TLR Chapter 63

Bright blue eyes scanned the clearing just as they had every day since the four big men confronted the man they called Mr. Thomas.  The owner of those eyes searched along the tree line.  Once he was sure no one was around he would go in search of food.  Griff ate the last of the jerky he had brought with him from Masonville when he stopped in the town on his way to Teardrop Lake Resort. He took a sip from the bottle of water he had refilled from the creek that flowed close to the cave he was calling home until he got up his nerve enter the resort through the front gate.  Below the cave and beyond the fringe of trees was the resort Chad had made plans to visit with him.  Plans he didn’t know about until he found the plane tickets and a hand written itinerary in a notebook in his partner’s study. They had talked about visiting the resort almost from the time they had become lovers.  Chad had spent time at the resort when he and his former partner Ian had been together, before the young Navy SEAL had been lost in a training exercise at the SEAL compound on Coronado Island a few years ago. 

Tears came to this young man’s eyes when he thought of Chad, his Chad.  He would never have the chance to share the resort with him.  Griff shook his head and rubbed the moisture from his face.  Chad Crawford wouldn’t want him to dwell of his death.  He always said if something happened to him to remember the good times they had together not the sad times.  The tall, well-built young man tried to do as he knew his partner would want but sometimes it was just too hard, too overwhelming.  He was grateful that he'd had a chance to say goodbye before Chad passed away. It had been a hard thing to do, but he knew it would have weighed more heavily on his heart if he hadn't had that last chance.

Deciding against hiking back to the spot he had hidden his motorcycle, Griff carefully made his way down the boulder strewn slope.  He skirted around the clearing, entered the woods near the creek and keeping the cover of the trees made his way around the small cove.  Stopping near a narrow trail he carefully looked around then followed the trail about a quarter of a mile until it opened up onto a manicured lawn.  If he wanted to get to the small store he knew he would have to quietly walk past the house on the other side of the lawn.

Being mid-morning Griff hoped no one was home in the big house and carefully started across the lawn.  He was just past the picnic table when he froze. 

“You’re new here, aren’t you?” a voice said from one of the lawn chairs he’s just walk past.

This young man turned and saw a younger man on the lounger.  "Ye...yeah...new." Griff said as he looked around hoping no one else was there.

“I hope I didn’t scare you.  I’m Jaxon, um, Jax.”  Jax said holding out his hand to his new friend.

Griff smiled tentatively and held out his hand to be shaken, then stood nervously and a little uncertain as to what he was supposed to do next.

Jax saw the confusion in the other man's face.  "Pull up and chair and sit down.  That is if you don't have somewhere to go."

With that same tentative smile, Griff did as he was told.  He gave Jax a grateful smile and then looked around the back yard, trying to think of something to say.  "No...no I can stay for a few minutes.  My name’s Griffin.  Griff to my friends."

Mutt, who had just been about to return to the yard with drinks for himself and Jax, saw the newcomer and frowned in concentration. He knew all of the guests and this man's face was unfamiliar to him.  He backed into the kitchen, put the cans of soda down and. quietly called Jeff, keeping his voice as low as possible and still be heard.

"Jeff," Mutt whispered, "There's a strange man in James's back yard. He's talking to Jax and it all looks ok, but I don't know this guy. He's not one of our guests. Would you and James please come as soon as possible?"

Without thinking, Jeff replied, "I'll get James and we'll head out now.  Keep the guy there as long as you can but be careful."

"Will do." Mutt replied.  Then, as though it were nothing new, Mutt retrieved another cola from the fridge and brought the three drinks into the back yard, smiling easily.  "Heya guys, it's hot out here. I brought us some sodas."

Griff stood back up trying to decide if he should run or not.

"That's just Mutt.  He's harmless, Griff." Jax said.  "Go ahead and sit back down"

"Yeah," Mutt grinned, "My bark is definitely worse than my bite," he quipped. "Have a seat. Hope you like cola." he said, handing the cans over to Jax and Griff.

"Thanks," Griff said as he took the can.  "Do you both live here?"

"Nah, this is Jaxon's place, I'm just here visiting." Mutt reassured the man as he settled back in his own chair.  He crossed his legs casually and took a sip of his cola, trying not to look around to see where James and Jeff were.

“Do you guys know someone named Shorty?  Or maybe a James or Jeff?" Griff asked.

Mutt and Jax looked at each other. "Yeah, we know all of them." Mutt replied.  "Jeff is my husband. How do you know them?" Mutt asked lightly.

"I'm never actually met them."  Griff answered.  "But my partner did.  He told me all about them and this place."

"Ah," Mutt cleared his throat, "Can I ask who your partner is?" he asked politely, trying to keep his tone calm.  It still concerned him that he didn't know this man and that he'd been found sneaking onto James's yard.

"Was." Griff corrected Mutt.  "He was killed in an accident a few months back."

"Sorry to hear that Griff," Jax gently consoled him.

Mutt's expression softened, "I'm really sorry to hear that, Griff." he didn't want to ask the next question that came to his mind, and he hoped that James and Jeff would arrive soon.

"He was going to bring me here this summer but..."

"What's...I mean, what was his name?" Mutt asked gently.

"Chad, Chad Crawford."

Mutt's jaw dropped and his eyes widened in shock. "Chad Crawford?" Mutt thought a few choice words in his head at the news but luckily didn't say them aloud.  "Griff, I'm really sorry. I knew Chad. Great guy. Steady as a rock."

"Yeah, he was the best," Griff said.  "It's been hard without him."

Jax looked at Mutt and could tell he was struggling to hold it together.

Jeff arrived and walked around the side of the house to the backyard, expecting the worst and ready for action. He was surprised to find a tall, unknown man, sitting and talking with Jax, it was then that he saw the expression on Mutt's face and he walked quickly over to him.

"I'll bet. I don't know what I'd do without Jeff." Mutt replied, unshed tears trying to clog his voice.

"Everything alright?" Jeff asked calmly, putting an arm around Mutt and feeling his boy's tension and upset.

Griff stood when he saw the big man.

Jax stood alongside him and held his wrist to keep him from running.

"Jeff, this is Griffin, and he just shared some upsetting news with us," Jax explained.

Mutt gripped Jeff's arm and tried to smile. "Griff... ah... I never did get your last name, sorry.  Griff, this is my husband Jeff, and if Jeff is here then James can't be far behind.  It's alright."

He turned toward Jeff and swallowed his tears. "Jeff, this is Chad Crawford's partner... I mean... was... I mean... God, Jeff, Chad died." he said quietly, finally allowing the tears to flow.

Jeff hugged Mutt to him and kissed him on the forehead before gently removing himself to pat Griffin on the shoulder.  "I'm so very sorry to hear that, Griffin.  When... when did it happen?"

Not being able to stop his tears once Mutt's started, Griff wiped his face.  "Five months ago, sir."

Jeff lowered his eyes to the ground, feeling tears threaten behind his own eyes. He looked up at Griff and pulled the younger man into a gentle hug, unsure how the man would react to a stranger's touch.

"After he died I found the reservations he made to bring me here. So I decided to come anyway.  He always told me about the great times he had here with Ian.” The young man croaked out as he returned Jeff’s hug.

Jax was feeling like he didn't belong in this conversation and started backing up toward the house.

Mutt saw Jax's unease and put an arm around his friend's shoulder.  He leaned in toward Jax's ear and whispered, "It's alright Ian and Chad were frequent guests here.  Ian... Ian died about three years ago.  We kind of lost track of Chad after that." he explained.

Thankful for the explanation Jax nodded.  He wished there was something he could do for his friends.

Mutt gave Jax a couple of reassuring pats on the shoulder before releasing him. "Well, welcome to the resort, Griff."

"Yes, welcome." Jeff said cordially. "James should be here soon. Have a seat and relax, son."

"You said you were new here, Griff.  Which bungalow are you in?" Jax asked.  "Maybe we can get together later."

Jeff looked over at this friend’s lost partner, knowing that Griff was not registered at the resort.  "Yes, Griff, where are you staying?" he firmly asked.

"Um, I've been staying in a cave across the clearing on the other side of these woods." The lost young man answered with a wave of his hand towards the area he had come from.

Jeff frowned, "Why didn't you just call us, Griff?  We found your cigarette butts and liquor bottles in the woods behind this house. You didn't have to hide. We'd have helped."

“Those weren’t mine. They were that other guy’s stuff.” Griff insisted.

Mutt and Jeff's eyebrows rose at the same time. Jeff asked, "What other guy's? Who else was out here?"

"I was hiding back in one of the caves so I didn't see much of him.  Just a bit now and then," the younger man explained. "But he was big."

"Any idea who he was? What did he look like? Height? Weight? As close as you can guess." Jeff asked, fearing the worst.

"Big, like I said, but not real fit.  He sat near the edge of the woods for hours at a time.  I was pretty much trapped in the cave while he was there." Griff answered.

Jax's head shot up and his eyes got big.  "Jeff..."

Mutt and Jeff looked at each other and then at Jax.

"Don't worry, Jax, you're safe here, you always will be." Jeff reassured the young man as he pulled him close to still his obvious trembling.  "Jax, let’s go inside."

"Where's James?"  Jax whimpered.  "When is he going to get here?"

Mutt, seeing his friend's distress, took Jax's cold hands into his warm ones and quietly said, "He'll be here soon. In the meantime, you have all of us here. He won't dare bother you now."

James came striding quickly toward the group. He looked to Jeff for explanations while he put an arm around an obviously distressed Jax. "It's okay sweetheart, I'm here."

"James, Gene's here.  Griff saw him." Jax cried into James's chest.

James's smoky blue eyes widened. "Where? I'll deal with that sorry excuse of a man myself!"

"If he was this man you call Gene, he's gone now and I don't think he will be coming back." Griff tried to assure his new friend.

James looked at the young man. "And just how do you know that young man and who are you?"

Griff stepped back at the tone coming from the large man gently holding Jax.  "Griff...Griffin Holden, sir." He answered.

"Griffin, it's all right." Jeff said gently, holding out his hands in a calming manner. "We just need to know how you know he won't be back. What did you see or hear?"

"Some big men came and ran him off about a week ago."

James gave Jeff an inquiring look. "Do you know this young man Jeff?"

"In a manner," Jeff said, trying not to upset Griff again. "He was Chad Crawford's partner... James, I'm sorry to tell you, Chad passed away." he said as gently as he could.

James's smoky blue eyes registered shock. "How? When?...?" He turned away as his eyes filled with mist.

"Almost six months ago, sir." Griff repeated to this new man.  "I know he musta told you about me when he made the arrangements for us to come here."

"Yes...yes..." James said distractedly. "But that was months ago. I didn't hear anything further from him."

Mutt brought up more chairs for the men to sit on.  It looked to him like James especially was taking the news hard.

"Yeah...I didn’t know he made the plans unti..." Griff choked out the words.  “Anyway, I found the tickets in his office later.”

"I'm sorry, Griff.  Can you tell us what happened?  He was a close friend of ours." James told the young man.

“Chad was working as a contractor for the Navy. He fell off some scaffolding and sustained internal injuries but held on long enough to say goodbye to me." Griff mumbled tears starting to flow again.

Mutt reached out and put a comforting hand on Griff's shoulder.

James closed his eyes and hugged Jaxon tightly to him. "I'm so sorry, it must have been awful, but I'm glad you had a chance to say good-bye." He said softly.

"Me too, me too." the young man whispered.

James looked at Griff. "Where are you staying?"

"Um, in a cave."

James arched an eyebrow. "In a cave? What cave? Where?”

"Well, I wanted to be sure this place was everything Chad said it was before I sprang myself on you guys."  Griff explained.  "Chad told me about the great times he had here with Ian.  But I needed to be sure."

"A cave certainly wasn't the best choice. We will make accommodations for you here. Jeff here will register you as my guest and then you'll be able to stay for as long as is necessary."

"Yes we're going to have to give you a better place to stay," Jeff said, trying to smile despite the heaviness of his heart, "James, we have a bungalow free, as a matter of fact it’s the one that they were going to use. Now is as good a time to move him in as any."

"I can pay, so I won't be freeloading." Griff offered.

"It’s our pleasure, young man and you will not be paying for anything," Jeff replied. "If you'd like to come with me now we can get you settled in, and then you can lead Mutt to where you were staying and he can help bring your stuff down."

“Wait!" Jax all but yelled.  "What if Gene comes back while they are out there?"

“Jax, I don't think the guy you call Gene will ever come back.  Those four guys made sure of that." Griff assured him

James looked at Griff and asked, "What four guys and when was this?"

"Like I said, um, about a week ago."

Jeff looked at James. "I didn't hear anything about this." he said, more to himself than to James.  "Griff, can you describe the four men?"

James said, "I think we should all go inside and we can rustle up something to have for lunch as well."

Jax stayed close to James as they walked in to the house and didn't relax until the door was firmly closed.

Jeff glanced out the window and scanned the backyard just in case. Seeing no one obvious his shoulders relaxed and he followed the others into the living room.

Mutt grinned, "Well, let me get everyone drinks, and James, I saw left over roast in the fridge, mind if I make sandwiches from that?"

James sat in the big overstuffed chair and pulled Jax down onto his lap and held him close. “No Mutt go ahead.

Jax jumped when the front door open and all four men turned to see Heath standing there. 

Jeff and Mutt grinned and welcomed Heath home.  "We were just about to have lunch," Mutt said, trying to keep the mood as light as possible considering the conversation he knew was coming.

James smiled as Heath leaned down to hug Jax, but he didn't let go of his own hold on the boy.

"What's wrong?" Heath questioned.

At a nod from Jeff, he and Mutt began to get the lunch things ready while Heath was brought up to date on what was going on by James.

"Apparently that scum bag Gene has been lurking around. This young man here saw four big men take care of him. Neither Jeff nor I have any security report on it. It seems to have occurred about a week ago."

"Where did that happen?" Heath asked.

James said, "Heath, by the way, this is Griffin Holden, he's Chad Crawford's partner...he just shared with us that Chad died in a construction accident about five months ago.” James smoky blue eyes reflected his hurt at the loss of his friend.

"Griff this is my other partner Doctor Heath Forsyth.”  The youngest man in the room said.

"Nice to meet you Doctor." Griff said shaking Heath's hand.

"Nice meeting you too, Griff.  Chad was a special friend to the resort."

Jeff and Mutt brought plates of sliced tomato, lettuce, rolls and slices of the left over roast and placed them on the table in the kitchen.

“Chow’s on,” Mutt called to the men.

They went to retrieve mayonnaise, mustard, and pickles before settling themselves down at the table with their friends.

"Knives!" Mutt muttered to himself, and fetched enough for the men to use to spread the mayo if they chose that, and then sat down again.

James eased Jax off his lap and led him to the table seating him between himself and Heath and began assembling a sandwich for the young man.

Griff waited until the other men seated themselves not knowing where he should sit.

Jeff got back up, smacking himself on the head for forgetting the paper plates and napkins.  He was still distracted and distressed over the news about Chad, and worried about what he was about to hear.

Mutt patted a chair beside him. "Come on, Griff, there's a chair right here."

"OK, but I don't want to be a bother to you."

James gave Mutt a grateful smile as he had his hands full with Jaxon at the moment.

"You're no bother, believe us," Jeff smiled, "Please make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you." Griff smiled.

"You're welcome. A partner of our friend Chad is always welcome."

"So, Griff, why don't you tell us what you saw and heard that day?" Jeff prompted after a short pause.

James nodded. "Yes, and please give as many details as you're able to."

Griff swallowed the bite of sandwich he had just taken and put the sandwich back on his plate.  "It was in the afternoon and I couldn't see much because I didn't want to be seen."

James said quietly, "Just tell us as much as you did see."

"This big guy, maybe your Gene, was on the other side of the clearing just inside the edge of the woods.  It wasn't the first time he had been there." Griff explained.  "I'm pretty sure he could see this house from where he was."

James glanced at Jeff. He wanted to know if it was what Bo had discovered.

"I think it was last Saturday he was there again and these four really big guys walked up to the clearing. I saw them pull a set of binoculars out and scan the area."

James asked, "Can you tell us how the four men arrived and something about them?

Jeff frowned as he made a mental list of all the residents of the resort.  "How tall, any idea?  Hair color?"

"They walked up.  Three of them were white and one was darker skinned.  The dark guy and one of the white guys were really big, and tall.

"Could you see what they were wearing, Griff?" Jeff asked.

“Two of them looked to be wearing uniforms of some sort.  The other white guy and the black one, weren't." He answered.  “The two bigger guys skirted around the clearing through the boulders below me.  I had to duck back into the cave so they didn't see me."

James frowned. "The one who was really big and tall, did he have longish sandy hair?

Griff looked at James.  "Yes sir."

James frowned and looked at Jeff. "Sounds like our security force was having their own little party."

"When I came back out of the cave I saw the other two men walking across the clearing but I couldn't see the big guys. That Gene guy was sure surprised when he saw them coming at him.  He started yelling at them...that's when the two big guys came out of the woods behind him.  Even from where I was he looked scared when he saw them."

James looked at Jeff, but nodded, allowing the young man to tell the story.

"They talked for a while and then the black guy slugged that Gene guy right in the mouth. He went down hard."

James arched an eyebrow and exchanged a look with Jeff.

Jeff mouthed the question, 'Coral?' at James.

"The smaller guys got him back to his feet and he started yelling that he was going to sue the resort.  But the black guy says he can't cuz he doesn't work for the resort."

James gave a little shake. He knew Coral was always with Ryan and if Coral were there then there was a good likelihood Ryan would have been too. And if Ryan had been there he was such a hot head he'd have been the one to hit Gene, not the other way around.

"Did you hear any names while this was happening?" Jeff asked, "Just close your eyes, and relax, and think back. Ok?"

"No, but I did hear the big white guy call the black guy Baby Bro."

"Dean." Jeff and James said at the same time.

"So we know two of them had to be Duke and Dean."

“Don't Martin and Greg work the afternoon shift on Saturdays?" Heath asked

James nodded. "Yes, usually, but we can talk about that later."

Jax leaned into Heath while those around him talked.

"So, why are you sure that this other guy won't be back?” Jeff asked Griffin.

"They talked for a while and it seemed the Gene guy just deflated.  Like he had lost everything.  After a bit the two smaller guys walked him back away from the resort.  I heard Gene say something about a car."  Griff remembered.  "The two bigger guys walked back toward the resort and I just stayed in the cave the rest of the day and night."

James nodded and looked at Jeff. "We'll need to have a talk with our security men."

Jeff looked at James who still had Jaxon’s hand in his.  "It appears the problem has been solved for the time being.  We can talk to them after lunch, what do you think, James?"

James nodded. "Yes we will.”  He looked at Heath. "Will you be able to stay with Jax?"

”Yes, I'll be right here." Heath assured both James and Jaxon.  He kissed his boy on the top of his head.

"I'll call Coral to escort you and Mutt to get your stuff, Griff." Jeff said.

"Do you think he is really gone. James?" Jax asked.

"Can I ask a question?" Griff asked.

"Of course, Griff, what do you need to know?" Jeff asked.

"If it's not my business just tell me but who is this Gene guy?"

James responded. "He's a mean scumbag who was Jaxon's stepfather." He told Griff.

Jax's head shot up, "He’s an asshole."

"Easy babe, we got you and Gene will never bother you again." Heath whispered.

"Yeah, Jax, he is a complete and total asshole, but he's not one we have to worry about any more. Promise." Mutt said

"Well, gentlemen, if you're all done eating, I'll call Coral. Mutt, you and he will help Griff pick up his things and settle him down in Bungalow 3. I know that's recently been vacated and cleaned." Jeff said, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"Can I go too, James?" Jax asked.

James looked at Heath to see what he thought of Jax going to help collect Griff's stuff.

"Jax, you need to stay here that area is too rough for your leg," Heath answered for both he and James.

James said, "Heath’s the doctor and you know what he says goes.  You can’t risk reinjuring your leg.”

"But I could stay in the cart while they ge..."Jax stopped remembering that he would be alone in the cart.  "Never mind I better stay here with Heath."

"Good idea, little boy," Heath smiled at his boy.

Griff's heart tightened in his chest as he watched his new friends.

Jeff, who had quietly called Coral during the discussion, cleared his throat and said "Coral said he'd meet you and Mutt. He'll bring one of the carts so that you can load your stuff in once you've carried it all down the hill."

"I don't have much stuff with me," Griff said.  "Just my motorcycle and a back pack."

"Well, that makes things easier. C'mon Griff, we have work to do. Bye for now, all." Mutt said, saluting sharply before leading Griffin out to meet Coral.

"I can't believe Duke and the others didn't tell us about Gene." Heath said once the others were gone.

"I can't believe they didn't put it in their report either."

"I'm surprised as well. Granted it was handled, but they should have told us." Jeff said, somewhat upset.

James said, "We have to talk to them. We can't have militant operations going on behind our backs." He spoke a little angrily tinged with disappointment.

"James, what say we go back to your office and call Duke? We have at least one positive ID but Marty and Greg were the only guards working at that time last Saturday."

James nodded. "Yes, let's do that. Let’s call all three of them."

"Heath, it was a pleasure as always," Jeff said, smiling at the doctor. "Jax, you just relax and stay put. You're in good hands. The best."

When Jeff and James arrived at James's office, Jeff called Duke and Greg then reluctantly woke Martin to request is presence in the office too.  The word 'Now' let them know it wasn't going to be a social visit.

Duke startled at Jeff's tone headed for the office wondering what was going on, having forgotten all about the incident with Gene Thomas by now.

The three men reported as ordered within minutes. Martin looked somewhat disheveled but had the presence of mind to slip on jeans and a tee shirt before shoving his feet into his crocs and running toward the office where he stood at attention with the other two men.

James was standing his arms crossed and an annoyed look on his handsome face as he eyed his errant security guards.

Greg and Martin exchanged confused glances, but when Jeff cleared his throat they gave him their full attention.

Once all the security guards were in place James eyed them just like he was the Marine captain and they were recruits. He asked in a deceptively quiet voice, "Gentlemen, which one of you would like to explain why there was no record of an encounter with Gene Thomas last Saturday afternoon?"

Martin's jaw dropped and his eyes widened. Greg licked suddenly dry lips, but neither answered immediately, instead glancing toward Duke waiting for their leader to speak.

Duke's grey eyes widened and he said, "We didn't want to scare Jax and since we handled the scum bag we didn't want to upset anyone else either."

James gave Duke a look. "Would you like to explain why your brother was there? I assume he was as you were heard to call him "Baby bro"."

Duke blushed. "He happened to be at the resort. He was visitin' because he didn't make it the night before for the Fourth of July party.”

"We didn't know it was Gene.  I saw a light in the woods the night before and wanted to check on it, James." Greg said. "I called Marty to help me and Duke and Dean came with us."

James said, "Jake will hear about this, Duke. I don't like my security guards taking things on by themselves and then not reporting it."

Martin and Greg both gave stifled sighs of relief. They had no tops to worry about, but they were still worried about what James was going to do to them.

James eyed the other two. "You're lucky you have no tops for me to turn you over to. I don't want a repeat of this ever again or both of you will be facing my wrath."

"Yes sir." the men answered in unison. Greg's voice wavered slightly and he cleared his throat to mask the sound.

Duke winced having been on the receiving end James’s wrath before.

"James," Greg asked, "How did you find out about Gene Thomas?"

James said, "A man named Griffin Holden told us. He saw the whole thing. He’s Chad Crawford’s partner."

"We didn't see anyone else out there."  Greg replied.

"Apparently our friend Griff had been lying low in one of the caves up the slope above the clearing. He wasn't close enough to see or hear everything but it was enough." Jeff said.

"Why was he out there?" Marty asked.  "Is he a guest?"

"Chad had made plans to bring Griff for a visit," Jeff replied softly. "But Chad.... Chad passed a few months ago, and Griff came here alone."

"So he came in and reported the fig...um, discussion?" Greg assumed.

"No, he came into James’s yard then he ran into Jax and Mutt.  He's a shy man, I think, but we were able to get him talking eventually." Jeff replied.  "He had no idea he was letting out any secrets."

Then Jeff turned a meaningful look on Greg and asked, "So, was it a fight, or a discussion?"

"Mostly it was a discussion.” Greg answered and then looked at Duke for more of an explanation.

Duke said, “Well he was roughed up a bit. My brother hit him for mouthin’ off and…well I wanted to body slam the scum, but Dean stopped me. Most of what happened was discussion and makin’ sure he wouldn’t come back once he was escorted off the property. He was headin’ west and his wife had kicked him out over Jax.” Duke shared.

James frowned hearing about the physical assault and said, “I’m glad it was your brother and not you Duke who hit him. He can still press assault charges on your brother.”

Duke said, “I don’t think he’s goin’ to press charges of any kind. I think he was just glad to get out of here with his skin intact.”

Marty looked at Greg then Duke.  "We weren't trying to hide what happened, James.  We only meant to save Jax, and well, you and Heath for the worry of knowing Gene had been that close."

"If we'd known about it we could have taken steps to prevent him from setting foot on this property again. Legal steps, as much as we dislike them." Jeff reminded them.

James looked at Jeff, still concerned about legal repercussions as a result of his security guards actions. “I think we better call the sheriff and let him know what’s going on.

"Normally I'd agree with you, Jeff, but we need to have it on record that this man had been trespassing and is considered hostile."

James paced in front of the three security guards and said, “For this little stunt I will expect a complete report of this incident in writing and on my desk first thing tomorrow morning. When I say complete, I mean complete gentlemen, no omissions of any kind. This will be on your own time, not TLR time. Am I understood?”

He was greeted with a chorus of "Yes Sir!" by the three guilty looking security guards.