Mickey's the only one who said anything on the recording about the other kid being gay, Pierce is telling the police it wasn't a hate crime for him." Alan shook his head, frowning. "It's all such a mess."

"Do you think the police will be able to charge them for what they did to you, Dom? Or to you, Kay?" Jason asked between bites of dessert.

"I wouldn't mind if they'd confess to tearing up all my music and ripping my jacket," Qaeshon said, his expression sour. "Dad'd sue them for the cost of replacement. But I doubt that'll happen; it's just not as important as what happened to Alan and that other kid."

Dom shook his head. "I'd rather forget about the whole thing, really. It was scary at the time, but... it's over with, and I'm okay. I'm just glad that there won't be any more attacks."

There was a general murmur of agreement around the table, then A.J. spoke up. "So, when do they need this list, Alan?"

Alan shrugged. "As soon as possible, I guess. Email me with what you have, okay guys? I don't have paper and pencil with me and it'll be easier to keep track of what you send."

"Wh-What should we r-r-report?" Fermat asked, giving his friend a worried glance.

"I'm not sure. Date, time... who said it, what they said... that should cover it." Alan blew out a long frustrated breath. "I just wish this whole thing was over."

"It will be, Pinky," Xavion said, clapping a hand on Alan's shoulder. "You coming to breakfast with the team tomorrow?"

That brought a smile to Alan's face. "Yeah. I'll be there." He paused, then brightened. "Hey, my dad made a follow-up appointment for me with the doctor I saw at the hospital. You've got one, too, Fermat, at the same time. I might be cleared for track by the end of the week."

"And I m-might get rid of this d-d-d... blasted, itchy cast!" Fermat exclaimed with relief. "When's the appointment?"

"Thursday, after classes," Alan told him. He rose from the table, his meal half-finished. "Is everybody finished? I need to get my homework done."

There was a low-key chorus of "I'm done," "Coming," "Ready when you are," and Alan led the way to the tray return. Sable was there, ready to take the dishes and trays from them.

"Hey, how's it going, Blondie?"

"Good, Sable. Doing good." Alan handed her his tray, and gave her a sharp, two-fingered salute.

"Hey, Red." Sable reached out to take Jason's tray. "How's it hanging?"

Jason turned bright red again, but this time he had an answer. "Uh, a little to the left, Sable."

The kitchen worker stopped what she was doing mid-motion. Her jaw dropped open, her eyes widened, and then she laughed, long and loud. The others in the dishwashing area looked her way, wondering what was so funny. Jason stood still, eyes wide in astonishment at his success, and her reaction.

Finally, she gulped some air and said, "Oh, good one, Red! Real good! Didn't expect that!" She waved a gloved hand, and finished her task, still chuckling. "Go on!"

Jason, still stunned by her reaction, finally realized he was holding things up. "Uh, sure. See you around, Sable." Face flaming even redder than before, he fled, hurrying past the line of schoolmates, who were nudging each other and grinning as they watched him go.

He caught up with Alan in the foyer. "Oh God," he said, shaking his head. "I can't believe I said that."

"What in hell did you say to her?" Alan asked. When Jason shook his head even more, Alan turned to Fermat, who was grinning ear to ear as he came to meet them. "What did he say, Brain? I could hear Sable laughing from here!"

"He used one of K-Kay's lines," Fermat explained as the rest of the group gathered around them. "It seemed to be a h-h-h... success."

Kay grinned at Jason. "I bet she doesn't ask you that question again, though," he said.

"Yeah," Zave nudged Jason, a sly smile on his face. "Just watch. Next time, she'll ask you something more embarrassing."