Ah, Friday morning, perhaps I can get out a little early and relax. What I need is that little bi-plane, go soar in the clouds, and feel the mist on my face. I need one of those Snoopy hats with the goggles. The smile on my face woke Brandy who had her cheek resting against mine.
"What's making you smile, Honey?"
"I'm lying here with two beauties, a very special person snuggled up and greeting me when I first wake up, what more could make me happy?"
"How about flying, were you dreaming about that?"
"We were in that little bi-plane wearing Snoopy hats and goggles, flying through the clouds, feeling the mist on our faces."
Brandy said, "Sounds more like it."
I remembered something, "I thought you were taking yesterday off, but you came home with all the girls."
"My boss called before work and asked me to come in. A couple of girls called in sick and she knows I'll always help out. She told me I could take off another time, but she really needed me yesterday and today. It seems they are both going to be sick for two days."
Wanda was awake and said, "The contractor said he was going to leave a note wanting to see you this morning. He's done. He did a really good job, and included appliances and drapes across all three rooms in the back. I like the way the patio turned out too. It's really a nice apartment."
Brandy asked, "With all the extra garage space, can I park my car inside when I end up here at night?"
"Sure, I'm going to bring the Mustang home and drive it sometime. I really think a car like that should be driven and not just looked at."
"Daddy loves old cars. He has a fifty-seven Chevy four-door hardtop. He loves that old car but he hardly ever drives it. If he sees you driving yours, maybe he'll drive his more."
"Let's get going, I can't swim, but you guys can. I might try a few Tai Chi stretches, but my swimming is going to be limited."
We were heading outside when Angie and Marie came from their bedrooms. They were both nude and went out to the pool. Watching the two, I said, "I just love this house, two perfectly nice young ladies parade past me in their all together. What a great way to wake up." Brandy and Wanda walked by, also nude, and it was just too much. I was getting a boner hard enough it hurt my ribs.
I did attempt a flow of stretches, but had to modify several stances. It was as my left arm was stretched out that I noticed the bandages were gone. I must have lost them in bed. As I held my stance, I inspected the stitches and they looked fine. There was no redness or swelling. I continued for about fifteen minutes until I didn't feel any more painful pulling on my ribs. I would have to try this again to see if I can eliminate the pain.
The girls were already inside, getting dressed. I got into the shower to do my morning quickie and shaved. I announced that I would probably need some clothes soon, so we needed to plan on a trip to the warehouse. I needed to replace at least two sportcoats, a couple pair of pants, a suit, several shirts, and couple pair of shoes. This dressing nice can get expensive. I might try some slacks and sport shirts to wear on days there isn't much activity. I could always start a dress down day, like Fridays and allow jeans and T-shirts or other casual dress. I thought what the hell, so I put on some slacks, a sport shirt, and pulled a jacket out that would go with it if too many eyes were raised.
Everyone left for the day and I stayed back to meet the contractor. He showed up right at eight. We walked through the house and I asked him to go ahead and do the multiple garage door signals for the new garage. I told him I was very pleased and satisfied with his work. I had his check ready, with an extra five hundred dollars. I asked him to seal the garage floor for the extra. He smiled and said, "That was part of the deal anyway. I'll seal it this afternoon. It will be dry by five. You'll like it. I'll seal it with a pure white sealer. Oil won't stain it and it's easy to wash."
He left and I got ready to leave. The doorbell rang. From habit I looked out to see Sarah Perkins.
"Hi, Sarah, what brings you here?"
"The contractor who just completed some work for you is bidding on some work on my condo. I thought I might catch you and look at his work."
I thought this is a flimsy excuse. Wonder what the real deal is?
"Come in and I'll take you through the new building, or addition, as it is. The new and old garages are the support for a nice apartment that can be for a couple, or a couple of individuals."
We went up the stairs, through the utility room, into the kitchen. You were struck immediately by how long the room was and the openness. The windows at the end made it look like the room went on forever. Sarah liked the counter bar area. She thought it made the kitchen very homey. I showed her through a bathroom, bedroom, sitting room area, and the huge walk-in closet. We walked to the other bedroom across the living room and she could see this was the same, except the reverse of the other side.
Out in the living room, I pulled back the doors to give her the feel of a full room doorway to the patio. It was nice and shady and I noticed for the first time there were two ceiling fans with lights out on the porch. That was a nice touch. I showed her how both sides had a private entrance, accessible from the back stairway. We went inside so I could shut the doors. We went downstairs where I showed her the big five-car garage. She asked, "What in the world do you need with a five car garage?"
"I have a fun car, plus my work car. The other folks in the house, but one, all have cars. We need the space."
"That is a magnificent addition. Is your main house that big?"
"Come, I'll show you." We walked through the family room and kitchen. The video wall was closed so I walked past it. It looked like a pantry. I took her out back to the pool and hot tub. She had already seen the living room, so we walked down to the first suite, Angie's. I knew her room would be perfect, so I opened the door to show her how it was arranged in a smaller version of the addition. I said, "There are four of these and then there are these two offices. One I use and the other is used for the two girls who are taking night classes. This bigger room is the media room for intense music listening or to watch a video.
We walked back to the end of the family room where the entrance to the master suite was. Sarah was impressed to see the bed made and the room neat. She liked the huge bathroom with the separate tub and large walk-in shower. This entrance was also the entrance to a huge walk-in cedar closet with built in drawers and a large mirror on one end. My clothes were all hung neatly with my shoes lined up by color. The large side of the closet didn't have but a few of Brandy's clothes.
Sarah commented, "Looks like you have room for a live-in."
"I have four live-ins plus a very constant visitor. The visitor has four roommates that stay here a lot as well."
"So you're not lonely at nights."
I smiled, "Not hardly. All the girls keep me in company and keep me company. Some are restricted from this room, since they are my employees. The others, they're fun."
"Are you bragging?"
"No Ma'am, you were teasing and offering, so I teased back."
"Okay, you got me. You are really too young for me. I don't know why but I was thinking I would come out here, sweep you off your feet, seduce you, and get you caught in my web."
"You are a very attractive, but a very focused woman. When you find the right guy, you'll focus on him and he will be lost. Just keep an open mind, Sarah, and I promise he'll walk into your life."
"You're sweet. You turn me down and try to get me to accept you're not the one. I know, I'm impatient and I think my body clock is ticking very loudly. I've made enough money to live the rest of my life and now I want what should go with the money. I want someone successful, though. I want someone who is my equal mentally, and is as focused as I am. But you're right. When I focus, I can accomplish anything. Sorry about the way I act sometimes. It just seems that whenever I get this way, I imagine all kinds of crazy scenes with people or men that fascinate me. You've done that from the first, but somehow I know you're not the one. You're kind of like candy, I want you, but shouldn't, or a toy I want to play with. Why is that?"
"Sarah, men have done that for years, but they don't act on their feelings or they'll get arrested. You're just reacting to your feelings and needs. Like I said, just relax and that special guy will smack you in the face."
With a frown, Sarah said, "I hope so. Thank you for understanding me. Think about me. Think good things about me. Perhaps you'll chase me instead of thinking of me this way."
Sarah let herself out the door. I was almost sad to see her go as she is such an intense person. I can imagine that when she finds her mate, he will be a happy man.
I locked up the house and took off for the office. First thing was to call John and see if he had any feedback yet. He answered his phone in his happy voice, "Wassup?"
"That's what I'm calling for, updates. How are the sites doing where we've joined forces, any incidents?"
"Lots of action, lots of results. Go to the internal page on your site. We're dumping updates to you as we receive them. Thought that might save some time. Have Wanda do a synopsis for you. You might even want to share this with Frank downstairs. You're already on good standing with him, so he'll get a kick out of seeing other areas getting on board. I've heard how your men have picked up some of his surveillance time and his guys have helped on some captures. It's pretty cool to hear how a bunch of FBI, deputies, and DEA guys helped round up a ship full of illegals before they could get off the ship. That was a good operation. Your Homeland guy down there sings your praises every day."
"What's with you and all the smoke you're blowing up my butt? You don't do that."
"Just feelin' really good about the way this joint operation has turned out. You're wounded and shouldn't be back out in the field, I'm getting ready to spend four wonderful days in Hawaii, but we have a bucket load of trouble spots. You came up with an idea that's working to take care of it all. I've got three Marshals trying to bring you into D.C. and a Director trying to steal you. So I'm buttering you up to keep you out of D.C. and the Bureau."
"You don't have to worry, John. I'm good as a deputy. I might even be good in the employment office working for Metarie."
"If you were over there, it would take you about six months to be in D.C. running the whole thing. The biggest problem with that is you would be stealing pickup trucks to escape D.C. again." He was laughing really loud when he disconnected.
The can be rude.
I checked the internal site and read a couple dozen updates. The areas where the joint operations were being used had been very successful in apprehending several men who had been attempting harm to judges and witnesses. The two branches were learning from each other.
Wanda came to the door and said, "John from the charter service is on the phone. He says he needs you. Can you pick up line one?"
"Hey, John, what's up?"
"We have a charter and can't go without a full crew. It's going to be until early Monday morning. You don't have a commercial ticket yet, but you could be right seat. If I can get a third we're perfect. It's an international flight to Europe and we have to abide by a dozen different rules."
"If I don't have my commercial ticket, can you have only one pilot on board?"
"We'll have two, but one won't be much use except in extreme emergencies. I want you to fly right seat so you can spell Lisa. I'll sit in the jump seat and can be available for instruction as needed."
"Just a thought, John, I've never even looked inside a G5. How am I supposed to help?"
"You already know the navigation system and you've flown the Lear a lot, why not something a little larger. Actually, the plane feels like the Lear. Once in the air, it's an airplane. You tell it where to go, watch the instruments, and it flies."
"Hmmm, ah, you may not know it, but I've still got stitches in my arm from a gunshot wound and I've got a couple of cracked ribs. Is that going to be a problem?"
"You'll be wearing a long sleeve uniform shirt. Do you have some navy blue pants?"
"Sure, black shoes and socks. I may not have a solid tie."
"We've got em. I'll even get you one of those fancy garrison hats with the shiny bill. Will you do it?"
"When?"
"We need to leave at four. And, ah, would you have any of your cute little girlfriends who might wish to act as hostesses? They would need their passports and we could use two. That's how skinny we are."
"Let me make a call and I'll call you back."
I called Metarie, "Metarie, I need to ask you a favor. I haven't asked Brandy yet, but I have a chance to do a European charter and they need hostesses. What do you think, could you spring Brandy, and possibly Tiani, this afternoon. They can be back Monday, but might be a little droopy-eyed. I'm not sure of the return time yet."
Metarie laughed, "Brandy was such a dear to come in to take care of windows again today. I think we can let her and Tiani out this afternoon. Call her and she'll get Tiani. The two will go nuts racing out of here. I'll tell them to clean up their windows. Have a good time. Come see us."
"Hey, Brandy, Metarie is coming to let you and Tiani out. Would you like to hostess on a flight to Europe and back? It may or may not be a lot of work, but it would be quite an experience. We'll be back Monday morning, so you'll be tired at work. We'll be leaving at four, so what do you think?"
Brandy said breathlessly, "We'll go, I'll tell Tiani. It's too bad they don't need five hostesses. This is exciting, where should we meet you?"
"You probably both need navy blue skirts and/or pants. I'll find out and call you when I find out. Talk to you in a minute."
The next call was to John, "I have two hostesses for you. You've met Brandy, but you haven't met our little pixie friend, Tiani. She's black, I hope that isn't a problem."
"No problem at all, perhaps a benefit. How soon can you be here? Do the girls have Navy skirts?"
"I told them to figure out if they do. Can you fit them with tops?"
"We have freshly laundered shirts of about every size imaginable for men and women, along with the accessories. We have never invested in pants and skirts. We probably should. Tell the girls to wear black high heels, but to have regular black low shoes for on the aircraft. Make sure they have their passports."
I called Brandy back, "Navy skirts, black high heels, and black flats. Do you both have passports?"
Brandy said, "We sure do, we went to Brazil a couple years ago. We have navy skirts but they're a little short. Will that be alright?"
"As long as they are not too short, I'm sure it will be an advantage. Meet me at the house as soon as you're packed. Bring some casual clothes to wear while we are wherever it is we're going."
Brandy said, "We'll see you in less than thirty, Tiani doesn't even need the plane, she's flying already."
I told Wanda to have a good weekend and that I was going flying. She smiled and said, "Enjoy your convalescent leave. You know if you get shot, you're credited with thirty days leave. I'll have to keep track of all your flight time in order to use it up."
"Thanks, Wanda. If you and Jan get a chance, shop for some kitchen and living room furniture for the apartment. Get some, ah, oh you know what the place needs. Use my personal credit card that you have. Just get what you need. I have plenty of cash right now."
I was home, packed, and my bag in the car parked in the driveway so Brandy could pull into the garage. We threw their bags into my car and beat feet to the air park. John, DeDe, and Star were all ready for us. They had a fit over tiny Tiani, but were able to fit her with a blouse quickly. With their adornments and little hats, the two girls looked really good. John had some shirts for me, plus a nice uniform jacket with wings and a nametag. Star spent a few minutes in back and came up with nametags for the girls.
John said, "Just in time. Star and DeDe are going to walk through the plane with the girls to show them where everything is and give them the safety briefing. I'll give you yours, but you need to get out to the plane so Lisa can go over some things with you. Sorry about how fast this is, but this came up at the last minute and we hate to pass up the charter. We have everything out but the maintenance jeeps, so we were lucky to have a G5 available."
I went out to the plane and marveled at how luxurious it was inside. There weren't that many visible seats even though the plane is really big. Lisa said, "Get your butt up here. Take your coat off and hang it and your hat in the closet. I'll start going over your responsibilities. John will sit behind us in the jump seat. He won't have to do a whole lot but he can be another set of eyes. I've only done six overseas flights, so I'm kind of green. We'll be all right though. Now, first."
Lisa went through dozens and dozens of instructions. She went over the instrumentation and which group to watch more than others. There were gauges everywhere, in front, on the side, overhead, everywhere. The cute thing was a cup holder and a small fold down table to place something to eat. Just like cars, the important thing was how many cup holders.
Lisa said, "Let's go meet our passengers. I'll introduce everyone. We will all seat the passengers and make sure they are secure. The girls will give the safety briefing. You'll shut the door, then come up front where John and I will already be. Just reach up and grab the book that has the big "one" on it. You know how to do the rest. When we need all our hands, give the lists to John and he will read em off. Let's do it, Greenie. How does it feel to be a rookie on your first G5 flight?"
"I wish it were a training run first."
"No time like the present. John is really the right seat; you're along for training purposes."
We were all standing at the doorway when the big bus drove up. Oh my, this was a really famous rock group that was back together for the beginning of a European tour to introduce a new album. An agent said, "Our plane is down for repairs and won't be back up until next week. You can get us to Berlin and back. We'll come home after the gig and go to Paris on our own plane next week. Some of the crew took commercial flights and the rest rode on the equipment aircraft."
Lisa introduced everyone to the passengers and they all climbed aboard. We seated everyone with room to spare. Lisa was seating herself and John was waiting for me to get by so he could slide the jump seat over ... I shut and locked the door and slid into the right seat and buckled up. I put on my headset, flipped the switch to intercom, and pulled the card with the big "one." I began reading and actually knew what I was reading. I even knew where to look to see if Lisa was reaching for the correct knob or switch.
The aircraft fired up smoothly, with all the instruments and gauges reading correctly. I watched Lisa program the flight plan all the way to Berlin into the Flight Management System, fascinated at how smoothly she input the data. She began taxiing the big G5 toward the taxiway and radioed for instructions. I was still going down the list when Lisa said, "Give it to John with number 'two.'"
I handed the lists to John and Lisa said, "Take hold of the yoke and be ready. This is where the right seat is of value. If something were to happen to me while taking off, you have to take over. You know how to fly, just fly and John will tell you what to do.
The sweat factor increased about ninety degrees. John didn't tell me about this.
The takeoff was like glass and surprisingly fast. The airplane was really fast and had a rapid rate of climb. We had to do a little jog around Jacksonville as we headed out over the Atlantic. I had put all the lists in their overhead pocket and was being briefed by both Lisa and John as to all of the functions of the various instruments and controls. It was just like the Lear, except there were more. Every gauge and every instrument had at least one backup and all the key instruments had a third. The controls were all dual except the gear and the throttle. The gear even had directions for a manual release, and hopefully, I wouldn't ever have to use that.
John went over all the safety features of the aircraft and the open sea ditching procedures and what rescue equipment was onboard and how it would be deployed. Everything had multiple uses and could be used in case of an emergency. Lisa said, "I've got to check on the girls and go potty. Let me do that and I'll be back in about a half-hour. John will watch you and make sure everything is working properly."
"What do you think, Chuck, want to go to school for this too?"
"If I'm going to be doing this with you guys, I have to. I can't stand not being trained to do something. How long is the school for this thing?"
We'll train you, but there is a three-day formal school where you will be checked out and certified. The navigation equipment isn't a big deal. They just make it bigger and fancier. The Lear's new equipment is about the same. We almost didn't have room to put it in. You'll love it the next time you use it. You know we bought another small jet right?"
"No, I didn't"
"I'll show it to you next week. You'll like it. It's an executive personal commuter, small, fast and cheap to fly. It should make the company some money."
All the gauges and instruments were reading correctly. The fuel levels were decreasing at the optimum rate and the weather display ahead of us was clear as a bell. I wasn't sweating any longer, but I would definitely need a shower when we got there.
Lisa came back, bringing me coffee and a bottle of water. John got up to go to the bathroom and stretch his legs. Lisa almost repeated exactly what John had asked, "So what do you think about the G5? Want to go to school? If you do, I get to teach you most of it, then you go to a three-day school right at our park for certification. This ride will be logged as your initial checkout. You have to have at least twenty hours checkout before you can be official right seat. A senior company pilot will make the decision when you're left seat stuff. Of course, you have to have your commercial license but you're damn near there. John might just train you to be a Lear and G5 instructor. That would be cool."
I think these folks keep forgetting I'm a deputy Marshal in my real life.
We had been in the air about four hours when I said I needed to use the restroom. We three did a scan of the panel to see that everything was good and I got up to go to the back.
On the way there, the guitar player asked me, "What's with the gun? Are you expecting trouble?"
I smiled, "In my other life, I'm a Deputy U.S. Marshal." I showed him my badge. "This is a fun avocation for me. I'm required to be armed all the time."
"That's neat. I'm glad you're with us. Our BGs, you know, bodyguards, had to go commercial, so you're our man till they meet us."
I went to the john and was coming back up when the drummer did a quick rat-ta-tat on my fake leg. I jumped and looked down at him. He smiled and said, "See, I got one too. I lost mine in Desert Storm, when did you lose yours?"
"Iraq, a couple of years ago. The sand got us both, huh?"
He said, "Mine was stupid, I was walking in front of a track when we were fired on. I thought I was outside of it but the track took it right off at the knee, just a dumb move. It hasn't hurt my beat though; I have some strong legs now. Actually my right thigh is really strong since I have to raise it for the base pedal."
"I'll be watching. You're another person to show people we aren't disabled."
"Not hardly, Dude, I'm as good as ever. I can jam eight hours straight and be ready for more. You know me, let's rock."
Tiani and Brandi were glowing. They were having a great time taking care of the passengers. They said they had served some drinks, sandwiches, and beer, but mostly water. The whole group was very easy to please.
Back in the cockpit, I was more relaxed. We began to get ready to enter radar controlled air space, so John was working the radio and confirming transponder numbers.
Lisa said, "Get out the booklet that says "down" in big letters. Read it over and check to see if you know where everything is. When you're through, go over it again with John and me."
As I was going down the list, I noticed the cabin temperature and air pressure gauge wiggle. I pointed it out to Lisa. John looked at the gauges and said to Lisa, drop to twelve thousand feet, I'll call in. This isn't an emergency, but it is a major concern."
John pointed at the cabin announcement on the checklist, so I switched the intercom on my set to 'public address' and said, "We are descending early for our landing. Please be seated and fasten your seat belts. Will the crew please pick up any loose objects and store them before taking your assigned seats."
I kept watching those gauges as we came down rather quickly. Thank goodness we were close, so the passengers didn't think we were in any kind of trouble. John was muttering, "Probably another faulty valve on an air tank. The compressor door of the turbine must have closed or something. Everything else looks good. Wonder why the warning light and buzzer didn't come on?"
We were soon on the ground, taxiing to a special terminal where a big Mercedes buses were waiting. A huge cargo jet was parked nearby, butappeared empty. When we parked, Lisa said, "Go open the door and help get the guys off the plane. They could be unsteady from the long ride."
I got up and went to the door. Upon opening it, I was greeted by four burly guys with security T-shirts. The first guy asked, "Why the gun, Bud?"
I gave him the standard speech showing him my badge. He said, "Make sure you check in with the krauts so you don't get any grief over the piece. They will be out here in a few minutes for customs inspection. You guys have to stay with this rig until you're checked out. Get your passports ready."
I helped the band members off the plane and their men began unloading the members' luggage. German customs and immigration came out and were very courteous and thorough. I had to interview with a special agent, showing him my badge and identification explaining that I flew as an avocation. The man's comment was, "Fun hobby, yah?"
Lisa had already garnered mechanics to begin looking for the problem with the aircraft. They had a ladder back by an engine and another mechanic was taking down a bulkhead in the rear in the bedroom bathroom. John said, "You should go register for the immigrations guy like he asked. Get your coat so you hide the gun. Wear your hat, too. That will make you more official looking."
When I went with the immigration man, he had to do a fingerprint scan then accessed U.S. Marshal records to check me out. He asked, "Please remove your hat. Yes, that is you. You are very high ranking to have a part time job."
"It's something I'm learning to do for fun. I don't think I'm being paid for this trip. It's a learning experience."
"Yah, Yah, you Americans, always do for fun. You should make money to do this. They pay for Marshals to ride the planes, yah? If you fly and guard them, you should get much money. You stay at Wolfgang Hotel; I will have a brew with you later. You have many stories to tell, I see."
I went back to the plane to find both John and Lisa happy. The check valve between two tanks had stuck. If John had switched between them manually, the descent could have been delayed. Better safe than sorry, but I did learn something. John took me into the cockpit to show me where the readings were and where the manual switch was located next to the gauge. There were two switches, one between bottle one and two and one between bottle two and three. He said the compressor gave a false reading because it wasn't being fed any oxygen. The cabin pressure had fluctuated because of the compressor variance. Lots of things going on at once.
John watched as the valve was replaced and tested, then how everything was put back in place. He made arrangements for the tank to be filled and put in place while we waited.
The fuel truck came up and filled us up. John signed for the fuel and airport fees after giving them a credit card. Tiani and Brandy had the airplane cleaned up and even used the onboard vacuums to dust and vacuum everything. They brought out the waste bags and had a list of what they had used so it could be replenished.
Two hours after we landed, the airplane was airworthy, all put back together, and pulled to a private parking area with a power hook up. John said, "This way the air conditioning system can stay on low to keep the plane cool and the little fridge units will stay on. That way we won't have a long delay to cool the plane and we won't need all new beverages. Just some ice and some refills. I think we might even have enough spares in the luggage compartment for the return. We'll go over it tomorrow."
The band's dates were Saturday night and a Sunday matinee. We were leaving after the meet and greet following the matinee. The Sunday gig was being used for the single live recordings that they would touch up back in their studios in St. Petersburg.
We were to hang out with the band and crew tonight and could watch them practice tomorrow morning. They all said, "Stay on your stateside body clock as much as possible. We're like six hours ahead here, so it's almost morning now. Take a nap till noon. We'll eat, practice, meet the promoters, and then do the gig. You guys can sit in the audience or come backstage. Either place is good. You might enjoy being part of the audience on your first trip. Try back stage tomorrow. It gets hectic back there."
We had a quick breakfast after checking into the hotel. John raised his eyebrows when we told him to just get us one room. I told him, one is my girlfriend and one was a girl friend before and is the friend of my girl now, confusing. The problem was Lisa, who said, "No fair, I get him too."
Tiani pointed to Brandy, and Brandy said, "We'll talk later."
John's eyebrow cocked again.
When we were done eating, we showered quickly then lay down to nap. We slept soundly, we didn't nap.
Primary editing by Pepere
Proofing by Sagacious