Staring at the Son
Issues 60 - 63

After the gob smacking events of Wylie Runs the Voodoo Down and its aftermath, comes the slow burner of Staring at the Son, low on action, but high on revelation and set-up, laying the ground for the big finish. The story opens outside a Miami hotel, where the bell hops eye up newly arrived "piece of ass" Megan Dietrich. Young bell hop Tino tries to hit on Megan, but she is supposed to be meeting a man already, Mr. Branch. The two have never me before, and it is apparent that Megan has coerced Branch into returning to the US from his French hiding place. Megan has booked a room for Branch, paid for first class travel, and prefers to wait before getting down to business, leaving Branch hanging on her word.

Elsewhere in town, Benito loses to his father at tennis, and being who he is, there's more than just the game at stake. He offers double or quits, but his father declines. Crete, Augustus's personal assistant, brings news that Megan has arrived in town. Augustus offers Benito another game, but he isn't talking tennis anymore.

Tino, stiffed by another poor tip from a guest, opens the door to a familiar red BMW, last seen some time ago. A tattooed man and his lawyer, Terry, step from the car, Tattoo wears crass gold jewellery and is carrying a small dog. The unsubtle gold nametag of the dog says 'Cookie'. Tino shows the new arrivals to their suite, where he is given a fifty and a set of instructions. Wash and detail the ride, score some smoke, get some double mint for the dog, and "Ditch the 'sir' shit. Call me Spain".

By the pool, Megan's tranquillity is interrupted by Cole Burns. Megan's panic is tangible, but Cole reassures her that he's not there to kill her, but to save her life. Meanwhile Tino has gone to score weed from Bosco, a local big time dealer. The two have history, Bosco is now shacked up with Pearl, the mother of Tino's baby son. Suspicious of why Tino has come to him and no other dealer, and using his own safety as an excuse, Bosco seizes the opportunity to humiliate Tino in front of Pearl. He orders him to strip naked, ridiculing the size of what Tino has hanging between his legs. Tino asks if Bosco has managed to have any kids of his own. As Bosco goes to find a bag, Tino tells Pearl that the family belong together. Bosco returns, gives Tino a bag for Spain and a joint for himself ,and then tells Pearl to show Tino just how happy she is to be with Bosco, adding to his humiliation.

At the races, Branch is standing trackside with the other punters. Another man is shouting for the obvious favourite, Kosher Nostra, who is leading by a good four lengths. Branch tells him that horse number seven has the race sewn up. The man stares in disbelief, as there is no way Kosher Nostra can lose. On cue, Starry Hope begins to cut through the field, and wins by a head. the other punter is shattered that the long shot won, but Branch calls it a sure thing, and leaves to collect his winnings. In the paddock, Benito and Augustus walk, Benito asks why they are there, and not with Megan at the Delano. Augustus has a horse running that he wants to see. Benito says the odds aren't so good, but asks his father if he can bet. Augustus okays the wager, but cautions Benito about betting against the horse. Benito walks away to bet, where Branch spots him, in slack jawed horror. Augustus talks to an unseen figure, asking if he has a chance. The figure says that the odds are against him, but is asked what odds are worth when the field isn't even. The figure agrees that odds are meaningless unless you're the house, and only a fool bets against the house. Augustus asks whether he honestly has a chance. It becomes apparent that neither of the two men are talking about a horse, but about Benito, as Graves indicates that even though the odds are against him, the smart money isn't.

Tino goes to visit Miguel at Pearl's mother's house, surprised to see that his son is walking, and that Pearl didn't tell him. He finds out she hasn't been there for weeks. It is obvious that Bosco is disliked by Pearl's mother, but despite Tino's dreams, she tells him they will never get back together as Pearl has no love for anyone. Branch gets a call from Megan, who is finally ready to talk. She sets a time, but Branch is unhappy with seeing her on her own turf, and changes the place of the meet. As they arrange a new place, they both receive a knock at the door, Megan opens the door to Benito, Branch to Cole Burns.

Spain smokes the weed Tino acquired, and asks where he can get a drink and some sex. Tino knows a place, but Spain wants him to come along, as Terry has passed out. Spain decides to leave something for his lawyer in case he wakes. Tino pulls out the joint Bosco gave him which they leave in Terry's mouth. On the street, Benito asks Megan why she's in town. He wants to be up to speed before dinner. Megan is surprised to find out that she's going for dinner, and also that Augustus is cooking. Benito says he learns a lot from his father, leaving Megan to point out that he's grown up since they last met, and they head for a drink together.

In another bar, Burns and Branch drink tequila. Branch is buying, resigned to his probable fate at the Minuteman's hand, and the fact that you can't take it with you. Meanwhile Benito and Megan discuss her reasons for being in town. She's meeting Augustus to talk about the disquiet between the Houses and the perceived threat against Medici's plans for 'restructuring'. The fact that the Minutemen are also out for blood is also a concern, the deaths of Peres and Madrid are testament to that fact. Benito mentions Shepherd in the same way, obviously believing his late mentor and protector was killed by the men in suits. Below them, Spain and Tino arrive at the club. Megan asks if, as heir apparent, Benito has been approached to move against his own father. Benito says that it has never come up, until she raised the issue. Spain is happy with Tino's choice of club, if not the pretentious clientele. He sets about scoring with some of the more likely women.

At the hotel, Terry awakes, thanks to Cookie sniffing at him. He calls out for Spain, but finds himself alone with a hungry dog and a spliff. Terry moans about Spain to Cookie, annoyed with their leaving NYC in a hurry to escape the heat building there for Spain. He decides to take a bath and order room service for himself and the dog, after he's smoked the joint. Back at the club, Bosco and his crew arrive, Pearl in tow. They spot Tino over at the bar, and Tino clocks them. Spain asks the story and is outraged enough by what he hears to go over to Bosco and give a little payback. Pearl tells Bosco not to fuck with Tino, to which Bosco replies that he won't do it...again, implying he already has something in store. Spain reaches the crew and draws his fist back in front of Bosco's face. Meanwhile, the corridors of the hotel are stalked by a naked, wild-eyed Terry, blood running over his body from his open mouth.

Branch and Cole drink more together, Burns renaming the shorter man Stumpy. The two seem to be getting along as Branch's end nears. Security throw Spain and Tino out of the club, following Spain's unseen attack on Bosco. Spain pisses in front of the doorman, challenging him. Branch and Cole talk at cross purposes as they drink more. Cole obviously has other things on his mind besides Branch's death.

At the Medici house, Augustus prepares dinner for his guest. Megan comments about the excitement of her visit thus far. Benito, describing the fracas between Bosco and Spain that the two were obliged to see, regard it as less than exciting, but Megan reveals that she saw Burns at her hotel earlier in the day. The three discuss the conspiracies arising, Burns' affirmation that the Minutemen are still needed and the fact that Peres and Madrid were both firm supporters of Medici's reformation plans before they died.

Spain and Tino walk back to the Delano, as Spain recalls breaking the doorman's jaw and pissing on him. As they round the corner they spot squad cars and an ambulance outside the foyer. Terry is being wheeled out, foaming at the mouth. Spain asks Tino to find out what happened. Bosco, angered at Spain's assault on him, calls home for a samurai sword and his dog. Bosco's crew hit the road looking for Spain, who walks into the bar where Branch and Burns are drinking. Burns finally tells Branch that he isn't there to kill him, but has a job for him.

The post-prandial discussion at the Medici house turns to Javier Vasco, the man Megan believes is behind all plots against the House of Medici. Benito blames Graves, but Augustus is enigmatic in his reply. Asking who, if Benito believes what Burns has told Megan earlier that day, and considering Burns and Graves are together, Graves must be working for. Benito doesn't see Graves working with Vasco because Vasco is a thug, but Megan believes the same of the suited seven. Augustus says the Minutemen are predictable because they live by a code. Megan retorts that Vasco isn't, and always acts in his own interests, but Benito says that if Vasco believes Graves to be working with him, he's dead wrong.

Burns shows Branch a photograph of Echo Memoria, telling him she's twice been responsible for the theft of a piece of art. He says a lot of people would like the painting back, himself included. Branch doesn't recognise her at first, but Burns mentions that she was running with Lono, and asks if Branch remembers him. The implicit threat, as he grabs Branch's hand, is sufficient to remind Branch of the broken fingers he received from Lono when they met. Branch is still struggling. Burns believes that Branch must have her picture on his wall, causing Branch to ask how he knows about the wall. Then it hits him and he tells Burns that he had sex with her. Burns doesn't believe him, but Spain, overhearing, asks if she was any good. Tino arrives and gives Spain the low down on Terry.

Augustus throws meat to the crocodiles that surround the perimeter of his home as Megan and Benito cut the bullshit that's surrounded their conversation. Benito believes his father is making a mistake and so is Megan. He thinks Vasco isn't the enemy, Graves is. Megan says they both are, or at least, somebody wants them all to think they are. Benito can accept that, but who is that somebody?

Tino tells Spain about Terry walking the halls naked, whacked out on angeldust. Spain considers this and, realising the joint Tino left was spiked, grabs the bell hop by the throat and demands to know what happened. Tino points the blame firmly at Bosco, realising the wet joint was meant for himself. He tells Spain the cops were in his room, and found his stash. He also tells Spain that Terry ate his dog. Spain recoils in horror. Inside, Branch is throwing up, not because of the liquor, but because Burns wants him to go back to Europe and find Echo Memoria.

Outside the bar, Branch says he feels worse than when he thought Burns was there to kill him. Tino arrives with Spain's car, assuming Spain is heading out of town. Spain has other ideas, he has business tomorrow, but tonight he's set for a little revenge, and pulls an Uzi from behind a panel in the car.

Augustus hears from Megan that she'll be more than a friend to the House of Medici and will stand beside them if it comes to a war, but she asks who else will stand with them. The Houses of Nagel and D'Arcy have been allies so far, but can they be relied upon. Augustus point out that the war could be averted with his elimination. Benito stands with his father but Augustus tells him he won't be involved, infuriating his son. Augustus says he isn't ready and orders him to stay out of it.

On the waterfront, Branch and burns discuss the painting, a Veronese, commissioned to commemorate 'The Great Crime'. Branch is certain that Veronese was dead before the crime took place, leading Burns to ask if he's some "kinda sewer of art". Burns says the only thing special about the painting is the people who want it, and Burns himself, if he has it, plus he'd like to fuck Echo. Branch asks what'd happen if he says no. Burns says he'll go fuck Dizzy. Branch lights up at mention of her, asking where she is. "Knee deep in shit with an asshole lookin' out for her" is the reply. As Bosco's car rolls past them, Burns says the die has already been cast, and he's just bringing Branch into a game he was already playing, so there's no option to refuse.

Spain and Tino arrive at Bosco's, where Pearl is sitting alone with Miguel, who's not supposed to be there. They find out that Bosco is out hunting them. Tino says they should go look for him, but Spain decides to stay put, and abuse everything Bosco has to offer, including Pearl. Benito takes Megan back to town, with Crete in tow. As the pair leave, Graves emerges from the shadows. The action now splits across two stages.

Graves and Augustus talk about the coming bloodshed. Augustus says he is ready and has nothing to lose that matters. Graves reminds him that he does, and that it's a promise. There are thinly veiled threats and barely disguised hostilities between the two men. Graves is giving Augustus a final chance to change his plans and temper his mettle. Augustus and Graves are the only two who know the plans, and their opinions obviously differ, but Medici sees no reason to compromise. Graves warns that Augustus should seriously consider his next move, as it may trigger an unseen catastrophe for all of them.

At Bosco's, Spain is encouraging Tino to take back what's his from Bosco, and rape Pearl for what she has done to him. Tino is reluctant at first and forced at gunpoint, but soon his humiliations rise to the surface and he fills with bile and venom, mentioning Bosco's name in front of Spain for the first time, causing Spain to spit beer across the room. A half-dressed Tino is standing over Pearl as Bosco comes home. He shoots Tino in the crutch and faces off against Spain, guns drawn. Tino urges Spain to shoot Bosco, who now looks as surprised as Spain did moments before. The two had business with each other before the night began, shifting drugs together. Bosco attempts to pacify Spain over the spiked joint, explaining his actions. He asks if they're square. Spain considers his options, then shoots Bosco's dog, claiming that makes them square. In fury, Bosco draws his sword and decapitates Spain, but not before Spain manages to pull the trigger on the Uzi. Spain's headless corpse sprays bullets into the room, leaving everyone but Tino and Miguel dead, although Tino's future looks short.

Benito sits in his car, a photograph of Dizzy rests in the sun visor. Megan says the whole trip was a waste of time, and sympathises with Benito that he's being kept away from the family business. On top of everything, she never met up with Branch. The exchange has been watched from the shadows by Burns. At the airport, Branch stares at a picture of Echo, until he is distracted by a woman who reminds him of Dizzy. Throwing the picture and his plane ticket on the ground, he runs from the terminal.

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