Legal Artistry (24 page)

"They were obtained under false pretenses,” Angus explained.

"How so?” The judge leaned forward.

"They did not properly identify themselves, Your Honor."

"Did they not use their real names?” The judge prompted.

"They did. But they falsely represented the reason they were there. On their research application, they said they were doing artistic research."

The judge smiled and turned his head to Gerald.

"We were. We were researching art. That's artistic research. When we entered, we gave our real names and showed our passports. We also paid for and received official copies, and each one has the official seal,” Gerald explained.

"Mr. Young, you're wasting the court's time with these frivolous motions. However, I am going to ask for more information on this topic.” He looked at Gerald, who nodded. “Do you have anything with merit?” The judge seemed to be getting impatient with Angus, and Gerald could feel hope building inside him.

"I have just one more motion. I'd like to request a delay,” Angus said, and Gerald looked at Brian, who nodded at him. This must have been the surprise.

"On what grounds?” Judge Ellis asked, clearly becoming annoyed. Gerald heard the back door to the courtroom quietly open and close, and he felt eyes on his back that hadn't been there before. He shivered slightly but quickly regained his composure and concentrated on what Angus was saying.

"The Austrian government has set up a commission to research Mr. Krumpf's claims and determine the ownership of the five Pirktl paintings. So I request a delay so the commission can perform their work.” Angus looked over at him with a slight smirk, and Gerald saw the judge sit quietly for a second before turning to him.

"I'm inclined to agree with the defense."

Gerald knew he needed to think fast, but his mind had suddenly gone blank. He knew he had to get his thoughts together, so he picked up the papers in front of him, pretending to fan through them. Turning his head slightly he saw Dieter sitting in one of the benches off to the side, looking at him with complete confidence.

"Your Honor,” Gerald began, “the Austrian government can set up as many commissions as they wish.” Gerald kept his voice measured as an idea began to form. “But I'd like to point out that this is the same government that denied my client's grandmother's request for a review of the ownership of the paintings on the basis of flimsy evidence that they then tried to bury in the archives of the Belvedere.” Gerald felt a well of energy spring inside him. “So this motion should be granted only if you believe that the Austrian government would realistically agree on their own to return some of the most important paintings of the early twentieth century to my client.” Gerald glanced at Angus very briefly before continuing. “That is, unless the defense feels my client's case is so strong that the Austrians will turn over my client's family legacy without a fight.” Gerald saw a touch of amusement on Judge Ellis's face before he schooled it away and looked at Angus, who realized his motion was dead in the water.

"The motion to delay is denied, and I'm scheduling this case for the first week of November. I have an opening in my docket, and this case will work in nicely,” Judge Ellis said, looking at both of them. “I'll send over the information request. Are we done? Good.” The judge rose and left the courtroom. Gerald gathered his papers and shared a smile with Brian before turning to Angus.

"So, what about the seven paintings?” Gerald pressed, not ready to give up the momentum he'd built.

Angus swallowed before glaring at him with such malice that Gerald felt it all the way to his feet. “They're being packed for shipment, and I'll have my assistant call you with the information,” Angus said, his words ground out between clenched teeth, and he turned and stalked out of the courtroom. Gerald turned toward Dieter and smiled, the tension immediately draining out of him. Motioning him over, he watched as Dieter came closer.

"I'd love to kiss you right now,” Gerald whispered, “but I could get in big trouble.” Dieter nodded his understanding. “But I have some good news. The seven non-Pirktl paintings are in the process of being shipped. I think Interpol appearing on their doorstep was great motivation. These museums rely on Interpol if they have a problem, and the last thing they want is them to not answer the phone when they're needed.” Gerald arched his brows and watched a grin break out on Dieter's face. “It's not the end goal, but it's part of it."

"Thank you,” Dieter said, his eyes shining with unshed tears. These paintings didn't include the portrait of his great-grandmother, but they were part of his great-grandparents’ legacy, and Gerald knew this was an emotional experience for him. He wanted to hold him right now, but he was in court, and Gerald saw Angus standing in the doorway at the back of the courtroom glaring at both of them through the half-open door. “Are you going back to your office?” Dieter asked as they walked toward the back of the courtroom.

"Yes. The judge asked for some additional information regarding one of Angus's motions, and I want to get that done, but he set a court date for November. I'm surprised it's happening that fast, but I'm grateful for it.” Gerald stopped himself from taking Dieter's hand as they approached the door, with Brian walking behind. Gerald saw Dieter look at Angus and Gerald followed his gaze. Gerald met Angus's eyes defiantly, almost daring him to say anything, and Gerald saw him actually step back. Then he turned to Dieter. “I'll see you at your house after I'm finished, and we can talk. There's something I'd like to discuss with you.” Now that they were outside the courtroom, Gerald leaned close to Dieter, nuzzling his neck slightly. “Don't worry, it's not bad,” Gerald whispered softly. “I'm glad you were here. I could tell the minute you walked into the room, and I liked it."

"You did?” Dieter sounded unconvinced.

"Yeah. It may sound funny, but even though I was busy, I could feel you looking at me. It made me feel good.” Gerald smiled and sighed softly.

"Come on, Romeo,” Brian said from behind him. “We need to get back to the office.” Brian winked before looking at Dieter. “He did great today, but the judge asked for some more information on the motion to suppress some of our information, and we need to get it to him sooner rather than later."

"Okay, I'll see you at my house when you're done.” Dieter gave him a quick smile before turning and walking toward the staircase down to the main floor, and Gerald stared at the tight little backside until he disappeared.

"You two are an inspiration,” Brian told him, and Gerald squinted, more than a little confused. Brian had a stunningly beautiful wife and an eight-year-old daughter. “Come on. Let's get back to the office.” Brian led the way through the hallways and down the stairs and into the parking garage.

"Do you want to tell me what that was all about in there?” Gerald asked once they were in the car. “You and your wife always seem happy."

"Barbara and I are good at projecting that image, but we haven't been happy in a long time, and we've decided to divorce. She complains that I don't spend enough time with her and....” Brian sighed and looked tired. “I could say it was the job, but it isn't—it's me. I met Barbara in college, and we were good friends. After a party where I got very drunk, one thing led to another, and I woke up in bed next to her. I honestly don't remember anything, but a month or so later Barbara said she was pregnant, and it took me a while to decide, but then I asked her to marry me. Looking back on it, she probably manipulated the whole situation. I was in law school by then, and she wanted to be Mrs. Lawyer.” Brian paid the parking fee and turned into traffic. “I know I can tell you this because I'm confident you'll keep it to yourself."

"Of course, Brian,” Gerald replied, wondering just where he was going with this. While Brian had been his managing partner since he joined the firm, they'd never really talked much about personal matters.

"The thing is, Barbara and I were friends, and I thought we could make things work. I never really loved her, but we had a daughter, and Zoe is the light of my life."

"So you stayed for her?” Gerald asked, as they rode through the busy city traffic, stopping at almost every traffic light.

"Yes, and because I made a commitment to Barbara. But the last few years since I made partner have been difficult. Barbara thought that once I made partner, our lives would be one big social event where she could rub elbows and show off her successful husband. I hate those events, and I told her that now that Zoe's in school, she needs to get a job. Not that we need the money, but all Barbara does is spend, spend, spend. I cut off her allowance and canceled her credit cards. So she got a job, which was good.” Brian looked across the seat while they were stopped at a light, and Gerald knew this story wasn't going to end happily. “Last week I caught her in bed with her new boss."

"Oh God, I'm sorry,” Gerald said sympathetically.

"I'm not. Not really. We haven't been happy in a while, and she told me she wants a divorce."

"What about Zoe?” Gerald asked, getting the feeling that was probably the issue.

"Barbara was never particularly maternal, and I've told Barbara that if she thinks of suing for custody, I'll dig up proof of every manipulative thing she's ever done.” The lawyer Gerald usually saw came forward in Brian's tone. “She is the one who cheated, after all. We've worked most things out already, and I suspect that she'll move out within the next few weeks."

"Then what's the issue?"

"The thing is that I've buried myself under what I needed for my career or my marriage.” Brian looked at him and seemed nervous. Gerald had never seen Brian nervous before. “Umm, I probably have more in common with you and Dieter than you might think."

Gerald was about to ask what he meant when it hit him, and Gerald gasped before snapping his mouth closed. “You're telling me you're gay?"

"Yeah. I set that part of myself aside years ago, and I never gave it any thought. But with Barbara leaving, and seeing how happy you and Dieter are together, I think it may be time for me to try to live my life again. I know I have to be careful for Zoe's sake, but I can't keep putting off my life. The thing is, I don't know how or where to start.” Brian pulled into the parking garage near the office and parked in his reserved spot.

"It's funny, but in some ways, I'm a lot like you,” Gerald said. “The job kept me busy enough that I never really had the time or the inclination to meet people, other than for a quick hookup. That is, until I met Dieter. He's an incredible man, and I'm lucky to have found him, and once you're ready, you'll be lucky too."

Brian turned off the car's engine and unhooked his seat belt. “Please don't say anything to anyone in the office."

"Brian,” Gerald said pausing with his hand on the door handle, “this isn't my story to tell, and I know this isn't going to be easy, but I'll help you any way I can. When I first joined this firm, you were very supportive and helpful even when you didn't really have the time. Now it's my chance to return the favor.” Gerald opened the door and got out of the car, waiting for Brian before walking toward the elevators, his head spinning just a little. Gerald had never gotten the slightest inkling that Brian might be gay. “I'll talk to you later,” Gerald said as they entered the office, before hurrying to his desk. He had things he needed to get done, and Dieter was waiting for him.

It took him a while, but Gerald got the information ready and forwarded to Judge Ellis's clerk before shutting down his PC. Leaving the office, he got in his car and hurried through traffic to Dieter's house. It was still light, and he saw Dieter on his hands and knees, cleaning out debris from under the shrubs. “Hi, sweetheart,” Gerald said as he approached, watching as Dieter stopped what he was doing before looking up at him, grinning to beat the band.

"Hello, yourself. I'm just finishing up here and then we can go inside,” Dieter said before reaching under the shrubs and pulling out a handful of leaves and sticks, placing them in a leaf barrel. “I've wanted to get these shrubs cleaned out since spring, but never got the chance."

"Did you do all the work in the yard?” Gerald asked, noticing almost for the first time how colorful it was even in late summer.

"Yes. I started working on it when Gram was still alive, but she never liked me to take things out except when they died. So in the last few years, I've replaced many of the old, overgrown shrubs and bushes with fresh ones, and I've tried to put in plants that bloom. They may be green most of the year, but I like everything to flower. It's not a big yard, so I want it to be colorful.” Dieter reached beneath the shrubs and cleaned out what Gerald hoped was the last of the debris.

"Can I ask you something? Would you be willing to leave this house? I mean, to live somewhere else?” Gerald shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

"This has always been my home. Why would I leave?” Dieter stood up and pulled off his gardening gloves before hefting the barrel and carrying it around the side of the house. Gerald followed and watched as Dieter pulled out the sticks before dumping the rest into a square wooden container behind the garage. He put the barrel and gloves in the garage before pulling the door closed. “What is it you're asking?"

"I was asking in a rather dumb way if you would move in with me. I'd like to spend all my time with you."

Dieter stopped what he was doing and stared at him, his mouth open in surprise. “You want me to move into your house? But what would I do with this one? I....” Dieter shook his head.

"You never thought that we might move in together someday?” Gerald asked, feeling his heart beating fast.

"Yeah, I did. But I guess I saw us living here.” Dieter looked up at the house for a second before returning his gaze to him. Gerald could see the conflict on Dieter's face and a bit of disappointment. “This is my home, and I thought that maybe it could be our home. I like your house, and it's very nice,” Dieter added hastily. “It's just that I've always lived here, but I guess I could live somewhere else. But what would I do with the house? I couldn't sell it. It wouldn't feel right selling the house where Gram lived, even though it's not really her house anymore.” Dieter bit his lower lip. “I want to live with you. I really do. Maybe I just need to think about it.” Dieter walked toward the back door, and Gerald followed him inside.