As Savanah was looking forward to the big costume party that she, her brother Blake, and their cousin Jennifer, would be attending with her parents and grandparents in a few hours, a double trailered eighteen wheeler rig prepared to depart from Tillman Freight in west Texarkana. Hidden from view within the trailers were three black suburban’s, several crates containing an arsenal of weapons and live ammunition that had been safely secured since Memorial Day, clothing, and provisions of food, water, and cash needed for the mission. Topping off the list of cargo were sixteen parachutes, but two of those would be discarded on the afternoon of November thirteenth. The driver’s mission was to deliver the rig to a warehouse location in Amarillo within the northwest panhandle region of Texas on the afternoon of November first, and then without unloading the cargo, wait for his female contact to arrive.

An hour after his departure from Texarkana, Courtney got her first real taste of what she would forfeit when Samuel insisted that there would be no turning back. She had accepted the mission he designed specifically for her, and in so doing, would depart for the early stages of her task from the Tillman mansion while many in the family were at the costume party. As with other social gatherings held within the nearby town of Crockett throughout the year, the annual Halloween costume party was an event that Courtney had attended with the family numerous times. She had enjoyed conversing with the adults, and had watched the various children of those friends grow and develop from their toddler stage into a more independent form of young adulthood during the process. This year however, that transformation was hitting close to home again, and the experience was enlightening.

While helping her fourteen year old boy crazy daughter Jennifer with certain aspects of her costume, Courtney suddenly wondered how different the young lady would be by the time she returned from the task in front of her, let alone in the months that followed. Although the subtle changes had been occurring for a few years, the process had recently accelerated. Jennifer’s body shape had changed dramatically of late, and at the rate she was filling in, she would probably need to have her tailored holiday party dress altered before it could be used for Thanksgiving. If there proved to be a shortage of material for such intent, a new dress could be easily purchased. There was minor comfort for Courtney in knowing that in either scenario, Ms. Holloway would tend to the need when it arose. Of course she also possessed substantial comfort in a much grander understanding. If something drastic such as her own death were to fall upon Courtney while on the mission, Jennifer would not be left alone. Like with most other things, Samuel, Victoria, and Ms. Holloway would make sure that she was well looked after even if Mason was somehow unable to step up.

As she fought back the welling tears of having her youngest child already entering the next phase of early womanhood, Courtney looked Jennifer over with a smile, and said, “You look beautiful young lady, and I hope that you have a good time at the party.”

Just then there was a knock on the door as the voice of Savanah asked, “Jennifer, may I please come in?”

“Sure Savanah, come on in.”

With that the door swung open and Savanah bounded in to say, “Oh hi Aunt Courtney. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was hoping that Jennifer could help me with my hair ribbon if she has the time.”

It was an instant reminder to Courtney that her problems with Mason and missing out on some of her daughter’s transitions paled in comparison, as Savanah had her own mountain of concern to overcome. The well-instilled manners and bright outlook of Savanah had also proved once again how valuable Ms. Holloway had been to the family with her time and tutelage. With Jennifer then tending to the hair ribbon of her young cousin, Courtney realized it was imperative that she successfully complete her mission for the good of the cause and the overall plan.

Later that afternoon, shortly after the family entourage had left for the party, Courtney headed for the Houston County Airport that was located on the far side of Crockett. Driving past the site of the Halloween party in the process, she then boarded the family jet bound for the Amarillo International Airport.