Dead Air

By

RettaMichaels

Disclaimer:

If your laws do not allow you to read this story, then don't. All the rest of you people who read it, if you think it's true, boy, have I investment opportunities for you!

Chapter 2

The first time I called Chance, I didn't know what to expect. He sounded like hell and said he had went home from meeting me to get his things and move out.

It turned out his little brother knew someone from the restaurant where he'd worked and that person 'outed' him. His brother couldn't wait apparently, to tell his dad. So, when Chance got home, hell went into session and it took Chance throwing death blows to get the man off him. The man apparently turned on Chance's mom and that's when Lance got there. He said Lance knows martial arts and beat the father off the mother and then, had to withhold an attack from the brother who had a baseball bat.

Chance ended up in the hospital and was found to have a ripped tongue. Now, I'll tell you that for someone's tongue to be ripped from impact of fighting, that had to be some awful heavy blows He had to go to the hospital, but signed himself out. I'm still unclear as to why he checked himself out, but he says it was because he wanted to be with his mom which I can understand.

During our conversation, I discovered he wanted a relationship just as much as me. He was completely receptive about us building things. The more we spoke, the more I really thought I'd do what I had proposed to him about moving to their town and retiring there.

He said the cost of living there and houses were cheap. I did some quick internet searches for real estate sales in the area and did find homes going from anywhere between ten thousand and two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

For that matter, custom built homes brand new were going for three hundred and twenty nine. In D.C., where I rented, houses were going for a quarter of a million for a dump...basicly for about two hundred and forty thousand more than in Missouri..

One real estate office described their pricing as retirement pricing and I sure agreed. The grocery pricing was what really caught my eye. Here in D.C., prices of hamburger were floating anywhere between five and six dollars a pound. There, they were a dollar seventy nine. Turkey burger, which I used a lot of in my diet in D.C., was almost three fifty. There, it was ninety nine cents a pound.

I could go on and on, but as you could see, I could choose to retire in D.C., where I could eek out a living. Or, I could go there to retire and not have a problem at all. Everywhere I turned, I was getting the same answer. I needed to go to the Midwest.

On Monday, Sling and I snuck away to go to Quincy, to speak with the Mayor. When we got there, the terminal manager was shitting all over himself trying to not catch our rile. I smiled at him and said, “Sir, You're only under sanctions. If you don't mind, we need a ride to your City Hall to speak with you Mayor.”

“Does he know you're coming?”

“No, I figure he'll either make time to see us, or we'll be throwing some federal charges at him”

“What for?”

“My paperwork shows he was the person that hired that girl and never bothered to let her know there was our section in her hiring manual.”

“Is that who hired her? I never got an answer. I imagine I wouldn't if it was the Mayor who'd hired her.”

“Well, she got federal charges for her actions the other night”

“I knew you guys were upset.”

“Yeah, slightly, her actions threatened the lives of my whole crew and that plane. I was willing to overlook the part of not knowing Section Five of her manual, but I won't overlook her blatant disregard for safety in telling us to land that plane on a slick runway.”

“Yeah, I specifically told her I needed to put de-icer on that runway before you could land.”

“I understand. Your tapes reflected that. They also reflected she repeated she understood the directive and t hen immediately turned around and gave us clearance to land. I'll tell you now, that plane had been threatened before, but it was always our choice...never anyone else's willful conduct. For that, she got charges.

Now, you got sanctions. You know how serious those are. For me to think your Mayor doesn't get sanctioned because he's no longer in that position of authority is nonsense...especially since he's in a position of power over this airport.”

We drove down to the City Hall and as soon as we went in, I saw the Mayor entering his office. His dossier I had seen and his photos clearly showed he'd stopped using the Grecian formula.

Gene, the Airport Manager led us over to the Mayor's secretary. She said he'd just entered a meeting with the Building Commissioner and would be a while. I flashed my badge and said, “Ma'am, this is a federal matter, please ask him to make it brief.”

She looked surprised and I said, “Gene, what time does your office close out there?”

“Usually five pm, why?”

“We need to go to see Lance, could it be possible to rent a vehicle locally?”

“You can use my vehicle. Since my Maintenance Director is no longer employed, I can use his vehicle tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

“That man in there is the one that would say it's a conflict of interest and I'm willing to bet he finds you two can use it!” he chuckled.

“You don't need to stay if you don't wish.”

“No...No...I'd prefer to get an answer on my request for who I think needs the Maintenance Director's position.”

“You can give it to me and instead of him approving it, he'll be told to approve it.”

“Ok, just don't get me fired.”

“You've got a secure position. It that man in there thinks he can go above my head to get you fired, then he's got enough yank to get anyone in the country fired....which I doubt.”

He nodded and said, “You must answer to someone really high up!”

“The President”

“Wow! They must think a lot of this program.”

“It's a multi national priority. Congress gave us funding forever.”

“Man, that must be nice not having to answer to anyone.”

“We do. We have to answer to the President.” I smiled.

“Yeah, but he doesn't have to approve your funding and you don't have to really follow much of a budget, do you?”

“No, not really, that plane of ours needed new engines after the other night and partly is that girl's fault, and the other part is that storm. Four engines aren't cheap and just the same, we go through about twelve of them a year.”

“Man!”

“Yeah,”

The secretary said, “He'll see you now sir.”

Sling stood back and when I got to the door, I motioned for him to come in.”

The Mayor came over and shook our hands and said, “How may I help you? And, who might I ask are you?”

“My name is Captain Jim Crane and this gent here is Dick. He's my pilot. I'm with the United States Air Force technically, but you don't need to know our squadron. We're here about the incidents the other night out at the airport.”

“I heard there were some issues the other night. I can safely assure you I've got that matter secured.”

“Oh, how is that sir?”

“We have that girl fired. And I've got a whole new staff going in out there.”

“Oh really? I was just speaking with the Terminal Manager and he said he's submitted the name of someone but you hadn't gotten to him.”

“That's probably because he's due to be replaced too.”

“Oh, well, that might be a problem sir.”

“I assure you it's no problem.”

“Well sir, it will be a problem. See, I'm the one that's in charge of your airport out there receiving it's government funding and I'll be the one you'll ultimately have to go through to get approval for any hires and I assure you Sir, he's only to be censured, he's not to be terminated.”

“I believe I know what I need for my staffing needs, sir.”

“I don't think you do sir.”

“And, how can you sit there and tell me how I can run my city?”

“Sir, the moment your city took a bit of federal funding, and entered into that contract, your city handed over it's ultimate decisions to us.”

He looked pissed and his eyes looked dangerous. “I believe, I'll have to contact my Chief of Police and have him come to arrest you.”

“Do that sir, and the moment you touch that phone, I'll be on my cell phone after arresting you for Federal Conspiracy charges. Now, I've been nice and I've attempted to not come in here leveling charges at you, but the first one will be dereliction of duty for when you hired that girl out there.”

“I assure you sir, I did not hire that girl!” He smiled.

“Then, sir, why is it your name is all over the forms They say you scheduled the interview. You interviewed her. Then, you hired her. Your name is on the training statements, and they're again on the statements which state you gave her all the manuals for her job. She states you did not, and that's a matter of record. Now, if you state you didn't hire her, I'd really be interested in arresting you and doing an investigation as to why you falsified all these documents.”

He looked surprised and said, “So, I'm either to take a dereliction of duty charge, or take falsification of documents charge?”

“That's about it. Of course, one means you stay in office, and the other means you'll be up on so many federal charges, your city is going to have to terminate you. I'll tell you now, IF you were in your old position, you would already be terminated. What I'm asking for now are charges because you are in more of an influential position with our contract.”

“I believe the city won't be renewing that contract.”

“Sir, are you as stupid as you sound? Or, do you stay up at night to attempt to think of ways to piss me off? Why don't you get your city's attorney on the line and ask him how fast you can bring that contract up for renewal and ask him what should happen if I am not satisfied with the performance of this city with that contract? Now, let me tell you the answer to the renewal question since I wrote that contract. It states the contract is a ninety nine year contract. It states we are the renewer of the contract. If we choose to renew the contract with you. If we don't, then, we take over that airport out there and that's exactly what happens if we find you in default for performance issues. I'll tell you now, sir, your actions are pushing me so close into throwing your city into default, I'm a cunthair away from getting up and walking out. When I do, SIR, believe me, a padlock gets slapped on that terminal and your air clearance privileges for American Eagle airlines will be over. When that happens, the default portion of their contract goes into effect and the city has to pay them ten thousand dollars for every flight they can't land. That contract sir, is not over for another five years. If I was American Eagle, I'd suddenly start saying I was planning on making your city a hub for regional air so I could get you for every penny I could. Now, do you continue to piss me off, or do you shut the hell up keep my handcuffs in my pocket?”

“Well, it seems you call the shots. My guess is we could suddenly stop maintaining the streets to the airport and putting any money into funding for the airport.”

I turned to Sling and said, “Call the media and let them know we're going to be having a press conference as soon as I get this man arrested.”

I stood up and said, “Sir, if you will please stand and turn around facing away from me with your hands behind your back and your thumbs facing inward, I'll come around there and cuff you up.”

“I will do no such thing! Who's your boss? I'll speak to him and have your job!”

“Sir, my direct superior is the President of these United States. He'll probably accept the call and be in a quandry of who to contact first. I'll assure you one of the first three phone calls he'll make will be the FBI who will get orders to come arrest you on a national security charge. Then, when I inform him of how many laws I think you've violated, he'll have a whole team down here doing damage control. Now, you've lost your airport as far as I'm concerned, and you've lost your freedom. That implied threat of going to my supervisor will be a one way ticket to Leavenworth.”

“All over that incident the other night?”

“Well that, and the failure to have a new Maintenance Director hired, and threatening your Terminal Manager's position for personal gain on your part, as far as I can see, and for hindering an investigation. Don't worry sir, I'll find charges. You had the option of taking the lighter charge or the taking the maximum I could throw at you. I'll tell you now, the street leading up to the airport is a federal highway. You, sir, obviously think I'm pretty dumb, or you've never actually been to your airport.”

“What do you want from me?”

“Sir, I want you to sit down, shut up, and take the charges that will keep your butt in office. Then, once you do that, I want you to appoint who that manager wants as a Maintenance Director. Then, I want you to never ever think of that airport as a pawn for anyone's personal gain again. That manager if he has any harassment from you, will have my phone number. If I receive a call from him stating you so much as insinuated you weren't going to do something favorable for that airport, you will have military aircraft flying over it turning any and all flights away. Then, sir, just as fast as I can get Sling over there to fly me here, I'll be in here or your home arresting you for charges that won't go away. Consider this your warning. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Here are your charges. I'm not even going to attempt to tell you there's enough evidence to make those stick. You know my evidence and if you want to state you didn't hire her, then so be it. I'll throw charges for falsification. When I do, I'll be in here taking that airport sir. You are acting in your city's best interest and if you violate that trust, I'll yank that airport and put it under federal orders for it to be locked down. My plane lands either way.”

“What's so important about your plane?”

“That sir is confidential. If you attempt to do an investigation to discover and you cause my client any undo harm, I'll be back throwing more charges at you. He's probably going to be seeking clearance for a federal morgue here and my suggestion to you sir, is to stand, smile, and promote the hell out of it. It's going to be worth about fifteen hundred dollars for each and every body he lands in here.”

“How much of an income is that?”

“If he gets the contract for it to be the sole morgue in the country, then it will be two planes landing and taking off every day. That's roughly about two hundred thousand dollars a day for your city coming in off that airport. But, then again, I'm sure you'll find a way of fucking it up.”

“Oh trust me! I'll promote the hell out of it! I had no clue.”

“Yeah, I didn't think you did. Now, see the streets out there are maintained better and get him that man's name approved.”

He nodded and said, “What do I do about these charges?”

“Sir, what's going to come about those charges is you'll be fined. The fine will probably be ten thousand dollars. It's steep enough for you to know better the next time.

Her actions nearly had a major incident out there and it's all because you never gave her the portion of her manual she needed. I imagine her lawyer is going to call you in to testify on her behalf. My suggestion is to fall and play mercy to the court for being that ignorant. I don't know why you didn't give her that manual, but be thankful you're Mayor now, and not in your old position. You're elected now, but you'd been fired if I were in here speaking with you on that level.”

I got up and Sling said, “What do you want me to tell the news?”

“Tell them the Mayor is going to be making a major announcement about a possible expansion out at the airport and sir...” I looked at the Mayor “Don't even begin to think about mentioning who it is, or what it is. Just mention an air service who already does business with the airport is proposing a major expansion and you're going to need about a hundred thousand dollars for equipment.”

“Will I?”

“Can't you always use it out there?” I gave him a look like, “Dumb fuck, I'm giving you a rope to get dollars and good will and you're too stupid to realize it.”

“Well, yeah.”

“That's all the further your political patronage goes out there. That man's job and everyone else's remains in his control.”

“Ok, anything else?”

“Yeah, grease the wheels for the man who's building that morgue to get his paperwork approved. From what I've seen, this city is notorious for requiring a license for everything. I'm amazed you even have a business in this town.”

“They do that because it used to be a notorious city with a lot of graft and corruption.”

“Imagine that.”

“No, I mean worse than what it is now.”

“Hard to believe. Well, you have a good day and just do Lance that favor and he'll appreciate it.”

“You ought to come down here and find yourself a place to live.”

“I have an idea I'll be moving about twenty miles down the road. I've met someone down there.”

“Oh, what's her name?”

“It's too early to tell. We've just begun conversations. That's where we're headed next. I'm wanting to show Sling here how cheap things are. He can't believe what I've told him.”

“He'll be amazed. Here's a copy of our newspaper. If you're referring to Lance Green, he's got another high profile funeral tomorrow and a visitation tonight.”

He showed me the obituary and as soon as I saw the photo, I said, “I'll be damned. Sling, would you look at that!”

Sling looked over and said, “What am I looking at?”

“That old girl there is the one that was dating that one fellow that had that medal. Her and her twin sister.”

The Mayor was standing there and said, “None of us realized she was a twin or her twin was a local businessman's wife who had passed away until this obituary.”

“Secrets come out when there's no one left to protect.” I looked at him and said, “She protected something I don't think she even had a clue of what she had.”

He looked at me and said, “Hmmm....She was really respected.”

“True. Now, she's dead. How'd she die.”

“A vehicular accident.”

“A lot of bad wrecks happening around here.”

“Yeah, that's two within a week.”

He opened another paper and showed the accident scene. As soon as he I saw the photo, I recognized the photo of Lance and Ty carrying the body of someone from the scene with some other individuals.”

I looked at the Mayor and said, “Can I have these?”

“Sure.”

I shook his hand and said, “Well, we're going to be going down there to pay our respects. You have a nice evening.”

“Give me a call if you need anything?”

“Will do. Once again, remember what we discussed.”

He nodded and we went out to the parking lot. The official vehicle of the airport was a White Ford Crown Victoria which probably had seen it's beginning as a Police car for the city. It rode good and when Sling saw I was driving, he said, “Let us arrive there in one piece. Ok?”

“Sure. Where do you want to eat?”

“Let's go down there and get your fella and then ask him where he wants to eat. That would be best as long as it's not fast food.”

“Ok.”

I noted the gasoline tank was full and said, “The map shows two ways. The way on the Illinois side is two lane and the Missouri side is four.”

“Which is quicker?”

“It's quicker on the Illinois.”

“Then go that way and drive safe. This isn't either one of us' vehicle.”

We went down the Illinois side and as soon as we got to the area around the Interstate, the fit and finish of the area suddenly improved.

Sling chuckled and said, “Maybe it's just me, but did we just leave the 1920's for the here and now.”

“I was thinking the same thing. You can sure tell where the federal money kicked in.”

“It's like night and day. Maybe we're just used to things being nicer since D.C, is all federal dollars?”

“Maybe, but it's nice now.

We crossed the bridge into Hannibal, Missouri. We'd no sooner gotten off the bridge when the whole hillside to our left depicted a mural in gravel of the town's noted former resident. Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain..noted author of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

The exit is a bit tricky as it's an uphill grade and the off ramp is blind. It looks like it's going flat and the hill goes on up over the overpass. I had to yank the wheel to make the off ramp.

“Damn Reap, I told you to keep us alive!”

“I've never seen an off ramp like this in my life. This one sucks. I bet they have a grave yard full just from this monster.”

“It sure took you by surprise.”

“The speed is what sneaks up on you. You think you're following the speed limit, so you're safe, but that optical illusion is what gets you.”

“I knew you'd fall for it. Pilots have a bit of a problem with it. It's not the road. It's that hill there and the angles all flowing together. It's so different from what that flat plain is over on the other side of the river, it startles you. But, if you think about how it is out in Colorado in the rockies, you'll see it's an optical illusion.”

“Well, it nearly had us off in that ditch.”

“Yeah, let's go the other way home tonight.”

“What if we want to stay tonight?”

“Then find us a good motel and I'll agree.”

“Ok, Well, the map says this road here is going to go around a corner and turn into Highway 79. Jeez, it sure did. What a town. It's full of surprises. Go around a corner and wind up right in the middle of tourist-ville and have a major highway go right through it all. I wonder how many pedestrians get hit here each year?”

“If you're going to live here, you'll get used to it.”

“I'm not knocking it, but man, that was a surprise.”

“Well, it says Lances funeral home is up here on a side street. There's the street. Hang on.”

“Man, you're going to get us arrested for sure driving like that. Settle down so you can see your boy without handcuff's on.”

“Oh, hush up. Haven't you ever been excited before?”

“Yeah, lots of times. Each time, I think about living afterwards.”

“Then do that now.” I said sliding into a parking spot. “We're here.”

“Where?”

“See that building down there on the corner?”

“Yeah, that big nice mansion.”

“That's Lance's funeral home and by the way, it's all custom built within the past three or four years.”

We got out and I wanted to jog. “Come on!”

“Man, how do you know he's even here?”

“He told me he had no plans on Saturday.”

“Maybe his plans changed.”

“IF they did, I'm coming after you for jinxing me.”

He came over and said, “I'm not dressed for a funeral visitation.”

“Neither am I...Oh, there he is. He's here!”

“Where?”

“He's the one opening that car door for that lady, can't you see him?”

“No, but who the hell is that?”

“I don't know. He's not in any of the background checks I did, but he's a looker alright.”

We walked up and Chance turned around. As soon as he saw me, he smiled and said, “What are you doing here!”

“I didn't know if you'd recognize me.”

“Not recognize you! Man! Your face is etched inside my eyelids. Each time I close my eyes, I see you in your uniform, but now, I can see you in a different outfit! Who's this?”

“This is Sling.”

“Your pilot!”

“Yeah.”

“Oh man! I finally get to shake the hand of the man that did that maneuver the other night. I know Ty's going to want to meet you.”

I leaned forward and said, “Who's that over there. He's interested in him.”

“Oh that's Jake. He's straight, but isn't he a hottie!”

Jake hearing his name came over and said, “Who you have over here Chance?”

“This is Jim, my boyfriend, and that guy there is Slingblade, but I don't know his real name.”

“Dick. Dick Logan.”

Jake smiled and said, “Glad to meet you guys.”

“Glad to meet you Jake.”

“They thought you were pretty hot looking Jake. See what you get for changing your look?”

“You guys thought I was hot!”

“Yeah, kinda, but since you're straight, that fantasy's gone.”

“Oh, then you'll need to meet my brother. He's the gay one.”

“Who's your brother?” Sling asked.

“Mark Jacobs. He's back up at Harvard, but he was here this last weekend. He's probably got a boyfriend, but I think his boyfriend is set on someone else.”

Sling smiled, and said, “If he looks like you, he's going to be a babe. That's for sure.”

“No, he's way better. Me, I'm a dog compared to him.” Jake said blushing.

“You have no idea how good you look then” said Sling.

“Guys, let's break it up, I've seen several people going in and having to open the door themselves.”

Jake smiled and said, “Sorry, Chance, go take a break and spend some time with him.”

We went in and as soon as we went in, I felt like I instantly gone into another world. The rotunda's ceiling had to be twenty feet tall. It's walls were in an oval shape and in the center was a huge crystal candelabra chandelier that had to cost a fortune. I don't know how big that thing was in diameter, but everywhere one looked there were prism effects from the quality of crystal it was made.

The tile on the floor was a beautiful marble. The tiles were bigger than twenty four inches square, they had to be thirty. In between each tile was a gold bead. I don't know how much he'd spent on this room, but man, it knocked your socks off as soon as you entered it.

Chance smiled and said, “You've never been here before?!”

“No, but man, this room is awesome.”

“The whole place is like this. Lance thought of all the details and you'll be blown away by them all. Let's go this way since the line is long.”

We went towards the hallway and then, he took us up the stairway. The wood in the stairway was a wood I'd never seen before. I don't know what wood it was, but it's color matched the marbling in the marble as did all the wood going up the stairwell.”

“Remind me to ask Lance what kind of wood this is. This is awesome.”

“Go over and knock your knuckles on it and you'll see.”

“What do you mean?”

“Go try it and you'll be blown away.”

I went over and knocked my knuckles. Sling did too and as soon as I rapped my knuckles on it, I said, “Concrete!”

“Yeah, he painted this thing sixteen times before he had it right. Now, he's got that color made up especially in case it ever has to be painted again.”

“So none of this is wood?”

“No, that over there is plaster. The stair treads look like marble, but they're wood. He's got bowling alley sealer on them and they won't ever look bad the way he's got it sealed.”

The stained glass windows was awesome. It was a picture of Christ knocking at the door. The realism and detail were amazing.”

“I'd tell you to knock on it, but I'll save you the time. It's not real glass. It's plastic that he did himself.”

“How'd he get that look?”

“Have you ever heard of a product called Shrinky Dink?”

“Yeah, I had them when I was a kid.”

“Well, he contacted the manufacturer and asked them for industrial sized sheets. Then, he did each panel up so it was perfect. Just wait because you're going to be amazed in a moment at all the details he's throwing at you.”

Sling whispered to me, “He's a fucking perfectionist. That window there would be a million dollar window if it were real.”

“That room down there probably cost him that much. That's real marble on that floor. I can tell the way my heels clicked on it. It's like the Capital rotunda. The marble looks the same.”

“That chandelier. Man, that had to cost him a fortune.”

“We'll ask, but I'd be afraid of what it cost.”

We got upstairs and Chance turned us left. “Over here is the Gallery. Everyone doesn't like this room, but I love it.”

We went in and as soon as I entered, I took a look at the carpet and the wood work and the fireplace and thought of the smoking room at the Waldorf Astoria.

When I was a kid, my dad would go there on Sunday afternoons to meet my mom's father. My maternal grandfather would visit with me and then, he'd pay my dad support for me to live with my dad. The smells in that room weren't like the Waldorf, but I sort of expected to find the dining room located where it was at the Waldorf.

When we crossed over to the lounge, I took a look at Sling and said, “He's taken rooms from every famous hotel and he's used them in this place. This is that little room you love out there in Denver at that hotel.”

Sling smiled and said, “Yeah, it's a bit bigger, and the one out there doesn't have those soda fountains, or drink dispensers, but it's the same.”

Chance said, “Guys, whatever you do, go see the rest room, and while you're looking, I'll get the coast cleared so you can see the womens.”

“What's so fantas......Oh jeez, Sling, look at this bathroom. Man oh man!”

Sling said, “We've got to tell the fellas about this. This is the shit!”

“Look at that. That's real marble.”

“No, I think it's that Corian stuff, but it sure looks like black marble doesn't it.”

“Lance has some taste. This place if it were an engine, I'd say it was a sixteen cylinder Rolls Royce. A Pratt & Whitney wouldn't even touch this.”

Chance smiled and said, “The whole place is like this and he's going to build another one over in Quincy that's going to house that morgue and a crematorial parlor.”

“Did you tell him about us possibly making the arrangements to get him the exclusive?”

“Yeah, he's trying to figure out a way to get the cold space. You should see all the options he's thought of.”

“Tell him it doesn't have to be fancy. Oh well, what am I thinking? We're here, I can tell him. Come over here though for a moment, I'd like to give you a hug.”

Chance came over and gave me a hug, he said, “Mom, I'd like for you to meet Jim.”

I turned around and there stood Mrs. Brewer in a maid's uniform. “Mrs Brewer, it's so nice to....”

“Jim, Please don't all me Mrs. Brewer. I've gotten remarried and I'm now Mrs. Truman.”

“Mrs. Truman?”

“Yeah, I married Mitch Truman. His wife just passed away last week as did my husband. We were introduced and it just clicked for us. On Saturday, we took off to Las Vegas and had a nice weekend wedding.”

“Well, Congradulations!”

“Yeah, I'm not really working here. They've just had a busy time of it, so I offered to help where I could.” she smiled.

“Just the same, I realize you've had a time of it and now I'm understanding you're going to be having a nice time of it.”

“Let's hope.”

“No, Mrs. Truman, in my job, I've got information at my fingertips....databases of information...when I was doing the background checks on Chance, I saw a lot. The information was to the point I was telling myself the wrong ones got hooked up with the wrong ones. Now, to hear the right ones finally got hooked up, well.....it's great.”

She smiled and said, “I'm glad you can see that. I think Chance got hooked up with someone that's great too.”

“Let's hope.”

“You say that like you genuinely DO hope. Let me tell you, that boy over there has clung to you like a life raft.”

“Well, for some inexplicable reason, I'm drawn to him too.”

Sling said, “He's got that women's rest room open for us.”

We went in and what I saw was incredible. The toilets were GOLD! Now tell me how many women wouldn't want to come sit on one? I'm a guy and I had to. Chance laughed and he said, “I don't know how many guys all have done the same thing. They see it and they've got to sit on them”

“IT's heated!”

“Those lights in the ceiling are infrared light bulbs. The heat radiates down and heats them, but get this...” He flushed the toilet and said, “Feel the edge.”

I felt it and said, “How'd he do that”

“He piped the hot water to flush it. He said the cold made the metal too cold.”

“Man, he thought of everything.”

“Yeah, and then, some. The security in this place is way better than most banks. I could show you some things downstairs, but not right now. What I do want to show you is out here.”

He led us out and kissed his mom. I smiled as she came over and gave me kisses too. She said, “Don't make a stranger of yourself.”

“Oh, I won't. I think we're going to stay over tonight so I can look for a place.”

“Have Chance take you by some of the places he's scouted. It will save you time.”

“Ok”

I turned to Chance and he said, “Well, I did kind of hope.”

“No, I'm glad. That tells me your heart is in the right place.”

Sling said, “Chance, the other night right after meeting you, this man began talking about settling down. Until then, he hadn't said one word about actively being interested in retiring. Now, it's like it's all he can talk about. That, and you. So, to hear you're seeking to make a future too, I'm going to tell you now, IF I didn't like you, I'd be telling him to watch his back. NOW, I can tell him he's a lucky son-of-a-bitch and mean it from my heart. I just wish I was as lucky.”

Chance smiled and went over and hugged Sling. “Thanks Sling. What we're going to do, is we're going to find you someone. I've got a good idea you'll really like Mark. Mark is Jake's brother. The problem there is he's just beginning a law career.”

“That's ok. I'm not planning on retiring out so early. My hope is to eventually pilot Air Force One.”

“Well, he'd love that. And let me tell you now, if you and Mark get together, you're going to be one lucky son of a bitch. That guy is GQ model material rolled up in Abercrombie. My advice is to get him and get his heart, because the one that has it now, although he's my cousin, doesn't have it the way it should be.”

“What do you mean?”

“He likes older men. He sees one, he suddenly is all hormones and no sense. He'd be working here tonight, but Lance had to let him have the night off due to hormones and a gaggle of older preachers downstairs.”

“He that bad?”

“I love him, but he's worse than a whore at a nudists convention.”

“What's Lance going to do?”

“Well, fortunately for Lance, there's someone down at the city that's taken just as much of a liking to him as he has to him. Hopefully, they'll make the hook up.”

“And when they do, that will leave Mark out in the cold.”

“Yeah, which sucks because Mark needs someone really bad.”

“When's he going to come home again?”

“Most likely, it will be Easter. I think Ty and Gregg are looking into purchasing a jet, but I'm not sure.”

Sling said, “They need to look into leasing. The only way I'd purchase a jet now would be to haul passengers because the amount of outlay versus the repay of one is really tilted.”

“They've got one in mind that's a Russian business jet. The air frames are put out by Boeing.”

Sling looked at me and said, “Sukhoi”

I said, “What?”

“The Russian Company is Sukhoi, No one is giving them consideration, but as you see, their speed of filling a market is what's going to have them seriously in contention in a few years.”

“They good?”

“Basicly, It's a Boeing plane with the world's top engineering. Boeing is taking lessons from them. What's good about them is they have an order to fill time of like two months. Boeing is filling their orders in like four years. Lear fills their orders in like one to two. When you have one that's filling them in a matter of months, then you're really going to have the market of buyers paying attention. The plus side of it is if I were starting an airline right now, I'd be doing it with those planes because they're affordable, efficient, and reliable.”

“Man, it sounds like you've looked into this.”

“Yeah, I saw one in D.C., and liked the looks of it. So, when I got home, I looked it up on Wikipedia and then, their website. If they're looking for one of those, I'd say go for it because they can get one of those versus a Lear for a lot less AND, they'll get a whole lot more plane.”

“You'll have to show me that plane on the web when we get back to the hotel room.”

“You're staying!”

“Yeah, we've not gotten a room yet, but we wanted to come by and see if you wanted to go eat and then, we could look at some places and then, we could get a room.”

He looked at me and smiled and then asked shyly, “Is Sling sleeping in the same room?”

“Yeah, I'm afraid nothing fresh tonight. I'll come back next week when I've got time off.”

“Ok” he looked downcrest.

Sling smiled and said, “Maybe for a Snickers candy bar, I can go to the motel's swimming pool for an hour or so.”

“For that, I'll buy you a family sized box!” Chance giggled.

He took us down in the elevator and then into the basement. “Down here is the embalming room and the morgue. The reason I'm showing you this is because I want you to see the safety features he's got put in for things. Notice, if you will that door locks. Then, there's this door to get into the embalming room. Back there is another door which locks which gets you into the morgue area.”

Lance came down and said, “Hi guys! I sure didn't know you were in town. This isn't a surprise inspection, is it?”

“No, we had to come lay down some federal charges on that incident the other night. And, since we were in the area, we figured we'd come down and visit Chance.”

“Oh,” Lance said looking down, “Chance is working and this is the biggest visitation I've ever had.” He paused and said, “Chance, go before I change my mind.” Lance then paused and said, “It won't happen for every time you come to visit. I have a business to run and he's an employee.”

“I understand. It wasn't right of me to impose. He can stay here if he wants and then afterwards, he can come to our hotel room.”

Lance smiled and said, “No, let him go. If he knows you're here and can't be with you, he'll hold it against me and I won't get a bit of performance from him. I really wish you'd forewarned me.”

“I do want to visit with you and Ty too.”

“That's not going to be possible until tomorrow night. We have this funeral tomorrow and then have to be back here for preps of another.”

“Did anyone think to do a toxicology on the bodies for that funeral up there?”

“No, why?”

“It's something in the back of my mind. I can't tell you, but that woman is Chance's biological aunt. I can tell you that because any search in any database could find that information. What I can't tell you is

there's some information to which I'm privy that has me questioning some things.”

“I wish I could help you more, but his body was brought here directly from the scene as he was dead then. The Coroner ruled and that's all it basicly takes for me to receive it. Her body probably has a lot more information as she was taken to the hospital and there'd be a lot of test results you could get there.”

“No, the test results wouldn't tell me what I wanted to know it she was tampered with there.”

“Oh, so you suspect foul play?”

“I can't say yes, and I can't say no. What I am saying is there's a piece of information which Sling here knows too that is leading me to think she was a part without her knowing.”

“Really!”

“Yeah.”

Sling said, “Go ahead and tell him boss. Another set of eyes isn't going to hurt. Chance isn't going to spill the beans and neither is Lance.”

“Ok, but you can't tell another soul.”

Lance said, “I can't do that. Anything I'm a part of, I'll have to tell Ty. If I'm in danger and he can't know, then that's stupid.”

“Ok, you can tell Ty, but no one else.”

“Ok”

“Chance, your aunt and you mom dated a guy by the name of Daniel Joseph Scott. You might recognize the name because your real name is Daniel Joe, and your brother's name is Daniel Joseph. Now, your cousin up there in that chapel is named Daniel Joseph too. A whole lot of the same names for two women if you ask me.

In my data base for doing background checks, I can pull up information about anyone and if there's dna, I can see it and cross correlate as to who's related, and who isn't. The government doesn't use it for anything sinister, I don't believe, but I think the potential is there for them to test one drop of blood at a crime scene and pull up a whole family by that dna match.”

Chance said, “Ok, so you could tell I was adopted and you could tell who my real mom is?”

“Yeah, your mom upstairs isn't your blood mom.”

“No, but she raised me, so she's my mom and if you can't respect that, then we don't have a relationship.”

“No, I'm not saying that Chance. Give me a chance here!”

“Ok, but as long as you know that.” He looked irritated.

“I know that. Now listen to me because we're wasting Lance's time.”

“Ok”

“Your mom and your aunt up there dated the same fella. One of his photos with them from a prom has him wearing a medal that was only given to five individuals. He was wearing it in one photo, but in the next, he wasn't. We don't know the significance of that, but we do know it wasn't given out by the usual forms of military, but the secret service and it was something to do with them protecting something at the Vatican.”

Lance said, “What'd the medal look like. I've buried a lot of people with medals.”

“It's doubtful if you've ever seen it before since only five people ever received it.”

“Well, I'll tell you now, we're burying that woman up there with military medals like you wouldn't believe. So, trust me if that medal is endangering anything, I want to know.”

“Oh, I didn't know that. Why's she being buried with the medals?”

“I don't know, we were told it was something to do with some past military experience she had.”

“She had military experience? It wasn't in her dossier!”

“That's what we were told.”

I looked at Sling and said, “There were five medals. If three went to him, her, and her, then, who'd the other two go to?”

“I don't know, but if she wasn't listed as military and her sister wasn't listed as military, and they had medals, and we've been told it was a super top secret operation, then I'd say there's probably another guard out there or two.”

I looked at Lance and Chance and said, “Here's the description of the medal. If it's up there, I'd like to get a few photos of it. I want to know where it was made, and everything I can about it.”

I gave Lance the medal and said, “That's it.”

Lance said, “It's there. The reason I know is because that was going to be the logo of our funeral home. We were wanting the flower vans to be painted with that and the crest to be on everything.”

“Crest. I hadn't thought of it being a crest. Has anyone did a search of any family Crest's on the internet?”

Lance shook his head no and said, “I don't believe Ty has, I'll have to ask him.”

“Tell him if he hasn't, then don't. I'm thinking me doing a search in this database I was that might have gotten that woman killed up there.”

“She wasn't killed. It was a car accident.”

“How do you know? Were you there?”

“I saw the scene and saw the truck.”

“And was there anything there that didn't make sense?”

“Yeah, she had on her seat belt and was driving and yet, she was squeezed up through the sunroof whereas her husband was killed at the scene.”

“Sort of strange, isn't it?”

“Yeah, considering she had enough cognizance to ask for my funeral home by name when they took her and then, she died in the hospital.”

“What were her injuries.”

“Ruptured spleen.”

“Oh, a Princess Diana death. Looks normal enough to make decisions, but dies a mysterious death in the hospital.”

“No, she was dead alright. I embalmed her.”

“I'm not saying she wasn't. I'm saying the list of suspicious activities keeps getting more and here here.”

“Yeah, that much is true.”

Sling asked a question and said, “Excuse me for a second, I need to get back onto the medal. You said you and Ty were going to use this as your logo. Did you come up with it, or did Ty?”

“I came up with using both our names for the funeral home, but Ty was the one that thought of the shield. We were wearing our night outfit which looks very military and he said he thought it'd look good with a crest on our upper left chest like over our hearts.”

“And he used the identical colors and description as what we told you?”

“Yeah.”

Sling looked perplexed and said, “Either it's eerie, or he's seen that crest and not known it. It popped into his mind at that moment.”

Lance said, “We could ask him” He turned and said, “Why don't you guys come up to my office?” He turned to Chance and said, “You haven't shown them that yet, have you?”

“No, I hadn't shown them the chapel or your office. But everything else is shown.”

“Ok.”

“If you don't mind Lance, I'd like to see your Escalade up close.”

“Ok, we've got another one since the last time we saw each other. It's nearly identical to the one we had, and don't be surprised if the garage really looks full. We got some really good deals on vehicles.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, we spent seventy five grand on eleven limos, flower truck, and Chance's Escalade.”

“Chance has an Escalade now?”

“Yeah, the one we got, we got for him. Ty has a new one ordered for him.”

“Can he drive it?”

“You'll have to ask him. They're licensed and insured, but sure, I have no issues with it. But, if you're using a parking spot out there, I'd ask you pull your car into the garage to open up a parking spot for a guest.”

“Ok”

Lance took us up the steps and then into the office. When we reached the office, Chance got behind the desk and began moving an ink pen holder. He was looking at something and then, he pulled up a monitor in what I thought was a photo frame above a fireplace. He said, “That guy there is little Mark.”

Sling said, “Man, oh man, that kid's a looker. I thought his brother was hot, but my God.”

“Yeah, Mark's a hottie, but if you ask him, he'll tell you he thinks everyone else is and he's not. He's not about the looks.”

“Man, his dad there is just like him though. That kid's got genes.”

“Yeah, that's his dad Mark Sr., his mom, Joan, Jake, and then, that's Gregg, Ty's brother, and Heather, Gregg's fiance. You know Ty, Lance, me, mom, and that's Ty's dad and my step dad.”

“Yeah, that make's you Ty's step brother now, doesn't it?”

“Yeah, I'm happy about that. Ty and I have been close and then, we weren't, and now he's back to being my friend.” The way he said it told me there were some issues, but his eyes said they were resolved.

Ty came in and said, “Man! I'm glad to see you! He's been pestering the hell out of us about whether, or not, you're serious, but now we can tell him you are.”

Ty smiled and I said, “Good to see you too!”

He chuckled and said, “Well...well...well, I finally get to shake hands with Sling. Dude, you guys need to lighten up a bit on that plane so I could have shook your hands. The job you did flying the other night was awesome. I'm just glad I get to finally meet you.”

“Good to meet you to!” smiled Sling. From the way he smiled, I knew Sling had a hard on for Ty.

Ty looked at the monitor and said, “Your showing them family photos?”

“Yeah, Sling thought Jake was a hottie, so I told him about Mark.”

“Mark's supposed to be with Len.”

“After yesterday, I think Len's going to be going for Pete. So, rather than have Mark broken hearted, I thought we'd play match maker.”

Ty nodded and said, “Sling, Mark's a good guy. He's a lawyer, and he's insecure when it comes to guys. He wants to be told what to do in relationships. That's fine, but that's what you need to be aware of. Don't use him like a master does a slave, just be the man about things.”

“Why's he like that?”

“We don't know. His mom and dad sure aren't like that, and neither is anyone around here. Somewhere along the line, he picked it up and that's what he thinks he should be in a relationship.”

“Oh, well, maybe there's a way we could discuss it.”

“You could try, but if you don't play it on his terms, you're a one shot Charley and he'll tell you he's not interested. I do know that much about him.”

“What we asked you in for Ty is that crest that you wanted to use as a logo. Do you have any idea where you might have seen it before?”

“No, All I know is we were discussing it and.......hey, hold up a second. My Uncle Mark has one of those! Let me give him a call.”

“No, I want to do some checking to see if he has a dossier. That's a highly confidential medal and if he has one, he's probably got orders to contact someone if he's ever asked about it. I don't want anyone else hurt over this.”

“What do you mean?”

Lance said, “Ty, I'll tell you what we know. Why don't you guys go ahead and go out to dinner and get some house shopping in while we still have an ounce of daylight.”

“It's slipping fast. You might want to look at houses before going to eat.”

“Ok”

Lance walked us out to the garage and said, “I'll tell Ty about the medal and what you've told me. You'll be around if he has questions?”

“Yeah.”

Chance said, “I'll have my cell phone, so you can give us a call if you've got any while we're gone.”

Ty shook his head and said he would.”

Sling, Chance, and I took a look at Chance's Escalade and Sling said, “Man, this is nice. It looks customized, but it doesn't look like it's way out there like riding around in a hearse.

“No, it's like a customized SUV. I love it” said Chance. “It's like a station wagon, but it's way cooler.”

Chance got in to drive and Sling said, “Chance, I'll tell you like I do him. Just get us there in one piece. He doesn't seem to like to listen about that, but I'm hoping you do.”

“I'll be careful. It's four wheel drive. If we get in too deep, we'll be able to bog our way out!” He smiled and looked at me and gave a wink.

Sling sat back and said, “These leather seats are way better than a Suburban. These are like sitting in a recliner.”

“Yeah, It's neat because all three spots back there are equally as nice. And look at that monitor up there. It's like a rear view mirror, but I can change it so it looks just like a monitor. You can sit in the middle, or I can have those caskets stacked back there and still see out the back.”

I looked and said, “That's cool. I thought it was a rear view mirror, but a mirror would be down on the windshield. That's way better.”

“Yeah, if you don't mind, I'm going to take you out St. Mary's Avenue first. Three of the five houses I want you to see are out there.”

“Ok”

Sling said, “It looks an awfully lot like Massachusetts here. A lot of the river towns there have the same qualities as here.”

“Yeah, but our river's the Mississippi. It's way better.” said Chance.

He said, it with pride and I said, “You going to show me where you were raised?”

“Do I have to today? It's depressing as hell and I want to have a good visit.”

“No, you don't have to show me. I'd just like to have an idea sometime so when you tell me about growing up, I could know more for my mental visions of things.”

“Ok, but not today. Here's the first house. It's eleven rooms and it's got a new roof and you'll see it's Arts and Crafts. It's one seventy nine.”

Sling looked at it and said, “How much was that!”

“One hundred and seventy nine thousand.”

“Really!”

“Yeah.”

“That's a million dollar house, boss.”

“No, here's it's a hundred and seventy nine and it's been on the market for six months at that price. You could probably get it for one forty nine.”

“Man, boss, you don't get it, I will!”

“Let me and my babe look at houses. What one we don't pick, you can for you and yours.”

Chance smiled and said, “Later, we'll go out to Aunt Joan's and you can see where your guy lives.”

Sling got quiet and Chance said, “Up here on the right is that Queen Anne. It's one sixty five. They started wanting a hundred more, but I happen to know that's what they paid for it, so it's firm on that price.”

“Man, all that land goes with it too.”

The way Sling was moving around back there, I knew he was really sitting on his hands not saying something.

“Ok Sling, you can speak.”

“Boss, that house is rockin. I couldn't even begin to tell you what that house is worth. Those houses like that don't ever come up for sale.”

“They wouldn't here, but they just jacked the price of home heating gas here and now, everyone's trying to abandon the big old houses.”

“No one's heard of heating with wood add-on?”

“Not those sorts of people. Besides, they wouldn't know where to go cut wood. Ty and Lance are buying a farm for Lonnie, so there will be wood for us to heat with.”

“They don't have coal here.”

“No. I'm not saying they don't have it. I've just never heard of anyone heating with it.”

“Oh, well, we'll have to look. I've split wood and a shovel of coal versus an axe is a lot easier. My dad had a conveyor system which made putting coal in the furnace a lot easier.”

Sling said, “Dusty as hell. I'd rather heat with wood.”

“Yeah, you've got a point there. I forgot about the dust.” I gave a smile.

“This is the last one. It's a three story English Tudor. It's only fifty grand.”

“Why the price difference.”

“This one needs a new boiler and a roof. That roof is slate, so it's going to cost a lot.”

“Not if it goes back on with a metal roof and, if we have to put in a new furnace to heat with wood anyways, then getting the house for a hundred grand less would be a breeze. What else is wrong with it?”

“Nothing much. The patio needs new pavers as the ones they put down were veneer and they're popping, and the trees and bushes need trimmed bad. As for the tree trimming and landscaping, Lonnie can do all that. He's looking to start his own business.”

“Who's Lonnie?”

“Lance's youngest brother. He's young, but he's got his head on his shoulders and knows what he wants .”

“That's good.”

“Yeah, you'll see a lot of Lonnie and Lennie. They're just like brothers to everyone and they'll be over a lot.”

“Ok”

“Boss, which one you think?”

“I'm saying we buy all three and then pass on the one that we don't want to either 'Who' or 'Freeze'.”

“Freeze wouldn't want a huge house. 'Who' on the other hand would want any one of those as long as his BMW would look good parked in front of it, he's happy.”

“Yeah, we could fly a Lear in and out of Quincy and get to the C-130.”

“Yeah, or we could fly it to St. Louis and be a step closer. St. Louis is an Air National Guard base.”

“Yeah, but getting the air clearance with our plane is a bitch.”

“Yeah, I forgot.”

“How can you forget. I had to bitch for four days to get that clearance!”

“Once you have it, you know you disregard it. Get over it.” he laughed.

“Ok”

Chance said, “What you guys speaking about?”

“The air clearance for Dead Air is the same as but a notch down from Air Force One. When Air Force One is on the ground, no other plane can land or take off until it's safely in a hanger. The same goes with ours. If we land at St. Louis, which is a really congested air port, then it will mess them up for a good two hours afterwards.”

“Then why not fly into Springfield, Illinois?” asked Chance.”The drive time is about the same and the highway is just as good. If you fly over in the Lear, you'll only be in the Lear for about an hour at the most. And, you can fly the Lear out to our airport here.”

“I never thought about that. What you think Sling?”

“I'm already on board. Just tell me what house I can have. All of those are really nice and I'll throw my savings into one and have plenty more for furniture.”

“We'll look at them tomorrow. Do you think you can schedule looking at houses tomorrow hon?”

“I can for you two, but I won't be able to go. I've got that funeral and Lance has everyone driving a limo.”

“How many limos does he have?”

“There are nine of them plus three spare hearses and two flower trucks. The spare hearses and the flower trucks will be used for flowers tomorrow as well as this Escalade and Lance's.”

“That's going to be a heckuva convoy.”

“Yeah, we're estimating six thousand people. Lance has permission to block off that street and use every bit of it for parking. He's got four guys with motorcycles hired for security so no one's car gets broken into and we're using the limos as shuttles.”

“Man, that's an undertaking.”

“Yeah, He's sort of proud of the fact he had practice with Ty's mom's funeral to get ready for this one. Now, he's gotten the large funerals down and more and more big names are signing up for funerals with him.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ty's mom's funeral, he had two of the brewery contingent sign on to do their funerals and he had that star, Porky McCactus, sign on to do his funeral too. Then, out of the blue, he got this double funeral. Since then, he's had eight huge ministers all sign on to have him do their funeral and that one lady that's President of that make up company has signed on to do her funeral too. And, you know that once everyone gets out and starts talking about it, you'll see more and more people coming to him.”

“Man, he's got a nice place, but it's a bit small for that, isn't it?”

“That's what Lance thought, but they're planning on building the new one up at Quincy, and they've decided to go with a huge chapel. The one they're planning will seat five thousand. What they're going to do is buy that whole thirty acre plot up there and go underground with the morgue.”

“So, they're decided on going ahead with the national morgue?”

“Yeah, but you really should talk with Lance about it. I feel like I'm the intermediary here on this and hopefully, some day, you'll be in there running that and I'll be over at the distribution center.”

“What's the distribution center?” asked Sling.

“What the distribution center is, is the Meister Stein distribution center for this whole eleven state area. My step father has it and we're getting ready to go ahead with ground breaking on it and get it going up. When I got put in as distribution manager, no one thought it would be as big as it has become. We didn't learn about it until I'd already been promised. Now, with Gregg not wanting to be in the picture, I'm in it with my step dad and I really like him, so I'll gladly do it.”

“Is that something you'll be able to advance some day?”

“Yeah, the possibilities are endless. What Lance just got himself for the asking was a kings ransom and no one knew. Now, they're going ahead with it full steam and Lance is probably going to end up mega rich.”

“What'd he ask for?”

The breweries back when prohibition happened all had sideline businesses they used to make ends meet. What Lance did was asked for the rights to the soda manufacturing with them footing the bill of the start up. Lance said he'd get the distribution centers online which isn't anything because once they see their brewery is going to stand firm on supporting it for the next fifty years, they'll gladly go up against Coke and Pepsi So, now, we're going to have all those sodas to push and the way Lance did it was he showed them a novel way of marketing it so their products constantly get top billing on the promotions.”

“How's that?”

“They're going to start opening restaurants which specialize in package meals rather than fast food. What you do, is you pull up to a window on the building, and you order a chicken dinner for four which gives you four huge servings. The price of that meal will be competitive with fast food and will beat KFC. The advantage of it is then, you can order a gallon of the soda and get it cheap. It gets the soda out the door and it gets the potential of everyone coming in and seeing the other items they have.

When Lance started talking with Pete, they talked about soda. Then, Pete talked with his brother, and they realized they still owned the cheese factory as it's making specialty cheeses for Kraft. They looked at that and realized they can go back in and share the factory with Kraft for the next thirty years as long as they're not in direct competition with them. It seems Kraft sells flat package sliced cheese and what they decided was to sell the whole round cheese and have it sliced up and shrink packaged that way. The advantage of it is the factory is now selling off the by products of the cheese to a subsidiary of Kraft for their ice cream which is a violation of the contract. So, what they're going to do is go into making the ice cream in house and putting it out the door too. Then, if Kraft wants to continue to do business as they are, they'll be shown the door which is working right into the hands of the brewery.

What's neat is they've gotten a whole line of items from the by products of all this which is going to really make the brewery into a multinational conglomerate not just for the beer, but for the food stuffs and animal feeds. By the time they're done, the beer will be about a third of the business of the brewery and what's neat is they're cutting Lance in on the agreed portion of the soda, but because he opened their eyes, they're giving him a third of the other proceeds.”

“What'd Lance have to do to get that?”

“Well, that's what's weird, is Lance spoke with Pete and asked and he got. Pete is really unhappy in his marriage and it came about that Lance's first lover is Pete's wife's cousin. Lance invested a trust fund he had from the first relationship and he got a third of the non-beer related businesses.”

“That had to be a sizable investment”

“No, everyone can't figure it out because Lance wasn't having that much money.”

“I'll do some checking and see. Maybe there's more of it than they've let on. It doesn't sound like Lance would invest in a beer company.”

“No, Lance is dead set about investing in it for beer. He made sure they separated the companies from each other. His investment is fifty percent of the soft drink company and a third of the other.”

“It sounds like Lance is doing fine for his investments, if he invested money. If not, then what did he invest?”

“I don't know, but Len sure likes that Pete guy.”

“How old is Pete?”

“Maybe mid thirties? I don't know.”

“And Len is what?”

“Seventeen.”

“That's a bit strange. Lance is ok with it?”

“Lance is telling Pete to wait until Len is of age, but he's also talked to Len and that's the age of guys Len is attracted to.”

“Ok, I can't condemn him because look at our age difference. It's about the same.”

“Yeah, I'm not complaining. I've got someone that actually wants a relationship without throwing in manipulation.”

“You've been in a relationship that had manipulation in it?”

“Yeah, to be honest, I manipulated the hell out of the guys I was involved with to get what I wanted. One of those was Ty. Now, I look back on it, I can't understand why I did it except for the fear of coming out of the closet.”

“As long as you're honest with me, I'll work with you on most anything. I know we'll face things and growing pains, but just don't attempt to deceive me.”

“I won't. The hardest part was coming out and I've gotten to the point where I've gotten over that, so I can do anything.”

“Everyone's cool with you being gay?”

“Yeah, I've not come across anyone that's had issues with it. I think as long as I'm myself and not shoving it in everyone's faces, they'll be cool back.”

“I was worried there about being in the Midwest with the rednecks and all.”

“Surprisingly, no one's bothered or said anything, but I've only been out about a week. In that time, I've been more or less secluded with the family. But, I don't think there's going to be many problems. If you look at it, we don't interact with many people. The store clerks and all have to be nice and other than that, we've got the people at the distributorship and the funeral home. At the distributorship, I'll see how that goes starting on Wednesday, that's when Mitch is going to open back up. The guys out in the shipping department are taking today and tomorrow and practice loading the trucks the new way Lance spoke about which makes more sense.”

“What'd he show you?”

“The way it goes now, those beer trucks are like loaded mini warehouses. The drivers make up the orders once they get to the bar or convenience store and it takes a lot of time. What Lance came up with is each driver ordering the next order each time he brings in the order to the convenience store and that order being prepared before the driver even gets back. Then, that way, each trucks load is ready and waiting in it's own section of the warehouse.

What we've done is we've had pallets ordered which fit in the doors of those trailers. Then, each order is palleted and it's shrink wrapped with that saran wrap they use to bundle pallets. That way, the order is there and it's already counted. All the driver has to do is drop it and run. There's not going to be any counting it out in the convenience stores any longer.

If orders are shorted in the warehouse, then we'll find out and that person will get taught to count, or he'll be looking for a new line of work. If one store routinely says they're short, then it's a shame on them situation where one time, we have a truck bring the extra items that were shorted, but if it's three times in a quarter, let's say, then that convenience store will be seen as trying to cut into our profit margin. They'll be warned and if it happens two quarters in a row, then they'll see us pull up and we'll yank all our ad banners and coolers if there are any and we'll pull all the product. It's a lot more hard ball, and they'll see we're meaning business.”

“Man, they going to go for it?”

“We're doing things different. They won't have a choice. What we're doing is we're selling the product to them cheaper. What it's doing is giving them a price advantage from the get-go against the competition. The retailers will know that and they're going to court us because they're making more money off us. However, the other side of the token is to get those price advantages, they now have to play ball on our terms. If they don't like it, then the guy down the street will and we'll pull product. When we're playing on those terms, they'll play.”

“Lance thought of this?”

“Yeah, he's got a lot of good ideas and Mitch and Pete both want him to sell beer like you wouldn't believe, but he refuses.”

“Man, it sounds like Lance should have taken marketing.”

“Yeah, but he's really helped me like you wouldn't believe in my job because all I am now is a gatekeeper for a bunch of computers doing the ordering automatically. My uncle who had the job before me had to do all that ordering himself. Now, I do the job and it's basicly watching what the product does and where it goes out the door.”

“Ok, why'd you guys go to this?”

“The drivers they had out there were really gouging the company. Employee theft was such it wasn't if someone was stealing, but how much they were taking. Some of them have their whole home bar set up on the distribution center's tab. Not only the signs, but the beer coolers, kegmeisters, and the product. All of that was walking out the door and we were footing the bill. The problem was, it was hard to tell because the place was making so much money. Also, the drivers that were stealing were making so much money, it was considered to be a cost of doing business. They thought if they fired them, the profits would go down. Now, we're doing it this way and we're giving the drivers a case of beer a week with their pay, however if they don't take it, we're giving them a fifty dollar bonus.”

“Man, that's sweet.”

“Yeah, the things those guys are getting are compared with the sweetest union contract you've ever seen. They're getting uniforms, shoes, brewery clothing, cell phones on the company tab, concert tickets, sports tickets and season passes, and then, they're getting a company vehicle to drive as they wish. On top of that, they're going to be getting college tuition for their families and themselves, and making really nice money.”

Sling chuckled and said, “How do I sign on!”

“You could, but you'd probably be safer to fly the company plane when Ty and Gregg get it bought.”

“What are they going to be wanting with that jet?”

“As I said, our distribution center is going to be distributing to an eleven state region. However, Mitch and Gregg are getting paid to go around and set up these centers for the other regions. The plus side of it is Pete and his brother are getting them in the door up at Fond du Lac and they're going to open another distribution center up there. That will be for the Green Bay, Milwaukee, and Chicago area..”

“Kind of out of the way for those cities, isn't it?”

“Yeah, but not. We're not going in to try slapping the beer city's face. We're going in and we're going to yank their chain and gradually take up their business. It's kind of a ghost sneak thing.”

“A what?”

“A ghost sneak. It's where they don't realize we're there until we're already doing damage. By then, we'll already have the retailers thinking our way and we'll be undercutting the competition hard. For that, we're going to really drive a hard bargain everywhere we go.”

“How much of a hard bargain?”

“It's going to be roughly about half the cost of what the other guys are going in selling their product. Hopefully, with brewery support, we'll be shipping the stuff so when state and fed taxes and retailer mark up gets put on, we'll be about four dollars a case cheaper.”

“Oh man!”

“Yeah, that combined with aggressive marketing, we'll be turning the tide over to us.”

“What's your region going to be?”

“North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and some of Michigan. We did have a seventeen state region, but we're giving up some of those to get Denver geared up stronger and then, there are three on the western regions. East, we've got Jersey, Virginia, Florida, and South, we've got Texas and most of those are a lot smaller regions. Denver's region really sucked. There was no hope for incentives of that guy signing on to support a thing.”

“Oh, so you all gave up states to give him reason to sign over.”

“Yeah, these dist centers aren't cheap. The brewery is fronting half the cost, but still, the cost is about thirty five million on the distributor's cost. For them to want to sign on, there has to be a payback and it's got to be something they can see within a reasonable period.”

“What to them is a reasonable period?”

“Normal is ten years, what they're looking at is five. The advantage of that is I'm in a pay bracket with Mitch that he's going to cut me in for ten percent a year until the fifth year and then, he's going to divide it all up between Gregg, Ty and I.”

“Man!”

“Yeah, Gregg and Ty aren't bothered by it because the feelings are bad enough about what their mom was doing, so what they think is I'm fine because someone is in taking the heat off their dad. What they don't realize is their mom was making it this way so after she divorced their dad, it was going to run like a piece of cake for her.”

“She had a lot of financials in her dossier that really looked strange.”

“What was in that?”

“I can't tell you.”

“The reason I'm asking is because they aren't sure if they found all the life insurance policies and all her investments.”

“Oh, let me see how I can do it and I'll see how I can get them information. That's strange they wouldn't know.”

“No, not when you see how it went. It was like a scavenger hunt. Each time they turned around, they discovered more things she was involved in and from the beginning, they had no clue even about her having ownership in the one in Quincy. They found out about accounts and insurance policies by accident.”

“Man, she was secretive, wasn't she?”

“Yeah, then Lance talked with Pete after the funeral and found out about this regional center plan and about the Fond du Lac purchase. So everyone knew everything but them. What ended up happening was they were supposed to meet with the brewery people today, but the preacher ladies death happened and Ty and Lance got involved in that, so the brewery people moved it to yesterday...which was ideal.”

“It sounds like the brewery is working with them.”

“Yeah, Pete's older brother, Jack, when he got told about all the ideas Lance had, he wanted to hear them and get them going real fast. He wants to make it a point of having a demo restaurant to show the shareholders for the shareholder meeting in June.”

“Oh, that's going to be a rush job.”

“Yeah, but what they didn't know was their company owns the company that makes the trailers for their trucks and refrigeration units. So, what they can do is use that company to get the triple wide trailers manufactured to make those restaurants. It works out good because the element of surprise is going to be in their favor. No one will know the restaurants are going to happen, or the soft drink or water plant is going online until after it's already happened. What they want is everything to come on at once so it hits with a big splash for the Summer after next.”

“They going to test market?”

“Not really. The soft drinks have already been test marketed...only that was seventy five years ago. Everyone knows it, but no one remembers. So, they've got a product they know will sell. The only thing they're going to have to test and retest are the cola drinks and what they're doing is basicly doing knock offs of the other sodas and calling it their name.”

“What's their name going to be?”

“Which one? They've got four colas and then the diet colas. The one they're planning on going head to head with Diet Coke is going to be called Victory, I do know that. They're already lining up that one girl that sang all those songs to do the lead in of it.”

“Which one.”

“Oh shoot. You had to ask me. She's that one that's the blond bombshell.”

“There are a lot of those.”

“Yeah, but anyways, she signed on with just Pete calling her and telling her she'd have the contract and a concert tour promotion.”

“Man, they're looking at it all!”

“Yeah, they're also talking with their racing teams about putting some more cars on and sponsoring those to get the name out there. They want to hit hard and have the price low enough to easily take over the sales of the other guys. The advantage is with it all being bottled here in the Midwest, they control quality and give a lot of really needed jobs.”

“They building a plant?”

“No, that's the blessing of it. They've got a brewery they're going to shut in Chicago. That brewery as soon as it shuts, is going to be repiped and within a month will be making soft drinks. The bottles are the same, so the lines can run the same. The only difference is a lot of the stuff they used to make beer will get scrapped out. Plus, because they're not manufacturing beer, the displaced employees aren't going to scream to get the unions to get them their jobs back. The production will be enough they can do it all in house and not have anyone being any wiser. Which they're retooled the name of their beer and are making it for one of the soft drinks..”

“What?”

“Meister Steiner is going to be Mr Stein which is the English version they're considering for the Root Beer since they used the name of the Root Beer they had for something else back in the fifties.”

“Oh”

“I'm excited about it all because whatever goes through our dist center is going to be a percentage mine.”

“I bet you are!”

Sling said, “I want to switch gears on you and ask you if you'll talk to them about hiring me to fly their jet. I could think about retiring if it's to do that.”

I looked back at Sling and said, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, what I'm worried about Boss is when you retire out, they're going to pull up 'Who' as the new boss. I'll tell you now, that guy gets along fine with you at the helm, but for him to be in charge just gives me the creeps.”

“Why?”

“He's made of flash. You know as well as I do he's going to do something stupid like have a press conference or something and get us out there and as soon as he does, they're going to pull the plug on us.”

“No, it's Congressionally mandated. What they'll do is they'll have to do some spin and as soon as they do, they'll have his butt out the door.”

“Well, he and Freeze will work fine together, but for me to think about working under him, I just don't think I want to do that. I'd love to think about flying Air Force One, but it's not etched in stone I have to stay. My retirement comes up too and I can leave out about the same time you do.”

“You sure?”

“About my retirement date? Oh hell yeah.”

“No, Are you sure that's something you want to do?”

“Boss, our retirement benefits are something they're not going to take away. We've been in long enough, that's ours. What I'm looking at is a possible chance of flying One, or I could come out here to bumfuck with you and find some happiness and fly a plane still and get some icing for the cake.”

“Ok, so you were serious about one of these houses.”

“Yeah! Look at this place. They're advertising pizzas six for ten dollars at the grocery store for chrissakes! Back home, I pay four thirty nine for one of them! I'll be willing to bet you our retirements are going to go pretty far especially since that gas station over there is fifty cents cheaper a gallon!”

“Ok, I just don't want you rushing off into this and then regretting it.”

“I'll still be your friend no matter what. The advantage of it is I might have a chance at someone, or I might not. I'm sure there are more guys around here who will be happy to hook up with me.”

“Yeah, and I think once you and I both see what it's like to live without the stress we live under out there, we'll find we like it more and more.”

“Yeah, I was just thinking I wait the amount of time it takes to drive across this town just to get out of my parking lot at my apartment. It's crazy because by the time I'm finally able to get out and dodge traffic out there, I'm really tense. Here, traffic's nothing. I'm sure we'll find more and more we like about it. Earlier, I saw kids playing outside! You know the last time I saw that back home?”

“Tell me because I don't think I've ever seen it.”

“You're right. I think it was probably back in the mid eighties.”

Chance smiled and said, “Damn, you guys are old! I wasn't even born yet!” He chuckled.

I chuckled and said, “Yeah kid, you keep it up. Us old farts will really make you wonder!”

He pulled in to a parking lot to a Mexican style restaurant. “Well, let's go in here for dinner. I think you're going to really like it.”

“Ok”

We went in and it was an authentic Mexican restaurant called Del Rio. They had a mariachi band playing and the smells which were in the air were wonderful. We were sat in a booth and as soon as we sat, someone was at the table bringing us fresh torilla chips and salsa. He handed us the menus and told us they had Marguirita and Daiquiris on sale tonight for a dollar forty nine.”

Sling smiled and said, “See, that would have been eight dollars at home!”

The waiter said, “Three dollars for a pitcher.”

Sling ordered a picture of Peach daiquiris and said, “I'm not driving. I can drink up!”

I order a Marguirita and said, “Kid, you're driving us home, so you get yourself a soda.”

“I'm not old enough to drink yet, so I'll have a Pepsi.” Chance said grinning.”Bring Pops here a pitcher of those!”

“Don't worry, I'll still have my virtue in the morning.” I said grinning at him.

“Hmmf, you have a virtue?” Sling said giggling “Where'd you put the damned thing!”

Chance giggled and said, “He'll have found it in the morning he said! I'll lend him mine.”

I giggled and said, “There Sling! I knew I'd have one!”

We took a look at the menu and I said, “It all looks good and these prices are amazing.”

“That's usual pricing here. You'll find restaurants here aren't real high.” Chance said, “My advice is to order number nine. It's enough you'll have a take out box.”

“It says it's enough to feed two!”

“Yeah, and it's good enough you'll gorge yourself and wonder how large the other person was. Let me tell you, they'll bring those platters here and you'll wonder how they're going to put it all on the table.”

Sling smiled and said, “Forty dollars to feed three people! It'd feed one at home at a restaurant like this!”

Chance said, “Remind me not to eat out there. That's expensive!”

“No, that's what we're used to.” Sling said with disgust. “They see us coming and they just gouge, gouge, gouge because they think everyone is making Congressional salaries.”

“Oh, well, it would be that way there, wouldn't it?”

“Yeah, but what you have in D.C., is a whole city paying the price over what maybe two hundred people make. It's ridiculous, but we've gotten used to it. Just be thankful we're not in New York. Up there, it's crazy even by our standards.”

Chance looked surprised, “Really?!”

“Yeah, up there, I figure to go out and eat it's going to cost me two hundred dollars.”

“Oh man, you could feed a huge table full of people here for that!”

“Yeah, now you see why I really want to get here.” Sling said sounding more sure of his decision by the minute. “Over there is a grocery store and after we eat, I want to go in there and see how much we're really getting taken. I know at home we're paying over a dollar a can for vegetables.”

Chance said, “Oh man, it's three for a dollar here!”

“You're shitting me!”

“Yeah, that's what I think because they used to be four for a dollar.”

“Oh man, kid, I'll have to fly over here to go grocery shopping.”

“Let me know and I'll find a way of getting groceries up to you when I pick up bodies.”

I looked at Sling and said, “You do and I'll shoot your ass. That's a governmental aircraft.”

“Boss!”

“No, we'll think about flying home groceries tomorrow on the Lear, but please don't consider putting groceries on the Ghost.”

“Sheesh, can't get anything by him!” Sling said smiling.

“I know it's tempting Sling, but the second you do, we'll have to do emergency maneuvers and we'll have groceries flying all over the back back there. Two weeks later, we'll think one of those cans has cracked open because something's smelling and then, we'll find some bad hamburger. It's not going to happen!”

“Ok, but what if the kid tapes it up real good?”

I looked over at Chance and said, “Tell him I told you no!”

“He said to tell you he said No.”

Sling smiled and said, “But tomorrow we can grocery shop, right?”

“Yeah, providing you're not cramming that plane so full we're in over weight.”

“We'll be under weight even if I have to take my shoes and socks off!” Sling said smiling.

“We'll really need oxygen then.”

The tortilla chips were good. I was hungrier than I thought and the huge bowl they brought was quickly consumed. About the time I was thinking to ask for another, the waiter brought a huge tray loaded with some sizzling skillets and set it down by our table.

Each skillet looked like it was enough to feed a family. It was a stirfry of vegetables, shrimp, chicken breast, and beef steak. The aroma was wonderful. The waiter put huge platters out and to the sides of us holding guacamole, shredded lettuce, melted shredded cheese, refried beans, diced fresh tomatoes, and then off to another side were three dinner plates stacked with hot tortillas.

I looked at Chance and he was smiling. “See, this part here is yours, that's mine, and that over there is Sling's!

Sling said, “Man, June can't get here fast enough! Look at all this for ten bucks!”

“Yeah, I'm wondering where I'm going to put it all. Like a dumb ass, I filled up on them tortilla chips.”

“Don't worry, they'll give us to go boxes, but wait until they bring desert.”

“What desert.”

“The fried ice cream. It comes with every order.”

Sling looked at me and said, “Eight dollars by itself back home!”

“I know Sling, I know! I'm wondering how they make any money.”

Chance said, “I don't know, but they've been in business forever it seems. The only thing they've changed is that smoking section back there. It used to be the kids section, but now it's where they put everyone that smokes.”

“I'm surprised they allow them in the restaurant.”

“They can here, but they have to have their own section. The thing is, back there is where it was funnest because it's up high and the kids thought it was neat to go sit like the adults. Now, they have to sit with their parents. I loved coming here because it meant I didn't get yelled at to hurry up and eat and get told what to eat...or else.”

Sling said, “Man, until you said that, I'd forgotten what that was like. I hated that.”

Chance looked down and said, “Well, most kids didn't have parents like ours. Thank God.”

Sling looked up at Chance and said, “Yours was worse. I only got the mental abuse.”

Chance nodded and said, “Well, things are brighter now, I've got someone who wonders where we're going to put it all. Just wait, he'll be amazed at how much of that stuff he'll down.. Now, watch me and I'll show you how it's done. All you have to do is fold these tortillas like little pouches and make 'em like ice cream cones. They're wonderful.”

He folded the tortilla shell into thirds and then, he folded the bottom up. When he held it in his hand, it did look like a little ice cream cone.

“What you do is you throw in a little of the refried beans, lettuce and tomatoes. Then, you put meat filler in and then put that cheese and sour cream on top from that little dish. You'll wonder how you ever got by not eatting so good.”

He took a huge bite out of his and said, “Eat up, I showed you. Now, it's your turns!” He said, chewing and smiling.

“You two eating and talking with your mouths full.” said Sling. “I can't take you guys anywhere. Boss, you found someone like you! I can't believe it.”

I chuckled and then began making my own version of what Chance had done. He said, “Nah, don't fold the bottom until last. Otherwise, you'll wear it.”

“Ok youngin'” I did as he instructed and then once I got mine done, I took a bite. The combination of the three meats together with the vegetables was wonderful. “Mmmm, I think I just found my new favorite restaurant.”

“No, this is just one. There are several around here that you'll really love.”

“We'll have to come back more often and get the complete tour.”

Sling said, “Next week. We're off as of next Wednesday. On Wednesday night, if we talk right to our friend over there, he could meet us at the airport in St. Louis.”

Chance said, “Oh man, that soon!”

“Yeah, then we'll be off for a month and we'll be here to go house hunting.”

Chance smiled and said, “Do you want me to schedule views of those houses?”

“Yeah and any more like them you can think. If I know Sling, he'll be telling everyone and he'll have most of the future retirees from Langley coming to join us.”

Sling blushed and said, “Well, how can I not tell everyone about this place! Look at everything! It's like a mecca for me. I know I can retire out to someplace, have an awesome house I probably couldn't ever afford there and have things way cheaper and NOT have to go to Mexico to do it!”

He looked over at Chance and said, “What's their hospital like here? Do they take military insurance?”

Chance said, “I don't know, but Mexico, Missouri does, I know that. The preacher lady had that insurance.”

“What!”

“Yeah...oh, maybe that was a breach of confidentiality. I shouldn't have said something.”

“No, go ahead. She had military insurance?!”

“Yeah, it's all over her paperwork we got from the hospital when we went to claim her body.”

“Oh man, that meant she was still on the military payroll.”

“How's that, she wasn't working for the military?” Chance asked.

“In order to get that insurance, you have to either retire from military service, or you have to be active military. She wasn't even a widow of a vet or anything. I sure can't see how she got that off.”

Chance said, “Well, don't say anything because I really shouldn't have said anything. Lance will shoot me if he knows I broke confidentiality.”

“I won't” I said. “The way I see it, we're going to say things in front of you that are breaches, so if you say something, then you can rest assured I'm not going to say anything. What's said between us, stays with us. Ok?”

Chance looked up and said, “Ok, but I still feel bad. I feel like I've got a big mouth. If Lance finds out I said anything, he'll be so disappointed in me and his opinion of me means a lot to me.”

“Ok, don't worry.” I said trying to reassure him.

Sling gave me a look like we'd talk about this later, and I knew as he did something wasn't right in Denmark, but I really think that location should be more closer to the Vatican. I'm just wondering if something else isn't more closer than that.

The things going on in my mind were stacking. First of all, Chance isn't who he was raised being. The lady preacher we find out is either military, or retired military, and neither add up. She had a medal and has no military service on her record. I can guarantee you that guy named Scott didn't just hand her one of his. I'm betting more like she was a secret op and if that's the case, then it's Secret Service as that's who issued the medal and why on earth would she be a secret op and suddenly get pregnant?

For me, that started dominoes falling and me knowing the way things are done, I know anything could be possible. Just about the time you think things are as they seem with secret ops, you find out it was smoke and mirrors and something else entirely was happening.

Those dominoes in my mind falling weren't good. They had me questioning Chance's dna and the fingers pointed all the way back to the Vatican and what was up there. The one person I knew who could dig deeper than me without being discovered was 'Uncle Sam'.

'Uncle Sam' is the nickname of a guy we met one night at a gay bar. Sling and I went there alone just to have a few beers and the guy was there. He had military hair cut and just reeked of military. One thing led to another and Sling ended up taking the guy home.

What ended up happening was Uncle Sam did a background search on Sling and I got a hit on it in my computer system. The way that goes is if someone is getting searched that works for me, or myself, then I get a hit on it through the FBI database. It notifies me one of my employees is at risk with confidential information. So, what I did was found the guy who did it and then began doing searches on him. He got offended and accused Sling of not trusting him. The end of that story is we met in the bar and all sat down and had a come to Jesus meeting.

He told his background and I told him I did the search on him. Both of us realized we were in special ops and our security had been breached. What we discovered is he's the pilot of the plane that flies the prisoners of war to the 'undisclosed locations' around the world.

The interesting thing is he told us and then, once we started paying attention, we realized our hangars were located next to each other at Langley. The difference is they keep their hangar door open when they're prepping their plane and we don't. So, we got a real good look at it. Once we knew what it looked like, we started seeing the plane in different locations.

What ended up happening is Sling and he didn't work out. That's not unusual, but what is unusual is he began telling us we were handling some of the bodies he was taking over there, but now, we were going and getting them to put into our federal morgues.

What we did, was in our opening ourselves up to him, we began hearing all sorts of things. It seems Sam networks with a lot of other special op people and he can get information through the whisper network. When we have questions, we ask and he puts it out to people he knows he can get answers back. It's came in really handy in a lot of different situations.

When dinner was over, Chance said, “Do you want me to take you to a motel now? Or, do you want to drive around town?”

“Let's drive around town and let us see what it's like.”

“Ok” he smiled.

We got in his Escalade and he took us downtown. The first place he took us was up to the lighthouse. Yeah, Hannibal, Missouri has a lighthouse. Why? Who the fuck knows, but it's billed as the lighthouse that's furthest inland than any other. They're right on the Mississippi, so maybe that's it. What I do know is the way the town has their tourist area to the late great Mark Twain and Molly Brown, it's probably for one of those two.

What's interesting is the town is also a boyhood home to the man that our Lear jet is named after. I guess he's originally from there.

As we drove, Chance was rattling off tidbits of trivia a mile a minute such as things about Admiral Dewey, and Admiral Coontz. There are several other notable people from the town such as a fictional character named Col. Sherman T Potter...who actually was a real person, but from a different time period than the Korean war as depicted on M*A*S*H. He drove us by the Sherman Potter house and a bunch of others.

What I did learn was the Pony Express was put out of business by the train that went from Hannibal to St. Joseph. Everyone knows about the Pony Express, but no one knows much about how it got put out of business. I do know one thing and that was the cost of a letter going across the country back then was horrendous. Just imagine if you will mailing a letter and upping the cost of nearly a years salary...back then, it was nearly ten dollars and the average American only made something like twenty dollars a year. What's not in those figures is the people out in the rural parts of the country made far less than that. Makes you think a whole lot different about the cost of a stamp now, doesn't it?

Interestingly, I got to see how popular Chance was with a bunch of people. The town only has one main drag and it's like twelve blocks long. Broadway as they call it is a four lane stretch of street downtown that after dark, the businesses all shut and the kids cruise up and down wasting gas.

Chance drove us to the riverfront, and down near there is what the call the “gravel pit”. What it is, is a huge gravel parking lot where kids who don't want to waste gas all park. Chance pulled in and immediately as soon as people realized it was him driving the Escalade, they began flocking to the truck. Sling and I got introduced and Chance did sort of break confidentiality by introducing Sling as a hotshot military pilot. Guys instantly began talking to Sling and I got introduced as Chance's boyfriend who was also in the military.

What was neat was I was instantly worried about Chance outting himself. He didn't seem to be worried and everyone didn't mind, it seemed. That one tidbit I did notice because I was worried how the town would handle people being gay. At least with the younger generation, I found it was cool. They knew enough gay people it didn't seem to phase them.

When we left the gravel pit, Chance said, “I'll tell you why everyone is so cool with finding out I'm gay and are cool with Gays in general around here. When Lance was in school, he nearly committed suicide from the harassment he suffered in high school. As popular as he is now, he was a dweeb back then. The one man that changed it all is Allen Korf. Over there behind the high school, you'll see a huge gymnasium called Korf fieldhouse. That man is the one that got the anti bullying and zero tolerance measures put through into policy in our schools. Each year, we'd have an assembly after that and we were told there was not going to be any of that tolerated. We were also told zero tolerance meant the first time it occurred, we were out. The first year it was implemented, a school board member's son got thrown out. We knew then absolutely no one was going to be above the rules. Then, the next year, we had a school board President that was told either to resign or be fired for his comments about a slow student. It was really then that we knew we weren't going to get anything to fly.”

“Man, that took nuts the size of beach balls.” I said thinking about the way there was a double standard.

“Yeah, and as people started getting thrown out, we were seeing the ones that were being pushed around start to take initiative and feel empowered. One of the first was Ty. When he came out of the closet at school, about four guys got thrown out and he ended up being elected to being student council Vice President.”

“You had to be proud of him for that.”

“No, not really, by then we weren't having anything to do with each other because of my manipulating him.”

His voice choked up and he said, “I really hate myself over that.”

“Don't hate yourself, just do what you can to make things better in the future.”

“I am.”

Sling spoke up and said, “If that guy that the gymnasium has a building named after him, that means he's dead. That wasn't that long ago if it was when Lance was the reason, was it?”

“No, from what Lance said, in Lance's senior year, right before graduation, Mr. Korf's heart literally exploded. I guess the guy had an enlarged heart and he would rather take care of a student's needs as a guidance counselor than his own.”

“Oh man, that's sad.”

“Yeah, I never met him, but Lance gets to talking about the guy and you'll see Lance worships the ground the guy walked on.”

“I imagine I know what it was like to be bullied too, but mine was from a different source. Mine was a Commander.”

Sling sat forward and said, “What you talking about.”

“Before I went to Iraq, I had a Commander over here that would call me into his office and just berate the hell out of me telling me he knew I was a cocksucker and said he had reports of people seeing me walking out of gay bars. I knew it wasn't true because back then, I didn't even go into them. I think the guy wanted me to admit it because he had the hots for me, but I don't know.”

“What happened to him? He retire out?”

“No, he got involved in some sort of affair that got him demoted all the way down and he left in disgrace. Hopefully, he slithered back under whatever rock he crawled.”

“Another case of someone who shouldn't have been in authority. Just wait, you'll see 'Who' get that way.”

“I don't know. Maybe he'll surprise us.”

“I doubt it. I know 'Freeze' isn't looking forward to it. He's looking at going forward and knows just as soon as he does, he'll be in the cockpit of One with him and it'll be a mess.”

“Hopefully common sense will prevail.”

“Nah, I was hopin' you could pull him off to the side and give him a talking to.”

“Maybe I'll do that, but we've only got two more months on and two off and I'll be retired out.”

Chance said, “Who flies your plane when you guys are off?”

“There's another crew of four guys. They're all real decent, but they're all straight as arrows. That's why they're on then. I didn't want anything to jeopardize us. At first when we started, it was Sling and I with two of them. A few comments were made that had me requesting a second crew. When 9-11 happened, I sought the funds to get the second crew and was told it was mine to run, so do it. The only thing that I didn't get to select 100% was the guys. I had a roster of them to choose and that's all I had to pick from.'Who' and 'Freeze' were candidates that stuck out. 'Freeze' took a look at my cock the first moment he walked into the room for the interview and immediately had me thinking to put him on our crew. With 'Who', I'd heard scuttlebutt and got him put on.”

Sling said, “You see this Chance, I've known him all this time and never heard this before. You make this guy loosen up and I like that.”

“Shush back there. You're heard things no one else has too.”

“Yeah, but we've been friends for going on fifteen years. Chance over there has known you for a week.”

“Feeling jealous bitch!”

“Oh yeah, you know the only reason why I'm your best friend and not your boyfriend is because neither one of us would call the other daddy.”

Chance laughed and said, “So, I'm supposed to call you daddy?”

“No only Sling back there fantasizes about someone calling him daddy.”

Chance laughed and said, “Sling Daddy that don't even sound right”

“Didn't to me either” I chuckled.

We pulled up at a real nice motel downtown and Chance said, “This is the nicest in town. They're all suites and they've completely remodeled the place last year. There aren't going to be any kids partying here like the others.”

“Ok, how much this place cost?”

“I think it's sixty nine dollars. It's the most expensive in town.”

Sling said, “See, even our friends who come in and stay aren't going to go broke. This place is nice and back home, it'd be a least a three hundred and fifty.”

We went in and the lobby looked better than a lot of nice hotels I'd stayed. We went over and asked for a double. The guy asked to see photo I.D., and I pulled out my military I.D.. He smiled and said he would upgrade us simply because we were military. I told him it wasn't necessary and he said, “No, Most people think it's not necessary to represent our country and fight for it. It's necessary for me to support the military in my own way back home.”

We got our room key and Chance went up with us. As soon as we went into the center part of the donut shaped building, the swimming pool was there. The heat from it filled the room. Chance said, “Wanna skinnydip?”

“It'd be too inviting, but....oh man, none of those houses have a pool, do they?”

Chance smiled and said, “No, but the first one we looked at has a backyard big enough. The other, the house is for sale behind it and that lot is big enough to put a garage and a swimming pool.”

“The tudor is not a good idea, huh” I looked at him.

“It's a beautiful house, but it's squeezed onto that lot with it being put on it at an angle.”

I looked at him and said, “What do you think we should do?”

“The Queen Anne is the one I'd like. It being for one sixty five and the house behind it being for fifty grand, would make both of them two thirty. If you want a pool and a garage of any size, I'd say get it and plan on spending three hundred for the two. Now, if you'd like, I can pay half and then, we can get a roof on it and make sure it's a lifetime deal without any further maintenance except for the painting.”

I looked at Sling and said, “Which one do you want the most?”

He smiled and said, “My favorite of them all is the first one we looked at. To me, it's almost identical to the Home Alone house.”

“Yeah, that it is, isn't it? I never thought of that.”

“Yeah, I could see going in and decorating that thing up in wallpapers and borders and if it doesn't have hardwood floors, having those with runners on the stairs. Then, give me a wingback chair and I'm happy.”

Chance chuckled and said, “He sounds like he's going to be real domestic.”

When we got to the room, we went in and I was surprised at how nice it was. They advertised a dual bed suite and I thought it'd be a regular dual bed room. What it was is like a complete two bedroom apartment. It had a mini kitchen/breakfast nook/living room and each bed was in it's own bedroom with each having their own television and bathroom. I was impressed with how much we got for how little.”

Chance said, “The regular suite he upgraded you from doesn't have the jacuzzi tub and doesn't have that fireplace, but that's about the only differences.”

“I'm impressed. I'm thinking about us renting this room while I'm here. What do you think?”

“It doesn't bother me. I'm staying at Lance and Ty's, so I can shack here if you'd like. As long as I have my cell and keep my Escalade, I'm cool.” He smiled and said, “You're going to be looking at those print outs and really getting into this, aren't you?”

“Nah, you said which one you want, that's all that matters to me. Why don't I go ahead and tell them we'll take it and then we'll get my bank in D.C to wire the funds.”

“Whatever you want. If you want, what I can do is buy the one behind it and order it to be torn down. Then, I can pay for the garage and swimming pool. It should come out about even unless you want me to pay for the roof on the house too.”

I smiled at him and said, “You might ask around for any good antique stores.”

“I've already got Lance. I'll ask him. He knows where all the good ones are.”

We sat down and just held hands. He looked at me and smiled and then leaned over and kissed me. “I've wanted to do that all night.”

“Me too. There wasn't any time.”

Sling was in his room unpacking and then, as soon as he was finished taking his shower, he came into the living area too. I already knew Sling would have his suitcase unpacked and things in drawers. Yeah, you didn't hear me wrong, he stays in a place overnight and makes himself at home. The man refuses to get dressed out of a suitcase.”

Sling came over and said, “Let me see my printout.”

He began looking at his and said, “It says mine has a new furnace and a new asphalt driveway; That garage stinks, but hey, for that price, I'll have it looking real good in no time.” He looked at Chance and said, “You happen to go through these yet?”

Chance nodded and said, “I've been through yours and ours, but the lady that has the Tudor requires a two week appointment.”

I looked at Sling and said, “I think we ought to go ahead and get it and then, we can fix it up and show it around and make a good return on it.”

Sling smiled and said, “I think all we'd have to do is turn it and let the person that bought it from us do the repairs. I'm thinking if we took it and made a file of a bunch more photos and just showed it to people, they'd snatch it for two hundred.”

“I'm thinking that too, but I thought we could do the repairs and sell it for two fifty.”

Sling smiled and said, “You thinking who I am?”

“Yeah, he's about to retire out too. Us three retiring together would be excellent.”

Chance said, “Who's that?”

“His real name is Floyd, but we've been referring to him as Uncle Sam because he looks like the guy in the posters.”

“Oh, what you need to know though is it's two hours to St. Louis and at least five hours to Chicago. The local airport has a runway that's long, but no jet fuel. The Lear should do good on it, but I'd be worried about anything bigger.”

Sling said, “Where they going to put the Sukhoi?”

“In Quincy. That runway would handle it, don't you think?”

“Easily. Let me do some checking and see what the runway is like here. Quincy's in real rough shape of losing their airport and if they do, everyone who has a plane there will be told to get their plane out within thirty days.”

Chance nodded and said, “Let me go get my laptop.”

“No, I've got mine” said Sling

He went in and got his and then we all sat on the sofa together. The wireless internet was really fast. Sling did a search with just Hannibal, Missouri on it and got all sorts of things. They began to look, and the more they discovered, the more they liked. One thing we did do, was we decided to contact the Chamber of Commerce and get some street maps. Chance wanted us to get them since he said even for a life long resident, the streets are tough to navigate because streets apparently end and begin at will due to it being a hilly town.

We continued to sit and browse the internet and found the airport is able to easily hold a Sukhoi. The only issue is the jet fuel. I told Chance I'd call in my official capacity and attempt to speak to Jeff LaGarce who is the city manager to get the needed facilities.

We sat and then, after a while, Sling noticed we weren't interested in browsing the internet further. He made his leave and it left Chance and I alone to talk.

Chance smiled and said, “I hope you don't mind me being so honest earlier?”

“About what?”

“Me being so manipulative in my other relationships.”

“No, the way I see it, we've all done things in our past which we need to leave in the past. If it becomes a problem, then we'll discuss it, but let's not drag things in which won't be.

“Ok”

I looked at Chance and said, “Are you sure you're wanting to go into this?”

“Sure. The only things I'm worried about is me working so much.”

“No, I understand you wanting to further yourself. Heck, if I was as young as you and had the opportunities you've got, I'd be snatching them.”

“Ok, but Lance did say he'd like to speak with you about getting into the national morgue with him.”

“Ok, why don't you give him a call.”

“I doubt if he's done with the visitation.”

“What time is it?”

“It's about 8:30.”

“Ok, how about if we go to the funeral home and then, we can speak with him. Do you think he'd mind?”

“No, I doubt it. He'll be tired, but if you learn anything about Lance is he doesn't sleep a whole lot.”

“Why not?”

“He can get by for a long time on very little sleep.”

“Oh, how does he do it?”

“He takes cat naps all day long. He's got himself programmed to go in and get fifteen minutes at a time and he can go for a long time only getting about two hours altogether a day.”

“Oh man, that has to be rough on his system.”

“Yeah, but after a few days, he and Ty settle into a pattern where they'll sleep together. He's made jokes about not ever having as much sleep as he does now since Ty came into his life.”

“I imagine! I know having you to sleep next to at night is going to make me want to go to bed!” I smiled.

He smiled and said, “You know, the more I get to know you, the more attractive I'm finding you.”

“Why?”

“I don't know. The first night, I saw you as someone who was just really ruggedly attractive. Now, I look at you and your eyes and your smile are drawing me in, but sitting next to you, I feel your body and I find it amazing because I just feel drawn to you for the security. Does that make sense?”

“Yeah, you've not had a real good life. Someone who you can feel secure with is going to be attractive to you.”

“I feel that, but maybe it's your age. Maybe I feel like you've got knowledge which isn't going to let me get by with childishness and at the same time, I can feel you're also someone who will step in and not let me get blindsided by others.”

“No, I'll tell you now that I consider us to be a tag team. When one comes at us, we're going to be together and I'm not going to have you taking anything on alone. I'm hoping you won't let me dangle out there by myself either.”

He hugged me and I wrapped my arms around him. As we hugged, I felt parts of me opening up which I'd never felt before. It was strange but I wanted him to know more and more about me.

I said, “Hon...”

He looked up at me.

“....When I get back to D.C., I'm going to get us some cell phones which are the walkie talkie type. They only cost a dollar a day with that feature and that way, we can communicate wherever we are.”

“Why wait until D.C.? We have those here.”

“Ok, let's tell Sling we're going and then go get some. Where do we get them?”

“Wal-Mart has the phones and the cards. Then, all we have to do is activate them.”

“Ok”

We stood up and then went into Sling's room. He looked up from browsing his laptop and said, “This town is so neat. There's tons of stuff I'm finding we can do here!”

“Good. Listen, Chance and I are going to go out to Wal-Mart to get a couple of Nextel phones. We've decided to get them so we can use the walkie talkies to talk to each other. Are you going to find it a problem with me using it on the plane?”

“You're the Captain.”

“No, you're the pilot and I know it's off reg., so I want you to have that input.”

“I don't foresee any problems. You might want to get a headset for privacy, but other than that, I don't see any issues. If Freeze or 'Who has an issue, fuck 'em.”

“No, I want to make sure we're not stepping on toes.”

“No, I don't see a problem and I don't think Freeze or 'Who will have issues either. If they do, I'll tell them I've not seen anyone change you like he has and they'll see it themselves.”

“Ok, after that, we're going to go to the funeral home. I want to speak with Lance about the national morgue and getting that going. He's said to Chance he'd like for me to work here on that. I figure it'd be a nice income.”

Chance spoke up and said, “Yeah, Lance really pays good. The night we had to wait, he gave Ty and I both a third of the wait money and he didn't have to do that.”

“No, he sure didn't. That had to be a nice surprise.”

“Yeah! It made it nice because I was only interested in the job and then, he did that and I was really blown away.”

Sling smiled and said, “Man, that's be a nice payday.”

I looked at Sling and said, “If we can get in on the ground floor of it with him, then we'll have a good retirement.”

“Nah, I'm only interested in flying. See if they're really interested in having me as a pilot and seeing what they'll pay. I'll also need benefits that supplement the Military retirement benefits.”

“Ok”

We left and when we got to the Escalade, Chance put his hand out and I held it. He smiled and began to drive.

Notes From Retta:

Hi everyone. This story has taken off to a great start compared to how it was for “Buckets”. To those of you who send feedback telling me you either like it or hate it, I appreciate the words of encouragement. Your emails mean the world to me.

As you can see, we're in testing with HTML. I like the background color and the fonts looking as they do. We're working on things, so please be patient.

“From My Keyboard To Your Heart”,

Retta

RettaMichaels@Gmail.com

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