Chapter 71:

Intruder

AJ entered the foyer of his home with one thing on his mind. "Guys?" he hollered, his voice echoing throughout. "Jack? Vegas?" His put his fingers to his mouth to let out an ear-splitting whistle.

"Jeez, AJ! I think every dog in the neighborhood heard that!" complained Nick, shaking his head and wiggling a finger in his ear.

AJ ignored him, clapping his hands impatiently. "Come to papa!" He grinned in delight as he heard the faint yapping of his two dogs become louder, watching humorously as they frantically raced around the corner, sliding into each other as they scrambled to gain footing on the tile floor.

"My babies!" he crowed gathering them up. They tried desperately to lick his face, their tails wagging furiously.

Nick rolled his eyes at Howie. "He's as bad as Brian," commented Nick, shaking his head at AJ, who was now playfully chasing the two dogs around the foyer table. The youngest Backstreet member paused to inspect AJ's home, trying to remember the last time he had visited.

"Hey, Bone, where can we stash our stuff?" Nick hefted his bag with a questioning look. AJ was now lying flat on his back, the dogs a top his chest. He pointed a finger down the hallway, not bothering to answer. Nick shrugged and went in search of a room, Howie and Kevin trailing after him.

* * * * * *

Even as troubled as he was, Brian found it difficult if downright impossible to stay awake during the long, tedious drive through the Arizona wilderness. He vaguely remembered them stopping in Phoenix, rousing himself for a few seconds to see Xavier filling up the gas tank before closing his eyes again in fatigue, succumbing to the welcoming arms of sleep.

Now fully awake, he began to take more notice of his whereabouts, trying to figure where he was without asking Xavier. He glanced at the time. They had been on the road for several hours and Brian felt queasy, the combination of no food and motion sickness taking a toll on his body. Surely it can't be much further! Brian sneaked a quick look at Xavier. The bodyguard seemed to know where he was going, his relaxed, almost casual attitude as he drove grating harshly on Brian's nerves.

Brian was about to break down and ask Xavier how much longer when he noticed a large sign ahead. He squinted to read the words, catching INTERNATIONAL BORDER- LAST 2 US EXITS as they drove past. Brian gulped nervously, suddenly aware that they were close to the border. Xavier smoothly exited onto the highway off-ramp and soon entered the beginnings of what looked like a ramshackled town.

"Nogales," indicated Xavier, "or as I fondly call it, Nogie."

"We're here? We're in Mexico?" said Brian in disbelief. He didn't remember crossing the border.

Xavier shook his head. "Nogales, Arizona. We're on the north side of the border. There's a Nogales, Mexico too. We'll be crossing that tomorrow."

"Oh." Tomorrow. Brian wondered what they were going to do tonight. It made him uneasy, to think that he would have to wait until tomorrow to cross into Mexico. He was hoping that whatever illegal transaction Xavier had planned would have taken place today. Brian stared out the window, trying not to dwell on any future problems. He had enough to worry about right now. And one seemed to be coming up. He watched as Xavier pulled their car into a sleazy-looking motel, its office sign hanging crookedly and blinking a feeble "Vacant".

Xavier stopped the car in front of the motel office and jumped out easily, turning to frown at Brian.

"Stay," he mouthed wordlessly, pointing a finger warningly. His silent one word command contained more threat of bodily harm than if he had actually spoke it.

"As if I had a choice," muttered Brian under his breath, noticing Xavier glance occasionally at him through the office window while he finished his transaction inside.

A few minutes later Xavier was out, waving a red motel key ring and opening the side door to fish out their luggage. "Come on," he ordered, "help me with this." He shoved Brian's luggage at him, grabbing his own and headed down the dilapidated walkway.

Brian reluctantly trailed after him, a sense of dread causing him to slow down even more. The last thing he wanted to do was to follow Xavier into a strange motel room. Brian steeled himself as he entered the doorframe, mentally noting the number, 112. The smell that greeted him made his already unsettled stomach lurch. Brian stepped quickly back outside, the body order, cigar smoke, and smell of rancid food too much to handle.

Xavier noticed the grimace on Brian's face and nodded. He walked around the small room, surveying the torn drapes, the dirty carpet, the unmade beds. "Yeah, well what do you expect for $29.95 a night?" Dropping his suitcase next to the twin bed closest to the door, he placed his massive hand on the end of the mattress and gave it a couple of pushes. It creaked noisily, groaning under Xavier's handling.

"Pretty loud." He turned to wink at Brian. "But I don't think anyone will complain about us too much."

Brian gave him a sour look, ignoring Xavier's sexual innuendo. He took a deep breath before entering, deliberately placing his stuff as far away as he could from Xavier's. He was glad now that he had slept for so long in the car because there was no way he was going to fall asleep tonight in this hellhole.

* * * * * *

Nick walked over to the large refrigerator to get another beer. He sighed as he stared forlornly at the empty frig; empty of food that is. AJ had quite a selection of imported beers, all neatly lined up according to brand. Circling his fingers around two Heinekin, Nick yanked them out and slammed the door shut. Handing one to Kevin, he popped the top of the other and hopped onto the kitchen counter, swinging his legs.

"Jeez, I'm starving," he grumbled to Howie. "How long does it take to get pizza?"

Howie shrugged. "I told AJ to phone it in, but no. He said they always screw up the delivery, so he went to go get it himself."

"Hmmpf. Well he had better hurry, cause these little rats of his are starting to look pretty tasty," commented Kevin, eyeing Jack.

"Hey, I heard that," objected AJ as he entered the kitchen. "My babies are not rats." He placed the two large pizza boxes on the table. "Are you?" he cooed to them as they danced excitedly around him. He opened the first box, swatting away Nick's hand. "Dogs first." AJ ignored Nick's groan and carefully plucked out a slice, tearing miniscule pieces and tossing it to the two eagerly awaiting mouths.

Howie opened the other box, a frown forming across his face. "Where's the sausage?"

AJ leaned over, pointing with his finger. "There."

"Hell, that's not sausage. It looks like ground hamburger."

AJ peered closer, swearing under his breath. "They fucked up the order again!"

"Who cares," replied Nick, taking a large bite. "Meat is meat."

"It is not," argued Kevin, trying to remove the offending topping. He gave AJ's dogs a sour look, gently push the begging two away with his leg. "Bone!" he complained.

"Hey, you two! Out!" AJ gave a sharp command, which the dogs ignored totally. AJ leaned over, scowling. "Jack, Vegas! Out, now!" They wagged their tails, the only thing intent on moving.

Kevin snorted and rolled his eyes. "Get some real dogs," he scoffed. He could never understand why the guys adored such little drop-kicks. AJ threw Kevin a scathing look. Nick laughed, licking the rest of the pizza sauce off his fingers when he couldn't find a napkin in sight.

"Man, those beers are going right through me," he commented to no one in particular, heading towards the bathroom situated just off the kitchen. Nick entered the bathroom, giving his head a shake at the enormous size of it. If there was one thing AJ loved, it was bathrooms and even a lowly kitchen bathroom was not immune to AJ's craving for lavishness. Nick admired the marble floors but frowned at the large floor to ceiling window next to the toilet. Where was the privacy? Nick shrugged as he unzipped, guessing that the massive foliage outside in AJ's backyard would ensure enough seclusion.

He glanced casually outside, interested to see if AJ had added any other statues to the various ones he had already accumulated out back. Nick laughed quietly. He wouldn't have been surprised to see the actual statue of David out there….Nick froze immediately, his eyes not believing what he saw. He held his breath, his heart pounding painfully as he viewed a black clad figure jumping easily over AJ's retaining wall.

Quickly zipping up, Nick moved away from the window, pressing against the wall as he tried to peer outside without being seen himself.

"Kevin!" he hollered frantically. "Kevin, come here!" Nick waited impatiently, not wanting to lose sight of the stranger who appeared to be crouching behind a large tree. "Jesus!" Nick swore heavily, his sight fixed on the intruder who was now cautiously making his way closer. "Kevin!" he hollered again.

"What?" came Kevin's exasperated reply, "you get your dick stuck in the zipper again?" He pushed opened the unlocked door, munching on a piece of pizza as he viewed Nick plastered against the bathroom wall.

"Funny," scowled Nick. "Don't move," he hissed, savagely slashing his arm as Kevin took a step forward. Nick jerked his head towards the window. "There's an intruder outside. I just saw him jump over AJ's wall."

Kevin looked at him in wide-eyed wonder. "Shit!" he breathed softly. "Can you see him?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah. He's now near the right side of the patio, just hiding behind a pillar."

"Do you think Xavier sent him?"

Nick spared a quick glance at Kevin. "Well he sure ain't no fan."

Kevin smiled grimly. "I'm gonna get the SOB." He backed out of the bathroom, holding his hand up to Nick. "Stay there, watch him. Yell if you see him leaving."

Nick gave him an okay signal, his eyes never leaving the shadowy form of the intruder. He felt a fine sheen of sweat break out on his forehead and he wiped it away hurriedly.

Suddenly Nick caught the trespasser looking directly at the bathroom window and he felt his heart go up to his throat, wondering if he had been spotted. He held his breath then released it with a sigh of relief as the dark-clad figure turn his attention away and started to cautiously circle around the other side of the pillar. Nick prayed that Kevin had already warned Howie and AJ of the intruder, hoping that AJ's dogs wouldn't start yapping and scare him off.

Nick shifted nervously as he watched the intruder come up closer to the kitchen windows. What the hell is this guy looking for? And where the hell is Kevin? Nick wished now he had gone with him, knowing that as strong as Kevin was, two were better than one.

Nick strained to distinguish the features on the prowler's face; he was under the shaded patio now and twilight was just setting in, making almost impossible for Nick to see him clearly. The stranger was now trying to peer carefully into the window, crouched on one knee. A slight movement to Nick's left caught his eye and he watched fearfully as he saw Kevin sneak up behind the squatting figure, Howie just a few feet behind Kevin.

"Come on, come on," chanted Nick, his hands clenched in anticipation. "Get him!" As if he could hear Nick, the intruder turned abruptly and stood up, ready to flee. Kevin and Howie landed on him simultaneously, each grabbing a hold of the prowler's arms. A fierce struggle ensued and Howie lost his grip on the intruder. Nick instantly bolted out of the bathroom, tearing through the kitchen and raced outside.

Kevin fought hard for control, holding on to the intruder's shoulders while Howie figured out a way to join in, the man's wildly kicking feet keeping him away. Angered, Nick flung himself at the intruder and took a fierce swing. The punch landed squarely on the stranger's jaw, effectively canceling any more resistance. He sagged in Kevin's arms, stunned.

AJ walked outside, his eyes round as he surveyed the scene. He was carrying both his dogs, his hands having gently covered their muzzles to keep them from scaring off the intruder.

"Holy shit! Way to go, Nick!"

Panting a little, Kevin nodded. "Help me," he ordered to Howie and Nick, indicating for them to carry the dark-clad man inside. All three hefted the moaning man up and carried him indoors, unceremoniously dumping him onto the kitchen floor.

Hyped up, Nick gave the stranger a contemptuous kick with his shoe. "Who are you? What were you trying to do? Who sent you?" Nick leaned down to get a better look at the young man who was holding his jaw, trying to stem the bleeding from the corner of his mouth. Dressed all in black, the young intruder looked like a thousand other transients Nick had seen in Florida, unkempt, greasy hair, a slightly glazed look to his eyes.

"I think he's high," informed Nick, straightening up.

AJ went over and opened his large pantry door, grabbing a handful of dog food and scattering it on the ground. He placed Jack and Vegas down then shut the door, going over to view the cross-legged man.

"Yep," confirmed AJ.

"So what do we do now?" questioned Howie. He eyed the stranger closely, not willing to take his eyes off of him for a second. "Police?"

The scruffy man looked up, uneasy. AJ caught the look and smiled, pulling up a chair next to the intruder and sat down.

"Naw, I don't think so." The intruder gave AJ a puzzled but suspicious look. "I think we can work something out, don't you?"

"Huh?" replied the stranger dully, not sure.

"What's your name?" questioned Nick.

The injured man glared at Nick and pressed his mouth into a thin line.

AJ nodded. "I thought so," he said, almost to himself. AJ pointed to Nick and Kevin. "Watch him. I've got an idea, I'll be back in a second." He hurriedly left the kitchen and all four heard him scramble upstairs.

"What is AJ doing?" Nick cried in exasperation and Kevin and Howie shrugged, equally mystified. The stranger moved to a more comfortable position and Nick pointed warningly at him. "Don't move, don't even breathe. There's nothing more I'd like to do than to kick your ass again."

Two defiant eyes met two determined blue ones and the blue ones were victorious. The stranger hung his head, not lifting it until he heard the delighted cackle of AJ's voice.

AJ resumed his seat, waving a thick envelope in front of the stranger's face. He pulled out a hundred dollar bill, then another.

"Your name."

The man hesitated, but only for a second. "John. John Smith."

Kevin snorted in reply but AJ waved him off. "Okay, okay, that's a start. Here's your two hundred, John."

AJ held out the money and the intruder's hand reached out tentatively. "But one more lie, John, and instead of becoming a rich and free person, you'll become a poor and imprisoned one. Understand?" AJ smiled nastily as he watched the stranger nod quickly.

"Good." AJ pulled another few bills. "Remember, no more lies. We have a pretty good idea already why you’re here. Besides, you don't want to get Nick mad again, do you?"

Nick looked at John stonily.

"Okay, good," continued AJ. "First, who sent you?"

John paused and AJ took another hundred out.

"I don't know."

AJ frowned, glancing up at the frustrated faces of Nick, Kevin, and Howie. AJ jerked back the bill. "Not the right answer, John."

"Really, dude, I don't know his name," pleaded John, his eyes wide. "He's a big mother, mean as hell. He never gave me a name."

AJ pondered this for a moment. "Okay. How much did he pay you?"

"Five hundred."

AJ slowly counted out six hundred. "You're mine now, got it?" he said in a firm voice. He watched as John licked his lips, considering the deal. AJ fanned open the envelope, giving John a peek at future riches.

John nodded. "Sounds good to me, man," he agreed, immediately switching allegiances.

AJ smirked at the guys and leaned back into his chair, satisfied. "Ah, the power of Ben Franklin. He's all yours, guys."

Howie spoke up first. "You said you didn't know his name, right? Okay, is this guy dark-haired, brown eyes? About 6'2"?”

John nodded and Howie glanced meaningfully at his friends. "What exactly did this guy want you to do?"

John thought for a moment, trying to find the exact words. "Uh, he wanted me to positively identify you," he answered, pointing directly at AJ, " and he wanted to make sure you that you were home. Yeah, that was it." He nodded, looking pleased.

"Why?"

John made a face. "I dunno. He just wanted me to call him when I found out."

Nick spoke up, interested. "Call?"

John gave Nick a sour look, unconsciously rubbing his tender jaw. "Yeah. The dude gave me a number to call." He stuffed his hand into his back pocket and pulled out a limp scrap of paper. "Here."

Howie grabbed it eagerly, studying the number. "When were you suppose to call?"

John stalled, eyeing AJ. AJ pulled out another hundred and John snatched it quickly.

"Tonight."

Kevin rubbed his chin, raising his dark eyebrows thoughtfully at his friends. 'Time for old John here to make a phone call, don't ya think?" The tall singer looked at AJ. "Bone, go get every portable phone you have. I wanna listen in." AJ nodded and motioned for Howie to come help him. Kevin glanced at Nick for a moment before coming closer to John, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied their intruder. "You're going to be on your best behavior, right? Cause if you screw up this call and this guy catches on, I'll make sure you wished it was him instead of me coming after you."

***

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