Three To One, page 12
“But don’t show weakness, either. He can smell weakness.”
“Okay, Kilo.”
“Alright, here we go.” They walked within fifty feet of the Blue sparkle sedan with tinted windows and stood still. Out the side of his mouth, Kilo whispered “take your hands out of your pockets, so they can see ‘em.” After a minute, the door opened, and a tall lanky guy unfolded himself out of the back seat. He was dressed in plain clothes, could blend in with any crew anywhere. He walked up to them and stared at them.
“Kneecap, this little man’s Slayah. He’s the one I told you about.” It seemed like he said it with some pride.
Kneecap stared down at Slayah with no expression. Scary dude.
“You don’t look like much.”
“I know that. But I’m packin’.”
“You think a big gun makes a big man?”
“No sir. I earned my colors with a knife.”
Kneecap nodded, kept starin’.
“So now you’re upwardly mobile. You got big plans for yerself?”
“No sir. I’m just here to carry my weight for the good a the crew.”
Kneecap nodded. “That’s a good answer. You come up with that, or someone told you to say that?”
“Nobody told me what to say.”
“I scare you boy?”
“A little.”
Kneecap got a big smile. “I like it. A man who can be honest with himself about his fear, and still stand his ground.”
Slayah smiled. Kneecap stopped smiling. So did Slayah.
“My advice for you? You gonna survive into a full-grown man, remember this. What you got tucked in the back of your pants don’t mean snot. He reached over and poked a long bony finger into Slayah’s chest. It’s what you’re packin' in here that matters. Feel me?”
Slayah nodded.
Kneecap looked at Kilo. “I’ll give him his shot. I’ll call you later with the when and where. This task is important. He screws this up, you’re both responsible.”
“My man’s trustworthy, Kneecap.”
Kneecap nodded, then turned and headed to the car. Without looking back, he said “Li’l man, I be watchin’ you.”
September 21
Wheels checked all quadrants silently, as he eased the big Lincoln into a spot by the curb, just ahead of a green dumpster. That gave him protection on his four o’clock position. Scanning the area again, he saw no recognizable threats. A few cops coming and going, but they couldn’t touch ‘em. No rivals anywhere that he could see.
He glanced in the mirror at his passenger, but only a glance. Big Guy didn’t like to be “eye-balled.” Wheels kept the car running. They weren’t going to hang around in front of the jail for long, that much was sure. He left enough room in front of him for a fast escape and didn’t even put it in park. He kept his foot on the brake, kept scanning the mirrors and the street ahead for anything out of place. Anything happen to Big Guy on his watch, he’d be dead for sure.
A couple seconds went by, and the door opened at the top of the steps. The little hooker chick came bouncing down, shaking it to make it, a big scowling cop eyeballin’ her out the window as she left. Big Guy lowered the window about an inch, so she could bend over and peer in.
“Hey, Honeysuckle.”
“My name’s Trixie.”
“I don’t give a bent stick what your name is, Honeysuckle. How ‘bout lean in here and show me some Ta-Ta?” Wheels tried to see if he could see anything, but he couldn’t. He went back to checking the mirrors.
“Mr. Sir said to put a little extra in there, on account a you had to go in and talk to the five-O in person.” Big Guy slipped a fat envelope out the window, the little hooker chick took it, and stuffed it in her top. Like she needed any help in that department.
“They said Kujo’d be a free man shortly.”
In the mirror Wheels saw her swingin’ her bidniss down the sidewalk, and he heard Guy snap is fingers. He hit the accelerator, swung out, stopping traffic. Big Guy don’t like to wait on no one.
September 23
Deuce was enjoying the morning air. Walking the park was a great way to start the day, inhaling cool breaths, letting them out slowly, sorting thoughts, clearing his mind. It was strange, not having to hurry. He knew his key people had everything covered, and his phone wasn't ringing. He was entering a new phase of his life, and he needed to get ahead of it and formulate a plan.
He’d never been one to wander. From the time he got into high school, he’d been driven. Racking up college credit in high school, so that he could be ahead when he got to college. Early morning workouts while he was finishing his degree, so that he’d be ready for whatever the Marine Corps was going to throw at him. Hustling like crazy to build his business when he got out of the Corps. Some regrets there. Those few short years he had with Beth. He wished he could have worked less then.
After he lost her, he was double-timing it as a single dad for the rest of his life, trying to keep the business growing, while being everywhere Peregrine needed him to be. It had been tough. One long series of white-water falls, fighting to navigate his kayak, little Peregrine holding on for dear life in the back. Now, suddenly, Peregrine didn’t need him any more than his business did. The rapids had opened up into a wide lake, water smooth as glass. No current. Nothing pulling or pushing him. Just sitting motionless, with no idea where to paddle to. It was getting boring.
Ahead, he saw a figure standing by a park bench. He knew that posture. That authoritative, I’ve got the world by the tail, but it’s no big deal look. His Buddy Phil. It had been a while. Deuce smiled as he walked up to him. Phil bobbed his head back and kept talking into the microphone on his earbuds.
“Hey, Danny, let me call you back later, alright? There’s someone here I need to catch up with. Yeah, of course. We’ll go catch a game. Soon. Okay, man. Take it easy.”
He popped out his earbuds and smiled.
“Deuce, my man, how are you?”
“I’m good, Phil. How’s everything?”
“Great. Fantastic, really. I’m living the dream.”
“How are things with your empire, now that you mention it?”
“You didn’t hear? I sold it. Cashed out and walked away clean.”
“Wow. No kidding. Good for you. So, what now?”
Phil pointed at the folded-up paper and laughed.
“I’m working to get up to speed as a full-time trader.”
“Oh, wow. I bet that’s a change.”
“Yeah, a different lifestyle. I’m not sure I’m going to like it yet. I spend a lot of time in a room by myself staring at the computer screen. After running a bustling company for twenty years, it’s a big adjustment.”
“Nobody to bring you coffee, that’s really it, isn’t it?”
Phil Laughed.
“Yeah, man, you’ve got me.” A big smile.
“I probably should be thinking about making some kind of change,” Deuce said, “But I haven’t figured out what yet.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I’ve got strong people in the key positions. Young, with lots of energy. Sometimes I think I need to step back, so that they can stretch out and run with it.”
“That’s awesome. Maybe it is time.”
“Well, at the very least, I should make time for a round of golf. What do you say?”
“Absolutely. We should take a weekend, go somewhere nice.”
“Let’s do it. I’ll drive. We can take the G5.”
“Now you’re talkin.” Another big smile from Phil.
“Okay, I’ll call you and we’ll set it up. Soon.”
“I’ll probably have my phone in my hand when you call,” Phil laughed.
“Sounds good. Have a great day, alright?”
“Ditto. A quick fist bump, and Phil started dialing as Deuce walked away.
That was great, to hear Phil was doing so well. It was definitely time for Deuce to make some decisions about this new chapter in his life. He breathed deep again, looked around at the beauty of the park, the trees. Wait. There was a guy staring at him. Deuce tried to act casual.
He wasn’t imagining it. There was a kid, maybe early twenties. A skinny, scroungy kid. Like a homeless person, only young. He was doing this annoying stealth thing, which wouldn’t fool anybody. Sneaking from tree to tree. He obviously didn’t have any training in surveillance.
Deuce turned and looked directly at him, caught him between hiding places. The kid froze. Deuce started walking right toward him. The kid bolted, turned to run, but he was limping, like it really hurt. Like he had been hit by a truck or something. Deuce watched him go up and over Beacon Street, then disappear into one of the side streets. Weird. What the heck was that about?
“Hey, Deuce. How’s your day going?” Coming at him through his blue tooth ear buds.
“Hello, David. The day’s going well. How about yours?”
“Fantastic. And I’m about to make your day a lot better.”
“Really? Good. Fire away.”
“In the last ninety minutes, I’ve closed two major contracts.”
“Did you? Congratulations. Nice work. Is it the executive shuttle deal?”
“Yes, that one, and before I even had time to call you and tell you I had closed, a new deal called in out of the blue, for a big cargo opportunity flying out of Kansas.”
“Wow. And you closed it, just like that?”
“I think so. I need you to do a face to face with both of the clients, and put the ink on the pages, but I’m pretty sure those deals are yours for the taking.”
“David, you’re doing a great job. Set up the meet and greets, and I’ll go do the contract signings.”
“That’s the only catch.”
“Okay?”
“Both clients are in a hurry to get the contracts signed ahead of big meetings next week. They want you to meet them this weekend.”
“Oh. Damn. That’s my big road trip.”
“Yeah, I know, Boss. Sorry about that. The two deals together represent $3.6 million annual revenue. We’ll need to expand the fleet to accommodate them.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
“Sorry about that. I know you’ve been looking forward to that trip.”
“Ah, well. I can do it another week. Reserve the G5 for me, and I’ll try to put something together so that the trip can be a mix of business and pleasure.”
“Okay, Deuce. Thanks.”
“Oh, and David, talk to scheduling and see if you can get Amanda lined up to work these flights for me.”
“No problem.”
“And David?”
“Yeh, Deuce?”
“Nice job. Really. Great work.”
An hour later, Deuce put his feet up on his desk and leaned back while he waited for the answer.
“Maintenance shop.”
“Hey, Mac! It’s Deuce. How you doing?”
“Flying straight and level, boss. No hiccups to report.”
“Glad to hear it, Mac. How’re things at home?”
“This is a social call? Things are good. Patty’s getting used to the idea of having two Marines in the family.”
“Yeah, congratulations on that again, Mac. What do you hear from Joey?”
“Not much. You know how it is. Lots of P.T., lots of book work.”
“Yeah. He’s gonna excel. He’s a great kid. Watch out, I don’t hire him to replace you. I could probably get him cheaper.”
“Oh, okay, Boss. Now I understand. This is a motivational call.”
Deuce laughed. “No, actually Mac, I’m calling to ask a favor. I need you to run an errand for me. Do you and Patty have any plans for this weekend?”
“Sorry, Deuce. Patty’s out. She’s away at her sisters for a girly thing. I’m bachin’ it till next week.”
“No kidding? This might work out perfect. You feel like getting some fresh air?”
September 24
“Hey, Dad. What’s up?” Peregrine sounded upbeat.
“Not much. Just calling to see if you could get away this weekend. I need to take a hop over to L.A. and I could use a co-pilot. Can you get free?”
“Isn’t this the weekend of your big road trip?”
“It was supposed to be. Two important contracts dropped out of the sky, so I’ve got to do a couple handshakes. I thought we could fly out together, and then you fly back with another pilot.”
“How are you getting back?”
“Mac is meeting me in L.A. with the roadster. I’m going to try to salvage the last half of my mid-life soul searching trip. He’ll hitch a ride home with you. Are you game?”
“I’d love to, Dad. Let me see if I can arrange it. When would we leave?”
“Wheels up around eleven hundred Friday if you can swing it. That would allow us to grab some lunch, then be in Charleston in time for my 3pm meeting. We can hang out there overnight, and then hit my tarmac luncheon in Kansas City on Saturday. Then it’s on to LA. to meet up with Mac.”
“The Dean’s going to ask me if this is business or pleasure.”
“Flying with me? I assumed that would always be considered a pleasure.”
Peregrine laughed, and Deuce drank in the sound. It seemed like life was really going well for Peregrine. Finally.
“Let me check it out, Dad. I might be able to get away from campus without anybody raising too much of a fuss, as long as I’m back by Monday.”
“Okay, Sounds good. Let me know, Okay?”
“Will do.”
“I love you, Son.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
September 25
It seemed like everything in the world was about as perfect as it could be. Wednesday morning, crisp air rushing in the truck window. The dew-soaked grass along the runway was still mostly green. There had already been a couple light frosts, but today was beautiful. Everything was golden in the light of a new day. Deuce couldn’t stop smiling. He didn’t want to. He was a firm believer that when you get a good day, you celebrate it.
He had happy tunes thumping as he rolled his pickup toward the hanger bay doors and parked it next to his gleaming little roadster. He put the truck in park, and sat for a second, playing air drums, waiting for that great guitar solo that was coming up.
Mac walked out of the big hanger door, smiling, shaking his head. He was wearing khakis and a polo shirt, wiping his hands on a red shop rag.
Deuce shut off the stereo and got out.
“Mac, how many times do I have to remind you that you are not a grease monkey anymore?”
“Sorry, Sir. It doesn’t work like that. Once that grease gets in your blood, no way to get it out.”
Deuce slapped him on the shoulder. Solid. Mac was a good guy. A zillion hours of aircraft maintenance for the Corps. He was one of the best hires Deuce had ever made. Now, eight years in, Mac was in charge of maintenance for the whole company. He could handle the responsibility in his sleep. Deuce had built a respectable charter business, but the maintenance work for the entire fleet was barely the equivalent of a single squadron in the corps.
Deuce handed Mac a set of keys, a fob that said, “I’d rather be flying.”
“Do me a favor, Mac, put a little Gojo on those hands before you get behind the wheel of the roadster.”
“No problem, boss. Sorry you don’t get to make the drive yourself.”
“Ah, well. Can’t really complain when big contracts drop into your lap. I’ll enjoy the return trip, and you can dead head back with Peregrine in the G550.”
“Tough life I’ve got here, Sir. I appreciate it.”
“Don’t hurry, Mac. I want you to have some fun. You get tired, get a room, have a nice dinner, a couple drinks, sit by a pool or something. I don’t need the Roadster in L.A. until Saturday Afternoon. Everything goes on the company card, Ok?”
“Thanks, Deuce. I’ll take good care of her for you.”
“I know that you will. I’m not the least bit concerned. When you get to a nice flat stretch of dessert, open her up, and blow the carbon out.”
Mac smiled. “More than happy to.”
Ten minutes later, Deuce was the one standing in the door of the hanger bay, throwing Mac a thumbs up as he drove off. Neither of them noticed the small pile of shining metal filings where the roadster had been parked.
September 26
“Good morning, St. Leo’s Catholic Church.” Her voice was friendly, very cheerful.
“Good morning, I am calling to see if I might schedule an appointment with a priest?”
“Okay, no problem. May I ask your name?”
“My name is Peregrine Faulk.”
“Okay, Mr. Faulk. May I ask what this is in reference to?” It sounded like a simple question. And yet, he didn’t have an answer ready.
“I… I guess I have some general questions about the Catholic faith.”
“Okay, our pastor, Father Bianchi, will be happy to meet with you. I have his schedule here. Let’s see… It looks like… how about next Monday, ten in the morning?”
“Uhm… I have a class at that time. Is there anything available on an afternoon?”
“Oh, you’re a student?”
“Well, no, I’m a professor. Over at IMT.”
“Oh, I see. Professor Faulk. I’ll make a note of that. He could meet with you Monday at 4pm. Would that be convenient?”
“That would be great.”
“Okay, sir. I have you scheduled Monday afternoon at 4pm. The office will be closed, so ring the bell, and Father John will come let you in.”
Thursday evening, Professor Faulk was working to get all the papers graded, so he could relax and enjoy the weekend trip with Dad. Grading was not his favorite job in the world, but he tried to make it interesting, by thinking of each student as an individual.
There were a few papers that gave him hope. Students who were retaining knowledge, or even better, gaining new insight. Thank God for the few. Most were disappointing. He wondered what it would be like to teach higher level courses, where students were attending by choice.
“Okay, Kilo.”
“Alright, here we go.” They walked within fifty feet of the Blue sparkle sedan with tinted windows and stood still. Out the side of his mouth, Kilo whispered “take your hands out of your pockets, so they can see ‘em.” After a minute, the door opened, and a tall lanky guy unfolded himself out of the back seat. He was dressed in plain clothes, could blend in with any crew anywhere. He walked up to them and stared at them.
“Kneecap, this little man’s Slayah. He’s the one I told you about.” It seemed like he said it with some pride.
Kneecap stared down at Slayah with no expression. Scary dude.
“You don’t look like much.”
“I know that. But I’m packin’.”
“You think a big gun makes a big man?”
“No sir. I earned my colors with a knife.”
Kneecap nodded, kept starin’.
“So now you’re upwardly mobile. You got big plans for yerself?”
“No sir. I’m just here to carry my weight for the good a the crew.”
Kneecap nodded. “That’s a good answer. You come up with that, or someone told you to say that?”
“Nobody told me what to say.”
“I scare you boy?”
“A little.”
Kneecap got a big smile. “I like it. A man who can be honest with himself about his fear, and still stand his ground.”
Slayah smiled. Kneecap stopped smiling. So did Slayah.
“My advice for you? You gonna survive into a full-grown man, remember this. What you got tucked in the back of your pants don’t mean snot. He reached over and poked a long bony finger into Slayah’s chest. It’s what you’re packin' in here that matters. Feel me?”
Slayah nodded.
Kneecap looked at Kilo. “I’ll give him his shot. I’ll call you later with the when and where. This task is important. He screws this up, you’re both responsible.”
“My man’s trustworthy, Kneecap.”
Kneecap nodded, then turned and headed to the car. Without looking back, he said “Li’l man, I be watchin’ you.”
September 21
Wheels checked all quadrants silently, as he eased the big Lincoln into a spot by the curb, just ahead of a green dumpster. That gave him protection on his four o’clock position. Scanning the area again, he saw no recognizable threats. A few cops coming and going, but they couldn’t touch ‘em. No rivals anywhere that he could see.
He glanced in the mirror at his passenger, but only a glance. Big Guy didn’t like to be “eye-balled.” Wheels kept the car running. They weren’t going to hang around in front of the jail for long, that much was sure. He left enough room in front of him for a fast escape and didn’t even put it in park. He kept his foot on the brake, kept scanning the mirrors and the street ahead for anything out of place. Anything happen to Big Guy on his watch, he’d be dead for sure.
A couple seconds went by, and the door opened at the top of the steps. The little hooker chick came bouncing down, shaking it to make it, a big scowling cop eyeballin’ her out the window as she left. Big Guy lowered the window about an inch, so she could bend over and peer in.
“Hey, Honeysuckle.”
“My name’s Trixie.”
“I don’t give a bent stick what your name is, Honeysuckle. How ‘bout lean in here and show me some Ta-Ta?” Wheels tried to see if he could see anything, but he couldn’t. He went back to checking the mirrors.
“Mr. Sir said to put a little extra in there, on account a you had to go in and talk to the five-O in person.” Big Guy slipped a fat envelope out the window, the little hooker chick took it, and stuffed it in her top. Like she needed any help in that department.
“They said Kujo’d be a free man shortly.”
In the mirror Wheels saw her swingin’ her bidniss down the sidewalk, and he heard Guy snap is fingers. He hit the accelerator, swung out, stopping traffic. Big Guy don’t like to wait on no one.
September 23
Deuce was enjoying the morning air. Walking the park was a great way to start the day, inhaling cool breaths, letting them out slowly, sorting thoughts, clearing his mind. It was strange, not having to hurry. He knew his key people had everything covered, and his phone wasn't ringing. He was entering a new phase of his life, and he needed to get ahead of it and formulate a plan.
He’d never been one to wander. From the time he got into high school, he’d been driven. Racking up college credit in high school, so that he could be ahead when he got to college. Early morning workouts while he was finishing his degree, so that he’d be ready for whatever the Marine Corps was going to throw at him. Hustling like crazy to build his business when he got out of the Corps. Some regrets there. Those few short years he had with Beth. He wished he could have worked less then.
After he lost her, he was double-timing it as a single dad for the rest of his life, trying to keep the business growing, while being everywhere Peregrine needed him to be. It had been tough. One long series of white-water falls, fighting to navigate his kayak, little Peregrine holding on for dear life in the back. Now, suddenly, Peregrine didn’t need him any more than his business did. The rapids had opened up into a wide lake, water smooth as glass. No current. Nothing pulling or pushing him. Just sitting motionless, with no idea where to paddle to. It was getting boring.
Ahead, he saw a figure standing by a park bench. He knew that posture. That authoritative, I’ve got the world by the tail, but it’s no big deal look. His Buddy Phil. It had been a while. Deuce smiled as he walked up to him. Phil bobbed his head back and kept talking into the microphone on his earbuds.
“Hey, Danny, let me call you back later, alright? There’s someone here I need to catch up with. Yeah, of course. We’ll go catch a game. Soon. Okay, man. Take it easy.”
He popped out his earbuds and smiled.
“Deuce, my man, how are you?”
“I’m good, Phil. How’s everything?”
“Great. Fantastic, really. I’m living the dream.”
“How are things with your empire, now that you mention it?”
“You didn’t hear? I sold it. Cashed out and walked away clean.”
“Wow. No kidding. Good for you. So, what now?”
Phil pointed at the folded-up paper and laughed.
“I’m working to get up to speed as a full-time trader.”
“Oh, wow. I bet that’s a change.”
“Yeah, a different lifestyle. I’m not sure I’m going to like it yet. I spend a lot of time in a room by myself staring at the computer screen. After running a bustling company for twenty years, it’s a big adjustment.”
“Nobody to bring you coffee, that’s really it, isn’t it?”
Phil Laughed.
“Yeah, man, you’ve got me.” A big smile.
“I probably should be thinking about making some kind of change,” Deuce said, “But I haven’t figured out what yet.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I’ve got strong people in the key positions. Young, with lots of energy. Sometimes I think I need to step back, so that they can stretch out and run with it.”
“That’s awesome. Maybe it is time.”
“Well, at the very least, I should make time for a round of golf. What do you say?”
“Absolutely. We should take a weekend, go somewhere nice.”
“Let’s do it. I’ll drive. We can take the G5.”
“Now you’re talkin.” Another big smile from Phil.
“Okay, I’ll call you and we’ll set it up. Soon.”
“I’ll probably have my phone in my hand when you call,” Phil laughed.
“Sounds good. Have a great day, alright?”
“Ditto. A quick fist bump, and Phil started dialing as Deuce walked away.
That was great, to hear Phil was doing so well. It was definitely time for Deuce to make some decisions about this new chapter in his life. He breathed deep again, looked around at the beauty of the park, the trees. Wait. There was a guy staring at him. Deuce tried to act casual.
He wasn’t imagining it. There was a kid, maybe early twenties. A skinny, scroungy kid. Like a homeless person, only young. He was doing this annoying stealth thing, which wouldn’t fool anybody. Sneaking from tree to tree. He obviously didn’t have any training in surveillance.
Deuce turned and looked directly at him, caught him between hiding places. The kid froze. Deuce started walking right toward him. The kid bolted, turned to run, but he was limping, like it really hurt. Like he had been hit by a truck or something. Deuce watched him go up and over Beacon Street, then disappear into one of the side streets. Weird. What the heck was that about?
“Hey, Deuce. How’s your day going?” Coming at him through his blue tooth ear buds.
“Hello, David. The day’s going well. How about yours?”
“Fantastic. And I’m about to make your day a lot better.”
“Really? Good. Fire away.”
“In the last ninety minutes, I’ve closed two major contracts.”
“Did you? Congratulations. Nice work. Is it the executive shuttle deal?”
“Yes, that one, and before I even had time to call you and tell you I had closed, a new deal called in out of the blue, for a big cargo opportunity flying out of Kansas.”
“Wow. And you closed it, just like that?”
“I think so. I need you to do a face to face with both of the clients, and put the ink on the pages, but I’m pretty sure those deals are yours for the taking.”
“David, you’re doing a great job. Set up the meet and greets, and I’ll go do the contract signings.”
“That’s the only catch.”
“Okay?”
“Both clients are in a hurry to get the contracts signed ahead of big meetings next week. They want you to meet them this weekend.”
“Oh. Damn. That’s my big road trip.”
“Yeah, I know, Boss. Sorry about that. The two deals together represent $3.6 million annual revenue. We’ll need to expand the fleet to accommodate them.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
“Sorry about that. I know you’ve been looking forward to that trip.”
“Ah, well. I can do it another week. Reserve the G5 for me, and I’ll try to put something together so that the trip can be a mix of business and pleasure.”
“Okay, Deuce. Thanks.”
“Oh, and David, talk to scheduling and see if you can get Amanda lined up to work these flights for me.”
“No problem.”
“And David?”
“Yeh, Deuce?”
“Nice job. Really. Great work.”
An hour later, Deuce put his feet up on his desk and leaned back while he waited for the answer.
“Maintenance shop.”
“Hey, Mac! It’s Deuce. How you doing?”
“Flying straight and level, boss. No hiccups to report.”
“Glad to hear it, Mac. How’re things at home?”
“This is a social call? Things are good. Patty’s getting used to the idea of having two Marines in the family.”
“Yeah, congratulations on that again, Mac. What do you hear from Joey?”
“Not much. You know how it is. Lots of P.T., lots of book work.”
“Yeah. He’s gonna excel. He’s a great kid. Watch out, I don’t hire him to replace you. I could probably get him cheaper.”
“Oh, okay, Boss. Now I understand. This is a motivational call.”
Deuce laughed. “No, actually Mac, I’m calling to ask a favor. I need you to run an errand for me. Do you and Patty have any plans for this weekend?”
“Sorry, Deuce. Patty’s out. She’s away at her sisters for a girly thing. I’m bachin’ it till next week.”
“No kidding? This might work out perfect. You feel like getting some fresh air?”
September 24
“Hey, Dad. What’s up?” Peregrine sounded upbeat.
“Not much. Just calling to see if you could get away this weekend. I need to take a hop over to L.A. and I could use a co-pilot. Can you get free?”
“Isn’t this the weekend of your big road trip?”
“It was supposed to be. Two important contracts dropped out of the sky, so I’ve got to do a couple handshakes. I thought we could fly out together, and then you fly back with another pilot.”
“How are you getting back?”
“Mac is meeting me in L.A. with the roadster. I’m going to try to salvage the last half of my mid-life soul searching trip. He’ll hitch a ride home with you. Are you game?”
“I’d love to, Dad. Let me see if I can arrange it. When would we leave?”
“Wheels up around eleven hundred Friday if you can swing it. That would allow us to grab some lunch, then be in Charleston in time for my 3pm meeting. We can hang out there overnight, and then hit my tarmac luncheon in Kansas City on Saturday. Then it’s on to LA. to meet up with Mac.”
“The Dean’s going to ask me if this is business or pleasure.”
“Flying with me? I assumed that would always be considered a pleasure.”
Peregrine laughed, and Deuce drank in the sound. It seemed like life was really going well for Peregrine. Finally.
“Let me check it out, Dad. I might be able to get away from campus without anybody raising too much of a fuss, as long as I’m back by Monday.”
“Okay, Sounds good. Let me know, Okay?”
“Will do.”
“I love you, Son.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
September 25
It seemed like everything in the world was about as perfect as it could be. Wednesday morning, crisp air rushing in the truck window. The dew-soaked grass along the runway was still mostly green. There had already been a couple light frosts, but today was beautiful. Everything was golden in the light of a new day. Deuce couldn’t stop smiling. He didn’t want to. He was a firm believer that when you get a good day, you celebrate it.
He had happy tunes thumping as he rolled his pickup toward the hanger bay doors and parked it next to his gleaming little roadster. He put the truck in park, and sat for a second, playing air drums, waiting for that great guitar solo that was coming up.
Mac walked out of the big hanger door, smiling, shaking his head. He was wearing khakis and a polo shirt, wiping his hands on a red shop rag.
Deuce shut off the stereo and got out.
“Mac, how many times do I have to remind you that you are not a grease monkey anymore?”
“Sorry, Sir. It doesn’t work like that. Once that grease gets in your blood, no way to get it out.”
Deuce slapped him on the shoulder. Solid. Mac was a good guy. A zillion hours of aircraft maintenance for the Corps. He was one of the best hires Deuce had ever made. Now, eight years in, Mac was in charge of maintenance for the whole company. He could handle the responsibility in his sleep. Deuce had built a respectable charter business, but the maintenance work for the entire fleet was barely the equivalent of a single squadron in the corps.
Deuce handed Mac a set of keys, a fob that said, “I’d rather be flying.”
“Do me a favor, Mac, put a little Gojo on those hands before you get behind the wheel of the roadster.”
“No problem, boss. Sorry you don’t get to make the drive yourself.”
“Ah, well. Can’t really complain when big contracts drop into your lap. I’ll enjoy the return trip, and you can dead head back with Peregrine in the G550.”
“Tough life I’ve got here, Sir. I appreciate it.”
“Don’t hurry, Mac. I want you to have some fun. You get tired, get a room, have a nice dinner, a couple drinks, sit by a pool or something. I don’t need the Roadster in L.A. until Saturday Afternoon. Everything goes on the company card, Ok?”
“Thanks, Deuce. I’ll take good care of her for you.”
“I know that you will. I’m not the least bit concerned. When you get to a nice flat stretch of dessert, open her up, and blow the carbon out.”
Mac smiled. “More than happy to.”
Ten minutes later, Deuce was the one standing in the door of the hanger bay, throwing Mac a thumbs up as he drove off. Neither of them noticed the small pile of shining metal filings where the roadster had been parked.
September 26
“Good morning, St. Leo’s Catholic Church.” Her voice was friendly, very cheerful.
“Good morning, I am calling to see if I might schedule an appointment with a priest?”
“Okay, no problem. May I ask your name?”
“My name is Peregrine Faulk.”
“Okay, Mr. Faulk. May I ask what this is in reference to?” It sounded like a simple question. And yet, he didn’t have an answer ready.
“I… I guess I have some general questions about the Catholic faith.”
“Okay, our pastor, Father Bianchi, will be happy to meet with you. I have his schedule here. Let’s see… It looks like… how about next Monday, ten in the morning?”
“Uhm… I have a class at that time. Is there anything available on an afternoon?”
“Oh, you’re a student?”
“Well, no, I’m a professor. Over at IMT.”
“Oh, I see. Professor Faulk. I’ll make a note of that. He could meet with you Monday at 4pm. Would that be convenient?”
“That would be great.”
“Okay, sir. I have you scheduled Monday afternoon at 4pm. The office will be closed, so ring the bell, and Father John will come let you in.”
Thursday evening, Professor Faulk was working to get all the papers graded, so he could relax and enjoy the weekend trip with Dad. Grading was not his favorite job in the world, but he tried to make it interesting, by thinking of each student as an individual.
There were a few papers that gave him hope. Students who were retaining knowledge, or even better, gaining new insight. Thank God for the few. Most were disappointing. He wondered what it would be like to teach higher level courses, where students were attending by choice.
