“All I’m saying,” Park said, “is that you should prepare yourself for the day when I stroll out of the closet. And when that day comes, it will be my choice.”
Park nearly hung up on that mic-drop line, becausehe didn’t want his father’s disapproving reaction. But instead, his father said, with eerie calmness, “I will not allow you to do anything that harms your or my reputation. It’s foolish, what you are doing.”
“I’m not doing anything right now. I’m just telling you a time will come when I will want to.”
“Think through what you’re doing. Discuss it with Martha. She hasn’t steered you wrongyet.”
“I will talk to her.” Park wanted to tell his father about the irony of that statement, but he held his tongue. Then his phone beeped. He pulled it away from his ear to see who was calling. Jackson.
“Dad, Jack is on the other line, probably with an update about his meeting.”
“Insist the NYPD exonerate you publicly. You’re losing time every day your campaign is suspended. Howardis still out there, stealing your votes.”
“I know. I have to go.” Park clicked over to the call from Jackson. “Nick of time,” he answered.
“How so?” said Jackson.
“I was about to turn off my phone when my father called. You just saved me from having to explain for the third time why hiring you was not a mistake.”
“How is he taking all this?”
“Not well. He’s worried about hisscandalous gay son ruining his business reputation.”
“Nice to know some things never change.”
“I’m better at standing up to him than I used to be. He’ll have to adjust to the fact that I’m a grown man capable of making my own decisions. And my own mistakes, if that’s how things turn out.”
Jackson was quiet for a moment, but then he said, “That’s...nice to hear.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.Wait, you said you were about to turn your phone off? Why?”
“The press keeps calling, and I don’t have a comment.”
“Glad I caught you, then.” Jackson’s tone was warm, like he felt genuinely glad to be talking to Park.
“Are you coming by tonight?”
“I’d better not.” Jackson sighed. “I want to. But I think my presence at the hotel will generate too many questions, particularly ifthey’re calling you now?”
“It’s one reporter. I thought about blocking his number, but what if this guy wants to contact me about something campaign-related after all this is over? Then again, everyone should be going through Sam, not calling me directly. Ugh, I don’t know.”
“I have some news that could either make the situation better or worse.”
“Okay. How did the meeting with DetectiveShaw go? Is there a change in the case?”
“Sort of. The main thing that came from talking to Gavin is that the NYPD is doing a press conference tomorrow to announce they’ve cleared you of wrongdoing in the case.”
And just like that, Park felt lighter. “Really?”
“I’ve finally convinced Gavin you weren’t involved beyond a reasonable doubt. Currently, Kenneth Tucker is the number one suspect,primarily because he’s vanished.”
“Vanished?”
“There’s a manhunt currently underway. They’ve also beefed up your security. This includes two plainclothes cops posted in the lobby of your hotel.”
“Are you serious?” Park’s heart rate spiked.
