Page 36 of Dan

“They’re not trying to steal the guidance systems. They’re trying to ruin our reputation,” said Antoine, staring at the others.

“That’s what I think,” said Finley. “I know I don’t know all the things you all know, but that’s my bet. What I would be worried about is who at Air and Space FormJet and MQAE are behind this and what are they getting out of this deal. Have you dealt with them before?”

“We’ve dealt with Air and Space FormJet a million times,” said Nine, nodding at the others. “They’ve been around for fifty years.”

“They’re not the same,” said Ryan, looking at the others. His father turned, frowning at him. “I’m sorry, Dad. Uncle Gaspar, all of you. I know that you did business with them because you liked the owner, Gus Masterson. But Gus has been gone for a decade or more now. His daughter is the one who took over, and I’m not even sure she’s running the place any longer. I think after her husband died, they sold it to someone else. We’ve tapered off working with them but were asked to meet with them about the guidance systems and retrofitting them to the jets.”

“Have you had difficulties with them?” asked Gaspar.

“Yes. But when we all met to review our list of providers and vendors, you guys were pretty adamant that you wanted this relationship to continue. We get it, and we appreciate your loyalty to some of these guys, but they’re not the same businesses you once dealt with. There’s no loyalty by some of these folks.”

“Damn, Ryan. I would have listened, son, had you said something,” said Antoine.

“Dad, I did say something,” he smirked. “So did Paige. So did Doug. Look, it’s okay. We know now, and we need to get a handle on it. I think maybe Paige, Doug, and I go up to Seattle and visit these folks. See what’s happening. We’ve been stalling on the missile defense system, awaiting final signatures from the White House. Maybe we can use that as an excuse to obtain more information from them.”

“I think I’d like to be there as well,” said Gaspar.

“Same,” said Nine. “I know we’re not involved in everything any longer, but those guys have been doing business with us a long time. We should have gone up there sooner.”

“Alright, I’ll arrange for us to meet with them tomorrow,” said Paige, nodding at everyone. “Finley? Don’t ever be ashamed to share your ideas and thoughts with us. You know more than you think you do, and that brilliant mind of yours just might have prevented us from doing something really stupid.”

“Thank you, Paige,” she nodded. “Now, since I’m in need of a father to walk me down the aisle, I’d like to ask Luke if he’d be so kind as to do that for me.”

Luke blushed, staring at the others as they smiled at the young woman.

“Me?” he squealed.

“Yes, you. You said you could be a surrogate father to me. It seems I’m in need of a surrogate for sure. It’s a short walk from what I understand,” she grinned. Luke walked toward her, hugging her. He kissed the top of her head.

“You have no idea how happy this makes me,” he said. “I’ve admired all these men my entire life, and one of the things I loved the most was watching them envelop the women who came to our compound. I’m here for you, Finley. For now, and always. I would be honored to walk you down the aisle.”

“Great. Because before we go any further, I’d really like to be Mrs. Dan Robicheaux.”

“I heard that!” yelled Irene, walking in the door.

“Great-grandma!” laughed Dan. “How could you hear that?”

“I got good ears,” she smiled. “Let’s go, Finley, baby. We got a weddin’ to plan.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

At the morning meeting, everyone was preparing for the small group to head to Seattle. They’d made late-night contact with the CEO, asking to meet with her personally as well as the engineers for the new jets. Nine and Gaspar insisted on going, but also with them would be Paige, Doug, Ryan, Sophia Ann, Eric, and Dan.

“How long do you think you’ll be gone?” asked Finley.

“I can’t imagine more than a day or two. It will depend on what we find up there and who the hell is manipulating shit. It seems pretty obvious that someone is trying to ruin our reputation, and we’ve got to stop it before it spreads,” said Dan.

“I understand. Mama Irene said that we could be married this weekend,” she grinned. “Is that okay?”

“Honey, I can’t think of anything better,” he said, kissing her. While Cam called for order, Pigsty stepped away from the comms desks, whispering in Luke’s ear. He proceeded to whisper in Cam’s ear and then to Hex and Eric.

“Finley, hun, your parents are calling in on the G.R.I.P. line demanding to speak with you. I’m guessing they understood Sophia Ann’s comments loud and clear. It’s up to you,” said Luke. “We can tell them you’re not available.”

“I guess I have to do this sooner or later, don’t I?” she whispered to herself. “They won’t stop calling if I don’t speak with them.”

“You don’t have to do it at all if you don’t want to,” said Dan.

“Will you put it on speaker?” she asked. Luke nodded. “In the past, they’ve tried to manipulate what I say, making it sound like I’m not sane. They’ve even gone so far as to record me on phone calls or teleconferences. I just want witnesses to the fact that I’m perfectly normal and calm.”

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