A white Bentley pulled up behind Charlene’s limo but she was too occupied to notice.
Chad and Suzanne sat in the rear of the car. It was one of many cars that belonged to his father’s company. The company that Chad worked for belonged to his father.
There were fifty brokers working under Chad’s supervision. His brother watched over fifty more. His father had other mangers that watched over another one hundred or so. Chad worked with only the wealthiest clients that his father had long standing relationships with.
Chad’s father, Armstrong, was slowly handing the business off to his sons with Chad, the oldest to be in charge. Armstrong had more money than he would ever need stashed in banks across America and in many other countries as well.
One other younger brother was still in college and coming into the firm soon. He just needed to graduated and acquire his trading licenses.
After the car had stopped and Charlene was well away from the car, the driver waved for a porter and opened the door for Suzanne.
The car was filled with the aroma of leather and Suzanne’s perfume. The porter smiled as he opened the trunk and began loading his cart with all of their many pieces of expensive luggage. He saw a god tip coming his way.
Chad and Suzanne walked into the airport followed by the porter and stood in the first class line to check in line. They were second in the line. An ambassador of some country once a colony of England in Africa stood in front of them speaking with an accent. His accent was impossible to miss.
They moved up in the line after the tall, thin man was finished checking in and walked away.
“Hello folks,” a young cute woman said from behind the counter. Suzan looked at her and smiled. The woman looked at Suzan’s passport first and slid it under the scanner and waited. She then handed it back to Suzan. She took Chad’s and looked it over. She slid it through the scanner and waited. It cleared and she handed it back to Chad. “Have a safe journey.”
They quickly went on their way to the first class lounge to the left a few yards and then up one level on the escalator. Two men watched all of this from a few yards away behind the counter through a television monitor.
Joe looked down from the second floor as he walked away from the subway. There was a light snow falling as he left the subway car. He walked for a few moments until he was in the front of the Airport. He saw the beautiful Bentley pulling away from under the protruding awning of the airport and wondered who might own it. He didn’t see who came out of the car.
Charlene made her way to the first class line and waited behind two couples. She looked through her purse for her passport as one couple walked away. She paid little attention to them. It was cold outside and everyone was bundled up in thick overcoats. There was little difference to be seen between men or women. Only the shoes seemed interesting as she watched throngs of people walk or run by.
All went smoothly as she finally reached the counter. She watched as the woman looked her and her paperwork over deliberately. “Have a safe journey,” was all she said as she handed Charlene’s passport back to her. She was soon heading to the escalator to the first class lounge. Chad and Suzan were well ahead of her. She didn’t notice them.
As she was about to step onto the escalator she spied Joe seated at the waiting area for their flight. She decided to join him instead.
So the sage is set. What will happen net.
Remember, this is just a rough draft, but close to what I think it will turn out to be when reread and corrected over time.
I leave Wednesday for a 12 day Mississippi River cruise from St. Louis to The Twin Cities, a train ride to three days in Chicago and a road trip home on Route 66.
We have set aside five weeks for this trip. it will be the longest vacation trip ever for us.
I see lots of reading and more writing of “Joe in Africa” on this trip. This story is based on our trip to Arica earlier this year. Someone is going to die on this fictional trip. Who, where and how is still a mystery to me.
I think I’ve said enough.
“Atlanta” and “The House on The Cliff” are in audio production now.
Don’t miss my travel adventures here or my books on Amazon, Kindle and Audible.
“The House on The Cliff” and “The Bad Seed” are now on Amazon.