The Andre Miller Saga

Andre Miller 49 The Flyers

It had been a week since Conroy and Frankie left for Lima, Peru. They checked in every day via satellite phone. "Peru has some beautiful county son, but getting used to the altitude is difficult. My lungs are having a hard time adjusting. We're carrying an oxygen tank now just in case I need it."

"Well just be careful Dad. How long till you make it to the village?" asked Andre.

"A little over a week. Once we hit the mountains we had to switch to these damn lamas. Foul-smelling creatures, bad disposition too. I have been bit by the damn things twice now for no damn reason."

"How is Frankie handling things?"

"He's fine, he spends most of his time talking and walking with the guide and team members. We've got a train of 18 lamas with various supplies and whatnot. OK, we're just finishing setting camp for the night so I'll let you go. Be safe boy."

"You too Dad," Andre said and hung up the line.

"How are they doing?" asked Caleb.

"As good as can be expected for taking a 95-year-old man into the mountains of Peru. They are about a week out from the village. I should have gone with them." Andre said guiltily.

"OK, and had you gone you would have felt just as guilty for leaving the rest of us in the lurch. Your brain is running a no-win loop brother, break out of it. They are going to be fine."

The two of them had been finishing up the last of the cataloging of everything for the possible inspection from hell brought on by Artifax filing a motion to disqualify Janice from the family company. They may have quit physically threatening the family, but they were doing their level best to make life as difficult as possible for them through legal motions.

Bobby was still adjusting to Bill not being in the office after his death, she had 4 people helping her now with the cases, but there was still a wound that wouldn't heal as long as Artifax was allowed to do what it wanted through intimidation and murder.

The magical defense industry was a multibillion-dollar industry a year, and Artifax wanted as much of that money as possible and would go to despicable lengths to get it. Theft, intimidation, assault, and murder were all in their toolkit. Andre and company were determined to see it stopped.

Tilly and Kyle were starting to fall behind in installing the defenses for their clients with Frankie gone to Peru, so much so that hiring another member of the team was becoming inevitable. They had posted on all of the major job sites for a new installation technician, but as they had some very strict rules, no infernal contracts, no current or former association with Artifax, at least 2 years experience doing installations, and the ability to work in a possibly hostile work environment, their number of applications were slim.

"What about Heath Beekman? He's got all the required qualifications, is willing to wear body armor, and has recommendations." Asked Kyle.

"He's also asking for 20% more base pay than we're offering and we're already 10% over comparable companies." Replied Tilly.

"Well, we're running out of applicants. I say we offer him 10% over what we're currently offering and see if he goes for it. We need the help, and if we have to pay a little more for it it's not going to dig that deep into our bottom line."

"I just don't like the thought of someone gouging us, but you're right. Send the email and we'll see what he has to say."

"There's also Kitty Priestly, she's a little shy on the experience, only 18 months, but meets everything else." Said, Kyle.

"True, send them both emails, we'll do interviews and see which one shakes out."

Kyle sent the emails as Andre and Caleb came in. "How goes the summoning and cataloging?" he asked.