The Greatest Lie Part 5

"Does anyone know about this except us?" I asked.

"The cops do, but they’re not saying. They say it would hamper their investigation. So far, the press doesn’t care."

"We can use the memorial service to publicize the threat," Jon said. That will get the streetwalkers aware of the problem, and maybe it will focus some press attention and put some pressure on the cops."

I began typing a handbill to distribute and post on Hennepin. Jon made some calls and rented an African American church near Hennepin for the following Saturday. Finch called a reporter he knew and arranged a meeting, and Jon left to pay the deposit on the church. As they set off, I sensed them looking warily at me, and Brad, alone at the Alliance office. Their feelings of jealousy and apprehension were palpable. And, as far as I was concerned, those feelings were entirely justified. Jon was a caring and sensitive lover, but he was gay. Finch was a brilliant and kind person, but he was a disaster in bed. Brad had unexplored potential that I wanted desperately to investigate.

Brad hovered over my shoulder as I typed a handbill on the computer. We bickered jokingly over the wording. I felt the warmth of desire growing within me; did I sense warmth from within Brad? Was he peeking down my blouse as he squinted into the computer screen? Would he like to see more?

"God, my eyes and fingers are killing me. I have to take a break." I flopped suggestively on the nearby couch. Brad took my place at the computer, and he pecked away energetically. "Don’t you think it would be better to say, Join us as we celebrate Daylene’s life, mourn her death, and build a community in her memory.’"

"That’s great, but come sit with me. I need to talk about something else. I’m so stressed-out about this."

"OK," Brad said wearily, taking a chair opposite me. "Tell me about your ideas on the legal outreach. I like to write agitprop, but it’s the law that I’m really here for."