Sykes was in a total state of shock when he saw the pictures of himself in drag. He thought he had destroyed them a long time ago, but apparently someone made copies and gave them to RJ. The photos that RJ handed him were black and white and showed him in an uncompromising position with a gentleman in a formal attire. He quickly asked RJ some questions regarding the pictures."Where did you get these photos from?" Questioned Sykes.
"Where, who and how I got these pictures is unimportant. What is important is that you listen to me, and if you try anything stupid it'll be your undoing." Warned RJ.
"Oh Really? You think anyone is going to believe a two-bit conniving thug like you? You're in no position to make slanderous remarks about me." Sykes nervously said.
"You're right. No one's going to believe a shady character like myself. So I guess you won't mind if I show these pictures to Tea and your constituency. There's nothing like letting the people decide for themselves."
"Wait a minute." Sykes stops RJ from leaving. "Let's not be so hasty here. I'm sure the both of us can work something out."
"I knew you weren't ready to throw away your career in law enforcement so soon. Oh, and if you have any thoughts about buying my silence, forget it. I don't want your money."
"Alright, RJ. Let's cut to the chase. What do you want?" Asked John.
"Well, Sykes, since I was a little kid I always wanted a dog, but my parents wouldn't give me one cause my grades weren't that good in school. So I decided to make up for lost time and settle for you. That tie around your neck would make a good leash. I'll even put my name on it so people will know that you're my property."
"You're a sick man, Gannon."
"Well thank you for the prognosis, Trapper John M.D., but I feel much better now seeing that shocked expression on your face."
"I will never be your pet or I'll give up Tea for you."
"Well, I don't think you have a choice. You can either be my own humble, obedient civil servant or you can spend the rest of your days in prison as a concubine to a cellmate named Bruno. Oh, and I'm not asking you to break up with Tea. Not right now."
"Damn you Gannon! What have I done to you?! I'm just doing my job."
"Yeah right! I didn't know false arrest, harrassment and brutality are in your job description. Is getting away with murder part of your duties as well?"
"I'm not going to jail over those silly pictures."
"Of course not. Cross dressing is not a crime, but killing a cop is."
"So you know my secrets, Gannon. What do you hope to gain from this?"
"Glad you asked, John. I'm going to do to you what pigs like yourself have been doing to brothers like me for years........PUT YOU IN YOUR PLACE!" RJ got in John's face.
"Gannon, this has nothing to do with race."
"Don't lie to me, Sykes. I know how officers like yourself just love to use your power and authority to treat people that look like me like second-class citizens, so don't cover it up! Your chickens have come to roost, and if you cooperate with me I won't have to take your mask off. We'll be in touch."
RJ leaves the cemetary. John falls to the ground stunned and upset. He was now at the mercy of the person he perceived as being beneath him. John felt as though someone took the rug right from under him. Sykes was thinking of a way of how he can get out of this situation with his heroic cop reputation intact. He decides to leave the cemetary and find out where RJ obtained information about him.
John embarks on a drive to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He goes to a seedy part of town where he sees an old friend of his from his drag queen days. The man's name was Gabby and he was dressed in very provocative feminine attire. Gabby was in the middle of soliciting a date from a pedestrian when Sykes drove up to them and interrupted their conversation.
"Hi, Gabby. Long time no see." John gets out of the car and slams the door. He flashes his badge and scares Gabby's would-be date away.
"John, what brings you out this way?" Asked Gabby.
"We have to talk. Get in the car now!" Demanded John.
"Alright. We can catch up on old times."
"Hurry up! I don't got all day." Rushed Sykes
Gabby opens the passenger side door and gets in the car.
John and Gabby drive toward an abandoned area where they go to chat. John's ill-tempered mood is making Gabby feel uncomfortable and worried about his safety. He wasted no time in sharing his concern to John.
"Look, John, I don't know what you had in mind when you drove me out here, but it's going to cost you. I have bills to pay."
"Listen you transvestite freak, I'm going to ask you one question. Did you tell anyone that I was ever a cross-dresser?" Sykes said as he pulled on Gabby's arm.
"No I didn't. I wouldn't do that to you, Sykes. You're my boy. You know I wouldn't go around airing your dirty laundry."
"You must think I have the word "stupid" tattooed on my forehead. I know you like running your mouth Gabby. Back when I was young and foolish, you and I use to gossip together, so be honest with me. Did you tell anyone that I was a drag queen?"
"For the last time, no! You're hurting me! Let me go!" Screamed Gabby.
"Good! Now you know how I feel." John squeezes Gabby's neck. "If I find out that you're lying to me, you'll wind up in a morgue. Now get out of the car." John pulls out his gun and makes Gabby get out of the car.
"John, this is way out in the middle of nowhere. How will I get back home?"
"You have two feet. Use them!"
John drives away in a haze of smoke and leaves Gabby out in the deserted area. Minutes later Sykes arrives home. He knocks over his personal belongings on his bureau and decides on a way to deal with RJ. He'll get him to admit on tape that he's trying to extort money from him. John knows that RJ likes to boast his ass off. He quickly works on his plan of how he can rid himself of RJ Gannon once and for all.
The scene switches to RJ's apartment where he's listening to some Jazz music on his stereo while tending to his Bonzai trees. RJ's phone rings and he picks it up. The call is from Dorian Lord-Hayes who has some important words she wants to share with him.
"Well hi Dorian. What's up?"
"RJ, I heard all about the commotion that happened between you, Blair and Max. I'm very disappointed in you." Expressed Dorian.
"Listen, Dorian, I can explain...." RJ is cut off by Dorian mid-sentence.
"Don't explain anything! What you did at Rodi's was the most cruel, immoral, deceitful, wonderful, noble and sincere thing you did."
"Time out. Wasn't you just about to curse me out? Why did you change your mind so quickly?"
"Now, RJ. You know me better than that. I would never chastize you over the phone, but I got you didn't I ?"
"You surprised me, all right. It wasn't like I was going to listen to you bitch at me on the phone, but you did catch me off-guard. I didn't see it coming."
"I always like to remain ahead of everyone else. I'm very grateful that you broke up Max and Blair, even though I don't agree with the method you used to do it. I want to treat you to lunch tomorrow at the Palace Restaurant. Sounds good?"
"Dorian, you know that's one offer that I can't refuse. I'll accept."
"Then it's a date. I'll see you tomorrow at noon. Ciao." Dorian hangs up the phone.
RJ was taken by surprise by Dorian's behavior on the phone. "Did she say DATE?" He thought to himself. Dorian thought that RJ broke up Blair and Max as a favor to her, but his motivation for the whole incident at Rodi's was to settle a score with Max Holden. Blair Daimler just happened to be caught in the crossfire. He wouldn't let Dorian in on this. RJ thought it would be best if he kept his true reason for the scene at Rodi's to himself. RJ then went to his closet and pulled out some custom-made ties with his initials on it. He put them in a box and addressed it to John Sykes. He finally had his nemesis right where he wanted him.
To Be Continued....