Chương 57: Winds of Opportunity

Arc 6 — Winds of Opportunity Saturday, May 1, 1971 Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Apartment 4B on East Street, casting long golden beams across the hardwood floor. The comforting aroma of freshly brewed Italian coffee drifted from the kitchen, accompanied by the sound of butter sizzling gently in a cast-iron pan. Enzo Lombardi stood at the stove wearing a white apron over a neatly pressed shirt, humming an old Italian melody as he prepared breakfast.

Years of running Thompson Manufacturing had never taken away the simple pleasure he found in cooking for his grandson. On the small dining table lay the morning edition of the New York Herald, folded neatly beside a steaming cup of coffee. James slowly walked into the dining room, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Good morning, Grandpa." Enzo looked over his shoulder with a warm smile.

"Good morning, ragazzo."

"I made scrambled eggs, toasted bread, and a little bacon. Sit down before everything gets cold." James smiled.

"I don't think you've ever let breakfast get cold."

"That's because I know exactly when you'll wake up." James laughed quietly before taking his usual seat. Claire, the housekeeper, had already cleaned the apartment earlier that morning before quietly leaving breakfast dishes arranged on the counter for Enzo to finish. Outside, Manhattan was already alive. Car horns echoed through the streets below. Delivery trucks stopped outside neighborhood businesses. Pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks despite it being Saturday. The city never truly rested.

As they began eating, Enzo unfolded the newspaper.

"The anti-war demonstrations are still growing," he muttered while reading one article. James calmly continued eating. Enzo turned another page.

"Hmm..."

"What now?" James asked.

"The federal government officially launched the National Rail Passenger Corporation today." James looked up. Passenger rail... His previous life immediately filled in the missing details. A new beginning for American passenger rail... Interesting... but not where the greatest opportunity lies. He quietly returned to his breakfast. Enzo continued reading. A few seconds later, another headline caught his attention.

"Oh?" James noticed the change in his grandfather's expression.

"What is it?" Enzo slid the newspaper across the table.

"Take a look." James lowered his eyes toward the business section. Near the bottom of the page was a relatively small article. It wasn't even today's biggest financial headline. Yet the words immediately captured his attention.

Texas Airline Preparing for Summer Debut A young Texas carrier named SkyWest Airways continues preparations for its first commercial flights later this summer following years of legal disputes. Company executives remain optimistic despite fierce competition from larger airlines already serving the state's major cities.

James slowly read the article from beginning to end. There wasn't much information. Just enough to introduce the company. Nothing about its finances. There is nothing about its legal history. There is nothing about the founders. There is nothing about the enormous obstacles still waiting ahead. His expression remained perfectly calm. Inside... His mind had already begun racing. Texas... That's it... I remember now. Not perfectly. Only fragments. Fragments from another lifetime.

He remembered studying remarkable companies during his years as a university professor. One case had fascinated him. A tiny airline that had nearly died before carrying its first passenger. A company that everyone believed would fail. A company that somehow survived. James gently folded the newspaper. The details are blurry. More than fifty years have passed since I first read that case study. I can't trust memory alone. Memory points me toward opportunities... Facts determine whether they're real.

He quietly smiled to himself. That had become one of the biggest lessons since returning to 1970. Even knowing parts of the future... He still needed evidence. Without evidence... Every investment became gambling. Enzo noticed the thoughtful look on his grandson's face.

"That article interested you." James nodded slowly.

"It did."

"What about it?"

"I'm not sure yet." Enzo smiled.

"That's not your usual answer." James chuckled.

"I know." He tapped the newspaper gently.

"I'd like Anthony to investigate this company."

"What kind of investigation?"

"Everything."

"The founders."

"Their financial condition."

"The lawsuits."

"Their investors."

"Their competitors."

"Their future plans."

"If we're going to approach anyone..."

"I want to understand exactly who they are first." Enzo remained silent for several moments. Then... A proud smile slowly appeared across his face. Only months ago, James would have become excited the moment he spotted an opportunity. Now... He wanted information first. Evidence. Numbers. Facts. Enzo nodded approvingly.

"I'll call Anthony after breakfast." James smiled.

"Thank you." Neither of them realized that the modest newspaper article lying between their coffee cups would soon pull Vendetta Investments toward Texas...... and toward a negotiation that neither side would ever forget. 》》 Arc 6 – Winds of Opportunity For another few moments, neither Enzo nor James spoke. The only sounds inside Apartment 4B were the soft ticking of the wall clock and the occasional rumble of traffic several floors below.

Enzo reached for his coffee, taking a slow sip before turning another page of the New York Herald.

"The business section has been getting thicker every month," he remarked with a chuckle.

"Not that I'm complaining." James smiled faintly.

"Neither am I." Enzo folded the newspaper and leaned back in his chair.

"You know..." James looked up.

"Three months ago, our breakfast conversations were about whether we'd survive the year." James nodded.

"I remember."

"Now we're discussing expanding production, investing in companies around the country..." Enzo laughed quietly.

"Life has a funny way of changing." James lowered his eyes toward his plate. It almost didn't. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. In another life... This apartment eventually becomes painfully quiet. Thompson Manufacturing had fallen apart. The creditors had come. The factory had closed. His grandfather had slowly lost the spark that had defined him for decades. James forced those memories back where they belonged. Not this time.

He silently promised himself. Never again. Enzo interrupted his thoughts.

"What's on your schedule today?" James smiled.

"Nothing exciting."

"I was thinking of going to the factory with you."

"Oh?"

"I want to see how everyone's adjusting after the Victory Athletics partnership." Enzo nodded approvingly.

"I was planning to spend a few hours there anyway." He glanced at the clock.

"Marcus wanted to discuss May's production targets."

"And Leslie wanted to present the newest advertising reports." James grinned.

"I'll stay out of her way." Enzo laughed.

"I doubt she'd let you." Both of them laughed. Leslie Carter had become one of the driving forces behind Thompson Outdoor Gear's advertising campaign. Her attention to detail impressed everyone inside the company. Combined with James' ideas... The advertisements had begun attracting retailers far beyond New York. Enzo stood and collected the empty breakfast plates.

"I'll clean these." James immediately stood.

"I'll help."

"Nonsense."

"You cooked."

"And you're ten years old." James crossed his arms dramatically.

"I can wash dishes."

"You can." Enzo smiled mischievously.

"But I outrank you." James sighed theatrically.

"I hate when you use that argument."

"It works every time." Both laughed again.

Nearly forty minutes later... The familiar engine of the crimson Cavallo V12 came to life beneath the apartment building. Its polished body reflected the Manhattan skyline as Enzo carefully guided the automobile into traffic. Saturday mornings were noticeably calmer than weekdays. Taxi cabs still filled the avenues. Street vendors opened their carts. Families strolled along sidewalks. Yet the frantic pace of New York seemed slightly slower.

James rested his elbow against the passenger window, quietly observing the city. Enzo occasionally glanced toward him.

"You've been thinking about that airline again." James smiled without denying it.

"A little."

"A little?" James laughed.

"Quite a bit." Enzo kept his eyes on the road.

"Tell me something."

"If Anthony comes back next week and says this company isn't worth pursuing..." James answered immediately.

"Then we walk away." No hesitation. No disappointment. Just certainty. Enzo nodded slowly.

"Good." James looked toward him.

"I've learned something these past months."

"Oh?"

"Finding opportunities isn't the difficult part."

"What is?"

"Knowing which ones deserve our money." Enzo's smile widened. That... Was not something most businessmen learned after decades. Yet somehow... His ten-year-old grandson already understood it.

The massive brick buildings of Thompson Manufacturing soon appeared at the end of the avenue. Smoke rose steadily from the factory chimneys. Delivery trucks waited patiently outside the loading docks. Workers greeted one another while beginning another productive Saturday. Frank, the security guard, noticed the familiar crimson automobile approaching. He immediately smiled before opening the main gate.

"Morning, Mr. Lombardi!"

"Morning, Frank." Frank leaned slightly toward the passenger side.

"And good morning to you too, James."

"Morning, Mr. Doyle." Frank laughed.

"I keep telling you..."

"You can just call me Frank." James smiled.

"I know."

"But Grandpa says respect costs nothing." Frank chuckled.

"Your grandfather is a wise man." The gates slowly opened. The crimson Cavallo V12 rolled into the factory courtyard. As Enzo parked near the executive entrance, dozens of employees could already be seen moving across the yard carrying bolts of fabric, shipping manifests, and finished boxes marked with the now-familiar mountain emblem of Thompson Outdoor Gear. Business wasn't merely improving anymore. It was growing. And with that growth... New challenges came.

Marcus was already waiting upstairs with production reports. Leslie had prepared the latest advertising figures. Anthony was expected within the hour with finalized retail agreements for Pennsylvania. Without realizing it, everyone inside Thompson Manufacturing was preparing to make decisions that would shape not only the rest of 1971...... but the future of the company itself.

》》 Arc 6 – Winds of Opportunity The polished marble floor of Thompson Manufacturing's main lobby gleamed beneath the morning sunlight pouring through the tall front windows. The familiar scent of machine oil, fresh cotton, and brewed coffee lingered in the air—a scent James had come to associate with home. Employees crossing the lobby greeted Enzo warmly as soon as he entered.

"Good morning, Mr. Lombardi."

"Morning, sir."

"Morning, James." James smiled and greeted each one in return. Although only ten years old, he had become a familiar face throughout the factory. The workers had watched him spend afternoons wandering through production lines, asking thoughtful questions, and listening carefully to experienced employees. At first, many had found it amusing. Now... Most simply accepted that James saw the business differently. The elevator doors opened on the executive floor.

Leslie Carter was already waiting outside Enzo's office with several folders tucked neatly against her chest. She smiled as they approached.

"Good morning, Mr. Lombardi."

"Morning, Leslie." She looked down at James.

"And good morning to you."

"Morning, Mrs. Carter." She laughed softly.

"You know you can call me Leslie." James returned a polite smile.

"I know... but Grandpa says titles matter in the workplace." Enzo looked at James with a satisfied grin.

"I did say that." Leslie shook her head, amused.

"I suppose I can't argue with the chairman." She opened the office door. Marcus Carter was already standing beside the large conference table. Several production reports had been neatly arranged across its polished wooden surface. Anthony Russo arrived only moments later, carrying his leather briefcase.

"Looks like I'm the last one."

"By less than a minute," Marcus replied with a grin. Anthony removed his jacket before taking his usual seat.

"That's still late." The room erupted in light laughter. Enzo sat at the head of the table.

"Well then..." He glanced around the room.

"Let's begin." Silence settled over the office. Marcus opened the first folder.

"As everyone knows, April closed better than we projected." He slid several sheets toward Enzo.

"Our production reached approximately nine thousand units across the Thompson Outdoor Gear line." Enzo studied the report carefully.

"Any manufacturing issues?"

"Nothing major." Marcus shook his head.

"A few stitching adjustments on the work jackets."

"Some zipper replacements."

"But overall..." He smiled proudly.

"Quality remained above our standards." Helen Brooks' quality control department had rejected defective products before they ever reached retailers. The investment in stricter inspections was already paying dividends. Marcus turned another page.

"For May..." He paused.

"I recommend increasing production to ten thousand units." James quietly examined the figures from where he sat.

"An increase of one thousand." Marcus nodded.

"Correct."

"Demand continues rising." He pointed toward another report.

"Hudson Outfitters has already asked whether we can fulfill larger monthly orders beginning this summer." Another sheet followed.

"Broadway Department Stores is requesting additional backpacks."

"And Adirondack Outdoor Company wants to expand its work jacket inventory before autumn." Anthony leaned forward.

"The Pennsylvania retailers?"

"I'll cover that," he said. Marcus nodded. Enzo looked around the table.

"Any objections to increasing production?" No one spoke. Finally, James broke the silence.

"I agree." Everyone turned toward him. James looked at Marcus.

"Can we produce ten thousand units without lowering quality?" Marcus answered without hesitation.

"Yes."

"What if demand exceeds ten thousand?" Marcus smiled.

"Then we begin preparing another production expansion." James nodded approvingly.

"Good." He folded his hands together.

"I'd rather sell out than overproduce." Anthony smiled.

"I was hoping you'd say that." Enzo looked curiously between them. Anthony explained.

"Unsold inventory ties up cash." James continued.

"And warehouses." Marcus nodded.

"And storage costs." Leslie added,"And retailers like products that are difficult to keep in stock." James smiled.

"Exactly." A product that disappeared from shelves created anticipation. A product sitting untouched created discounts. Even Enzo couldn't hide his satisfaction. His grandson wasn't merely thinking like a businessman anymore. He was beginning to think like a strategist. Marcus closed the production report.

"Then production for May will officially increase to ten thousand Thompson Outdoor Gear units." Enzo nodded once.

"Approved." Marcus wrote the decision in his notebook before reaching for another folder.

"This brings us to our second subject." He glanced toward James.

"The Victory Athletics partnership." The atmosphere inside the office immediately became more serious. Everyone understood that this discussion would determine how smoothly one of Thompson Manufacturing's most ambitious partnerships would begin. Enzo folded his hands together on the desk.

"Let's hear your recommendations." 》》 Arc 6 – Winds of Opportunity Marcus opened a second folder, noticeably thicker than the production report. Unlike the previous discussion, this one would shape the factory itself. He slid several handwritten layouts across the conference table.

"I've spent the past week walking every production floor with William Daniels, Peter Collins, Samuel Ortiz, George Miller, and Helen Brooks." James immediately recognized the names. They were the backbone of Thompson Manufacturing's design and production departments. Marcus pointed to one of the floor plans.

"We can not simply place the Victory Athletics apparel line beside Thompson Outdoor Gear and hope everything works." Enzo nodded.

"I was thinking the same."

"The two product lines will serve different customers." Marcus continued.

"Our outdoor division produces heavy-duty work clothing and equipment." He tapped another blueprint.

"Victory Athletics, on the other hand, requires lighter materials, different sewing patterns, athletic cuts, and completely different quality inspections." Helen Brooks had left several handwritten notes in the margins. Separate inspection standards. Separate packaging. Dedicated storage shelves. Marcus looked around the room.

"My recommendation is simple."

"We divide the manufacturing floor." Anthony leaned forward.

"Physically?" Marcus nodded.

"Yes."

"We'll dedicate one section exclusively to Thompson Outdoor Gear."

"The second becomes our athletic apparel division." Leslie looked over the drawings.

"What about employees?"

"We'll need to reorganize." Marcus answered immediately.

"Some experienced workers will transfer."

"Others will remain where they are."

"And..." He paused.

"We'll have to hire." Enzo looked up.

"How many?" Marcus had clearly prepared for the question.

"My first estimate..."

"... between thirty-five and forty-five new employees." Anthony gave a low whistle.

"That's a sizeable expansion."

"It is." Marcus agreed.

"But necessary." He looked toward James.

"If demand grows the way we believe it will..."

"I'd rather hire before we need them than after." James slowly nodded.

"That's good planning." Marcus smiled.

"I learned from someone." James laughed quietly.

"I think you already knew that." The room shared another brief laugh before Marcus continued.

"We'll also require additional industrial sewing machines."

"Several cutting tables."

"Storage racks."

"And new textile inventories." George Miller's notes listed different synthetic fabrics better suited for athletic clothing than the heavier canvas commonly used for Thompson Outdoor Gear. Marcus pointed toward another estimate.

"I've spoken with several suppliers."

"Lead times are acceptable."

"If we place the orders during May..."

"Most equipment should arrive before June." Anthony looked toward Enzo.

"Financially?" Enzo didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked at James.

"What do you think?" James quietly studied every document on the table. Several minutes passed before he finally spoke.

"I agree with everything." Marcus smiled.

"I thought you might." James raised one finger.

"But..." Anthony laughed.

"There's always a 'but.'" Even Enzo chuckled. James smiled before continuing.

"I think we're focusing too much on building." The room became quiet. Marcus folded his arms.

"What do you mean?" James looked around the table.

"We're treating this like construction." He tapped one blueprint.

"I'm thinking about reputation." Nobody interrupted.

"Our first athletic products..."

"... will introduce Victory Athletics to customers who have never heard of the company." Anthony nodded slowly.

"Go on."

"If those first products disappoint..."

"We lose trust."

"If they're excellent..."

"We gain customers before we even release a single pair of shoes." Marcus leaned back thoughtfully. James continued.

"So I have one suggestion."

"What is it?" Enzo asked. James answered calmly.

"Set August as our internal deadline." The room fell silent. Leslie looked surprised.

"August?" Marcus frowned slightly.

"That's nearly three months." James nodded.

"Exactly." Anthony adjusted his glasses.

"Why wait that long?" James looked toward the prototypes resting inside the display cabinet along the wall.

"Because perfection takes time." He stood and walked toward the cabinet. Opening it carefully, he removed the nylon athletic jacket prototype. Holding it in both hands, he spoke without taking his eyes off the garment.

"Look at this." Everyone watched.

"It already looks excellent." Marcus smiled proudly.

"It does." James nodded.

"But it can still become better." He pointed toward the collar.

"We can test different stitching."

"The zipper."

"The lining."

"The fit."

"The cuffs."

"The durability after repeated washing." He carefully folded the jacket again.

"Let's make mistakes now."

"Not after customers buy them." Silence filled the office. Marcus slowly crossed his arms. His mind was already working through production schedules. Finally... He nodded.

"I like it." Leslie smiled.

"So do I." Anthony looked toward Enzo.

"It also reduces legal headaches." James looked at him curiously. Anthony explained.

"If quality problems appear before launch..."

"We solve them privately."

"Not through customer complaints." James grinned.

"Exactly." Enzo looked around the room. One by one... Everyone nodded. He smiled proudly.

"Then it's settled." He rested both hands on the table.

"The Victory Athletics apparel division will move forward immediately."

"We'll begin reorganizing the factory."

"Hire additional workers."

"Purchase the necessary machinery."

"And..." He looked directly at James.

"We aim for an August launch."

"If everything is ready sooner..." He smiled.

"We'll celebrate." James returned the smile.

"But we won't rush excellence." For several seconds... No one spoke. There was a quiet sense of confidence in the room. Only four months earlier, Thompson Manufacturing had been fighting to reinvent itself after leaving military contracts behind. Now... They were preparing to manufacture athletic apparel for a promising young company on the West Coast. The transformation was happening faster than anyone outside those office walls could have imagined. Yet as the meeting continued, another discussion still waited...

One that had nothing to do with clothing, factories, or production. Folded neatly inside the morning edition of the New York Herald, resting on the corner of Enzo's desk, was a small article about a struggling Texas airline. James glanced at it for only a brief moment. Then he looked away. One meeting at a time, he thought. We'll talk about Texas after this. 》》 Arc 6 – Winds of Opportunity A comfortable silence settled over Enzo's office.

Marcus carefully gathered the blueprints and reports into neat piles while Leslie made several notes in her shorthand notebook. Anthony closed his legal pad before looking toward Enzo.

"I believe that concludes the apparel discussion." Enzo nodded.

"It does." He looked around the table.

"I appreciate everyone's work. This partnership with Victory Athletics is one of the biggest steps Thompson Manufacturing has taken since we left the military business." Marcus smiled proudly.

"And we'll make sure we don't disappoint."

"I know you won't." Enzo turned toward Leslie.

"Now, let's hear about advertising." Leslie straightened in her chair before opening a thick folder labeled Thompson Outdoor Gear – April Advertising Report. Unlike Marcus' production reports, hers contained photographs, newspaper clippings, retailer correspondence, and handwritten notes. She placed several newspaper advertisements on the table.

"Our campaign continues to perform better than expected." James immediately recognized the first advertisement. A construction worker wearing Thompson's rugged work jacket. Across the top, bold lettering read: BUILT FOR WORK. READY FOR ANYTHING. The second advertisement showed a father and son hiking through the Adirondack Mountains. Across the bottom... CARRY MORE THAN GEAR. CARRY CONFIDENCE. Enzo smiled.

"I still like that one."

"So do our retailers," Leslie replied. She reached for another document.

"We've received letters from several stores." She picked up the first one.

"Hudson Outfitters."

"They're requesting additional promotional display stands before summer." A second letter.

"Adirondack Outdoor Company."

"They've asked whether we'll be producing a larger hiking backpack later this year." James quietly smiled. They're already asking for new products. That was a very good sign. Retailers only requested expansions when existing products sold well. Leslie continued.

"Broadway Department Stores wants additional newspaper advertisements beginning in June." Anthony nodded approvingly.

"They wouldn't spend their own advertising budget unless sales justified it."

"Exactly." Leslie then unfolded another sheet.

"This one comes from Finger Lakes Workwear Supply." She smiled.

"They wrote that customers have specifically begun asking for Thompson products by name." The room became noticeably quieter. Marcus slowly leaned back.

"That's..." He searched for the right word.

"... remarkable." Enzo looked toward James.

"Do you understand why that's important?" James answered almost immediately.

"It means we're becoming a brand." Anthony smiled.

"Exactly." Leslie nodded enthusiastically.

"Three months ago, retailers were buying our products."

"Now..."

"They're telling us customers are asking for Thompson Outdoor Gear specifically." James folded his hands.

"That changes everything." Everyone looked toward him.

"If customers recognize our name..."

"We've stopped competing only on price." Marcus smiled.

"We're competing on reputation." James nodded.

"And reputation lasts much longer." Enzo couldn't hide the pride in his expression. Every discussion with James reminded him that business wasn't simply numbers. It was psychology. Trust. Relationships. Brand recognition. The things balance sheets rarely showed. Leslie continued.

"One more item." She removed another report.

"We've completed negotiations with two retailers in Pennsylvania." Anthony immediately picked up where she left off.

"The agreements were finalized yesterday." He opened his briefcase and removed two signed contracts.

"The first is Keystone Outdoor Supply."

"The second is Allegheny Workwear Company." He slid the contracts across the table.

"Initial shipments begin this month." Enzo reviewed the signatures.

"Excellent." Anthony continued.

"If sales perform as expected..."

"I recommend we enter New Jersey next month."

"And Connecticut shortly afterward." Marcus nodded.

"Can production support that?"

"At ten thousand units?" Anthony looked toward him.

"I believe so." Marcus thought for a moment before answering.

"Yes."

"As long as demand doesn't suddenly double." Everyone laughed. James smiled.

"If demand doubles..."

"I don't think we'll complain." Even Anthony laughed at that. Enzo rested both elbows on the conference table.

"So." He looked at everyone in turn.

"In January, we focused on New York."

"In February, we strengthened our existing accounts."

"In March, we expanded."

"In April, we secured partnerships." He smiled.

"And now..." He tapped Pennsylvania's contract.

"We're officially entering another state." No one spoke for a moment. The significance of that milestone settled over the room. Thompson Manufacturing was no longer rebuilding. It was expanding. Methodically. Confidently. Intelligently. Enzo slowly closed the folder.

"I believe this has been one of the most productive management meetings we've ever had."

"I agree," Marcus replied. Leslie nodded.

"So do I." The meeting came to an end with that high-spirited atmosphere. Marcus gathered his folders first.

"I'll begin contacting equipment suppliers on Monday," he said.

"If we're going to build a separate athletic apparel line, I don't want delays." Leslie nodded.

"I'll also prepare revised production schedules and begin working on a hiring timetable." Enzo smiled.

"Good. Keep me informed." Marcus and Leslie excused themselves before quietly leaving the office. The heavy wooden door closed behind them. Silence settled across the room. Only three people remained. Enzo. Anthony. James. Anthony looked toward the closed door before turning back to James.

"So..." He folded his hands across the conference table.

"You mentioned another investment." James slowly nodded.

"Yes." Enzo leaned back in his leather chair.

"I noticed you've been thinking about it since breakfast." James smiled slightly.

"I have." Anthony adjusted his glasses.

"What company?" James looked from Anthony to Enzo before answering.

"A Texas airline." Anthony raised an eyebrow.

"An airline?" James nodded.

"Yes." Enzo looked genuinely surprised.

"I wasn't expecting that." James stood and walked toward the large window overlooking the Thompson Manufacturing complex. Workers could still be seen leaving the afternoon shift. Forklifts crossed the loading yard. Delivery trucks carried Thompson Outdoor Gear toward retailers across New York. Without turning around, James finally spoke.

"I'd like you to gather everything you can find about a company called SkyWest Airways." Anthony immediately reached for a notepad.

"Everything?"

"Everything."

"The founders."

"The legal structure."

"The financing."

"The lawsuits."

"The investors."

"The debt."

"The assets."

"The management."

"The future expansion plans." Anthony stopped writing for a second.

"That's... unusually specific." James remained quiet for several moments. Finally, he turned.

"I have a feeling this company is standing at the edge of something enormous." Enzo crossed his arms.

"And you're thinking Vendetta should become involved?"

"Possibly." Anthony leaned back.

"James... airlines aren't like textile companies."

"They require enormous amounts of capital."

"They burn cash."

"They're heavily regulated."

"And established carriers don't welcome newcomers."

"I know." Anthony frowned.

"Then why this one?" James chose his words carefully.

"Because sometimes the greatest opportunities appear when everyone else only sees problems." Enzo smiled.

"I've heard that sentence before." James chuckled.

"You probably have." Anthony closed his notebook.

"I'll start immediately."

"It may take two or three days." James nodded.

"Take your time."

"I'd rather receive accurate information than fast information." Anthony stood.

"I'll contact several business reporters, corporate registries, aviation attorneys, and a few banking connections."

"If anyone knows what's happening in Texas..."

"... I'll find them." Enzo smiled approvingly.

"That's why you're our lawyer." Anthony laughed.

"I prefer investigator." The three exchanged amused smiles. None of them realized that the information Anthony would bring back in only a few days would reveal a company fighting for survival...... and open the door to one of the biggest negotiations Vendetta Investments had ever attempted. End of Chapter 1.