Life after Nick Part Four: Comments as always.... backbayguy@juno.com Didn't hear a lot of thoughts last chapter. Still want this to go someplace?
Chapter One: Monday morning at 10am, Jonathan entered the offices of Stonewolf Enterprises with Danny and 2 other agents. Walking into his private office, he noted Brandon was waiting for him with a cup of coffee.
"Here you go boss" said Brandon handing him the mug of coffee. Brandon was always amused that for all of his wealth, instead of drinking coffee from a fine china or porcelin cup, Jonathan's favorite coffee mug was a $5.99 Garfield mug.
"Good Morning, thanks" said Jonathan as he sat in his chair. "What's on tap for today?"
"It's a pretty easy morning" said Brandon. "You have a meeting with Kristian this morning at 11; he made an appointment"
"OK, what else?" asked Jonathan
"You have a board meeting at 130pm, then a 3 pm meeting to review finances with Ian, 330pm meeting with the caterers for the party next week. Ryan sent his schedule. He's actually flying over Friday. He should land at Logan around 4pm."
"Push Ian off until tomorrow" said Jonathan. "The first words out of his mouth will be how much I spent this weekend and I don't want to deal with him yet"
"How much did you gamble this weekend?" asked Brandon suspiciously. "For that matter, you didn't say a whole lot about the weekend"
"I got a little careless Saturday night" said Jonathan avoiding the subject. "I couldn't sleep, so I went over to MGM to play some Baccarat"
"And..."asked Brandon.
"I had a bit on my mind here and there and really was killing time and trying to get sleepy" said Jonathan.
"You are avoiding the subject" said Brandon. "How much did you lose?"
"3 million and change" said Jonathan somewhat sheepishly.
"How much were you playing a hand?" Brandon asked.
"Twenty-five thousand a hand" said Jonathan.
"Uh-huh" said Brandon. "Pushing Ian off until next week I think would be better and have Danny standing by."
"Not a bad idea" said Jonathan with a smile. He finished off the first mug of coffee and spun his chair around to his credenza to pour a second cup. "Do I have a clear weekend?"
Brandon clicked a couple of places on his IPAQ. "Interesting question considering it is only Monday. There's one meeting in Toronto, but that can be pushed back to Monday if you don't mind flying up and back same day"
"That shouldn't be a problem" said Jonathnan. "I'll take Ryan. We can do lunch, some touring and hop back that night. That would give us a couple of days here before flying out to Boulders."
"OK" said Brandon. "I'll make the arrangements. Do you want me to come up?"
"No, shouldn't be that long" said Jonathan. "We should be back in Boston by 8 pm or so. Just Danny and a couple of his crew"
"All right" said Brandon. "You want to take the G-550?"
"Probably, but coordinate with Danny" said Jonathan. "Knowing him, he wants the Hummers."
"I'm sure he can find something bulletproof up there" said Brandon with a smile.
"Yeah, like his sense of humor" said Jonathan.
"Can you go over those reports on your desk before your meeting at 11?" asked Brandon.
"Can do" said Jonathan.
" When did you want to leave for Boulders?" asked Brandon. "I've cleared your schedule the whole time Ryan is here."
"If we fly back from Toronto Monday night I'm thinking catching a Red Sox game on Tuesday then fly out on Wednesday" said Jonathan. "When does he have to fly back to Geneva?"
"That following Saturday" said Brandon.
"OK" said Jonathan. "Let's set it up for Tuesday out to Boulders, then I can fly over with him to Geneva on Saturday, I'll spend the night in Zermatt at the hotel and fly back Sunday night or Monday morning. We'll take Renaissance out to Phoenix; that will make it easier then flying both craft around and having to reposition."
"I'll make the arrangements" said Brandon. He pointed at the paperwork before leaving the office.
CHAPTER TWO: The phone beeped on Jonathan's desk right at 11.
"Kristian is here" said Brandon.
"Please send him in" said Jonathan.
He got up from his desk and was half way across the office when Kristian came in through the double doors of the office entrance.
"Hi Jonathan" said Kristian. "How was your weekend in Las Vegas?"
"Not all bad thanks" said Jonathan.
"I'm glad to hear that" said Kristian. "How did things go with your companion?" asked Kristian sitting down.
"How did you know about that?" asked Jonathan as he brought Kristian a cup of coffee.
"We're linked Jonathan" said Kristian. "You know that. There is very little that goes on in your mind that I'm not aware of at least on some level"
"This is true" said Jonathan. "I think that Sam is going to become a good friend, but that's about it. We both felt awkward enough at the thought of sex that it didn't even come up. We slept in the same bed on the second night but nothing really happened"
"You need to live Jonathan" said Kristian. "You have a life, a long one ahead of you"
"In time" said Jonathan. "You said we needed to discuss things about the future"
"Yes" said Kristian, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts. "We have a meeting of the council in about two weeks. You will need to be at the castle for a couple of days."
"I can handle that" said Jonathan. "Do you know when exactly?"
"You need to be in residence by the 23rd of the month" said Kristian. "The meetings will be held on the 24th and 25th. Your bodyguards cannot be present, nor anyone else"
"That's not going to set well but OK" said Jonathan. "Danny shouldn't complain too much about it considering it is inside the castle walls."
"We will be planning the first phase of our company's expansion into public life and plan the first tendrils of positioning within the global community"
"That sounds a bit scary" said Jonathan.
"It is planning for the future that will allow us to be in a position of authority and capability when the time is right" said Kristian.
"That means what exactly?" asked Jonathan.
"That means should our services become required as it is almost preordained that it will, we will be in a position of power to just step in and take the required action" said Kristian.
Jonathan paused to sip his coffee. "Are you talking about taking over small nations here or what?"
"We shall do what is necessary to secure the security and well being of the planet." Said Kristian. "This is our home too. Between those of us on the council as well as other immortals we know of, we all possess a combined power that will let us do just about anything from materializing somewhere to removing something."
"You're being very cryptic" said Jonathan.
"Only the Universe knows the answers" said Kristian.
"By the way, what about this immortal cat you were talking about?" asked Jonathan.
"You will meet him actually at the castle." Said Kristian.
"Will I hear his voice like I do Sebastian?" asked Jonathan
"Probably so" said Kristian. "Especially being an immortal cat"
"I've often thought there was more to the fur ball then meets the eye" said Jonathan.
"He is a perfectly mortal cat, just has an attitude" said Kristian. "Considering the waves of hostility that the cat has for me, I've been in his head. He is a very intelligent cat, more so then other cats, but very mortal"
"That's good and bad I guess" said Jonathan. "I do love the furry one"
"Has anyone considered that bringing a company worth the amount of money that it is worth into the public's eye suddenly is going to raise a lot of eyebrows to say the least?" asked Jonathan.
"We are looking at different ways to deal with that" said Kristian. "The Swiss banking community is really the only `outside' group that knows how much money is around and they certainly aren't going to say anything. I believe we can handle it discreetly"
The two continued to talk about various things for another 45 minutes before Kristian took his departure. Jonathan made notes for Brendan to keep his schedule open for the days he needed to be in Switzerland. He figured he could fly over with Ryan and then continue on to Zurich after spending a few days in Zermatt instead of just the one. It is just over 4 hours or so to Zurich via train, thought Jonathan. A relaxing way to spend the day all in all. He made a note to plan out the trip later on in the day.
CHAPTER THREE: After lunch, Jonathan was absorbed in the day to day operation of the ever expanding company. About three o'clock he turned his chair and looked out the windows of his offices. After staring out the windows for 15 minutes just thinking he had decided enough was enough for the day. He got up grabbed his jacket and walked out of his office. Brandon looked up from his desk as Jonathan walked by.
"Going someplace?" asked Brandon
"I have had enough for the day" Jonathan said without stopping. "I'll catch up with you later"
"OK" said Brandon. "I'll let Danny know you are coming down"
"Danny already knows" said Danny from around the corner. "Where are we off to boss?"
"The Public Garden" said Jonathan.. "It's too nice to be inside."
"I'll have the Hummer brought around front" said Danny.
"We can walk" said Jonathan.
"No we can't" said Danny
"I can" said Jonathan. "I'll see you there"
Danny sighed and kept up pace. "You aren't going to listen to me are you?"
"Nope, not today" said Jonathan as they entered the elevators.
They left the building and walked outside of the offices and mall. "See, what did I tell you? It is sunny and 67 degrees. It is way too nice for the Hummer. Come on, just you and me"
"Have it your way" said Danny. He spoke briefly into his radio.
They continued on their way with two other agents discreetly joining them, walking along and ahead of them. It was about a 15 minute walk across to Commonwealth Avenue and up to the Garden. Just wandering aimlessly Jonathan was absorbed by the beauty of the gardens.
"You know it is time" he said more to himself then anyone else.
"Time for what?" asked Danny suspiciously.
"Freedom" said Jonathan.
"Does that mean an extended road trip?" asked Danny
"Something like that but not what you are thinking" said Jonathan. "Come on, let's go over to the Four Seasons. I feel like High Tea"
"Hrmph" said Danny.
They continued walking through the Garden and up and across the Boston Common.
"Just imagine the history that was made here Danny" said Jonathan.
"That's true" said Danny. "I do know a lot of the history here. As I recall, it is the starting point of the Freedom Trail. The Boston Common is known to be one of the oldest public parks in the country. The park is almost 50 acres in size. It is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston's neighborhoods. The "Common" has been used for many different purposes throughout its long history. Until 1830, cattle grazed the Common, and until 1817, public hangings took place here. British troops camped on Boston Common prior to the Revolution and left from here to face colonial resistance at Lexington and Concord in April, 1775."
"Nice history lesson" said Jonathan, impressed. "I didn't know you were that much into history"
"There's a lot of "firsts" that occurred in Boston. It fascinates me"
"On to tea then" said Jonathan.
"How British" said Danny with a straight face.
Jonathan turned around with a look on shock on his face. "You made a joke"
"It happens once in a while" said Danny.
CHAPTER FOUR: After High Tea, Jonathan didn't argue when Danny had the Hummer waiting for him to take him back to the hotel. He walked through the lobby and up to his private penthouse. Getting changed he accepted the Bloody Mary that Anthony offered him and took it to the library.
As he was relaxing, there was a knock on the door.
"Come" said Jonathan looking up expectantly at the door.
Danny opened the door and walked in. In an unusual move, he was wearing a double breasted suit and tie.
"What's the occasion?" asked Jonathan.
"We need to talk" said Danny.
"Hrm." Said Jonathan. "The last time you said that I was surrounded by enough agents I couldn't move. What's wrong this time?"
"Nothing along those lines" said Danny. "You got a few minutes?"
"Of course" said Jonathan. "Do you want anything?"
"You have any Grand Marnier around?" he asked.
Jonathan looked at him with some surprise. "You rarely drink. Now I know something is up"
Jonathan got up and poured out a snifter of Grand Marnier 150 and returned to the seating area. He handed the snifter to Danny.
"What gives" he asked.
Danny took a long drawn out inhalation of the pleasant orange scent before drinking from the cut crystal.
"Brandon sent me the email about the Swiss trip coming up" he said. "I gather that my presence isn't going to be needed too much inside the castle."
"No" said Jonathan. "I'm going to be in meetings anyway and who is going to come after me through 6 foot thick walls of stone?"
"This is true" said Danny with a rare laugh. "Perhaps Sebastian if he isn't fed on time"
This broke up Jonathan. Laughing he replied, "Speaking of, where is the little monster?"
"Last I saw he was curled up sleeping on top of the pool table" said Danny.
"So what else is on your mind?" asked Jonathan, sipping his own drink. "You seem much too relaxed which is not a bad thing mind you"
"I need to make a change in your security." Danny stated. "I've been with you for 8 years now. In that time, your world has changed and grown. As your company continues to grow, I need more and more time to plan and secure your travel and such. Because of that I can't stay in the field as much as I would like. That includes being with you. I need to take over the control of the security planning offices for you. That means that you need a new full time body guard"
"You're becoming a paper pusher?" Jonathan asked, half chidingly. "I'm going to have to give you a raise"
"Not even close" he said. "I'll still be with you for most of your trips and be around, but you need a full time body guard and I can't do that anymore, and the only one I trust to plan and execute your safety is me. The raise works though"
"So when does this change take place" Jonathan asked.
"By the end of the week" said Danny. "I already know who will replace me. Actually I've got a couple of choices. The final choice is yours"
"Who" asked Jonathan.
"May I?" Danny asked as he pointed towards the door.
Jonathan nodded.
Danny got up and walked over to the double doors. He opened the doors and made motions to the person waiting out side. As Danny moved aside the man entered. Actually he more glided into the room then walked. Standing 6'4" and about 220 pounds it was obvious from the way the man moved it was all muscle, lean and hard. Standing in front of Jonathan, his head shaved with a goatee, he looked like something out of an adventure movie. He was dressed almost as well as Jonathan himself. Removing his sunglasses he startled Jonathan with the intensity of his eyes. Eyes that seemed to see all at once.
"Jonathan, meet Jared. He is my primary choice for your new personal bodyguard" said Danny. "I'll have his file for you in the morning, but he is 34, ex special forces and has been with the company for the 9 years. He has undergone some very specialized training with the company and shoots better then I do. I'd like you two to spend some time together over the next week. Brandon told me you're flying to Orlando tomorrow and staying overnight. Jared will be on the flight."
"OK" said Jonathan getting up. "Welcome to the gang"
"Thank you" he said, the lips barely moving, yet speaking clearly and loudly.
"You have great taste in suits" said Jonathan
"I used to use the same tailor as you" said Jared. "Found one better"
Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "We'll talk about that later. What do you carry?"
Jared unbuttoned his jacket and removed his hardware.
"Desert Eagle, 44 magnum" said Jared. "Five clips for back up"
"That will blow a hole in someone" said Jonathan. He noted that the gun for all its' size looked comfortable in Jared's hand.
He turned back to Danny. "We need to talk also"
Danny nodded at Jared, who put his sunglasses back on and went silently through the doors.
"Do his feet actually touch the floor when he walks?" asked Jonathan, kidding around.
"Trust me" said Danny. "He never would have made it in to see you if I didn't trust him with your life. He's big, he's scary, but he can move like lightening and will take good care of you.
"Call him back in, I want to see something" said Danny.
Danny looked at Jonathan curiously before going back to the door and opening it. He stuck his head out the door and in a moment Jared returned.
"Jared if you are going to be my primary bodyguard, I need to ask you something" said Jonathan.
"Yes?" asked Jared.
"What are you going to do when I tell you that you work for me and that if I want to do something I'm going to do it."
Jared took a moment to remove his sunglasses again before walking over to stand directly in front of Jonathan.
"I don't work for you Mr. Castleton" he started. "If I feel there is a need to pick up your ass and put it inside the Hummer I plan on doing just that. You own the security company, but I don't work for you; I work for your insurance company. That means my orders are to keep you intact in any which way I see fit. If that is unacceptable, I will be going to work elsewhere"
Jonathan paused for a moment. "Good to have you on board. I'll see you on the flight"
Jared barely nodded before turning and gliding out the door.
"Feisty isn't he" said Jonathan.
"He knows his shit" said Danny. "Give him a chance"
"Done deal" said Jonathan.
CHAPTER FIVE The next morning after checking things out at the office, Jonathan was on his way out to the airport for the flight to Orlando. Getting out of the Hummer at Logan International, he paused to look up at Renaissance. He smiled as if thinking of some private humorous thought before walking across the hanger towards the plane. Jared was waiting for him at the foot of the stairs along with Captain Hendrickson
"Good Morning Mr. Castleton" said Jared.
"First off the name is Jonathan" said Jonathan. "Secondly, good morning to you"
"Yes sir" said Jared. "Ready to go on board?"
"Yup, sun and fun and a meeting await" said Jonathan.
He turned towards the captain. "Morning Don, looks like a nice day to fly"
"It's always a nice day to fly" he replied with a smile. "I got the flight itineraries from Brandon last night. Do you want me to go over and get Ryan or should I send Frank and Bill?"
"Either is fine." Said Jonathan. "I'm not planning on going anywhere after this trip this week. The crew has to go over the night before anyway before flying home. If you guys want to go and have some fun, by all means go for it.. I know you have a love of the casino in Geneva almost as much as I do.'
"OK thank you" said the Captain. "We'll take the 550 and I'll let the other crew know to be on stand by just in case"
Anthony met him at the door as Jared made a brief look around the plane before heading towards the security office.
"Good Morning" he said, offering a cappuccino in a mug. "Who the bloody hell was that?"
"Good Morning and thank you" said Jonathan taking the mug. "I thought you weren't coming"
"I need to get something Disney for the nephews" said Anthony.
"Go Mickey" said Jonathan "Is Brandon on board?"
"No, he is at the office but Mark is on board." Anthony said. "I believe he has some things for you in the office."
"It figures" said Jonathan. "To answer your other question, that would be Danny's replacement. Apparently he feels he needs to coordinate things better and he can't do that if he is with me all the time"
"Indeed" said Anthony raising an eyebrow. "I can see I'm going to have to order more food around the house. He could eat the kitchen in one gulp it looks like"
Jonathan walked into the office to find Mark waiting.
"Good morning Mark" said Jonathan. "What's up?"
"Not a whole lot actually." He replied. "Brandon sent me to go over the reports for the meeting with you but that is about it"
"What's our flying time?" asked Jonathan.
Mark looked at the small window on the bottom of the computer screen on the desk. "We're scheduled for wheels up in 12 minutes, and about 2 hours 41 minutes down"
"Not bad" said Jonathan. "OK, let's see what we've got"
He spent the next hour reviewing notes and reports for the board meeting he was attending. It was an uneventful flight.
After landing in Orlando and the engines were shut down, Jonathan was in the front lounge reading when a knock on the door sounded and Jared came in.
"The Hummers are ready Mr. Castleton" said Jared.
Jonathan took a moment to notice that again Jared was dressed better then he was; which said a lot. The sunglasses were in place and he looked as if he was made from stone.
"We do need to talk about your tailor on the way back home Jared" said Jonathan getting up and reaching for his own suit jacket.
They walked out to the door and waited while it was undogged. Standing on the jet stairs were two more agents. They nodded and turned to go down the stairs and Jared walked besides Jonathan. From the airport to the meeting only took about 20 minutes during which time, Jonathan got all of about 10 words out of Jared.
Getting out of the Hummer at the offices where the meeting was to be held, Jonathan was met by two more agents and the vice-president of operations for the company. It was a long drawn out meeting and Jonathan was more then happy to be away from it at the end of four hours.
"Let's go over to Downtown Disney Erik" he said to the driver. "I feel like Wolfgang Puck before going home"
"Sounds good to me" said Erik, making the note on the on board computer. It promptly told him the fastest way there.
"Jared you do eat don't you?" asked Jonathan.
"On occasion when it is convenient" he replied.
"Damn, you do have a sense of humor" said Jonathan.
"Let's keep that between you and me" said Jared.