More of Chapter 14

In the morning when the town car arrived for Chad and Susan, a drone was flying over the car, unnoticed. It would follow them to the airport rising and falling as the architecture and the power lines dictated.

Susan and Chad had spent their honeymoon night in Chad’s apartment downtown. It wasn’t the first night she had spent there but it was very different to be there now, his wife. His wife she thought as she got ready for bed after a long shower together and some great wine.

It was a misty morning with steam pouring out of the manholes and rising slowly around the city over the damp streets. The locals seldom notice the thin clouds while the tourists seemed fascinated by them as they tried to see everything the city had to offer in too short a timespan. It would take months to see all that the city had to offer, both good and bad.

“Hey Marge, what the heck is that steam all about in the street?” the doormen had heard more times than they cared to. The wife would answer back, “I haven’t a clue dear, ask the doorman. He’s standing right there. It is odd though isn’t it. Is something on fire below the streets? Are we in danger of some sort?”” And soon the husband was walking to talk with the busy doorman as he tried to escape.

Fall leaves were starting to pile up and be blown around the city’s wide streets and quiet avenues as the season had started to change. Soon the breeze would turn to a gusty wind.

“We were so lucky with the weather yesterday at the wedding Chad.” “Yes my love, it couldn’t have turned out better. it was a wonderful ceremony and I was the happiest man on earth. I still am thanks to you my dear.” “Me too dear. This is just the beginning of a wonderful life adventure together,” Susan added.

The New York Prosecutor’s office had been notified in the last few months about a possible pump and dump scheme that was being run by Chad’s family business. He not only took his business public, but worked on many projects for both upstanding clients and those with dubious backgrounds. That part of the business paid well. Much of it concerned laundering cash from illegal activities in the city and else ware. That small part of the business paid very well, but the risks were greater.

Several men and women from that office downtown were now looking over the books of the company, the family and friends of the family, including local and statewide politicians. Susan, Chad, or his family had no idea about any of this as the newlyweds drove to the airport. The investigation had started a month ago and had been staffed with many people at some cost to the city. The new mayor was no fan of Chad’s family and was intent on bring them down. The results of the preliminary findings were being closely scrutinized at this very moment. Charges were close to being filed.