This business took Chad’s full attention most of the time. That was one of the reasons he was still single. This honeymoon would be Chad’s first vacation in years.

“What good was the money if you couldn’t enjoy it,” he often stated to his father in that private room with the separate computer terminal used for the “special projects.”

His father did all of the computer entries in that dark, gloomy room in the sub basement of the building on Wall Street. No one in the company knew of this inner sanctum or ever entered it except for Chad and his father. Chad wasn’t really sure what these projects were all about but his father had shown him how to access them in case of an emergency or his death.

“I’ll have plenty of time to rest when I’m dead Chad. Work is my mistress. Just ask your mother,” he often said. “She has finally stopped complaining after forty-five years of this. We’re on the verge of a final push that will set us and you children up for life, Chad. You know that as well as I do.” Chad had seen the transactions and the numbers but wasn’t sure what he was really looking at. That’s what he told himself, anyway.

Chad had often heard his father and mother fight about his hectic work schedule, but she had finally realized that he would never change, so she had to. “You’ve been a great son and employee Chad. Now isn’t the time for cold feet, son.”

Chad wasn’t down with the plan at first, but after it was all explained to him he could see the merits ands the few, small, pitfalls.

“We’re near the end of a long term strategy. The risks are there but if all goes well, the payoff will be worth it.”

There building, itself, was worth millions and created a great deal of rental income for the family. It was nearly paid for now and worth four or five times what it cost to build, those forty years ago.

As Chad sat in the sub basement, his mind raced about what might be happening just above him.

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Here’s a little more of “Joe in Africa.”

I have a good deal more and have edited it as I went along. It is much like what you have seen here.

I’m thinking of starting with Chapter One here over again after my edits, for you to read, but I’m not sure if I’ll do that or not.

I hope you are enjoying this. I am.

Chapter Twenty-two is next.