FIRE ON HIGH
“Fire On High” is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. All characters and settings © Tigermark 2003-2005 unless otherwise noted. Request permission before using them, please.
The characters of Brandy, Maxwell, and Tonya and Zig Zag are © Max Blackrabbit and appear here with his permission. Events and information relating to Tonya’s family is presented here, but are not to be considered canon to those characters or any other story but this one. ZZ Studios © James Bruner. Thorton Aircraft Company actually exists, and does rebuild, sales, service, and movie and television work with restored jet fighter and trainer aircraft.
CHAPTER 24
Fresh Start
Alex had met his family, along with Billy and Penny, just as they were finishing their meal. He’d ordered a sandwich to go and talked with Billy and Penny as Jenna and the cubs went to bring her minivan up to the door. Anton and Talia sat in the foyer of the restaurant, exchanging a word or two about the trip and the ceremony.
“So,” Billy said with a grin, “ready to go see your new toy?”
Alex grinned back in reply. “”I’m jealous. You got to see them first.”
“Well, mine anyway, but yeah, I guess I did. You won’t be disappointed. How soon do you figure you’ll come on to Lexington?”
“Probably next Friday. I want to spend some time with Dad, maybe fish a little, and make some mental adjustments to the idea of civilian life.”
Billy smiled broadly. He’d made that transition several years back, but he had come to realize that while you can take the fur out of the Air Force, you couldn’t take the Air Force out of the fur. Alex might think he had to leave it behind until he pulled his reserve duty, but Billy knew that it was such a part of his friend, that it would always partly define who he was and how he did things.
Penny had perked up when Alex had said when he planned to return to Kentucky. “Oh, well, ah, how soon do you think you’d like to meet the lady Billy asked you about? I’d like to be able to tell her so she can make sure her calendar is clear.”
Alex gave a rueful smirk. “How about letting me at least get my gear down before you throw me to the sharks, Penny. How about three weeks from now?”
Penny looked chagrinned. “Ah, that sounds fine. Sorry Alex, I didn’t mean to rush you.”
“Ah, no problem. It’s just that I’ll be at Dad’s most of this coming week, and I’m sure your husband here plans to work me to death once I get there.” Alex gave Billy a quick look, indicating he was teasing.
“Yeah, you better believe it! You work for a living now,” Billy teased back. “No more cruising along at five hundred knots at flight level five zero zero. Now it’ll be down in the traffic and muck with the rest of us regular mortal pilots.”
Penny rolled her eyes, but before she could comment Anton called out that Jenna had arrived at the door with the van. Everyone made their way out and got seated. Billy and Penny had flown over in his Aerostar, and between 8 furs and luggage, the minivan was a bit crowded. Fortunately, the early afternoon traffic wasn’t too bad, and the trip to the airport didn’t take too long. Alex had called and arranged for the rental company to pick up the car at the restaurant so everyone could travel to the airport in one vehicle, but after he and the Panelli’s flew out, the rest of the family would be able to travel comfortably.
Jenna pulled into the parking lot of the general aviation FBO (Fixed Base Operator, a fancy name for the business that provides fuel, parking, maintenance, and aircraft sales/rental). Billy, Penny, and Alex retrieved their things, and everyone headed inside. Billy had to file a flight plan for their trip back to Kentucky, and Alex had to meet up with the pilot who’d ferried his “surprise” to Norfolk from California. As they entered the lobby/pilot’s lounge area, Alex noted a slim, weathered-looking greyhound in a faded flight suit. He stood as Alex walked up to him and the canid extended a paw.
“Lt. Col. O’Whitt? I’m Randy Swifter with Thorton Aircraft Company. I believe I have something for you,” he said as he shook paws and held out a packet of paperwork.
Alex grinned in reply as he shook paws and took the packet. “Looks like you do. How does she fly?”
“Like a dream, sir. The package you put together is an absolutely awesome ride. Also, I have no gigs on her from the flight over.”
The rest of the group was looking on. Some just curiously, but most notably Billy and Tia in rapt anticipation. Alex grinned over at them and spoke what they’d been waiting for.
“Let’s go take a look then, Randy. How soon is your flight back?”
“I’m RONing, sir. You can take your time inspecting her.” The greyhound was relaxed, showing no signs of hurry or nervousness about the delivery, and that did much to convince Alex that all was well with the aircraft.
“Great! Lead the way, then,” Alex replied. He had everything ready, including a flight plan minus the final numbers. If everything met his approval, he’d sign for delivery and be on his way. The greyhound turned and headed out toward the aircraft parking ramp, and Alex beckoned the group to follow.
“They parked her right beside a red, white, and blue Aerostar, but last I looked there was nothing parked on the other side,” Randy said over his shoulder.
Alex glanced at Billy, who grinned broadly in return. The distance wasn’t too great, so everyone, even Anton, walked out and down the line of parked aircraft. Alex could see the pilot’s canopy up and the top of the tail, but Tia was the first to get a full view of his new ride. She stopped short with a sharp intake of breath. Everyone else save Randy Swifter, Billy, and Alex, had been busy talking and hadn’t noticed what caused Tia to stop.
Alex had known the ride he had designed would be sharp, but what he saw before him now was absolutely spectacular. He looked over at Billy, who grinned from ear to ear.
“Stripes Two looks just as eye-catching. I think we’ll have the most distinctive, unique pair of aircraft going. The marketing value alone will pay for their upkeep,” Billy stated.
Alex was about to reply when Tia found her voice. “Uncle Alex, she’s beautiful! Just totally awesome!”
The young tigress’ eyes were wide with awe. Alex put a paw gently on her shoulder and bent down to look at her from her eye level.
“Tia, that’s the best compliment I could have. Let’s go take a closer look.”
Tia nodded and the group proceeded toward Alex’s new aircraft. The first, most striking thing they saw was the stripes. Alex had designed a one of a kind custom paint job. Black, tigeresque stripes adorned the aircraft from nose to tail over a base of brilliant white. A large number one, also black, was centered on the vertical stabilizer. The registration number, NC499ST, along with an additional number one at the end, ran along the base of the vertical stabilizer.
As they reached the aircraft, Tia began to excitedly talk a mile a minute.
“Uncle Alex, this isn’t a stock T-38, is it? The wings are larger, there are two fuel tanks under the wings, as well as the one in the center. The flaps and speedbrakes look bigger, and those look like slats on the leading edges.”
“Very good, Tia,” Alex replied. “Yes, it’s been modified. Except for the fact that the fuselage was originally a T-38, it would most closely resemble an F-5B. It doesn’t have the gunsight or HUD of the F-5, though, and the wing sections are actually from the F-20. I’m going to be flying in and out of some shorter airfields on business, so the wing mods are to help lower the stall speed. Usually a Talon stops flying at around 150 knots. This lady should be able to get down slower, possibly as low as 135 knots. That’s a big difference in landing roll.”
“She was rock-steady at 138 during her test flight, sir,” Randy Swifter chimed in.
Alex looked over at him. “Great! Well Randy, ready for me to pull out the fine-toothed comb?”
“You bet! Let’s have a look at her,” the greyhound replied.
The two pilots started at the nose and worked their way around the aircraft, simultaneously checking that everything agreed with the work order and Alex’s expectations, and preflighting the aircraft. In the end everything checked out, from the landing gear to the custom instruments and nav/comm. systems. Even the main fuel tanks were full. The drop tanks under the wings were on for the delivery, but filling them hadn’t been part of the delivery agreement. The centerline pod was actually a storage pod, as the T-38 had no room to store luggage internally.
“Randy, she looks great,” Alex said at last. “Do you want to go back inside and sign the papers? Billy and I have to file flight plans.”
“Sure, lead the way,” the greyhound responded amiably.
As the group walked back toward the FBO main building, Alex put a paw around Tia’s shoulder to speak with her.
“Tia, I know you would like to ride up to Charleston with me, and I promise you’ll get a ride before the weekend is over, but I’d like for Dad to ride with me today. He may not feel up to it, but I want to ask him first.”
Tia looked up at Alex, and then over at her grandfather. The older tiger seemed to be doing fine today, so she didn’t get her hopes up that she’d be riding to West Virginia with her uncle today.
“Uh, that’s fine, Uncle Alex. I think it’d be great for Grandpa to get the first ride.” She now grinned broadly. “Besides, if we go up out of Charleston, maybe you can show me some aerobatics.”
Alex had to chuckle. His niece was displaying all the elements needed to become a great pilot. He’d be sure to give her a good ride when they went up.
“You bet,” he responded as they reached the building.
“Did someone say aerobatics?” Billy asked enthusiastically as he stepped up beside Tia. Penny, who was right behind him, winked at Alex.
“Not in the Aerostar,” she teased. “Remember the last time, Billy.”
Billy looked confused for a second. “I’ve never done aerobatics in the Aerostar. It’s not rated . . .Oh, stop it, Penny, or I’ll show you some real aerobatics in Stripes Two.”
“Promises, promises,” she teased back.
The group had come inside and seated themselves around the lounge as Billy went to check the weather for their destinations and Alex and Randy got down to business on the paperwork involved in Alex accepting the aircraft. About a half hour later, Billy had filed his flight plan, Alex was finishing his up, and Randy Swifter had departed for his hotel, signed paperwork and funds transfer authorization in paw.
Alex now stepped away from the counter, having filed his flight plan to Charleston. He hoped his father would accept his offer of a ride; otherwise he’d have to come back and amend it.
“Hey Dad,” he called, deciding to plunge right in, “would you like to ride with me over to Charleston?”
The older tiger looked at his son keenly for a few seconds. He was feeling pretty good, and not too tired out from the day’s activities yet. It might very well be his only chance to ride with his son.
“What the heck,” he thought. “You only live once.” What he said was, “Sounds good, Son. Just nothing too fancy, all right?”
Alex’s smile was even wider than when he’d first seen Stripes One. “No problem, Dad. Just straight up and over, nothing fancy.”
Talia gave Alex and Anton a hard look, but chose to remain silent. Now that who was riding where was settled, everyone said their goodbyes.
“We’ll watch from the parking lot for you to take off,” Jenna said as she hugged Alex and Anton. Tia followed suit, and Andrew shook paws.
“Cool plane, Uncle Alex.” The young tiger commented. Alex grinned and turned to his father.
“Let’s get you dressed for the flight, Dad. I have a spare flight suit that should do you.” Anton made a face, but followed his son. Jenna, Tia, Andrew, and Talia all headed for the parking lot after telling Billy and Penny goodbye. In a few minutes, Alex and Anton returned, both dressed in sage green flight suits. Alex didn’t plan on any aerobatics, so he and his father wouldn’t wear G-suits. Billy had procured a luggage cart and had all his and Penny’s bags, plus Alex’s small bag. Anton’s luggage would ride home with Jenna and company.
“Ready to go?” Alex asked.
“Sure,” Billy replied, “but you first. Penny and I will watch from the taxiway. No way am I getting in front of you for takeoff.”
Alex made a face, but then grinned. They all walked out to the aircraft, and as Billy carefully loaded the Aerostar, Alex put his bag in the belly pod under his new ride.
“Dad, are you sure you’re up to this?” Alex had noted his father looking a bit intimidated by the climb up the boarding stairs.
“Yep, rarin’ to go. Just how do you sit down in this thing, though?”
Alex was about to help his father up to the rear cockpit when Billy called out. “Alex, Anton, have a safe flight! I’ll see you next week in Lexington, Alex.”
“Yes, you two be safe. Have a great flight. Come and see us soon, Anton,” Penny chimed in.
“You bet! Safe flight, you two,” Alex replied. Anton merely nodded.
Alex then helped his dad up the mobile stairs. He got him seated, and then helped him connect all the belts, and hoses and comm. lines to the helmet. After making sure Anton’s helmet was on right, Alex descended the stairs and did a quick double check of the aircraft as he removed all the pins and covers with their “remove before flight” pennants. He then climbed back up the ladder and settled himself into the front cockpit, carefully slipping his tail into its padded cradle. He donned his own helmet and connected everything, and then called on the radio for the ramp furs to come and move the stairs away and pull the chocks for him. In a couple of minutes, a truck pulled up and two furs in white ramp crew jumpsuits pushed the mobile stairs out of the way. Then one of them moved to the front of the aircraft and paw-signaled Alex that he was ready to pull the chocks and assist as needed. Alex went through his cockpit checks, and set up his navigation and communications radios and instruments, and listened to the latest ATIS message.. He then called Norfolk Ground Control.
“Norfolk Ground, November Charlie Four Niner Niner Sierra Tango is a Tee Thirty Eight, ready for engine start and taxi on the general ramp with information Kilo.”
The reply came immediately. “Nine Sierra Tango, Norfolk Ground, good afternoon. You are cleared for engine start. Advise when ready to taxi.”
“Niner Sierra Tango, copy cleared to start. Will advise when ready to taxi.” Alex replied. He went through the engine start procedure, and the engines rumbled to life. The ramp fur helped him with the control checks, and then pulled the wheel chocks.
“Ready Dad?” Alex called on the intercom.
“Go, Son,” Anton replied.
Alex keyed the mic. “Norfolk Ground, Niner Sierra Tango, ready to taxi for Runway Five.”
“Nine Sierra Tango, cleared to taxi. Proceed to taxiway A left to taxiway J, no ILS hold, hold at threshold for clearance from tower.”
“Niner Sierra Tango copies A left to J, hold at threshold for tower.”
Alex nudged the throttles forward and began to taxi. The startup on the uprated J85’s had been a bit different, but they responded the way he expected as the power was applied. He was glad he wouldn’t always need an air-starting or “huffer” cart.
“Here we go,” he called on the intercom with a broad grin in his mask. They soon reached the runway threshold, where Alex did his final checks and called the tower.
“Norfolk Tower, Niner Sierra Tango holding for takeoff on Runway Five with information Kilo.”
“Nine Sierra Tango, hold for arriving traffic, a Delta Seven Three Seven three miles out on approach.”
Alex looked out to his left and saw the landing lights of the airliner. “Norfolk Tower, Niner Sierra Tango, holding for Runway Five, I have traffic in sight.”
He toggled over to Intercom. “Be a couple of minutes, Dad. There’s an airliner on approach. You can see her lights out to the left.”
“I see them, Son,” Anton replied. He was feeling quite excited about the flight, and was enjoying watching his son “work.”
Alex lowered the canopies and reminded his father about how to latch his. He got a “latched” indication for both on his panel. Just then, the 737 passed them as it settled toward the runway. Alex noted a furtive glance from the pilot, who was busy concentrating on the landing, and several wide-eyed stares from some of the passengers looking out their windows.
“I’d better get used to that,” Alex thought to himself.
“Nine Sierra Tango, Norfolk Tower. Wait two for vortices abatement,” the tower controller called.
“Niner Sierra Tango,” Alex replied. Big aircraft generated strong swirling winds off their wingtips, and several smaller aircraft encountering these had crashed before, so the controller was allowing plenty of time for them to dissipate. After the two minutes passed, the tower controller called again.
“Nine Sierra Tango, Norfolk Tower, you are cleared for an unlimited takeoff up to FL180. Tower chief says let’s see what she’ll do. Contact departure control on One Twenty Five Point Two. Good day, sir.”
Alex grinned. So they wanted to see what she’d do. So did he, if his dad was up to it. He keyed the intercom.
“Dad, an unlimited takeoff means I can climb out as fast and steep as I want. You up to that? It won’t be a lot of G’s. Sort of like going up in a really fast elevator.”
Anton grinned, too. “In for a penny, in for a pound. Go for it, Son.”
Alex keyed the radio. “Norfolk Tower, Niner Sierra Tango, Copy unlimited.” He nudged the throttles and moved the jet onto the runway, carefully lining up with the centerline. He then stood on the brakes and pushed the throttles forward past the detents into afterburner.
“Niner Sierra Tango, rolling,” he called as the afterburners lit. Stripes One leapt down the runway, accelerating very quickly. In a few seconds, they reached flying speed. Alex eased the stick back slightly, and they lifted off the runway. He raised the landing gear and flaps, and at the end of the runway, pulled back harder on the stick. Stripes One rocketed skyward. He heard an audible gasp, both on the intercom and on the radio.
“You okay, Dad?”
“Never better. Go, Son, go!”
Alex contacted departure control, who cleared them up to their cruise altitude of twenty thousand with a grin in his voice. As they climbed past eight thousand feet, he couldn’t resist, plus he needed to adjust their heading. It was an unlimited takeoff, after all. He eased the stick over and executed a slow roll as they climbed.
“Don’t get carried away, Son. remember I’m back here”
“I know Dad. Nothing extreme, see? We’re climbing straight again.” As they reached twelve thousand, they entered a thin layer of altostratus.
“Hmm,” Alex commented. “May have a system coming in by Sunday.”
“Yep,” his father replied. In a short time they reached twenty thousand feet and Alex leveled out and turned from the spectacular view of the ocean they could see to the east. After contacting Washinton Center, they were vectored west. Soon the peaks of the Allegheny’s began to slide by under the nose, just beginning to show some himnts of the coming fall colors.
“Ah Son, that was really something. I’m glad I took this ride with you while I had the chance.”
“Sure Dad, anytime. You’ll beat this cancer and we’ll have plenty of time to fly.” Alex was staying on top of the aircraft’s flight while he chatted with his father. Anton was quiet a moment, but he finally decided that now was the time to tell his son the prognosis. There couldn’t be anyplace more private.
“No Son. I’m sorry, but no. Dr. Gailton told me my last visit that it’s terminal.”
To his credit, Alex followed the first rule of flying. Fly the aircraft. After a moment, he found his voice.
“There’s no doubt? Nothing else to try?”
“No.”
“How long?”
“Few months, maybe a year at most. Son, I’ve come to terms with it. I’m settled with the Lord, and I’m ready when He is. Let’s not make the time I have full of doom and gloom. Let’s fly, and fish, and talk.”
Alex blinked to clear his eyes and took a deep breath. He’d known this was a possibility, but that didn’t help much when it had just become a reality.He nodded, knowing that his father could see the motion.
“You always did seem to have a good plan for things, whatever happened. Just, not too soon, okay? We still have a lot of ground to cover on the family history, and a lot of flying and fishing and talking to do.”
Anton chuckled. “All right, not too soon.”
“Who else knows?” Alex inquired.
“Talia. She wouldn’t rest until I told her.”
“That sounds like her.”
As Virginia, and then West Virginia passed rapidly by below them, the two tigers small talked and Alex did the tour-guide routine for his father. Before long, it was time for them to let down into Yeager Airport.
“Son, thanks. This has been really great.” Anton said as they began their descent
“Yes it has. Thanks for flying with me,” Alex replied, and then added, “Let’s go home.”
As Alex started setting up for his approach, he heard his father say quietly, “Son, I think you’re already there.”
# # #
Billy and Penny sat in the front seats of the Aerostar. They were next in line behind Alex’s T-38 for takeoff from Norfolk, so they would get a good look as Alex took off in his new ride.
“Six Nine Charlie, hold behind the T-38 for vortices abatement,” the tower called as a Delta 737 landed on the runway they would take off on.
“Six Niner Charlie,” Billy acknowledged. He looked over at Penny and smiled. She was intently looking over Stripes One with a practiced eye. All the years of flying with Billy had given her an appreciation of aircraft, so she was forming her own opinions about the other half of the new O’Whitt-Panelli duo.
The clearance for Alex’s takeoff came across the radio, and Billy arched an eyebrow.
“An unlimited takeoff? Well, someone wants to see a show.”
“What’s an unlimited takeoff?” Penny asked as she glanced at Billy over the rims of her ray-bans. She’d flown with Billy a lot, but she’d never heard that term before.
“It means he can climb as fast as he wants as high as he’s cleared for. The most liberal interpretation would let him do whatever he wants, even aerobatics as long as he’s climbing out.” Billy explained as they watched Alex’s ride roll to the centerline of the runway.
They heard the pop as Stripes One’s afterburners lit. The T-38 rapidly built speed and was in the air in a few seconds. The landing gear and flaps came up, and the jet accelerated faster. At the end of the runway, the nose came up and Stripes One clawed for altitude at an impressive rate. Billy smiled as he heard the tower controller gasp over the radio. Just before the aircraft faded into the altostratus deck at twelve thousand, she executed a slow roll.
Billy looked over at Penny, whose eyebrows were arched. “Well, that was impressive,” he stated.
“Yes, he shows off well,” Penny replied with a wink. Billy just grinned back, knowing she was teasing. He was about to make a smart comment about all tigers being showoffs when the tower controller found his voice.
“Six Nine Charlie, you are cleared for takeoff, have a good day, sir.”
“Six Niner Charlie copies, thank you,” Billy answered. He then said to Penny, “We can climb fast, but I don’t think we can go like that.”
“The way we go is just fine with me,” she replied with another wink.
Billy had taxied out and lined up with the runway centerline.
“Then let’s go home,” he said as he pushed the throttles forward.
# # #
Jenna, Tia, Andrew, and Talia stood at the minivan. They could see the distinctive striped jet as it stopped at the end of the runway to wait for an airliner to land.
“I bet he does something really neat,” Tia said eagerly.
“Maybe, but he’s not flying for the military now. I hope he doesn’t get into trouble by showing off too much,” Jenna said as she shaded her eyes.
“Well, he’d best take it easy with Anton in there.” Talia had a slightly worried tone to her voice.
“Oh, he’ll be fine,” Jenna stated. “He’s looking a lot better since he finished his chemo.”
“Looks can be deceiving,” Talia replied.
Before Jenna could ask what Talia meant, Tia exclaimed, “There they go!”
The jet had taxied onto the runway and stopped. The twin pops of the afterburners reached their ears, and the aircraft began to move. Stripes One was just getting airborne when a hangar obscured their view. A few seconds later, they saw the striped jet rocketing skyward at a near-vertical angle. Just before reaching the clouds, it did a graceful roll and then disappeared.
Everyone was silent for a moment, and then Tia began to excitedly babble.
“Wow! Did you see that? That was so-oo cool! I bet they were climbing almost as fast as an F-15! And that roll! Now that was awesome. Oh, I can’t wait until I get to go up with Uncle Alex.”
“Looks like we’ll be hearing about this most of the trip.” Jenna said over Tia’s continued excited chatter in the background, looking at Talia and shrugging.
“Dear, I’m old. I can play deaf,” Talia replied with an uncharacteristic wink. Andrew merely shrugged and got in the minivan, putting on a set of headphones so the sound of his game wouldn’t bother anyone.
Jenna sighed and got in as Tia bounced around and into her seat. Talia got in the front passenger side, and then Jenna started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, heading for the interstate. As Tia gushed, Talia looked out the window, and Andrew played his game, Jenna concentrated on her driving. In the back of her mind, though, she acknowledged that today was at least in part a result of Alex’s insistence on the truth being told about Jason’s crash.
“Thank you, Alex. Safe flight, and we’ll see you in Elkview,” she said quietly to herself as she drove on.
# # #
Jefferson Mastifson the Third was subdued and brooding as he sat in his seat aboard the small Beech 99 commuter plane. He’d left Ft. Sumter that morning after being unceremoniously retired from the air force the day before. He was on his way to meet with some contacts concerning a job. His wife had taken over half his retirement pay in their divorce, along with a considerable amount of property and savings. He wasn’t destitute, but he would have to work to maintain the life style he was used to.
Airline flying didn’t appeal to him, and charter flying even less so. He wanted to continue flying, but he wanted something where he would be in charge in very short order. Nothing had immediately come to mind, so now he was heading northward toward Philadelphia. An old Academy friend had said he might have a solution, but not to say anything until they met face to face.
Just then, the rotweiller’s reverie was interrupted as the intercom chimed.
“Ladies and gentlefurs, we are passing over central Virginia right now, and the controller has told me that if we watch out to our right side about five miles, we’ll see a very spectacular aircraft on its climb up out of Norfolk.”
“Great,” Mastifson thought. “Some rich guy in a dolled-up Lear thinks he’s going to impress someone.”
The little commuter plane was at fourteen thousand feet, just above the altostratus layer that was moving in from the west. The cirrostratus layer above them at twenty five thousand was getting thicker, but the sun still shone through enough to cast a shadow from the Beech close beside it. For lack of anything better to do at the moment, Mastifson continued to look out over the cloud deck in the direction the pilot had said the mystery aircraft would be coming up at.
Suddenly, much, much faster than the rotweiller had anticipated, a white and black blur arrowed up through the clouds about five miles away. Most on board the commuter plane gasped, wondering what it was. Mastifson knew. He’d seen them enough in training to instantly recognize the type of aircraft as it quickly disappeared westward out of sight.
As he contemplated the T-38, Mastifson began to make a connection. A black and white striped T-38. Norfolk. Langley. The date on his watch affirmed his thought.
“It must have been . . . him,” he muttered to himself.
Jefferson Mastifson knew he’d probably purchase an aircraft, and he hoped to still work in aviation, but he knew now that he’d never match the ride he had just seen.
“One more reason, O’Whitt. One more reason.”
With that, he returned to his silent, brooding contemplation.
END OF CHAPTER 24
