The Rainbow Conspiracy Page 10

  ‘You’re right of course. We had met in the mid seventies. For sure, I did it with him when I could afford him. He was a tremendous fuck and he knew it. He had such amazing stamina, it’s little wonder he made so much money out of it.’

  Once again Steve revealed his unattractively bitchy side, had strayed slightly off the subject, and left Clive impatient to bring the discussion back to what he had learnt from Dennis that morning at the Men’s Center. It emerged that Jim had confided in Dennis and told him that the person he’d become involved with was a young marine stationed in DC, called Hank Watson. There they had both been very discreet, led double lives, and were certain that they had kept their relationship a secret.

  Then one day the young marine came to Jim with an unbelievable story. It appeared that because he had been posted to the White House, Hank had access to classified information, and had uncovered some top-secret material that had really alarmed him. He informed Jim that he had discovered a memo warning that the gay male community was becoming too powerful, some even achieving high office. This greatly worried the prejudiced majority of straight American men who ran the country. They believed that homosexuals could be an easy blackmail target potentially leaking state secrets and presenting a considerable threat to national security. It was apparent that there was a plan to curb the rise of the gay rights movement in America. Steve made it clear that this was serious and not just some kind of new legislation or social reform bill backed by the Moral Majority.

  ‘No – Dennis told me that Jim’s marine claimed he’d found out something very disturbing. You see, Clive, at the FBI headquarters in Washington some official in charge of the Immigration and naturalisation service had issued a top-security document addressing the possible elimination of the entire male gay population of the United States of America and Jim’s marine had stumbled upon it.

  ‘At first Jim thought the discovery preposterous, but Hank must have been insistent, and finally produced a copy of some written evidence, which persuaded the senator that there could be some truth in the young man’s claim. Then, as a senator, he was able to pull a few strings and started to make some discreet enquiries of his own. He gained access to the security document himself, and was therefore finally able to corroborate the marine’s claim. So, you see, by the time Jim met up with Dennis in Colorado, he had unravelled the entire show.’

  ‘Wow! No wonder Jim needed to confide in somebody he trusted, and I suppose Dennis was the obvious candidate.’ Clive was now more convinced than ever that Dennis had asked him to join him in Colorado for similar reasons.

  ‘Absolutely. Dennis also told me that he believed that the FBI must have intervened and that was why Jim was finally outed, although at the time, he was unable to prove who had shopped him. It was around this time that a smear campaign started to discredit Jim, and he realised that his political career was hanging in the balance. Indeed he was not the first politician or movie star to receive such treatment from Hoover’s men. Look at what they did to Jane Fonda, for heaven’s sake, just because she became so involved with the Black Panther movement and publicly supported them. Jim was in an even more vulnerable situation, since he had found out far too much. He was being publicly accused of being homosexual and because of what had become a powerful anti-gay lobby, he was one of the many who were posing a threat to society, even though at that point the real reason for his victimisation had not yet been fully revealed.

  ‘Overnight, this successful senator had his reputation destroyed, was having his home telephone monitored and he felt that his family’s safety was possibly also at risk. Jim had become yet one more casualty in the powerful hands of the FBI and the intolerant system in place at the time, and he truly believed that they were out to get him, and of course he was right! Clive, you know that by the end of the seventies, cover-ups and injustices against folk who had become problematic to the nation had become endemic here all over the United States.’

  As Clive listened on, he became convinced that his invitation to visit Dennis in Aspen must have also been a cry for help and that his friend had needed someone to talk to and a person he could trust. Clive thought he must have planned to tell him what his senator friend had discovered that evening but then had changed his mind at the last minute. Dennis must have obviously decided not to implicate his English buddy by revealing what he had discovered from Jim, since divulging so much incriminating information would have also placed Clive in a potentially dangerous situation.

  ‘Dennis believed that this was more than just some move to get the fairies out of power,’ Steve continued. ‘He wasn’t only alarmed by what was happening to Jim, he began to realise the magnitude of what was essentially an insidious campaign to eradicate a minority group who, as well as becoming a political source of embarrassment for our government, had also become an economic threat.’

  ‘Steve, why does economics have to come into it? Surely what we’re talking about is prejudice. I’m sorry to say this, but why do you Americans always have to bring money into the argument?’

  ‘For one very good reason, and for once I have to disagree with you. Let’s examine what I mean by an economic threat, and look at some of the financial implications of what I’m talking about. Have you ever stopped to think about how many guys have become wealthy as a result of this so-called gay liberation?’

  ‘To be honest, I don’t suppose I have.’

  ‘Think about how many chains of gay bathhouses, bars and discos have grown up all over the United States in the last twenty years, with hotels and restaurants all catering for an exclusively homosexual clientele. Not to mention the porn industry with its cinemas and bookshops, and the ever-increasing demand for home videos? Just think about it!’

  ‘You have to understand that it’s not like this back home, countered Clive. ‘But from what you’re telling me I can see that some people are making a great deal of money here in the USA out of exploiting the gay community.’

  ‘Exploitation or not, what we’re talking about is big bucks. A lot of us gays have been growing fat off the profits. And I just don’t mean the porn stars or the Mafia.’

  ‘So what you’re implying is that a lot of you American gay businessmen have become very wealthy as a result of all this commerce … I suppose I can see that now, but, sorry to sound so naive, I still don’t see what that has to do with murder.’

  ‘I’ll get to that in a minute. But don’t you see that guys who once found themselves socially unacceptable when poor, soon found that their money, however it was acquired, empowered them and made them feel more than welcome when it was a question of helping to back certain political causes.

  ‘So, what you’re trying to tell me is that the economic threat caused by the power of gay wealth is what has driven some of your politicians in high places to launch this audacious plot, by way of the FBI.’

  ‘Yes that – combined with a good deal of prejudice and jealousy. What do I have to say that will convince you? You mustn’t underestimate the power of some of these so-called gay corporations. Here in America, money talks.’

  ‘And money silences. Is that it?’

  ‘Now you’ve got it. For example, have you any idea how much money is needed to launch a presidential campaign over here?’

  ‘I don’t suppose I have.’

  ‘We’re talking in terms of billions of dollars, and when such sums are involved, people are none too fussed about where that money comes from. We gay men have become a potentially powerful and rich minority group, which, when organised, could begin to back its own political nominees. After all, way back in the sixties, anyone who had dared to suggest that there could be a black candidate running for the White House would have been lynched.’

  ‘And a gay one hung, drawn and quartered!’ Clive smiled.

  ‘I think I know what you mean.’

  ‘Well, all right, you’ve persuaded me,’ Clive admitted. ‘I concede that there is an economic threat and people in high places are getting nervous
about the importance of the “pink dollar” and its potential to back a gay president. But how on earth did they intend to go about wiping us out? Jim and his marine must have discovered something else. And why was the senator bumped off?’

  ‘Jim’s marine friend had also claimed he’d discovered something much more sinister than a memo. He had also uncovered that down in Tucson, Arizona there was a germicide warfare centre involved in virus research. I’m really sorry, but I can’t go into that right now … it’ s a whole other story and it will have to wait till tomorrow. You see, you must excuse me, but I have to prepare an important paper I need to give at Columbus Cares in the morning.’

  Clive made no attempt to hide his frustration, but since he clearly saw that Steve was not prepared to go any further that evening, he suggested he call a cab to take him back to the Colony, which his host was more than happy to arrange. Besides, he’d already uncovered a great deal of very fascinating information and there was much to absorb. What he’d previously thought of as rumour, as his friend Susan had once implied, he now believed had turned into fact and he needed to get his head around all the information he had acquired and make some clear notes. He decided he would list all the facts that Steve had told him and then adapt them in much the same way as he did when reading a movie script.

  Once back home at 257, he set about drawing up a sort of storyboard listing the names of all the characters involved and mapping out the apparent chronological series of events. This pictorial approach would help him to clarify some of the facts and details that Steve had revealed, and create a visual guide to the conspiracy theory as he understood it thus far. Neither had he forgotten that there was also new information about Arizona, which he had not been successful in acquiring. It had been a long and eventful day and he decided not to wait up for Michael. With his account of events clearly drawn up and illustrated, he was exhausted, and he turned in before midnight.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  SENATOR JIM FRIDAY

  The next morning, Clive woke much earlier than the previous day, his jetlag clearly still giving him a problem. Michael was already up and moving around downstairs, so Clive decided to join him, and as he walked into the kitchen, the electric kettle was immediately switched on.

  ‘I hope I didn’t disturb you when I got home late from my folks?’ Michael enquired.

  Clive admitted that he must have been fast asleep and didn’t hear his host come in. He confessed that he had consumed rather a skinful at Steve’s the previous night and so had made straight for his bed when he got home.

  ‘Does that mean you two were buzzed? Clive, you do make me laugh with all those quaint expressions of yours, you know. I’m so glad you two hit it off … Look, I’m just about to make some coffee. Would you like some?’

  ‘I’d love some. How were your parents, by the way?’

  ‘They’re just great and thanks for asking. I told them you were here in Columbus and they are really looking forward to meeting you. I’ve invited them over for dinner next Monday night.’

  ‘Michael, that’s wonderful. I look forward to meeting them too. What are they like?’

  ‘Well, I think they’re terrific. My mom and dad were so understanding when I came out to them just before I went to art school and then, when I introduced them to Dennis, they totally accepted him and welcomed him into our family.’

  Both friends seemed to float off into their own worlds for a while and it was the sound of the boiling kettle that brought them back to reality. In an attempt to change the subject Michael remarked: ‘Say, that’s a terrific sweater you’re wearing. It must be English. You’ve got such great clothes.’

  ‘In fact it’s Scottish, from the Isle of Arran. And you know what? … It’s yours.’

  ‘Clive, I said I liked it. Not that I wanted it.’

  ‘I’ve got loads of sweaters and besides, you must always accept a gift with grace. One of the first lessons I learnt from Mr Montrose.’ And Clive pulled his jersey off over his head and put it round Michael’s shoulders.

  ‘Well, that’s very generous of you.’ And as he put it on, Michael turned to Clive: ‘You know I always feel so drained when I visit the cemetery and I really want to thank you for coming with me yesterday.’

  ‘Please don’t thank me. I wanted to go to and isit Dennis anyway.’

  ‘Funny to talk about him like that: almost as though he’s still with us.’

  ‘And I suppose in a way, he still is, although I have to admit this house does seem pretty empty without him, doesn’t it?’

  ‘It sure does, and I’m not certain I would have stayed here on my own. Not that I’m frightened or anything. Just saddened because he’s not here and that makes things so final for me. Which reminds me, I really ought to start sorting through Den’s clothes.’

  ‘Why don’t you? And, by the way, that sweater looks great on you. Do you mind if I put a quick call through to my PA? I said I’d ring her.’

  ‘Clive, please stop being so polite about using the phone … you go right ahead and, by the way, thank you again for my new Scottish addition.’

  ‘It’s a pleasure and honestly, I will get used to the open-house rules here, I promise. You see, I suppose in England we use the telephone more sparingly. I’ll make my call and get Shirley to ring me straight back, then fix some lunch for us. I noticed you’ve got half a cooked chicken and some salad in the fridge.’

  ‘In the what? Oh you mean in the icebox: there you go again. That would be great and, just to remind you, after lunch I have to go to the Columbus General Hospital where I’m due for my checkup later today.’

  ‘I’d like to come with you. If you don’t mind, that is.’

  ‘Don’t be silly, I was hoping you’d say that. Besides, the more company I can get at the moment, the better. Especially when said company is English and so very charming.’

  Clive thought that Michael seemed less tense than the previous day and decided it was now appropriate to ask some of the more practical questions relating to Dennis’s estate and belongings. The Englishman realised that he had become far too preoccupied with the Fred Macadam saga and had neglected to focus on Michael’s current state of affairs and, in particular, on his financial situation. He decided he would change tack after lunch and endeavour to find out about the practical details relating to Dennis’s will. In the meantime, he put a quick call through to Shirley, who phoned him straight back.

  ‘Clive darling, how’s it all going?’

  He explained that he had a great deal to tell Shirley but was about to prepare lunch, and that he had offered to accompany Michael to his check-up at the local hospital.

  Shirley replied that he was not to worry, she understood and would call back the following day around 11 a.m. his time

  ‘Yes please. I want to fill you in on my latest discovery. It seems that Dennis had become mixed up in a lot of pretty alarming stuff.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘I can’t talk now and anyway, by tomorrow, I hope I will have got to the bottom of it all.’

  ‘Gosh, it all sounds very mysterious. Just mind you don’t get into any trouble yourself!’

  ‘Yes, Mummy dearest.’

  With lunch over, Clive and Michael were back in the car again and on their way to the hospital. As they pulled away from number 257, Clive became aware that there was no sign of Benjy parked outside in the street, and so he felt the time was right to take the plunge and ask Michael some of the many questions he’d been avoiding.

  ‘Michael I can’t remember, but did Dennis have a garage here?’

  ‘No – why do you ask?’

  ‘I just wondered why I hadn’t seen Benjy. It’s only just occurred to me that I hadn’t seen his pride and joy.’

  ‘Oh, we had to sell Benjy. Dennis had to get rid of the car to help pay for all the medical bills.’

  ‘What a terrible shame. I suppose there’s no National Health equivalent over here, is there? And unless you have private medical insuran
ce…’

  ‘Believe me, extended medical care works out damn expensive in the United States, so there was no alternative. And Clive, you do realise that in this country, insurance companies have the right to unlimited access to your medical records and unless you’ve had an AIDS test anonymously, you can be classified as uninsurable.’

  After a long pause, Clive asked, ‘What will happen to the house?’

  ‘I’m really not sure yet.’

  ‘I hope you won’t be offended by what I’m about to say,’ said Clive gently, ‘but if you need anything, you only have to ask. Spoke Associates is doing really rather well at the moment, and I’d be more than happy to—’

  ‘That’s so very kind of you Clive, but honestly, financially I’m fine.’

  ‘I’m relieved about that. What with medical bills and the funeral expenses, I just felt I had to ask. I hope you don’t mind.’

  Michael responded that he didn’t mind in the least and said that as far as he was concerned, Clive was like family to him now. The mention of the word ‘family’ prompted him to tell Clive that the Montroses had offered to pay for the funeral, but since he and Dennis had made out their wills in each other’s favour, he already had the money in place and didn’t need to ask them to contribute. He further confessed that Dennis didn’t have much to do with his folks once they had moved out to California and that he knew that Dennis had come out to them when he had gone to Sacramento for that last visit. The Montroses had found that very hard to handle, which he thought possibly also accounted for why Dennis had become estranged from them.

  ‘You know … I guess I’m so very lucky with my mom and dad,’ Michael continued. ‘They’ve always been so completely understanding and accepting: and, by the way, they’re really looking forward to meeting you on Monday. Dennis was like a son-in-law to them, and they were such a support to me when he got sick. My dad makes sure I don’t go without, and that’s why I’m so undecided about whether to sell Den’s house or rent it out.’