In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

“Of course, Uncle Mark. You know our current situation here. I believe this problem will be resolved soon. We’re working in close cooperation with the DEA. I have to say, I’m looking forward to getting together again with all our family, there in LA.”

Samantha said, “Oh, good. We’re going back to California. I’m anxious to meet your brother, Dammit, and Robbin.”

“You won’t have long to wait, honey. They’re flying in here tomorrow, in the Gulf Stream. We’ll all fly to LA with the treasure. You’ll get to meet most of the family while we’re there. Are you ready for that?” He grinned. “Play your cards right and you may get to sit up front with the new corporate captain.”

Chapter 48

Dick brought the Gulf Stream down from thirty-five thousand feet in a steep decent over the Mojave Desert. He disengaged the autopilot for a further stair-step drop in altitude over the water, south of Buellton. California’s Channel Islands stood magnificently in the distance. He circled back over the west end of Santa Cruz Island to touch down in Santa Barbara. He hoped Samantha had been paying attention to that view. She grew up in California and loved the coastline. The view from the air is probably why they call this area the Gold Coast.

Dammit said, “Uncle Mark made our temporary hanger arrangements for the Gulf Stream in Santa Barbara. That man has influence in places I’ve never heard of. He even brought a minibus to haul us around. The whole family’s here to meet the plane.”

Dick laughed. “Sam may go into shock after one of his big bear hugs. She’s never been exposed to a family like ours.”

“Nah,” Dammit said. “She can take it. I like that girl of yours, bro. She and Robbin have been bonding over red wine all the way across country. We may have to prop them up for the meet and greet. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. We’re stopping for dinner at the Cliff House restaurant. They’re setting up a table at the water’s edge, Mike’s idea. We should make it in time to see the sun drop into the Pacific. He has some kind of surprise for us. My favorite time of day, watching the sun drop into the Pacific.”

Dick said, “You can’t kid an old kidder, bro. Your favorite time of day is anytime you can sit on the upper deck of that beautiful yacht, Forever Hooked, with a cocktail in your hand. I should know, I’ve heard ‘my favorite time of day’ coming from you, with a cocktail in hand, often enough.”

Dammit laughed. “You may be right. There’s nothing better than a cold beer while grabbing rays in the cockpit. Now, you know, of course, Forever Hooked was left to Robbin in her cousin’s will, after he was killed on Catalina by drug smugglers.”

The brothers loaded the last bag into the van. “By the way,” Dam said. “Packaging the treasure up with clothing and personal items was a great way to prepare it for shipping.”

“Yeah, the best we could do. Each article’s wrapped in bubble wrap, packed in with the clothing. All the bags look the same, with family crest ID tags. Our personal stuff’s on top. You park the van and catch up with us in the corridor,” Dick said.

Dick held Sam’s arm, slowing their progress down the corridor. “That’s Uncle Mark, the bear of a man with the full beard. He’s the ninety-year-old patriarch of the family. The big man next to him is his son, Mike. Next to Mike is his wife, Tracy, and their daughter, Catherine. They’ll all love you. Uncle Mark looks good. He’s lost weight, probably well under three hundred pounds now. At six-two, I’m the short round of the family.

They walked a few steps closer. “The two attractive women on the other side of uncle Mark are his daughters, Sally and Gayle. Their children are all away at school. You’ll get a chance to meet them later.”

He and Sam waited behind, while Dammit and Robbin reconnected with Mike and Tracy. Catherine couldn’t wait. She hurried past the huggers to grab Dick around his waist. “My favorite uncle,” she said, laughing. “I know we’re really cousins, but Dad said you and Dammit were more like brothers to him. After all, the three of you grew up together after your parents died in that plane crash. I wish you would visit more often, Uncle Dick.”

“We all grew up on the original McGowin estate where you live now. A blessing for Dam and I.” He turned to Sam. “This is my very special friend, Samantha. She would like you to call her Sam.”

Mark McGowin pushed back from the table. “I know the view is terrific, with the porpoise playing in the surf, ten feet away and all, but a majority serving on the board of trustees for the McGowin family trust happens to be sitting at this dinner table. It’s an opportunity to take care of our unexpected blessing.”

He picked up a knife and tapped it against a water glass. “I hereby declare this gathering as an official meeting of the trustees for the McGowin permanent trust. A specific part of our business can be handled here, today, ahead of the next scheduled meeting. Before I ask for a second to the declaration, oh hell, I meant motion, we should raise our glasses to Dick and Samantha.” He tipped his wine glass. “Samantha! Welcome to our close family. To Dick and Samantha; our wish is your bonding be permanent, your future bountiful, and your journey through life be filled with joy.”

Dick lifted his glass. “Thank you, Uncle Mark. To God, country, the McGowin family and their beautiful women.”

Mike interrupted, “I second the motion to open this meeting.”

Dammit said, “I move we place the recently acquired assets into the trust,