Page 102 of Wolf Roulette

Rose raised her hand. “What timeframe do you suggest, Andie?”

“Please turn to page six. A regional airport like ours needs surprisingly little to be operational.” I inhaled their uncertainty when I announced the two-month window. “This may seem fast, but with myriad advantages for the valley and funding from the Ni Tiaki and Deception Valley Exports, the value for money for our council and the community is huge for little risk. I believe the sooner this airport is up and running, the better.”

That helped Wilson warm to the speedy construction.

I moved through the communication, confidentiality, and probity rules—none of which I’d known anything about prior to three days ago.

Hell,I’d grown pretty good at swimming instead of sinking when thrown in the deep end.

I don’t like swimming!

We’re not going swimming, Booker.

That’s what you always say.

“If you could turn to the final page, please. Here are three lists covering the legal, financial, and technical teams we would hire to form a binding offer between the tribe and this council. Adrian Gert, the site manager we heavily consulted when putting this proposal together, would be our choice for overseeing the building process.” I rattled through some of the other names and took a deep breath. “Any questions?”

Rose raised her hand. “Who will fly the planes?”

“To begin, we may need to hire from the big wide. In the long term, the airport will provide a career opportunity for the young people in this valley. I’d love to hire locally as time goes on. Once a binding contract is established with the council, interested tribe members will be put through pilot training.”

Wilson and Margaret smiled.

Gabriel flicked to the start of the bound folder. “This is a great proposal. The clear conflict of interest is that Deception Valley Exports would have a monopoly on cargo space. How will access to the public be assured? The reaction of Valley Trade Services needs to be considered.”

Despite his congratulations, Gabriel was more on the fence than anyone. The timeframe really threw him. “Passenger access is absolutely guaranteed to everyone—local or not. The only restriction will be on seat numbers and flight frequency—like a normal airport. As you heard, during the next month, visitors to the valley and our local population will be polled to gauge demand so we’re able to provide an adequate service out the gate. As for Valley Trade Services, they’ll have the option to access air exports through our company. This deal will be exclusively negotiated and managed by Deception Valley Exports. However, I don’t agree with the term monopoly. There will always be a market for land transportation. I envision that both companies will thrive through occupying different niches.”

Gabriel considered that. “The land you propose for the airport will cost more to develop than the top site recommended by your experts. Is there a reason land from the timber mill can’t be diverted for the airport? It will save the valley millions.”

Yes, there was a huge reason.

One particular flat section in Timber ticked all the boxes but constructing the airport there would require the pack and tribe to renegotiate the parameters of the grid. Anything to do with the game businesses and battle grounds had to be negotiated with the pack. Sascha could simply say no.

Though it certainly wasn’t in his interest to put up road barriers in this case.

“We’d prefer not to disrupt the running of the mill.”

“I see. Whatever the agreed-upon site, will this land be granted by the tribe, or will there be a lease cost?”

I nodded. “The land can be placed in trust or leased depending on the council’s preference. If placed in trust, then invested parties will be responsible for maintenance costs. If leased, the tribe will cover these costs. As long as the airport site takes aeronautical and air-transport requirements into account—as well as the environmental impact to the valley—our experts have agreed any of the suggested site options will suffice.”

Dammit,the council seemed torn on that point.

“The timeframe,” he remarked next. “Is there any reason to hurry through this?”

I met his gaze. “Is there any reason not to? Road repairs have almost concluded for the summer. To my knowledge, there’s one other minor proposal on the agenda tonight. In all honesty, I wouldn’t push so hard if not for seeing how much the valley will benefit from this. I feel an airport is long overdue.”

I had to be prepared for every outcome, and I wanted to win Grids within two months. If the tribe couldn’t be convinced to let the pack stay on, the airport would be their escape. If the airport wasn’t finished in time, arranging safe passage through Bluff City with King Julius would hopefully provide another option. If the tribeagreedto let the pack stay, then the airport would allow Luthers to find their mates and act as a long-term route in and out of the valley.

And if none of that worked… I was fresh out of ideas.

Margaret Frey stood again. “Thank you, Andie. You’ve given us a lot to think about.”

“Thank you for your time.”

Phew.Now I just had to get through the public questioning.

Terrie worked through a sewage treatment proposal that appeared to be an update on a prior contract. No one seemed too shocked or interested.

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