Page 101 of Airborne
“Let me get some coffee first.” Thomas filled his cup and sat opposite Heather. “Peanut butter, huh?”
“Keep it to yourself. Once the kids figure it out, my concoction will be gone.”
“Have you ever listed the many ways to enjoy peanut butter?” Thomas said.
“Is this a trick question?”
“The winner gets kicked off the island.”
Tex chimed in. “With a year’s supply of Jif.”
She smiled. “Let me count the ways I can whip up a peanut butter craze.”
“With peanut butter, I can always top you.”
She groaned at his pun. “These are my favs, other than ice cream—pickles, pickles and mayo, bananas, bologna, donuts, chocolate, chip dip with jelly, latte, bacon, cookies, French toast... and waffles.”
Thomas sipped on his coffee as though contemplating hisanswer. “You forgot a wrap, cupcakes, ice cream, taco, meatballs, grilled with fried onions, and sushi.”
Heather grimaced. “A few of those are disgusting. Have you eaten all of them?”
“Yes. And they’re good.” He leaned back on the cafeteria bench. “When I was a kid, Mom and I explored the many facets of peanut butter. Great memories.”
Doris smiled. “I grew up on a farm along the Mississippi River. Twelve of us, and our best breakfast was pancakes with sorghum molasses and peanut butter.”
“Those keep your mom forever in your heart,” Thomas said. “My best days were with my mom.”
“The older I get, the more I find I’m just like her.” Doris glanced at her watch. “Time to make my runs.” She rose from the bench with an empty cup. “See you later.”
Tex followed suit with a declaration breakfast arrived in three hours and the biscuits were calling his name.
Heather sat alone with Thomas. She’d use every minute. “What do you envision for your future? You’re already super successful.”
“Family for starters.”
Perfect answer if he intended to impress an FBI agent. “Mine, too. Do you have business goals? Are there areas to explore besides software?”
He propped his elbow on the table and rested his chin. “I’ve been researching ventures beyond SDI. I’ve funded college and university students in various studies. Now I want to invest in at-risk kids.”
“Community centers?”
He nodded. “And summer camps. I want to encourage varied interests for boys and girls. Offer free tutoring, sports instruction, libraries, cooking, and crafts. Show the many career opportunities out there. Equip them with basic living skills. The community centers would need to be where the kids live so they can beencouraged when faced with opposition. I’ve checked out an area for a summer camp in Colorado where the kids can get away from their hardships. They could fish, hike, learn survival techniques, the value of teamwork, and enjoy nature.”
“Commendable.” And she meant it. “How do you fight resistance to your projects?”
“Let me try one of those ice cream bars before answering.” He retrieved one from the freezer. With his back to her, he paused. His shoulders tightened. He returned and tossed the ice cream on the table. His face resembled granite. His nostrils flared, and his features twisted. “I have people on my payroll who take care of problems.” His voice dropped and flattened to a menacing timbre. “I keep my hands in all endeavors and hire those who know how to perform tasks my way.” The curtain had fallen on Thomas’s virtuous facade.
“I see how that would work to your advantage,” she said.
Whitened knuckles gripped the edges of the table. “Accomplishing my purpose is a life choice.”
“Which is?”
“Protect those who can’t protect themselves.”
If she interviewed him within FBI capacity, she’d ask him to explain. Later she’d deliberate the change in voice, tone, and demeanor. “So many people owe you for their education and a better life. Has anyone ever disappointed you?”
He sneered, ugly, threatening. “Students who didn’t value exceptional grades lost their funding. Business associates who displayed dishonesty or unethical practices were fired. Employees who attempted to cheat me don’t receive a second chance. No one who ever betrayed me has escaped.” He frowned. “Except two, and they will receive their reward.”
