The 6:20 Man

Chapter 67

They parked across from the brownstone.

“That’s Chilton’s BMW in front,” observed Devine.

“I’ve known Christian since we were kids. He’s not some criminal.”

“He told me he’s running Mayflower. His grandfather started it, and he’s his generation’s representative. What do you remember about his father and grandfather?”

“Mr. Chilton was a decent guy. Always nice to me. Christian’s grandfather, Poppy Chilton, was incredibly kind. He would play games with us and read to us. Those were really happy times.”

“And they had money?”

“Oh yeah. Lots.”

“A ton of it? I mean, like Cowl?”

“No, not like that. They... they actually had to let my parents go when I was sixteen. The cars had dwindled down to just two. My dad didn’t just work on the cars, he would chauffeur them around, too. The kids had grown up, of course, and my mother acted as a housekeeper and such. But I guess they couldn’t afford her anymore, either.”

“So they ran into hard times?”

“The year after we left, the Chiltons had to sell their home. It was a big estate, but old, outside of Boston. Before we left, I remember overhearing Mr. Chilton a couple of times talk about bankruptcy. My older sister was in college by then. My younger sister and me and our parents moved to an apartment in another part of Massachusetts. My parents got other jobs. I did some local modeling gigs and worked as a waitress until I went off to college for a year.”

“Surprised your parents could afford that.”

“They couldn’t. The Chiltons had started college funds for us. I burned through one year and then decided it wasn’t for me, and I didn’t like wasting money.”

“Christian said his dad died.”

“In a car accident two years ago. His mother lives in Boston, or she did. I haven’t seen her for several years.”

“How old is Christian? I had him pegged at thirty.”

“No, he’s only three years older than me. He was at Princeton when the family money totally ran out. But he had a full lacrosse scholarship. He’s very smart. He has two younger brothers. They’re on the West Coast and doing their own thing. But Christian stayed on the East Coast.”

“And now he’s running Mayflower and living in a big brownstone owned by the Locust Group, who paid a lot more for it than it’s worth, and he’s hanging out with guys on Interpol watch lists. And apparently making a lot of money after the family lost almost everything around six years ago.”

“It doesn’t look good, I know.”

“Not good at all.”

“There he is,” hissed Montgomery.

Chilton had walked out of the brownstone. He got into his BMW and drove off.

Devine and Montgomery pulled into traffic behind him.

Let’s see where you’re going, thought Devine.

It didn’t take long. The BMW turned into a posh assisted living center. It was located in an old brick building that took up half the block.

They waited for Chilton to go inside and then followed.

The place looked like an upscale hotel. As Devine glanced around, he saw elderly residents in wheelchairs and walkers. Some were reading in what looked to be the library; others were watching TV. Still others were just sitting and gazing off or slowly walking around.

Montgomery caught sight of Chilton walking down a hall and grabbed Devine’s arm to alert him, before Chilton disappeared around the corner.

“What do you think is going on?” he asked her. “Why is he here?”

“I think Poppy might be here.”

“So, what do we do?”

“Act like we belong here. I’ve actually been doing that my whole life,” she added with a weak smile tacked on.

They walked down the hall, passing by staff members. One stopped and asked if they needed help.

Montgomery said, “I was supposed to meet Christian Chilton here.”

“Oh, yes, he just came in. He’s with his grandfather.”

“That’s right. He said that Poppy was here now. I haven’t seen him in some time. Is he doing okay?”

The woman smiled sadly. “It’s not easy getting old. And Mr. Chilton is over eighty. He used to be in the assisted living part of this facility. But now he’s in our memory unit.”

“Oh, you mean...?” said Montgomery.

“Yes, I’m afraid so. Would you like me to take you to them?”

“You know, I think we’ll just catch up with Christian when he’s done, if that’s okay. I didn’t know Poppy was... I’ll just let them have their visit.”

“All right, you can wait in the lobby.”

“Thanks again.”

Montgomery turned to Devine, her eyes teary. “God, I didn’t know that about Poppy. I just remember this wonderful old man who liked to play games with us.”

Thirty minutes later Christian Chilton appeared in the lobby. Devine noted he was wiping at his eyes.

When he saw Devine and Montgomery, he jerked back. “What are you doing here?”

“How’s Poppy?” asked Montgomery.

Chilton looked flustered. “He’s... he’s got Alzheimer’s.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that, Christian? I live here. I could have come and visited him.”

“He wouldn’t remember you. He doesn’t remember me.” He glanced at Devine. “And what are you doing here with her?”

“We’re friends, Christian, like you and me,” answered Montgomery.

Chilton stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced away.

“This place must be very expensive,” said Montgomery.

“Everything in New York is very expensive.”

Devine said, “You’ve come a long way in a very short period of time.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” barked Chilton.

“From family bankruptcy to mega bucks in six years?”

Chilton shot Montgomery a look. “You should keep your mouth shut, Michelle.”

“Is that why you did it? To pay for Poppy’s care? And to support your mom?”

“Did what exactly?”

Devine said in a low voice, “You really want to go down with Brad Cowl?”

Chilton took a step back and said, “I got a meeting to get to.”

Montgomery put a hand on his arm. “Christian, we can help you get out of this.”

He shook his head, then looked at her and smiled sadly. “No, you can’t, Michelle. We’re not kids anymore. And this isn’t a game.”

“It’s never too late. You remember Poppy telling us that when we got into trouble.”

“Poppy... It’s just too late, Michelle. But I appreciate you trying.”

“Michelle told me that you set her up with Cowl,” interjected Devine. “Why’d you do that?”

Chilton eyed Montgomery. “I told you why. I knew she could use the money. Brad loves beautiful women, and there’s no woman more beautiful than Michelle.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“Yeah, why?”

“He also pays her to wear red and green bikinis at certain times out by the pool.”

Chilton looked at him funny. “A bikini? Why would he pay for that?”

“And the last lady he employed for that purpose ended up dead. They said suicide, but I don’t think she jumped into the East River all by her lonesome.”

“What ‘last lady’?”

“You really don’t know, do you?”

“No, I don’t.”

“How much funding do you get from Cowl?”

“I don’t have to tell you anything.”

“But you will have to tell the police.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” said Chilton heatedly.

“Your brownstone is owned by the Locust Group, not by you. They’re laundering and hiding money, Christian, on a global scale. We’re offering you an exit ramp. You just have to work with us.”

“Christian,” said Michelle, “we’re trying to help you.”

“I don’t need help. Everything will be fine.”

“Four people are dead and Cowl has done a runner,” said Devine. “He’s leaving people like you to hold the bag.”

Chilton walked away. They followed him outside.

Devine said, “If you work with us, we can help.”

Chilton whirled around. “Who are you? I thought you were working for Brad.”

“I am. And I’m not.”

“That’s as clear as mud.”

“If you don’t jump to the other side, this will not end well for you. Then who’ll look after your grandfather?”

“Fuck off.”

“Christian!” said Michelle.

He got into his BMW and left tire rubber on the asphalt as he sped off.

Devine looked at Montgomery, who was staring after the car.

“Like he said, you’re not little kids anymore, Michelle. You can’t save him if he doesn’t want to be saved.”

“I doubt I can save anybody, not even myself.”

“Well, for that, you’ve got me.”