He saw a figure on the second floor. There was a balcony and a man stood carrying what appeared to be a drink.
“Bingo,” Adam said quietly to himself.
He adjusted the scope and the readings giving distance popped up. Adam pressed a button the top to save coordinates even though he memorized the 244-yard range. It was a distance easily within the effective range of the Steyhr.
Looking at the drinking man inside the double doors of the second floor room, Adam whispered one word, “Soon.”
Chapter Three
Gene found himself in the library alone again. Jack and his baton-twirling bimbo wife were giving an interview to a couple of Knoxville television stations and scheduled to give a third local station a similar “at home with the Ravens” interview for a morning news show.
Gene knew that he wouldn't to worry about Jack wondering off for the night so he relaxed. Cyprus would soon take off and complete his mission. Sure Jack would be pissed for a day or two - maybe more - but he would get over it.
Gene enjoyed his bourbon as he slowly paced the library. The constant movement helped relax him and helped him think.
He looked up and saw the sign for Tom's campaign for Congress in 1988. Gene smiled when he thought of that campaign. They crisscrossed the district and worked eighteen hours or more every day but loved it. Tom was smart enough to listen to all of his advisors — especially Gene — but he knew how to have a good time without the world knowing.
But more than anything, Tom shared the same vision as Gene. The plan was to get into office and use it not just to multiply the family fortune but to increase the influence of the Raven family, meaning Gene would have become a king-maker in Tennessee and beyond.
So much of what happened in the past could at least be erased without fear of it coming back to haunt him or his family.
But that day in early November changed everything. Tom wanted to make a last minute rush across the district, which covered all or parts of nine East Tennessee counties. The day-long blitz of speeches was scheduled to end in Knoxville at the Convention Center where Tom was scheduled to address a large veterans' group.
Gene and Bob traveled ahead by car to make sure the venue and a few handpicked supporters were ready. Tom opted to use a small plane belonging to Raven Manufacturing to hop from one end of the district to the other.
Scheduled to speak at eight o'clock, Tom was running late. A heavy thunderstorm settled over the area and it was generally accepted that was the reason for the delay. Gene and Bob constantly checked in with other staffers trying to locate him. At 8:45, a call came through from the Campbell County Sheriff's Department that Tom's plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The wreckage had been found less than two miles away from the runway near Lafollette.
Tom, the pilot, two staffers, and three prostitutes were killed. Gene blinked at the bitter tears in his eyes. Not only was his younger brother gone, so was the dream.
Just a few days short of winning the election Tom was gone and the grand plan was in ruins.
But Gene didn't give up. He turned to the youngest of the Raven brothers, Jack. The two had never really gotten along. Jack was more like their mother than their father; he cared more for living the good life than he did actually accomplishing anything.
It had taken several years of hard work on Gene's part along with hundreds of thousands of dollars to make Jack look like a serious candidate for any office. The ghostwriters employed to write various op-ed pieces over the past few years had cost a small fortune as had the media coaches and image consultants. Jack wasn't nearly the candidate or man that Tom was but he now looked and sounded like he knew what his was talking about, even when he didn't.
The dream was now back within reach, Gene thought as he stood and looked out of the double doors that led to the balcony. He took a sip of his drink and stared at over the grounds.
“Soon,” he whispered.
“Soon,” he whispered.
***
“Would anyone like more coffee?” Carlene asked as everyone finished their dessert.
“Yes, thank you.” Beau said.
“Me too,” Chet said as Marcus and Chloe declined a second cup.
“Thank you ma’am but I need all the room I can stand for the rest of this pie,” Marcus said.
“And if I have one more cup I won't fall asleep before three a.m.,” Chelsea said.
As Carlene started to stand with the coffee decanter, Haley spoke up.
“Don't bother Aunt Carly, I'll get it. I'd like some more as well,” she said, sliding her chair back. She was seated next to Beau, across from Marcus and Chelsea. Mike sat between the two of them. Chet sat at one end and Carlene at the other.
Haley stopped and filled Beau's cup first - he was a guest and Carlene would have frowned upon her pouring any other cup first.
Chet passed his cup to Beau.
“If you wouldn't mind Beau,” he said. “No need for you make any extra steps Haley.”
She refilled her cup and Carlene pushed her cup over to be refilled before Haley sat the decanter back on the table. She winked at her niece and smiled.
Beau watched Chet pull his cup over next to his saucer. A small sugar bowl and spoon rested near the plate. The bowl contained instant coffee instead of sugar. As he already had when he got a slice of pie, Chet added two spoons of instant coffee to his cup.
He noticed Beau and Chloe watching him.
“I like my coffee to be a little stouter,” Chet said to Beau.
“I've noticed,” Beau said as Haley and Carlene giggled.
“If I had that much caffeine I'd repaint the classroom twice tomorrow and run about twenty laps around the school,” Chelsea said.
Chet laughed.
“All those years of late nights with the Bureau made me a caffeine junkie. At least I don't smoke or drink,” he said.
“And I'm thankful for that,” Carlene said.
“I saw quite a bit of that in the Army,” Haley said. “Men and women both - unfortunately, it's how they dealt with stress.”
“Yeah, I saw it too. A lot of the old timers that served in Vietnam — no offense Chet — used to get pretty messed up. I saw more than one life end that way,” Beau said as Haley nodded knowingly.
“And this old timer saw firsthand in Vietnam. Ended a lot of lives there too,” Chet said.
“Well this is just dreadful after-dinner conversation,” Carlene said.
“Yeah Beau, way to bring down the room,” Marcus said in mock disgust.
“Yeah Uncle Beau,” Mike repeated to everyone's laughter.
Beau smiled.
“I'll try to do better Mike, I promise,” he said.
Mike eyed him with a serious look.
“Okay,” he finally said causing another round of chuckles.
Beau looked at Carlene.
“I do believe that was the best blueberry pie I've ever had and I can say the same for supper,” he said.
“I do love her blueberry pie,” Chet said as he took a sip of coffee.
“It was a wonderful meal, thank you so much for inviting us,” Chelsea said.
“I figure my plate did my talking but I'll say it just the same, that was some of the best food I ever had,” Marcus said.
“You really outdid yourself Aunt Carly,” Haley said.
“Now y'all are going to have to hush. You'll give me the big head. It felt good to cook for a group again. Usually it's me and Chet. It's tough to cook for two people after years of feeding a whole family,” Carlene said as she stood and started to gather used saucers and cups.
“Please, sit still Aunt Carly. I'll clean up. Besides, you've already done the hard part,” Haley volunteered.
“Let me help,” Chelsea said as started reaching for saucers and silverware.
Beau stood and started doing the same.
“I don't mind helping. It's the least I can do,” he said.
Haley reached and took a couple of saucers from him. Their hand
s brushed each other and Beau felt a jolt go through his body. She looked up at him. For a split second he thought he caught a glimpse of a reflection of those feelings.
“That's sweet of you to offer - both of you,” she said to Chelsea - “but this won't take long. You're guests.”
“Really, I don't mind,” he countered.
“Neither do I. Really Marcus, you could take a lesson from Beau. Get the rest of the dishes and follow us to the kitchen,” Chelsea said.Marcus stood and gave Beau a harsh look.
“Thanks a lot man,” he said.
Mike pipped up.
“Yeah, thanks a lot Uncle Beau,” he said happily.
Chet and Carlene both grinned.
“Mike why don't we see if we can find some cartoons on TV?” Chet said.
“Cool!” Mike said as he hopped out the chair and followed Chet.
He stopped and looked at Carlene.
“Don't you like cartoons?” He asked. “My granny loves cartoons.”
“So do I,” Carlene said as she stood and followed them.
“She likes the ones with the funny rabbit. I like the Galatic Heroes,” Mike said as he waited for her and then took her hand.
“I like the funny rabbit too,” she said as they disappeared into the living room.
Marcus shook his head.
“Kids must be able to pick up on that 'grandmother gene' on instinct. That happens a lot with mom too,” Marcus said as he walked into the kitchen carrying two coffee cups and silverware.
“I think your mom can communicate with anybody,” Beau said.
“And she's very sharp,” Chelsea added.
“She doesn't miss much,” Haley agreed.
With a four-person assembly line, the dishes didn't take long as Beau offered to the scrub the pots and pans while Marcus dried. Chloe loaded the dishwasher while Haley wiped down and swept the kitchen and dining room.
The four of them rejoined Chet and Carlene in the living room where Mike found a comfortable spot in Chet's lap in the recliner. From the looks of things it was too comfortable as he watched the Galactic Heroes Hall of Honor with eyes half-open.
“I think someone is ready for bed,” Chelsea said.
“I think it was drying those pots...oh, you meant Mike,” Marcus said as Chelsea playfully elbowed him.
“I believe we need to get the little man home and into bed. Kindergarten comes early,” she said.
“I hate for you to rush off but I understand about little ones and school,” Carlene said as she walked them to the door with Chet in tow.
As they stood at the door and said their goodbyes, Marcus looked over the heads of the older couple in front of him.
“I'll see you two in the morning,” he said.
They waved and offered a couple of goodnights of their own.
Beau shifted his weight awkwardly.
“Well, I guess I need to get going too. I don't want to overstay my welcome,” he said with an easy smile.
“Do you have to? I mean it's barely eight o'clock,” Haley said, hoping she didn't come off as desperate.
“Please, get a seat. We rarely get into bed before midnight on any night of the week. You're not putting anybody out,” Chet said.
“I know it's kind of cool out, but I think I'd like to sit on the porch for a bit and enjoy my rocking chair before it starts getting too cold to use it,” Carlene said.
“Sounds like a fine idea. Get away from the noise of this television for a little while. I'm afraid you two will have to settle for the swing or sit on the steps. The other rocker is mine,” Chet said.
“Uhh...okay. I'm thinking swing,” Beau said to Haley as they walked outside.
“Good. I had no intention of sitting on the steps,” she said with a half-smile.
Haley sat down first and Beau sat down to her right, putting him on the side closest to the street.
There was a crispness in the air but not too chilly - yet. Beau agreed it was a beautiful evening. A bright three-quarter moon was already on display and twinkling stars filled the sky. Aside from an occasional passing car or a distant barking dog, it was also very quiet.
Carlene sat in an oak rocker closest to the door and them. Chet sat in an identical rocker to her left and turned it to face them.
“You folks sure do have a beautiful home. I love a house with a porch like this,” Beau said.
Carlene smiled.
“This is where I grew up. My grandparents built this house just before World War I. My grandfather died during the influenza outbreak in 1919 so my dad was an only child. When he married my mother they moved in with my grandmother. I was born in this house and so was Haley's mom, my sister Hannah,” she said.
“And I spent a lot of my childhood here with my grandparents. They used to babysit me while mom and dad worked,” Haley said.
“It looks like a wonderful place to have grown up,” Beau said.
“It was,” Carlene said.
“I understand you were born and raised in Kentucky,” Haley said.
“Yes, in a little community between Williamsburg and Crystal Springs called Hickory Creek. We didn't have a big house but I loved it. We had plenty of fields, mountains, and creeks. I spent a lot of summer nights sleeping on a creek bank next to my grandfather,” Beau said.
“He's the man that raised you to fish and hunt,” Chet said.
Beau smiled.
“He's the man who raised me,” he said.
“I forgot. You lost both of your parents too,” Carlene said.
“My father was killed in Vietnam not long after I was born so my mom moved in with my grandfather — her father-in-law. She died from cancer when I was five,” Beau said.
“I was 17 when I lost Mom and Dad,” Haley said. “I guess in some ways I was lucky I had that much time with them. Do you have any memories of your mother?” She asked.
“Some...mostly bits and pieces of memories but Papaw kept lots of pictures. I have those and that's the next best thing to a memory I reckon,” Beau said as he stretched his legs.
“I have plenty of pictures too. Sometimes I like to get them out and...I don't know how to describe it,” Haley said.
“Study them? Wonder what they were thinking when each picture was taken?” He asked.
“Exactly. It's almost like having them close by,” she said in a low voice.
“Almost,” Beau agreed as he dropped his head.
“I hear trout fishing is picking up on the river with the mornings getting colder. We need to get a few rainbows before winter sets in,” Chet said.
Beau raised his head and offered a gentle smile.
“Sounds like fun,” he said.
“Haley's a fair hand with a fly rod as well,” Chet said.
“I know, you don't have to say it: It's not very girly,” she said.
“Are you kidding? As long as you enjoy it, what does it matter?” Beau asked.
“I've told her the same thing,” Carlene said.
“And so have I,” Chet added.
Beau chuckled.
“If she didn't believe you two I doubt she'll listen to me,” he said.
“Well, those aren't the most ladylike activities,” Haley said.
“According to who? This still the South; it's our way of life. Look at it this way: Marcus is not the greatest outdoorsman around. His idea of fishing is telling the waiter he doesn't want tartar sauce. Is he any less of a man?” Beau asked.
Haley laughed.
“When I was working in Texas I had a hunting cabin. I call it a hunting cabin, it was more like a dressed up line shack,” Chet said.
“It was tiny,” Carlene said.
“It wasn't so bad. It was 15 x 20. It only had one room but there were a couple of beds, a kitchen table, and a sink. How much more do you need?” He asked.
“That actually sounds pretty good. Beats some of the places I slept in the Army,” Beau said.
“I can relate,” Haley said.
“I'm sure yo
u can. Did you go to the Persian Gulf?” Beau asked.
“I deployed in December 1990. I was assigned to headquarters security for the duration. I came home in April 1991,” she said.
“I went over as part of Desert Shield in August and was there until March '91. Saudi Arabia in August. I thought I saw hot summers in basic training at Fort Leonard Wood. Those days were chilly compared to the Middle East,” Beau said.
“Vietnam wasn't as hot as that but it was humid. And it seemed like there were thousands of species of poisonous snakes. It wasn't a cakewalk,” Chet said.
“I don't reckon any war ever is. My papaw served in the Army in Europe during World War II. He was wounded at Normandy. He had a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star but never told me what he did to earn those medals. He talked about life in the Army from time to time, but never about combat,” Beau said.
“So your grandfather and father were combat vets too,” Haley said.
“And my great grandfather fought in France in World War I. I guess my family couldn't get along with anybody,” Beau said with a small laugh.
“You come from a long line of men that respect duty and that comes with a cost,” Chet said. “I understand that. You lost your father in Vietnam. I lost my little brother Eric during the Tet Offensive in '68. He was killed near Saigon. He could've gotten an exemption but he chose to go when he was drafted. He got to Vietnam in November '67 and died in January.”
Both Beau and Haley nodded solemnly as Carlene reached out with her left hand and took her husband's hand.
“I know what both of you mean when you talked about pictures earlier,” he said.
“As painful as they are, tragedies pass. Each time we lose a loved one it leaves a void in our hearts we can never fill. But if we really try, we can heal and we get to choose. We can linger in our grief or take the opportunity to be happy. I really believe that,” Carlene said.
“That's a wonderful outlook Aunt Carly but I'm not sure I believe it,” Haley said.
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