Chapter 13

I awoke, exercised, practiced my huku, sensed the area, grabbed my walking staff, and took off running my route, keeping a steady speed and stride. When I reached my turnaround point, I increased my pace on the way home. After stretching, I showered, dressed, went to the kitchen for breakfast, vitamins, and a protein drink, and then got out my laptop. I finished programming my information bots on the flight home last night. And I wasn’t going to the range today after two days of intense golf. Instead, I was going to relax.

So, I found two perfect email ads to attach my information bots to and embedded them, then put them in a special folder. One was a vitamin supplement that promised to enhance your performance in bed. Also, it makes you feel younger and boosts your metabolism, so you’ll naturally lose weight. The other was an all-natural skin cream you put on at night. It promises to reduce or eliminate lines in your skin and revitalize your skin cells, thus tightening your skin and making you look younger. A well-known national chain store sells both.

Then, I set up a series of domestic and foreign servers for the information to pass through before ultimately ending at my computer in the workshop. The first test of the bots and emails was to the general email server at UCLA administration. As the keywords, I used Jackson, TJ, prodigy, young genius, gold mine, liaison, affaire, photos, extracurricular activity, playing around, relationship, rendezvous, thing together, and fling. I masked it so it looked like it came from its original sender and looked forward to the response.

Then I checked the front porch, and the USB and HTML switches arrived, so I got the mail, too. I put the switches in my room and went through the mail at the kitchen table when Mom walked in. She said that trip wore me out and sat across the table. I said I’d got the perfect thing for you and slid an advertisement for a local female gym. I said we have to keep your ass in shape. So, when my Nike ads come out, all the locals can say there’s the coming and going Jacksons. I’d recognize him coming and her going anywhere, causing Mom to laugh hard and grab the table for support. I added it must be the Jackson genes, and it’s a good thing our husbands and daughters aren’t here. Mom said stop and finally settled down.

Mom said she felt run down and needed to return to exercise, which would help her regain her energy. I started to say something, and Mom said you don’t even think of continuing this conversation, laughing again. She said I’ll go to the gym tomorrow and get back on schedule. We ate lunch, and then Mom said she would go to the club, check on what happened while we were gone, and bring home dinner.

When she left, I grabbed the switches and went to the workshop. I had everything hooked up quickly, and no one could tell. After powering up the supercomputer, I checked the email I set up to retrieve information. I was surprised to have Chancellor White and professors Janus, Conners, and Jones already. They emailed back and forth about negotiations with our attorney, Todd Brown. Professor Conners said to give him what he wants. We need him here discovering shit here, not somewhere else. But be sure to include that obscure reference about work product rules applying to online courses, as do with on-campus study. So, I made a note to call Todd Brown tomorrow.

Then I got to the pictures emails and expanded my cloud account to 5 TBs. And I created files called UCLA team photos and UCLA team correspondence. Then, I transferred the photos and emails to their files and deleted everything to clear my inbox. Once done, I viewed the photos and was shocked at what I saw. I stopped immediately, having seen enough, but knowing I had leverage if needed was nice. Then I flipped the switches to the dummy computer, locked up, and went to my room when sensing Mom was nearby.

Mom called me to dinner, and I went to the kitchen. We ate fried chicken breast with three sides, and it was good. Mom said a new restaurant had opened and thought we should try it. I told her it was good and had a Mexican flavor to it. I asked her how things were at the club, and Mom said they were going well. Bookings have picked up for the ballroom, and the members are happy with the improvements.

After dinner, we watched the local news, and they reported that an unidentified man was killed Thursday morning in the private terminal restroom at LAX by another unidentified man. When Airport Security confronted the man, he was killed by shooting at officers. Airport Security reported the man destroyed the men’s restroom in a rage. We turned off the TV, hugged goodnight, and went to bed. I fell asleep and was used to the thumping, but it was still stronger than when it began and tingling all over my body. I never noticed when it stopped, and I drifted into a deep sleep.

I awoke Monday and went to the gym, sensing the area on my way. I exercised, practiced my huku using the heavy bag, did a light workout on the weight machine, and then did my yoga routine. When finished, I showered, dressed, went to the kitchen for breakfast, vitamins, and a protein drink, then drove the golf cart to the practice range. Today was practice only, so I got two buckets of balls and practiced, then returned home.

Mom left a note saying she went to the gym and would be there for a few hours. I ate lunch and then called Mr. Brown. I told him I felt UCLA would agree but put something buried in agreement about work product while I’m a student. I asked him to put in a clause that only works submitted for a grade would be considered a work product, and he laughed. Then, I said I should take up law and hung up.

I went to my room, unpacked, and found the contents of the briefcase I dumped into my suitcase. There were about 20 small envelopes 2” x 3”, so I opened one. A dozen small mineral stones fell out, looking like my mineral stones but clear. I read the envelope, and it said one-carat diamonds count 12 grade 0-1. All the envelopes had 12 diamonds in them and were graded the same, and half were two carats. And I thought so here mineral stones were called diamonds. Then I googled the value of diamond one-carat grade 0-1. Now I knew why the man tore apart the restroom, looking for what I had. After unpacking, I took the envelopes to my stash room and put them in the safe.

Sensing Mom was near, I locked up and returned to my room. I gathered my dirty clothes, took them to the laundry, and started a load. Mom walked in looking beat, and I laughed, causing her to laugh. She said I didn’t know how out of shape I was until today. But I’m sticking to my exercise routine three days a week. My trainer, Susan, said I would feel sore after workouts for a few days. Then it goes away, and I will start noticing results. I said I couldn’t wait to see my ripped and buff mama, causing Mom to laugh. Then I said I’m glad you’re sticking to it. Mom went to get cleaned up and asked me to get cleaned up, too, because we were going out to dinner.

Mom had me wear a dress shirt, slacks, and a sports coat. She said we were going to a nice Italian restaurant so a coat was required. When we arrived, an older man said Welcome back, Ms. Jackson and hugged Mom. Mom said Antionio, this is my son TJ. I shook his hand, and Mom said TJ Antionio Romano owns this joint, and Mom and Antionio laughed. We were seated, and Mom said Tony Ricci hadn’t changed in all these years. He’s the man in the booth across the way between two girls. We went to school together, and his dad was a made man and ran sports betting out of his bar. Now Tony runs it, and his dad retired to Florida. I told Mom I was leaving now. I can’t be in the same area as a bookmaker, or NCAA will suspend me. I’ll get Lyft and see you at home and left.

Mom came outside and asked what had gotten into me. I said when we visited with your friend in South Carolina, Rob, her friend, gave me a book to read and lecture on NCAA rules. He said I was a target for the NCAA. I don’t play high school or college sports, so I wasn’t under their thumb. That made me a target for them to eliminate me at the sniff of trouble. I was dining in a restaurant with a known bookmaker that you know. He would come over and say hello as soon as he saw you. One picture on a cell phone, and I’m suspended from competition. And until a thorough investigation was conducted, which could take years, I would be suspended. Sponsors, my reputation, and the deal with UCLA would be gone. So, I chose to leave to avoid any issues and hope no one recognized me there.

Mom said she was sorry for exposing me that way. Now she knows we won’t return until Antionio Romano can assure Tony Ricci won’t be there. I said I’d pass to be safe. But, with the Nike ad coming out, the tournament win last Saturday, and the movie premiere, my face will be recognized in a heartbeat. You should, too, because it will be tied to me if they see you. We drove home, and no one talked on the trip. When we got home, I went straight to bed and let her think it through.

I finally fell asleep and was used to the thumping, but it was still stronger than when it began and tingling all over my body. Then the dream started, and I was at a bar after closing. There was a meeting in the back room. The door was ajar, and I could see Tony Ricci and several other men sitting at a table. Tony said what are we going to do with that fucking TJ Jackson who cost me two million last Saturday. One man said I’d hire a PI, get his address, and then arrange an accident. Tony said to do it. We can’t let someone like that live. So, I went to the bar and got several bottles of 100-proof alcohol, tore up a bar towel in strips, and shoved them into the bottles. Then I took them back to the room and lit one after another, throwing them at the men. They were covered in flames, screaming as I left the bar. My dream ended, and I drifted into a deep sleep.

I awoke, exercised, practiced my huku, sensed the area, grabbed my walking staff, and took off running my route, keeping a steady speed and stride. When I reached my turnaround point, I increased my pace on the way home. After stretching, I showered, dressed, went to the kitchen for breakfast, vitamins, and a protein drink, and then drove the golf cart to the practice range. I warmed up, then played a round by myself again, took it easy, and shot a two under par. I wasn’t looking forward to going home, but I had no choice, so I did.

Mom looked sad at the table and said she acted poorly last night. I thought you were overreacting, so I called Sandy. She gave me Rob’s number, and I called. You were right. Last night, I risked your and our future by attending a known mob hangout for dinner. Rob said your career was the least of my worries if the fed’s got wind of my friendship. So please forgive me, and I hugged Mom and let her cry it out. When she recovered, Mom said no more surprise dinners. We’ll talk first, then go. It’s safer that way, and life was back to normal again.

We ate lunch then Mr. Finkleman called and asked what I did last weekend to create a shit storm. Mom said he won a Tournament, that is all. Oh, it was the tune-up for the US Amateur Championship this weekend. Next, Mr. Finkleman asked whether TJ would do interviews. Mom said to do live interviews only, and we prescreen the questions. Golf questions only and remind them he’s fifteen. CBS, NBC, or ESPN is okay. Also, get the interviewer’s name so we can research what type of reporter they are and not before the premiere.

Mr. Finkleman asked if that was all laughing. Mom said now that you requested, when is the movie premiere. What time is the limo picking us up, and is it a tux or suit event? Mr. Finkleman said it was Saturday night. The limo will pick you up at 5 p.m. Dress in a suit and tie, and laugh hanging up.

Mom said she was going to the club and would bring home dinner, then left. So I went to my workshop, got out my lock pick set, and practiced the old locks for the shop. Then, I rode the e-bike to the Post Office and checked the PO Box. It was empty, so I returned home and grabbed a pair of rubber gloves and a lockpick set from the stash room. Then I got matches from the kitchen and went to my room. I put them and my new flashlight fanny pack, then went downstairs and read Mom’s new book on her tablet.

This book was about Giorgio, the new Italian masseuse working at the club. He had gained quite a reputation for his magical hands, thong, and spear. I was almost his size now, so that made me feel good, and I was halfway through the book when I sensed Mom was nearby. Giorgio was also halfway through the ladies’ book club when I reset the book to her page, turned it off, and went to my room. Mom called dinner was ready, so I went downstairs.

While eating great BBQ ribs, I asked Mom how difficult it was to learn massage. Mom choked on her food, took a drink, and asked why I asked. I told her a player at the last tournament said their team had a trainer travel with them. He would tape ankles and wrists, perform first aid, and massage muscle stains. So, I thought it would be a good skill and was all laughing inside. Mom said they’re probably an online class, but professional sports therapists and trainers spend a few years learning their craft.

After dinner, we watched CNN news, hugged goodnight, and went to bed. I waited until I sensed Mom was asleep, put on my fanny pack, and rode my e-bike to Tony’s Bar and Grill. I parked in the alley, locked my bike, and went to the bar side door. I put on my gloves, got my lock pick set out, and found the door unlocked. So, I entered and went through the kitchen to a backroom where I heard voices. The door was ajar, and I could see Tony Ricci and several other men sitting at a table like in my dream.

Tony said what are we going to do with that fucking TJ Jackson who cost me two million last Saturday. One man said I’d hire a PI, get his address, and then arrange an accident. Tony said to do it. We can’t let someone like that live. I went to the bar and got several bottles of 100-proof alcohol, tore up a bar towel in strips, and shoved them into the bottles. Then I took them back to the room and lit one after another, throwing them at the men. They were covered in flames, screaming as I left the bar and rode home on the e-bike. When I got home, I went to bed. I fell asleep and was used to the thumping, but it was still stronger than when it began and tingling all over my body. I never noticed when it stopped, and I drifted into a deep sleep.

I awoke Wednesday and went to the gym, sensing the area on my way. I exercised, practiced my huku using the heavy bag, did a light workout on the weight machine, and then did my yoga routine. When finished, I showered, dressed, went to the kitchen for breakfast, vitamins, and protein drink, then drove the golf cart to the practice range. Today was practice only, so I got two buckets of balls and practiced, then returned home.