Chapter 16
Jo and Alex, in Alex’s Mustang, made it back to the Turner home just before Alex’s parents. Roberts and Diaz were following them, not even trying to be discreet any longer. The drive home had been filled with speculation for the girls; excitement, intrigue, wonderment.
“Alex, I just can’t believe it. I am in total shock. If I wake up tomorrow and it was all a dream, I won’t be surprised.”
“Jo, I think it’s real. The men following us seem very real, don’t you agree?”
“Yeah, I suppose,” Jo responded. “What happens when we get to New York? I wonder what the Board of Directors will think of me. Will they accept me as an equal, or treat me as a peon?”
Alex considered carefully. “It’s hard to tell, Jo, but if they had any sense, they would be kiss-ups, at least at first. You will be their boss, after all. I would imagine you can replace any Board Member who causes problems, like in any other business.”
“I wish I knew more about business, Alex. The economics class we took last year didn’t prepare me to run a large company. How will I know which decision is the right one?”
Alex parked the Mustang in her driveway. She and Jo got out of the car and headed to the house. Alex unlocked the front door and the two girls entered. Jo waved to Roberts in his car and he gave a brief wave in response, then she closed the door.
“You remember the last few days, when you wanted to do something and I was stubbornly trying to dissuade you?” Alex asked Jo once they had sat down on the couch.
“Yes, Alex. Like talking to Roberts, and taking time to say goodbye to my mother yesterday. There were a few things you were stubborn about,” Jo grinned as she replied.
“I think that your instincts are pretty much on track, Jo, and sometimes, those instincts are all you have. Never make a decision in haste, would be my advice. Call on a trusted friend. You can always call on me, or my mom and dad, you know, or Brad Allen. He would be a valuable source of guidance for most dilemmas.”
“I notice you didn’t mention Charlie or Mindy,” Jo giggled. “I don’t suppose for matters of national significance that those two would be much help.”
“You are so wrong, my friend,” Alex claimed. “You will see just how important our good friend Charlie is this weekend in New York.”
“Oh? How will I do that?”
“Because she will be the one to help you find the perfect outfit to wear to meet the President.”
Jo made an ‘O’ with her mouth, as she realized what Alex was saying. Yes, Charlie was just what Jo needed to figure out that important puzzle, but, how was she going to pay for everything? Was there like a checkbook with a billion dollars at her disposal, once she met the Board? Hmm. So many things to think about.
Alex’s parents had entered the house by then, and locked it. Now that he knew that Jo’s danger was still eminent, Sam was being extra careful to watch her back. It actually helped knowing that they were being watched—because he knew it was the ‘good guys’ doing the watching.
Kendra quickly threw something together for dinner while Alex, Jo and Sam began packing for New York. Jo was extremely grateful to Charlie for forcing her to get the few dressy outfits Charlie had insisted were necessary to every businesswoman. Although her wardrobe was still sparse, Jo was glad she wasn’t heading into unknown territory at a disadvantage in the fashion department. She would look professional even if she didn’t feel it! She packed the few outfits into a small suitcase Alex lent her.
Kendra called everyone into the kitchen for a quick bite and as soon as dinner was finished, rushed them all off with admonitions to brush their teeth and sleep well; she had packing to do. It wasn’t every day that the Turners ‘did New York’ in style. In fact, Kendra had never been there before, and was excited to go.
Jo was almost positive she would not get any sleep that night. There were so many things going through her mind, so many questions she wished she had asked. She wondered if she would get air sick, since she hadn’t ever flown before. She wondered what the reception would be in New York. Would the other Board members be supportive or treat her as an imposter? And when should they call the Allens to meet them? She wondered what her homes looked like, and which one she should choose to live in. She tried to picture what a penthouse would be like, but she hadn’t ever seen anything that elaborate. She supposed it would be something similar to the Allen home. Most of all she wondered what it would be like to have money to spend on whatever she wanted whenever she wanted. She could definitely replace her music now. She could buy a laptop computer – she had always wanted one. Finally, exhausted, Jo drifted off to sleep.
Alex, too, was excited. She was thrilled that Jo was given this opportunity, and yet sensitive enough to her feelings to know that Jo was petrified of the future. Deep down, Alex sensed that Jo was ready to take on any challenge she faced. Jo’s mother had raised her to be strong, and Jo was indeed strong. Then Alex, worn out with her week of deep concern for her friend, also fell asleep.
Roberts and Diaz, watching the house from their car, sat and discussed their future boss. “She took the news well – much better than I had hoped for. I think she will do fine if the old geezers in charge now will give her a chance,” Roberts speculated.
“It will be tough on her, but I agree. If they give her time to settle before trying to get her under their thumb, they will be in for a shock. I would estimate that within a week she will have found her niche, and won’t back down. That’s one courageous girl, Miss Becker.”
“Yes. It will be a pleasure to work with her. Not only is she fun, she will also put up a good fight I imagine. I am looking forward to watching her do battle with Fitz. That old man is the one who I would bet was behind the murder plot. He stood to lose the most financially once Miss Becker was located. Since she will actually be the Chair, Fitz will be the one to lose the most power as well.”
Diaz nodded at Roberts’ representation of Mr. Fitzgerald, a Board Member who held a lot of stock in BeckFord Corp. and had many friends. “Yes,” Diaz agreed, “That man will be a problem.”
The men checked in with the rest of the team. Davis and Michaels were settling into the nearby house to sleep, while Thomas and O’Brian were slowly patrolling the neighborhood. Everyone checked in, all was okay.
Roberts sighed. “I sure will be glad to get out of this hick town and back to New York. I feel vulnerable here, almost as if we can’t protect Miss Becker as well as in New York.”
“I disagree. It is much more open here. There are spaces between houses and not near as many people. In New York, anyone could walk up and shoot, and there would be no witnesses. There are so many people that you can’t see anything. No, I think our job will get much harder once we get Miss Becker to New York,” Diaz responded.
Roberts considered Diaz’s assessment of the differences. He was correct about the ease of attack, but then the ‘home court advantage’ was something to consider, too. He could just about tell a New Yorker’s character at a glance. These Californians were a whole different story. “Let’s just take it a day at a time, Diaz. Starting with tomorrow.” With that, they settled in for their two-hour shift.
The evening passed without incident. Alex’s alarm clock woke the girls around five the next morning. They both showered and dressed quickly, and met Alex’s parents in the kitchen for some breakfast.
“Well, Jo, are you ready?” Kendra asked.
“If you are asking me if I’m packed, then I will say yes.” Jo replied sheepishly.
Sam laughed, “Way to avoid the question, Jo,” and he gave her a high-five.
At six-thirty, they heard a vehicle pull into the Turners’ driveway. Sam had secured then double-checked all the doors and windows, and there was nothing left to do but pack the suitcases into the waiting vehicle and check out Jo’s personal jet. He opened the door to discover that the ‘car’ sent for them was a limousine. He whistled. Alex, Jo and Kendra went to see what he was impressed with. Alex stared, stunned, at the imposing limo awaiting them while Kendra laughed, grabbed her suitcase, and headed for the vehicle.
Roberts exited the limo and walked up the path to the front door. “Miss Becker, if you could please bring the photos and documents that pertained to your father, I believe it would help the Board accept your position more readily.”
Jo frowned, concerned about losing all she had left, but went back into Alex’s bedroom to retrieve them. As she pulled the precious mementos from her treasure box, she saw the set of small keys they had discovered in the rusty cookie tin. She grabbed them on impulse and stuck them into her purse with the photos.
“All set,” she said with a smile as she exited the house. Roberts escorted her to the limo while Sam locked the front door. Then they were off.
Alex and Jo could not get over the luxury inside the car. “I have never been in a limo before, Alex. Have you?” Jo was attempting to keep her cool, but was having a difficult time. More than anything she wanted to press all of the buttons located conveniently on a console in the center of the roof.
“No. This is amazing,” Alex, too, was impressed. She leaned over and whispered to Jo, “Can we check out the buttons?”
Roberts grinned. He saw what both girls were attempting to hide. “Miss Becker, it might be advantageous for you to familiarize yourself with the controls of the limo. You will be spending all of your riding time in a limo very much like this in New York. Yours will be bulletproof, however.”
Incredulous, Jo’s jaw dropped. “Bulletproof?”
Alex looked up, startled. “Are you sure New York is gonna be safer for Jo? I mean, if you have to have bulletproof cars… Why doesn’t she just work from home? You know, telecommute?” Alex wondered if she was too hasty in forgetting the danger aspect in preference to the excitement point of view.
“Miss Becker will be perfectly safe, Miss Turner. I will be with her at all times, I assure you.” Roberts quickly reassured Alex. He determined to try not to startle the girls in the future.
Jo tentatively reached out and pressed a button. A platform rose up from the floor and opened to reveal a table.
“Oh! Let me try one,” Alex said as she pressed the next one. Panels slid open on the sides of the limo revealing glasses and bottles of varying refreshments.
Jo and Alex took turns pressing the buttons. Jo tried to be scientific about it, so she would remember which button operated which gadget. By the time they reached the airport, Jo felt confident in her button pushing abilities. “One concept down, four million to go,” she muttered as she was escorted from the limo to the waiting jet. Diaz exited the front of the vehicle, and the other four security agents shortly arrived in another car. They all boarded the aircraft.
Jo climbed the few steps into the body of the plane and was assisted by a tall, thin man in a pilot uniform. He introduced himself as Captain Dunn, and wished Jo and her friends a pleasant flight. She held out her hand, “Thank you, I hope I will. This is my very first flight. I am Jo Becker.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Becker. I hope you find my skills exemplary.”
“Captain Dunn is your permanent pilot, Miss Becker. He will be escorting you across the continent frequently.”
Jo looked up at the Captain. “Oh, do you work for me?” she asked naively. The man smiled and nodded. He was encouraged by her friendly attitude. “I shall look forward to flying in your capable hands,” she declared, and moved past him into the cabin.
The Learjet comfortably seated the ten passengers and two crewmembers. Jo was amazed at how comfortable the seats were. It was better than anything she could have imagined. Agent Michaels asked the group if anyone needed any refreshments, and, receiving a negative reply, she buckled in with the rest as the jet taxied down the runway.
Jo concentrated on the scenery outside the window. Her first flight would be a wonderful one, she just knew. Each moment brought new and exciting adventures. Jo felt her mother’s presence intensely as she embarked upon this new life. Yes, her mother would always be with her, Jo recognized.
The plane rose smooth and fast, and glided through the air. Jo’s eyes were glued to the window, as were Alex’s sitting next to her. “Look at that!” Jo would say, then shortly after, Alex would point and exclaim, “Over there, Jo. What’s that?” After an hour the newness had worn off so they settled back to enjoy the flight.
About three hours into the flight, Roberts announced that it was now after noon in New York. He let them know that the jet was stocked with food and drinks. They had been free to move around for a while, and were invited to eat at will.
Jo and Alex unbuckled and headed to the back of the plane. There was a small refrigerator, which revealed several types of sodas and juices, some sandwiches cut in half and some pudding cups. Next to it was a small cupboard that had packages of cookies, nuts, chips, and jerky in it. The other side of the passageway had liquor of all types and things that probably mixed with them. Neither of the girls was familiar with those items, so ignored them. Jo chose a package of beef jerky and a soda, and then Alex took some cookies and juice. They settled back in their seats to enjoy their snacks. “I could get used to this, you know,” Jo mentioned to Alex. “I think the lifestyle of the rich suits me just fine.” Alex laughed, and Jo chuckled. They were having the time of their lives.
At ten after three in the afternoon New York time, the pilot requested that the passengers return to their seats and prepare for landing. After a faultless touch down, the passengers disembarked into the cooler temperature of the New England climate. Used to the hundred plus degree summers of North Central California, the mid-eighties of New York were a pleasant change for the new arrivals. As Jo descended the few steps to the ground she was met again by Captain Dunn.
“I trust your flight was pleasant?” He nervously asked.
“My very first flight in an airplane was absolutely perfect,” she assured him. “You are a terrific pilot! Thank you for bringing me to New York.” Jo’s enthusiasm put the Captain at ease, and he readily returned the smile she bestowed upon him as she stepped a few feet away to the waiting limousine.
“Roberts, Captain Dunn seemed to want my approval or something. What does it mean?”
“You must remember, Miss Becker, that everyone you will meet today is an employee of yours. You are their boss, and can fire them at will if you so choose.”
“Why would I do that? Wouldn’t I need a reason?”
“In the circle of society that you are now entering, many of the business people do not have reasons for the decisions they make. Maybe they didn’t like the color of their maid’s hair. Perhaps the butler forgot to empty an ashtray. A pilot hit an air pocket and a drink was spilled mid-flight. Those would all be valid reasons to terminate employment for some of the wealthy New Yorkers.”
Jo gaped dumbfounded at Roberts. “That is utterly ridiculous,” she emphatically declared. “I don’t want to move in New York society if that is the case.”
“I fear you will change your mind, Miss Becker. However, I sincerely hope you do not.”
“I will not,” pledged Jo vehemently. “And Alex, you make sure I don’t. Don’t ever let me become like that. Promise me?” Jo requested of her friend.
“Don’t you worry, Jo. If you start acting all stupid like some of the rich people I know, I will cut you back down to size. I promise I won’t let you turn into a snob,” vowed the watchful Alex. Then both girls laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation.
The limousine left the airport runway and headed to the business district. At the first glimpse of the New York skyline, Jo was entranced. They saw the Brooklyn Bridge rise imposingly over the harbor. They passed the Staten Island Ferry and Jo held her breath as she caught sight of the Statue of Liberty for the first time. The skyscrapers were everywhere, and Jo was certain they had seen a million yellow cabs by the time they had entered the heart of the city. She felt overwhelmed at the bigness of it all, yet also felt safe. It was an odd paradox of feelings.
“Incredible,” Alex murmured beside her. “It’s so big,” she unnecessarily stated.
“And now it is home,” Jo acknowledged, and the thought didn’t frighten her near as much as she thought it would.