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Seated next to his son Mason, Samuel looked out the window of the Tillman family jet as the plane began final approach. This day, April fifteenth, was his least favorite day of the year, as the federal government mandated tax day continued to search for ways to take a bite out of his hard earned fortune. He and Victoria had been crafty with their finances throughout the years, and with help from some well-educated tax specialists, the federal intrusion had become less of a burden in recent years. Still, the day itself burned at his insides for how the government had required so much of the people, while providing so little tangible evidence of their proper stewardship of the funds that had been garnished from a huge collective of citizens. That perceived mismanagement, accurate or not, was one of several reasons that Samuel, along with many dedicated others, were embarking upon their current quest.

Gazing upon the city that was hemmed by both mountainous terrain and the flat regions through which the Rio Grande River flowed, Samuel realized that several years had passed since his last visit to the El Paso area. In honesty, he couldn’t recall why he had last been to the western tip of his birth state, but the intent of his return was to serve multiple purposes. There was a planned face to face meeting with his old friend number thirty one so that future logistics and any intelligence that he and his team had gathered with regard to Fort Bliss could be discussed. That meeting, and subsequent conversations, would take precedence over all other things. Although the massive military base that stretched far into neighboring New Mexico was not significant throughout the early phases of the overall plan, its location would be of strategic importance during the later stages. Samuel and Mason would spend a few days in the area with number thirty one as their guide, and in so doing, learn all that they could about the region for future reference. When confident in the completion of that task, they would visit the land that Mason had purchased for the training facility on behalf of the family in early February.

Feeling a slight bump as their Gulfstream G280 jet touched down, Samuel turned to his son and said, “So you have flown out this way on a few occasions during the past couple of months to meet with number thirty one and visit the training facility. What are your impressions of him and his abilities?”

“You have introduced me to hundreds of people throughout my life dad, and some have been less than genuine, but number thirty one isn’t like that. During my limited exposure to him, he appears to be a good man with solid decision making skills and a conviction toward our ultimate goal.”

“I’m glad to hear that Mason, because you may be working with him for some time. I have known number thirty one for many years, and I was glad that he was willing to take on the responsibility of being the lead in the El Paso area. If we succeed with all our hopes, then this area of Texas will become extremely important in the future. Our cause will need good people out here, and what you learn from him could be beneficial for that future.”

After coming to a stop on the tarmac, the flight attendant opened the door and unfolded the exit stairs. With Mason leading the way, she smiled with a wink and while placing her hand on his arm said, “Have a good time in El Paso Mason.”

With a return smile and tone of voice as he moved past her that went well beyond that of a normal courtesy, he replied, “Thank you. I hope you enjoy your time here as well.”

Only a few strides behind, Samuel had noticed the flirtation. But he reserved all comment until he and his son were down the stairs and well clear of the aircraft. What he had seen suddenly made him uneasy about Mason visiting the area via the family jet with such frequency. Then while using a subtlety of body language that could not have been detected by their flight attendant from behind at any distance, Samuel said, “Mason, I want you to continue walking at the pace that I set and keep looking straight ahead as I say this. Do you understand?”

Following the instruction, Mason maintained a forward gaze and replied, “Yes sir.”

“Good. Now you are my son and I will always love you, but know this. Your mother would be one of several people who would kill you.”

After a few seconds of silence, Mason responded, “Kill me for what dad?”

“Don’t patronize me by playing dumb Mason. I saw the look that you and our flight attendant gave each other and the way that she stroked your arm. I first noticed a similar, although less obvious, flirtation during our flight home from Denver just after the New Year began. At the time I thought it was innocent enough, or perhaps just my imagination, so I dismissed it. Then I noticed a few times back home when you seized an opportunity to offer others a seat you had occupied next to your wife. There is some tension between you and Courtney to be sure, and coupled with what I just witnessed, you have given me the impression that I was incorrect in my assessment of early January. I now believe that there may be something going on between you and Domonique, and you need to end it before you lose control. Affairs taint everything that surrounds them Mason and the reach of one can go far beyond what most people would believe. If you have been, or are conspiring to be, with that woman, it could jeopardize everything.”

“But dad, I haven’t…”

Cutting him off quickly, Samuel added, “Deny it if you will Mason, but please listen to me closely. I’m aware that she is an attractive woman who is a little younger than your wife, but this would go way beyond the stupidity of cheating on Courtney and betraying the trust of her and your two children. Domonique has been in the family employ for several years, and has caught the eye of many business associates, both male and female, who have flown with me. In that regard you are not alone in lusting after her, as that list of people has also included your older brother at some point in the past. She has, in her own way, been a valuable and worthwhile tool for this family by flirting with certain individuals that helped close business deals, and even your mother is supportive of keeping Domonique on staff for that very reason. But Mason, all of that changes when it comes to you or Kyle, because we are talking about trust. As a flight attendant Domonique has done excellent work, but has also most assuredly overheard some delicate discussions while serving in her current job capacity. Even though she has been fully vetted by our security staff both before she was hired and during her employ, we don’t want to ever provide her with a reason to become disloyal. If you become romantically involved with Domonique and then casually cast her aside, that could lead to a larger problem of attempted blackmail of our family. If such an event were to unfold, then that is when I would be joining the line of those who would kill you for your infidelity.”

Realizing that his father’s tone and message dictated total seriousness, Mason replied, “I swear to you dad, I have not been with Domonique.”

“But you want to?”

“Well sure dad, the thought had crossed my mind. I mean just look at her. What man in his right mind wouldn’t want to be with her?”

“Please don’t be an idiot Mason, as that question simply answers itself. Any man in his right mind, especially one who has a family and responsibilities of a scope that go well beyond them, wouldn’t want to be with her!”

Feeling rather embarrassed at forty years of age for having been called out and scolded by his father, Mason cautiously replied, “I understand sir.”

Driving the point home, Samuel was quick to add, “I certainly hope that you do Mason, as there are a few different ways that this can be handled. The best scenario for everyone is that you get a grip on reality and stop flirting with her. That would mean that things could return to the way they were during past years, and I wouldn’t need to worry about how Domonique would look at Courtney or your mother when they were using the plane. You don’t have to be rude, but if she continues to flirt then tell her to stop. If she doesn’t, then inform Domonique that I would like to speak with her about the terms of her employment contract and the lack of professionalism that she is displaying toward my son. A more aggressive approach would be to have you fly to and from El Paso and other destinations commercially as you oversee your particular aspect of the overall plan. If you’re not using our family plane, then you and Domonique wouldn’t have contact with one another and the problem could be solved. A third option unfortunately isn’t as kind, and I would regret needing to go in that direction because she deserves better than what would be a ruthless solution.”

“What do you mean by a ruthless solution?”

“I think you know exactly what I’m saying Mason, but I will spell it out for you. Domonique would need to be fired, and based on what I have said about her knowledge of previous discussions on the plane, that would mean that she would also need to disappear.”

“Disappear? That seems rather harsh don’t you think?”

“Perhaps it is, but not when you fully consider all that is at stake.”

After several seconds of reflective thought, Mason said, “Well, I suppose that’s true.”

“I want you to think clearly Mason, as there’s absolutely no supposing about this! Now for the moment it’s up to you how we will proceed, and you need to focus on the big picture to help you determine the proper course of action. Please don’t create a situation that would cause Courtney, your mother, or your children, to entertain the possibility of you being with Domonique. There should be no doubt on your part that such a romance would be short lived, because I will not hesitate to order a sanction on our flight attendant if necessary. Am I being clearly understood?”

With a gulp of disbelief, Mason replied, “Yes sir, I understand.”

“Good. Now I see number thirty one standing just inside the glass doors. Let’s keep this conversation between the two of us, and return our focus to the business at hand.”


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