Hey guys.... Now that I'm back writing again, having gotten settled back in New England, (and had a killer summer in Ptown mind you) I've gone back over some of the emails I have received and it looks like you guys want to hear more about Jonathan before he met Nick. So, here ya go
Comments as always
Jon
jon.bennett15@attbi.com
www.stormloader.com/articwolf
There was a knock on the office door and Brandon came in. Jonathan looked up from the call he was on and nodded his head towards a chair. Finishing the call shortly thereafter he turned to Brandon.
"What's up for the rest of the day?" he asked.
"As if you didn't know" said Brandon with a smile. "I just picked up the monetary transfer documents from Ian. Do you know what you are paying for this thing?"
"After waiting for almost a year it will be worth it" replied Jonathan.
"Yeah but still." Brandon started in. "Your C.F.O. isn't the happiest person in the world right now"
"It's only money" said Jonathan. "And last I looked there is no current shortage of that; besides he is only happy when he is making it, not spending it"
"This is true" said Brandon. "You ready to move?"
"Yeah, I'm good here" said Jonathan standing and reaching for his suit jacket. "There is nothing here that can't wait until Monday."
"OK" said Brandon. "Danny and Chris are outside waiting. Anthony and Karen flew out this morning to supervise the stocking of the new baby and the staff and what not".
"Sounds good to me" said Jonathan as they walked out into the outer office. He nodded at his secretary and bid her a good weekend "Everything all set on Don's end?"
"It should be" said Brandon as Danny and Chris fell into position around Jonathan. "He did the final flight checks two days ago."
"Who's flying this evening" asked Jonathan
"The back up crew" said Brandon handing a file folder to an assistant as they walked out the front doors of the office buildings that housed Stonewolf Enterprises. "Anthony and Karen flew out on commercial so the G-V would be here."
"How many people we going to be staffing this with?" asked Jonathan as he paused to look at the early spring evening. Only spring in South Carolina could be this pretty he thought.
"Permanent staff of five" said Brandon. "That will be upped as needed if we have guests or whatever"
Jonathan nodded as they got into the waiting limo. The limo transported them the five miles across the island to the Hilton Head jetport. Pulling up at the Gulfstream-V jet, Danny got out and looked around as was habit before letting Jonathan out.
They walked over to the jet and got in. Once the door was secured and Jonathan settled in the jet started moving towards the runway. The voice of the captain came over the intercom.
"Good Evening boss" came the disembodied voice. "We are number two for departure behind a US Airways flight. We should be airborne in about four minutes. The flight time is going to be about five hours to Phoenix."
Jonathan hit a button on the console next to him. "OK Frank thanks"
Jonathan spun his chair around to face Brandon
"That puts us on the ground about 8pm Phoenix time right?" he asked.
"Yup about that" said Brandon " We have the Presidential Suite at the Westin. Your appointment is for 10 AM tomorrow morning. Don and his flight crew are already there, doing a final check today so we can take ownership tomorrow after your inspection and flight"
"Sounds good" said Jonathan as the Gulfstream picked up speed. "What's for dinner?"
CHAPTER TWO:
Jonathan watched out the window as the G-V came in for a picture perfect landing. The sun was just setting over Phoenix and the mountains as they had flown in. It was a short ground run to the General Aviation. As they were taxiing in, Danny came up front where Jonathan was and sat in a chair across from him.
"Anything special planned for tonight that I need to know about?" he asked.
"Not really" said Jonathan, "Just going to wing it. I'll probably have dinner at the hotel and maybe hang out at the bar if the entertainment is any good"
"OK" Danny replied. "You've got Chris and I, plus a couple who come with the limo for company tonight"
"Thrill a minute" he said. "Just kidding. Do we really need four of you?"
"Yes" said Danny. "Chris and I are always with you, one of the other guys drives and stays with the car. The fourth will be my backup."
"Sorry I asked." Jonathan said shaking his head. He knew that he needed the security crew and he trusted Danny with his life, but there were times he did wonder if he could just try to get away by himself sometime.
Chapter Two:
As Jonathan was finishing his drink, the plane shut down at General Aviation. As the engines shut down, Danny opened the door to find the limo and the two people from his company waiting. With a nod at them he came down the stairs followed by Jonathan, Brandon, and Chris. It was a short ride from the airport to the Westin. As they came through the lobby, Jonathan happened to see the Bell Captain and made eye contact with him. There was an obvious electric spark between them.
"You're not going to" said Danny, noting the exchange.
"Probably" said Jonathan.
"Hrm" came the reply.
"I'm sure he is safe but you can always shoot him if he tries anything" said Jonathan jokingly
"It already crossed my mind boss" said Danny. This earned him a scowl.
The Bell Captain approached the group. His nametag said his name was Ryan. He looked to be about 26 or 27, tall with black hair and green eyes.
"Good Evening Gentlemen," he began, "Welcome to the Westin. Are you checking in?'
Brandon stepped forward. "Yes here is the confirmation"
The Bell Captain escorted them over to the front desk where Brandon handled the arrangements. As they waited it was obvious that the Bell Captain knew what Jonathan wanted. He too was interested in Jonathan. Thinking to himself, he figured Jonathan to be about 30, well dressed and good looking. The only thing that was making him uncomfortable was the bodyguards.
Jonathan spoke up as Ryan came back over towards Jonathan. "Don't worry about them. They are just here to keep trouble away. You're not trouble"
"Yes sir" said Ryan. "I was wondering about that"
Jonathan wandered over to a palm tree in the lobby to speak with Ryan. "You offer any special services here at the hotel?"
"It would depend on the service you were looking for sir and of course the specific client who was asking about it" he replied.
"Why don't you stop by later on and we can discuss services" said Jonathan, more of a statement then question.
"Very good sir" said Ryan. "I see your rooms are ready, allow me to escort you."
Ryan let the group of them to the elevators and brought them to the top floor of the hotel. He opened the door and stepped back to let Jonathan into the suite. Jonathan was stopped by Danny who went first, followed by the third security agent, hand in his jacket to inspect the suite before he would let Jonathan in. Chris remained outside with Jonathan.
"Don't mind them, I have the same problem if I want to go to McDonald's" said Jonathan.
"I see sir" said Ryan.
"Would you please stop calling me sir?" asked Jonathan with a glare.
"Company policy, I have to sir" said Ryan.
"It's clean" said Danny.
Jonathan turned to Ryan, handed him a twenty dollar bill as a tip, "I'll see you later then"
"Yes sir, thank you" said Ryan, a knowing look in his eye.
Chapter Three:
After having dinner in the hotel's restaurant, Jonathan had returned to the suite to take care of some paperwork that Brandon had "just managed to bring along". Around 11pm there was a knock on the door of the suite. Jonathan looked up at Chris stuck his head around the door.
"You have company" he said. "You want to see the bell captain?"
"Yeah I do" said Jonathan rising from the desk. "Let him in and put the do not disturb sign on the door"
"OK" said Chris. "I'll be outside til 2 am then one of the other guys will be here til 6 and then Danny will be on the door."
"Thanks Chris" he replied. He watched as Ryan entered the suite, still in his uniform. He was carrying a backpack. Jonathan was sure Chris had gone through it....
"Hi there" said Jonathan. "Come on in. Would you like something to drink?"
"No thank you" said Ryan. "I'm good. I was kinda hoping I could change tho. I've really had it with this uniform today"
"No problem" said Jonathan. He nodded towards the bedroom. "You can change in there."
"I've got a better idea" he said coming across the room. "Why don't you help me with it"
"I think I can manage that" said Jonathan coming out from the desk and following Ryan into the bedroom. He took the pack from Ryan's hand and tossed it on a chair. "I don't' think you are going to need anything in there for a while"
"Me either" said Ryan pressing himself again Jonathan. He pulled Jonathan's head to his own and kissed him, his tongue snaking into Jonathan's mouth. The two continued to kiss for minutes as their hands traveled up and down each other's bodies.
Breaking the kiss, Jonathan looked at Ryan. "Damn dawg, you can kiss" he said.
"I can do a hell of a lot more then that" he replied unbuttoning Jonathan's jeans. "Let's get fucking naked and I'll show you"
CHAPTER FOUR:
After breakfast served in the suite, Brandon pulled his briefcase out from under the table.
"You ready boss?" he asked
"Yup" said Jonathan, reaching for a sweatshirt. "You said it's cold out?"
"Not really cold, but the sweatshirt will feel good" he replied.
Danny knocked and entered the suite. "The limo is out front, we can go anytime you are ready"
"I'm ready now" said Jonathan. "Time's a wasting"
After a half hour ride out of Phoenix to the landing strip where the interior design company had its offices, they came to a halt. The chief designer for Jonathan's project had noted their arrival and walked out to meet the limo. As he reached for the door, it was opened and Danny got out. The designer backed off a few paces at seeing a large man with two weapons on his person.
"Good Morning sir," he began. "My name is Daniel Crowne. I am the chief designer for Mr. Castleton's project"
"Yes sir I know who you are" said Danny.
"Down Danny" said Jonathan getting out of the limo. "Let's not break his legs yet. I still have to see the jet"
Crowne's eyebrows went up at that comment.
"My apologies sir" said Jonathan coming over and shaking his hand. "My security staff can be a bit over protective at times. I was just kidding about the leg breaking"
"I see" said Crowne. "You had me worried there for a minute." He was not quite sure on what to make of this man who had come to claim his latest project. Jonathan was dressed in Jeans and sneakers, with a Boston University sweatshirt, yet was traveling in a stretch limo and 3 bodyguards.
"How's my baby?" Asked Jonathan as they walked into the offices of the company.
"Why don't you come see for yourself" he replied.
Crowne led the group into the offices where he introduced the staff of 4 who had worked with him during the months of the creation of the jet's interior After the introductions were made, Crowne led them to a back door, which lead to the runways.
Jonathan donned sunglasses and walked out into the bright Phoenix sunshine; accompanied by the interior designers who had spent the past 10 months working on the plane.
"I must say that it has been quite the challenge to prepare this for you Mr. Castleton" said the chief designer. "We've never done something so large before"
"I'm sure it will be perfect" said Jonathan. "The updates you kept sending were most helpful in envisioning the plane and how it grew"
The group rounded the corner and came to a stand still. Even Jonathan for all his wealth was stunned into silence. There it stood. 233 feet in length, and over 60 feet high from the ground to the tip of the tail. The main body of the jet was painted pure gleaming white. A large navy blue stripe ran the length of the fuselage. Each of the four jet engines were painted a metallic gold. A large sign stood at the foot of the jet, by the front landing gear: RENAISSANCE ONE HEAVY.
"My God she is huge" said Jonathan. Removing his sunglasses and squinting into the morning sunshine he could only stare in wonder and awe at the 747. Standing at the foot of the jet stairs stood Anthony, Karen, and the steward staff. Jonathan walked towards them. Jonathan also noted the 8 security agents around the plane and the fuel truck. He shook his head to himself.
"You really did it this time didn't you" said Anthony.
"Yeah I guess I did" replied Jonathan, getting a kiss on the cheek from Karen.
"Some of these people you know from Hilton Head" stared Anthony. "Mark, David and Bruce I believe you know. The other two are Jason and Jeremy"
Jonathan shook hands with all of them. "You guys ready?"
Despite being in a bit of awe at the power Jonathan evidently beheld, they all responded professionally and positively.
"Well then, lets go see the baby" he said.
Jonathan started up the stairs, followed by Danny and Chris. The other two agents remained on the ground. The stewards, Anthony and Karen followed along with the designers. At the top of the flight stairs stood Captain Hendrickson, his co-pilot, and flight engineer.
"Welcome aboard" said the Captain. "You've got yourself one hell of a new jet"
"So I see" said Jonathan still a bit overwhelmed at the size of her. "How does she handle?"
"Amazingly actually" said the Captain. Without 300 passengers and their luggage it is amazing how fast she can get to rotation speed and flying speeds. Especially when you think that she weighs in at over 700,000 pounds empty"
"Lets take a tour and then see how she does" said Jonathan, stepping inside. Danny followed behind, having had the jet secured for the past 24 hours and knew there was no one on board who shouldn't be. The chief designer approached Jonathan with a glass of champagne.
"May I show you around sir?" he asked.
"Please do" said Jonathan.
They started towards the front entering through a door made of deep dark wood. Jonathan recognized it as the same type of teakwood he had used on the doors to his condo in Hawaii. They entered a lounge type area with a bar, chairs and tables approximately 25 feet long and the width of the airframe. A large screen TV sat in one corner. It was a beautifully appointed room done in soft earthy tones of red, brown and gold. The design team led him across the cabin through another door leading off into a bedroom. Here a King size bed done this time in blue and gold was in the area. A small couch and a couple of chairs were in the room as well. A 42" TV was built into the bulkhead directly across from the bed. A large chest of drawers was in one corner. Leading off from the far end of the bedroom was a bathroom done entirely in Italian Marble. Jonathan noted that the mini-computers he had requested were placed into the bed frame on either side of the bed.
They walked through another door back into the corridor leading towards the rest of the plane. Artwork hung on the walls, there were tables and chairs were tastefully scattered about the area, Indirect lighting came from the ceiling casting a soft glow. Going down the main hallway, Jonathan opened a door to find the "office". Here a large walnut desk
was in the rear of the office, a computer on top of it. In back was a credenza with a
set of twin laptops. Next to the desk was a large wooden rack with several printers on it. There was room for a small bar, conference table, couch, end tables, lamps and three chairs in the office. Connecting to the office through yet another door was a modest conference room; with seating for twelve. Going out the front double doors of the conference room they were back in the main corridor. In the rear of the plane down
the hallway, the rest of the plane was given over to seating space for about 50 all in plush leather chairs. The designed team showed them to Jonathan explaining that each of the chairs reclined to full flat, allowing them to be turned in to beds.
They walked back to the middle of the plane and up a staircase made of teakwood and stainless steel leading to the upper cabin here a small chandelier was hanging from the top of the cabin. Another lounge about half the size of the front lounge downstairs opened into a dining room set for eight people. Beyond that was a smaller bathroom and access to the cockpit. It was like a whole house had been mashed between a set of wings. Jonathan continued back downstairs and then to the lower level of the plane that would normally be cargo. This area had been remodeled as well. The first third of the front area was a well equipped galley. He nodded to the steward staff there. Further back into the plane where an area had been designed in to a work out area, with treadmills, stationary bikes and a universal station. A TV hung from the one wall .
Going on into the tail section of the plane, the designer flipped on a switch on the wall. Lights and sounds suddenly exploded from the room. There were twelve different video games all warming up.
"This is outstanding" said Jonathan. "You have done an amazing job with this."
"Thank you sir" said the chief designer. "I can tell you on behalf of my staff that this has truly been a labor of love. I don't believe we will ever have another project quite like this one"
"You might if I buy another one" said Jonathan.
"I don't believe I could stand that sir" said the designer with a laugh "My wife and two cats have threatened to disown me if I spent much more time on the project"
"Well, then, lets go up to the office, I'll sign the fund transfer documents and you can get paid, and take them on a long vacation. I'd say you have earned it" said Jonathan.
They all went back up and into the office of the plane. Brandon had already laid out the transfer documents and a check on the side. Jonathan signed both and handed them to the design chief.
"Here is the payment for the work you did on the jet" said Jonathan. "I believe that is the full amount remaining"
"Yes sir" he replied looking at the figure of 89 million and change. "Thank you sir"
Jonathan got up and came around the desk. "This is also for you and your design team as a special thank you"
Nothing the amount on the check, the design chief almost fainted.
"Thank you sir. That is incredibly generous" he stammered.
"Thank you for finishing ahead of schedule" said Jonathan. "Now, I do believe it is time for the test flight. Would you care to stay on board?"
"Actually sir" he began, "I have a fear of flying. It is my life's work to make them as comfortable as possible for my clients but I have no desire to fly in them"
"Very good then" said Jonathan as he led them back to the front. "I'll see you in an hour or so"
"Thank you again sir" said Crowne.
With that the design team left and the flight engineer closed up the jet.
"Time to rock guys" said Jonathan with a smile.
"Find a place to sit and we'll be rolling" said the Captain. "We are already cleared into air traffic space."
"Sounds good to me" said Jonathan.
As he sat down in the front lounge, along with Danny, and Brandon, Anthony came in with a tray of Champagne glasses and opened a bottle. He poured each of them a drink.
"Well, here's to the new baby" said Jonathan.
"Good luck with her" said Danny.
Soon as they chatted they could hear each of the four engines winding up. Within 4 minutes the plane was starting to move towards the runway.
"We are cleared for takeoff gentlemen" said the Captain over the speakers. "Congrats Jon"
Jonathan looked and found the controls to the intercom. "Thanks Don. Let's do it."
Three minutes later after a brief halt at the end of the runway, the engines were pushed to their stops and the massive jet started its take off roll.
"God this thing has power" said Jonathan as he was pushed back into the deeply cushioned seating.
As Renaissance roared down the runway, the sun glinted off the brilliant exterior. Soon lifting off the runway it made for the skies. As it banked towards the mountains and continued its climb, Jonathan got up and made his way around the jet.
"This is totally incredible" said Jonathan as he walked around. Anthony and Karen were with him.
"Yes it is" said Karen. "We've been here with it since last night. I can't believe this is a jet"
"Very impressive Jon" said Anthony. "It's truly a work of art"
"Thanks" said Jonathan. "I gotta admit I'm a bit overwhelmed. I'm still not completely sure what I was thinking when I started this"
"Well who knows" said Karen. "Maybe you will meet someone soon and fall in love and you'll be flying all over the world in this thing"
"Wouldn't that be nice" said Jonathan.