Of course, the game hadn't actually started yet. There were the usual preliminaries--watching the players warm up, a few of them granting autographs to the crowd, the grounds crew checking the lines and laying the bases.
How long did it take one eleven year old to pee? It was almost time for the national anthems--the Jays were playing Baltimore, so the Star Spangled Banner would be first, Matt and Pippin wouldn't want to miss that...
All the way back up to the entry level. Figured. Past the souvenir stands, concession stands, the man selling programs, the man selling beer, finally, there was the washroom.
A bump, a shove. It wasn't _that_ crowded in here, and Matt felt that itch again. He turned to look, and Pippin was gone.
No, please no... news stories came back to Matt. Two girls, not much younger than his cousin, had both been snatched, raped and murdered in Toronto in recent memory. Children disappeared all the time. Just when he could have really used Adrian, with his lightning fast reflexes...
No, there was Pippin, talking away to two men near the bathroom entrance, completely unaware of the total panic he had caused Matt. But Matt still felt that itch. These men didn't look like baseball fans. One of them was wearing a suit. Well, of course, people went to ballgames in suits, if they didn't have time to change from work, but still... there was just
something off about the whole situation.
They had deliberately separated him from Pippin.
Matt edged carefully toward the group, trying to look nonchalant about it all. Pippin looked up then and saw him. Something alerted the boy, because his eyes widened. Matt, seeing that, was relieved that Pippin understood things were not quite right. Well, he hoped that was what that look was about anyway.
"Well, yeah!" Pippin said loudly, far more loudly than he'd been talking earlier. "Uncle Elijan's a reporter, you know. I'm sure he'd like to talk to you, too. Uncle Elijan?" Pippin called.
Smart kid. Matt forced himself to breathe. Surely they wouldn't try to abduct a kid who obviously would be fighting them every step of the way.
Matt walked over, trying to look casual. He stopped beside Pippin and ruffled Pip's hair. He laid a hand on Pippin's shoulder and squeezed it just enough to let Pippin know .. Something.
Mat smiled at the two men, "Yo dudes. Wanna do an interview for the Village Voice? We'll compare and contrast baseball fans in Toronto and New York."
"No, no thank you. We were just chatting with your nephew."
"Oh, sure. He's a friendly kid. So, Pip, ready to get back to the game? Sounds like they've thrown the first pitch."
At that point the crowd in the stands erupted over something, drowning out any real chance at conversation anyway.
Matt waved casually at the two men and steered Pippin out of the men's room.
"They're weird, Uncle Elijan".
"Yeah? Weird how?"
"They were asking questions about Mr Adrian."
Matt felt a wave of dread. "What'dya tell 'em?" Matt asked as they descended the stairs toward their seats.
"Oh, just that he's cool and an actor and a teacher and all."
"Nothing else?"
"Oh, don't worry. I know to keep the coin thing quiet."
Matt didn't say anything as they went back to their seats. Adrian gave him a worried look.
"Where on earth did you go?" he asked. "They're already into the first inning!"
Matt glanced at Pippin, who was already absorbed in the game. "I think those guys you told me about might be here," he said, as quietly as he could.
Almost anyone else would have started looking frantically around the stadium for "those guys". Adrian didn't move his head, but watched the players on the field. "Are you sure?" he asked.
"Two guys, one in a suit, deliberately separated me from Pippin," Matt replied. He clapped as Baltimore put a man on base. Anyone watching them would have thought they were discussing the game. "They were asking him questions. About you."
"We were followed on the subway, and through the Skywalk." Adrian showed no indication that he was talking about anything more threatening than the high chance that Baltimore would win the game.
"I wasn't sure you'd noticed."
A tight smile. "I _am_ an actor, Matt." Adrian let out a credible yell of dismay as a Jays baseman fumbled a ball. "Did Pippin tell them anything?"
"He says not. Only that you're a teacher."
"Odd, though," Adrian mused. "BOO* already knows everything about me if they've done their homework. Why question the boy?"
This was a question that Matt's paranoia could answer. "They're trying to find a vulnerability, Adrian. A weak link."
This time, Adrian did turn to look at him. "You and Pippin," he said.
"Look," Matt said, returning Adrian's gaze, "don't even think about it. I'm not going to let you give me the usual shit about how it would be better for you if Pippin and I left. They're trying to intimidate and hurt you, and, dammit, I'm not gonna stand for it."
Shouts and huzzahs drowned out their conversation for a few minutes as the Jays made an incredible play. Maybe there was hope for them yet.
When the noise died down and everyone took their seats, Pippin, who'd been busy devouring his dog and Matt's, commented, "Those guys. Why don't they like you Mr Adrian?"
"What makes you think they don't like Adrian?" Matt asked, before Adrian could formulate a reply.
Pippin shrugged. "Seen that look before."
"Where?" Matt asked.
Pippin turned red and looked like he'd rather hold his breath until he died, than answer.
"Pip, was it about me? Where? Please tell me. It's important."
Pippin thought that over and then said quietly, "In Macy's the other day when you and me went looking for a present for Mommy's birthday. The guy by the perfume counter. You were chatting up the lady behind the counter. He kept asking me questions about Mom and even Daddy and how Daddy feels about you and how often we see you and what you do, and what'd I think about you dating boys and that sort of thing. You know. Stupid stuff."
"Shit," Matt said with feeling.
"It's okay, Uncle Elijan. I told him to fuck off."
"You what?!" Matt's voice broke, but whether it was because he was furious with Pip or trying hard not to laugh, was unclear.
"Well, Uncle Josh says you shouldn't put up with people who are pricks and are prejudiced. Isn't that right?"
"Yeah, it's right. But your Mommy would have a hissy fit and probably blame me for your bad language."
"Nah, she won't. She says it all the time. When she gives me a hard time for saying it I just look at her and she breaks into tears. I hate that."
Matt and Adrian exchanged a look. So, they were in New York too? Could that be true?
"So, why don't they like you, Mr. Adrian?" Pippin repeated.
"They're just jealous of my talent and beauty," Adrian replied.
Pippin gave him a Look. "Is it cause you sleep with boys? Some people get really hung up about that."
"That's probably it," Adrian agreed. "Never mind them, they won't spoil our fun here today. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Did you eat my hot dog, Pip?" Matt asked.
Pippin tried to look innocent. His uncle wasn't buying it.
"I'll get you one," Adrian said, squeezing Matt's arm. "What do you want on it?" He bent down and murmured, "I'll just have a quick check around, see if they're still here."
The look Matt gave him clearly said he didn't like this at all, but he had no choice since Pip had to be kept safe. What Matt said aloud was, "Oh, the usual, chili, cheese and double onions."
"Oh man!" Pippin hollered, his attention on the game.
"Listen, you get your ass back here in 15 or I'm comin' after you," Matt whispered to Adrian. Adrian, hearing that tone, didn't doubt it.
Adrian didn't respond, just turned away and walked purposefully up the stairway. Matt's eyes were on him until he lost him in the crowd.
"He'll be okay, Uncle Elijan."
"Yeah, I know. But I worry."
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BOO: Bureau of Occult Obliteration for more info see: Tag You're It and Hide and Seek