“Did you believe Jasper?”
               “Yeah, didn’t you?
               “I don’t know. You know when we were kids and then again when we were at school...”
               “Yeah?”
               “Well, he lied quite frequently about different things that I thought important.”
               “Oh?”
               “Why do you say it that way, Baron? He did. I have sort of categorized him as undependable.”
               “Really?”
               “Yeah.” Blake looked up. “Oh thank you, Lynn,” he said as he smiled at the large blue eyes, partly shaded by blonde hair falling over her face. What a lovely lady, he thought. She had to be sewn into that flight attendant’s uniform. He smiled.
               “Now what?” Baron asked.
               “What do you mean?” Blake said, sipping the martini.
“Did you get any in Rio?”
               “Baron, you rascal. You know me.”
               “That’s why I’m asking. Did you?”
“Cheers!” Blake said.
               Baron grabbed his leg above the knee.
               “Hey, tiger, calm yourself,” Blake said and laughed. He pressed the service button. The bell rang in the flight attendant’s galley.
              Fasten seat belt lights and signal sounded.
               “Don’t tell me we’re almost there?” Blake said watching Lynn saunter down the aisle. She approached Blake looking from side to side, checking passengers, advising them to put on their seatbelts. Blake held up his martini glass.
               “Fancy plastic glass. Looks real. Not like plastic.”
               “Yeah,” Baron said looking out the window. “Can you see out this window?” he asked.
               Blake stood and leaned against Baron. Baron looked at Blake’s eyes. Their noses were close enough to touch. Baron enjoyed the closeness.
               “Yeah, why?” Blake said.
               “It’s just another gorgeous view. All the water of the Pacific Ocean, all those little houseboats, people live on and the magnificent skyline of Hong Kong. I love Hong Kong. Do you?”
               “We’ll see. I’ve never traveled the globe like you have, Baron.”
               “I’m sorry,” Baron said as Blake pulled away and sat back in his seat and buckled his seatbelt. Baron didn’t know what his course of action would be, but he knew he couldn’t do what he knew had to be done without Blake’s help. He had to find a way to tell him. He sensed a low level hostility in Blake. He wasn’t certain who Blake directed the hostility at. He hoped it wasn’t him. He couldn’t ask him. I just couldn’t.
               “Baron?”
               “What?”
               “Those photos that you showed me of Forest, his property and all. Where was the photo taken of him on that table wearing only his birthday suit?”
               “Outside. Somewhere behind the main manor house. Was the person standing at the table naked too do you think?”
               “What do you think?” Baron asked.
               “I think so.”
               “Well, I could see that Forest was definitely in the buff, but I could care less about that servant.”
               “Who do you think the servant is?” Blake asked again.
               “What do you mean, who?” Baron asked. “I don’t understand your question.”
               “I mean is the attendant male or female?”
               “I don’t know. Is it important?”
               “I don’t know the answer to that, Baron. You know, Forest was always the first one to strip when we swam at the lake.”
               “Always the first one.” Baron laughed. “I think he excited himself when he took his clothes off...”
               Blake laughed. “You do, do you?”
               “What do you mean by that remark?”
               “Doesn’t everyone get excited when they strip?”
               “Do you, Blake?”
               “Yep. Do you?”
               “You mean you tell me and I’ll tell you?”
               “Something like that,” Blake said, still laughing.
               “Yeah. I get excited.”
               “Have you ever wondered why?”
               “What is this a psych exam?”
               “No. I’ve often wondered why. You know when I see Jenny dressed lightly...”
               “You mean in her lingerie?”
               “Yeah.”
               “Well?”
               “Well, I get excited.”
               “Well, that’s fine,” Baron said.
               They laughed.
               “Thanks.”
               “Your welcome.”
               They were silent for a short time. The engines seemed louder as the jet nosed down going into the approach to Hong Kong International Airport.
               “Where were we going with that conversation?” Baron asked.
               “Oh!”
               “Oh, what?” Baron asked.
               “Don’t you get excited looking at your body in a mirror?”
               “Well...”
               The no smoking light and bell sounded. The captain made his comments for the departing passengers.
               “So, Forest De Silva is part of the team in Hong Kong?”
               “Yep.”
               “And he’s kept in touch with you?”
“Yeah. Frequently.”
               “You insist on going ahead with this plot?”
               “Don’t call it a plot. When we’re done, the description of Armageddon will sound tame.”
               “You have to do this, Baron?”
               “We, buddy. You and me and Jasper and Forest and Baker Morgan and Peter Guess. We have to do this. And, we’re going to do it. I’ve refined the plan and when you know all the details, you’ll agree.”
“I don’t know...”
               “You will.”
               Baron stared out the window as the jet made a rough landing.
               “He’s burning some rubber,” Blake said.
               “Yeah. He’s probably a young pilot.”
               “Are you anxious to see Forest again?” Blake asked.
               “Yeah. I haven’t seen him for several years.”
               “Where did you get the pictures of him and his home?”
               “From the agency.”
               “Why?”
               “Because, Blake,” Baron said.
               “You don’t trust Forest, do you, Baron?”
               Baron glanced at Blake and didn’t respond.
               “Do you trust me?”
               “Of course I do, Blake. If I didn’t you wouldn’t be here,” Baron said.
               Or am I a setup? The lamb to slaughter so to speak. Blake frowned. Why did I think that?”