Law of Attraction

Law of Attraction: Chapter Two

Hudson River-5:32am: New York

Aldo Betto hated the water. The brutish man of an average height, retching over the side of the boat. Anchored in the Hudson River, a two-hundred-foot, eighty million-dollar Amels Yacht swayed continuously beneath him. Chugs chuckling softly, watching him while eating a New York style bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. The smell of his breakfast filling the morning air as the sun rose over The City in the distance. Flirting with a crewmember, Matches was typing the cute brunette's information into his phone. The woman's number just one of four he'd collected while aboard ship.

"That Matches really has a way with the ladies," Chugs said.

"We done here or what," Aldo said, trying to catch his breath.

"The boss wanted all arrangements checked one by one for the party tomorrow night," Chugs said still laughing. "We best make sure everything is in order and completed."

"When do I get to meet the boss," Matches said. "I could really use the bread if he's looking to put me onto some work."

"About that, me and Chugs put in a good word for you," Aldo said. "Mr. Sweet, the boss's assistant; he'll be looking into it for sure. He's a weird one, but a decent guy and very smart too."

"Don't worry, we left out the bit about you beating, The Bat," Chugs said. "No need to make him think you're crazy."

"Thanks, you bum."

"Malone, check the guest list against the one the boss gave me," Aldo said handing the paper to Matches. "If a name doesn't jive, you let me know. Chugs, you go talk to that security guy, make sure he's on top of things."

Taking the list, Matches did as he was instructed. Browsing over the twenty or so names on the list, most belonging to prominent businessmen, movie stars and city officials, he okayed it. The names of Senator Robert Kelly, Catherine Moon and Congressmen Henry Stanmore among the only politicians.

"Ya'gotta be kidding me," Matches said. "All these people are famous."

Slumped over the rail of the ship, "Yeah, the boss is throwing a private fundraiser for some political joe," Aldo said. "All hush-hush; no one's supposed to know about it. It's the kind of suit and tie thing these rich guys like to attend; lets them be seen by other bigwigs. Is everything else square?"

"Like rain my friend," Matches said. "Guess the boss-lady will be there too, huh?"

"I would think so; the party was her idea."

New York 6:21am-3:43pm: Kelvin Jones

Waking up early, Kelvin Jones walked the yard of Rikers Island accompanied by two armed guards. Given his morning meal, he only drank the orange juice and ate a slice of toast. His stomach still queasy from the night before; the slender teen unable to sleep. The thought of returning to the streets of New York plagued him. It was very unlikely he would be able to avoid Lonnie Lincoln for to much longer. Processed out of the system before noon, he was sold a metrocard and released from the correctional institution. The teen riding a bus across Rikers Island Bridge; taking the Q101 into Manhattan before wondering the better part of the day. The burner phone placed in his pocket, he assumed by one of the prison guards, felt vibrating. Ignoring it, unable to shake the feeling he was being followed, he hopped the bus to Central Park.

Surrounded by people, Kelvin was outwardly distressed. The teen looking over his shoulder religiously as he walked toward North Meadow. The forty-acre woodland area located at the northwest corner of Central Park. The wide pathways near the main trail at102nd Street teeming with life. Still dressed in the shirt and slacks he wore in court the day before; he closed a gray windbreaker around himself. The drab item of clothing contrasting with the bright orange, red and yellow hickory and sugar maple leaves rustling in the trees overhead. The cool autumn afternoon drawing joggers, strolling couples, pet walkers, sightseers and vendors to the world- famous park. Stopping to take a seat on a bench as he started mumbling to himself, Kelvin retrieved the burner phone from his pocket. Staring at the device for several minutes, he slowly dialed a number.