Secrets of the Spiral Tower

by Joe Woods

  “Connor, how many boats do we own?”

  “We’ve got five working and one in dry dock.”

  “You know, Connor, I had no idea. Daddy has given me large sums of money over the years, which concerned me, but now I’m beginning to understand his financial situation. How many employees work at McKenzie?”

  “Depends, but the range is 125-150, depending on the time of year and the river conditions.”

  “And you were concerned about leaving for two weeks?”

  “Right. Somebody has got to keep them in line.”

  “I’m sure you’ve got tow boat captains that can do that.”

  “Well, yeah, but they depend on me, too.”

  Willow saw Fort Hill come into view. She pushed the intercom button. “Tobin, please make a slight left hand turn. I want to get a better view of the National Military Park and that big spiral observation tower standing there.”

  “Yes ma’am. For a better view I’ll make a circle and give you a three-sixty look.”

  “That’s great. Thank you.”

  As the plane circled Willow said, “Connor, when we get back from San Antonio, I want to go to the cave. Are all of our teenage treasures sill there?”

  “I think so. I haven’t been to the cave since you and I were last there.”

  Looking out into the night sky Connor thought, I don’t want her in that cave. I’ve got to come up with a plan.

  Peering out of the right side of the plane, Willow exclaimed, “Oh Connor, look at the American Flag flying over the old bridge. It is so beautiful. I didn’t notice it this morning when we crossed the bridge.”

  “Even though it measures eight feet wide and ten feet long, it is hard to see during the day unless a breeze has it stretched out.”

  Willow leaned over and kissed Connor on the lips. “Darling, I just love being home and doing things with you.”

  “I agree, but it is going to take some adjusting.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll help you adjust. And, I want you to plan on spending less time at the office and more time with me. We have places to go and people to meet.”

  Tobin’s voice came over the intercom. “Ms. McKenzie, Port Gibson can be seen out of the right side in a couple of minutes. We’ll fly over then turn across the Mississippi River.”

  “Thank you, Tobin.”

  Willow saw the church steeple with the big, gold painted finger pointing toward the heavens.

  “This is too beautiful, just like the flag. I’m so excited I can hardly breathe. And, look Connor, somewhere in the trees below is the Grand Gulf State Park and that Confederate redoubt on the high ridge overlooking the river.”

  At that moment, they broke out in laughter. Simultaneously, they remembered the first time they cut senior class, shared a picnic and an intimate afternoon under the shade of a grand old oak tree.

  “Connor, do you remember the line you shot me that afternoon?”

  “That’s been more than thirty years ago. I’ll have to think about it for a while.”

  “I thought it was beautiful, maybe something you had read in one of our literature books. So you don’t remember?”

  Blushing slightly, Connor said, “Just give me a while. I’ll remember.”

  “No. I’m going to repeat it. As a matter of fact, I wrote it in my notebook and have rewritten it several times. You said, ‘I was born to love you now. Can’t you see? Baby you look good to me today’.”

  “Now I remember, but I must confess. I didn’t pen that line. I stole it from one of our songs. I don’t remember which one just yet, but it did sum up my feelings for you, then and now.”

  “Conner, that is so sweet. We must remember the title and get a copy for us to play often.”

  “We don’t need any more distractions. We’ve got a business to run.”

  “Don’t worry. I am ready to become involved in the business again. That way I could take some of the load off you.”

  “Willow, you don’t know anything about the towing business.”

  “That’s not true. Don’t you remember I used to ride the tows with you and Daddy?”

  “Willow, that was a long time ago. You never really got involved in the nuts and bolts. And what you learned back then is no longer applicable.”

  “Okay, Connor, but I’m a quick study. You can teach me the new way of doing business. I’m sure I can complement you and Caitlyn.”

  “Maybe I should retire and let you and Caitlyn run the business.”

  “Now, Connor that would be nothing short of stupid. If you want to retire, we could sell it and spend the rest of our lives touring this great country. There are lots of places I’ve visited in the past thirty years that I want to visit again. And, I’m sure there are some undiscovered places that would be nice to visit. I want to experience all of them with you.”

  “I don’t think your Daddy would ever agree to sell. He loves the towing business and the river too much to completely divorce himself of either. Besides, how would we split the money after the sale? What would be my share?”

  “I proposed marriage to you yesterday. I’m not sure I ever got a really affirmative answer. But just supposing you say yes, we become husband and wife, and then we would share the profits equally. I just want to be sure to set aside enough money to make sure Daddy is comfortable.”

  “I don’t know, maybe we should sell forty-nine percent and retain majority interest with fifty-one percent.”

  “I don’t think I would like that arrangement. To me, we need to retain full control or sell one-hundred percent and travel the world.”

  “Hey, look over there. That’s the Red River. We’ve pushed cargo up and down that river through five locks and dams and the Old River Lock and Dam above New Orleans. We’ve pushed barges up the beautiful Ouachita River, too. You remember it heads up in the Ouachita Mountains above Lake Ouachita near Hot Springs, Arkansas.”

  “Hot Springs. I haven’t been up there in many years. That’s another place we must go very soon. I love those old bath houses. And, Connor quit trying to change the subject. Do you want to marry me or not?”

  Hesitating, slightly Connor said, “Well, yes, but don’t you think we need to become reacquainted before we make this big leap?”

  “I thought we became pretty well ‘reacquainted’ at your house a couple of days ago.”

  “That we did, Willow. That we did.”

  Willow picked up the intercom. “Tobin, how much longer?”

  “We’ll be there in less than two hours unless we have a delay due to weather. There is a thunderstorm moving into the San Antonio area from the west. We may have to fly north for a ways and let it pass. Hold on a second. Ground control at San Antonio just informed us that due to severe wind shear, all traffic is being rerouted to Austin International Airport. We’ll land there in approximately one hour and thirty seven minutes. It is possible we may be on the ground for an hour or so.”

  “Ain’t this a bitch? Looks like we’ll never get to San Antonio with you and Mother Nature in control.”

  “Connor, not to worry. We can catch a taxi and go clothes shopping for you.”

  “Hells bells. I would just as soon shop in San Antonio where I know my way around. I’m afraid if we deplane, we may not get to San Antonio for another day or so.”

  “Calm down. Remember, we’re going to have fun. If we don’t get to San Antonio until tomorrow, so be it.”

  “I’m just not used to so many interruptions. In the towing business, we set a plan of action, then execute.”

  “Connor, that’s your problem. You are too rigid. You need to relax and develop an ability to adjust as conditions dictate.”

  “Willow, changing directions on a whim is not a trait of Rupert McKenzie. Where did you learn to roll with the flow?”

  “In the advertising business you come in contact with a wide range of ‘prima donnas’. My job was always to engage in conversation that could lead to compromise. But I never lost sight of my objective. If I
had to go off on a tangent, I would, but eventually I got back on the main road.”

  He sighed and looking out the window, thinking she may be too much for me on a full time basis.

  Likewise, Willow turned, looking out her window at the East Texas landscape passing below, totally lost in her thoughts. Connor is so argumentative, no matter what the subject. I’m beginning to get a defensive feeling toward him. I hope I can overcome that as we move around San Antonio. I want to talk to him about our secrets in the cave below the Spiral Tower. I would like to rectify our earlier mistakes. I know some things can’t be reversed but there are some things we can do. When we get back to Vicksburg, I really want to go to the cave and decide what I or we should do. My conscience is about to get the best of me. What’s Connor feeling? How should I approach the subject? Should I wait until we’ve had a couple of drinks? Is he going to talk at all? We haven’t talked about our secrets in nearly thirty years. I feel like he is as ashamed of what we did as I am. But maybe his pride has put it out of his mind. If that’s the case, it would be very unpleasant for us if I brought the subject up. On the other hand, maybe I should not mention it until we settle in back in Vicksburg. Woody, Olga and I could explore the cave. But Woody and certainly Olga don’t know what Connor and I did way back then. So I would have to confess my “sins” to them before coaxing them to go with me. Knowing Woody though, he would want to get the sheriff involved and who knows where that might lead. I know at some point, if I open this case of worms, I could be charged with a felony or worse and if convicted, Connor and I could face significant jail time. Maybe I should hire a high profile defense attorney and get his legal opinion before doing anything else. Then again if I hire a big time attorney and word leaked out, I would have another problem.

  Willow is shaken out of her day dreaming trance by Tobin’s voice on the intercom.

  “Ms. McKenzie, good news, the San Antonio ground controller has lifted the no-landing order. They’re putting us into a pattern with other flights and we should be on the ground in about an hour.”

  “That is good news, Tobin. Thank you.”

  Looking across the aisle, Willow asked, “Are you happy now?”

  “Yes, that is better. I wasn’t looking forward to shopping in Austin.”

  “Big boy, you’re not off the hook. We’re still going shopping.”

  “I’d like to go where I have shopped before so I won’t be completely lost.”

  “Connor, I may want to go to an upscale store, not one of the bargain stores where you shop.”

  “I feel comfortable in the clothes I buy. I don’t need anything fancier and more expensive.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m picking up the tab. You need to remember when you’re with me, the clothes you wear are a reflection on me. I want your outerwear to match mine.”

  “You’re a lot sharper looking than I. Since you’re home, don’t you want to dress down to our level?”

  “You don’t agree with the concept that by associating with me, I can raise your standard of living? Or do you believe my association with you will lower my standard of living?”

  “Yes, I guess that’s right,” Connor said, chuckling. “When you place an ‘F’ student in the classroom with an ‘A’ student with only one teacher, the average grade becomes a ‘C’. True enough, the ‘F’ student’s grades will rise, but the ‘A’ student’s grade will drop. So, the question becomes will you be happy with less glitz?”

  “That’s an interesting analogy, Connor. But I believe in time, I can change your outward appearance to where your grade becomes a ‘B’.”

  “Willow maybe I’m happy with my ‘outward appearance.’ Maybe I don’t want to change. I fit in quite well with the people of Vicksburg and on the river.”

  “I know Connor and there is nothing at all wrong with that. It is a pace of life I want to embrace once again.”

  “I had you going for a few moments didn’t I? You know I’m not going to try to change you. And your way of life.”

  “Ms. McKenzie, we’re approaching some turbulent weather, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened.”

  “Okay Tobin, we’re in good shape back here.”

  “We’ll be on the ground in about fifteen minutes.”

  “Great,” Connor said. “I’m ready to get to our hotel.”

  Chapter 11

  Tobin landed the plane and taxied to the private hanger away from the public terminal.

  “Welcome to San Antonio, Ms. Willow and Mr. Connor,” he said. “The weather is absolutely gorgeous; 78 degrees and clear with no rain in sight for the next five days. The weather front that caused our delay is fast moving and has cleared the airport and the city, headed eastward at thirty-five miles per hour.”

  Connor looked out the window.

  “There’s our limo. Caitlyn is right on time, again.”

  “Was there any doubt?”

  “Nope. None. She knows what and how to take care of us.”

  “Now, all we’ve got to do is find your old luggage.”

  “That won’t be hard to do since you don’t have any.”

  “Then without delay, let’s board the limo and head to our hotel. We’re going to stay at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio River Walk where your Daddy and I are known regulars.”

  “But, I thought you said we were going to stay at the Victorian Inn.”

  “Naw. We stayed there a couple of times, and then moved to the Hyatt.”

  “That’s good. I want to stay in the same suite where you all did.”

  “As I told you before, we rarely stayed in the same suite. But they were close to each other.”

  “Connor, that is interesting. Why didn’t you and Daddy stay together?”

  “Willow, although we had many common friends and business associates, we also had our own age group of friends. As you know, there is twenty-six years age difference between us. Sometimes the younger crowd got rowdy and stayed up all night, going from one party to another.”

  “What? You’ll partied all night? I thought these trips were business oriented.”

  “Oh, they were business oriented, but sometimes business is conducted after normal meeting hours and at different venues.”

  “So, what I’m getting from this conversation is Daddy made a short day out of the meetings, but you never slept. It was a weeklong party.”

  “That’s not exactly true. But, I’ll admit, I looked forward each year to these meetings.”

  “Thinking back on our conversation with Caitlyn, you were very hesitant to leave McKenzie Towing in her hands, but you’ve done it before. I don’t understand. What is different about this trip that causes you so much concern? Is it because I’m on board now?”

  “No. That’s not the reason. I just felt like we hadn’t given enough planning time for this trip. You, of all people, know I’m a planner and prefer not to make spontaneous decisions that sometimes prove to be fatal mistakes. I like to make sure all of the ‘Ts’ are crossed and all of the ‘Is’ are dotted.”

  “Connor, I have juggled several, totally different million dollar businesses in my life and certainly understand the need to plan. But I don’t see the towing business being nearly as complicated as some of the challenges I’ve faced.”

  Connor saw this statement as a put down. “Well, maybe you don’t. I guess that tells me you know very little about the inner workings and relationships necessary to keep the barges and commodities moving up and down the river.”

  “Don’t get your back all up. My point is that you’re connected to Caitlyn with your cell phone and the internet. So, given today’s technology, you’re always available to solve any problem big or small that may come up.”

  “That’s right. But you must anticipate small problems that arise with high powered tow boats pushing millions of dollars’ worth of commodities and solve them before they become big problems that could cost large sums of money or loss of cargo. A successful towing business is predicated on delivering
the goods on schedule and in good condition.”

  At that moment, the limo turned into the unloading area of the hotel and stopped at the large glass-enclosed entrance.

  “Connor, this is beautiful. I hope our suite is as impressive.”

  “I think, even for a world traveler such as yourself, you will be favorably impressed. Once we get settled in and refreshed, I want to stroll down the River Walk. That area has a lot of history behind it and affords many shopping opportunities.”

  “That’s good, but let’s not rush out of the hotel. I want us to have some personal time together, if you know what I mean.”

  “I think I get the drift, but what about shopping for me some clothes?”

  “Connor, you won’t need any clothes for a while. Let’s just relax, order room service, and share a bottle of wine.”

  “I’m all for that.”

  As they entered the lobby, Connor saw a familiar face behind the registration desk. As he walked nearer, the lady behind the desk, Gloria Santana, called out in a joyful voice. “Mr. Connor. How nice it is to see you again. Is Mr. Rupert with you?”

  “No, not this time. But, I do have his daughter, Ms. Willow McKenzie, with me.”

  Extending her hand to greet Willow, Gloria said, “Ms. McKenzie, it is a pleasure to meet you. I’ve known Mr. Connor and your Daddy for many years. I’m so glad to meet you.”

  “It is nice to meet you also.”

  Gloria turned her attention back to Connor. “Caitlyn called and I have your usual suite ready. But since you’re in the company of such a beautiful lady, would you like to change to the Presidential Suite? Haven’t you stayed in it before?”

  Hesitating, Connor said, “No. We have always stayed on the tenth floor. But this is a good idea, considering my roommate at this time. I think the Presidential suite is quite appropriate. Thanks, Gloria.”

  “Are your bags in the limo? I’ll have my head bellman, Hector, get them to your suite.”