Chapter 46 – "No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible." – G. Chakiris

~X~

January 1, 2013

Darius felt like celebrating! His favorite tactical waterproof pants were on sale. He needed waterproof ones for the remainder of winter. It was the first of the month; and the first of the year. He ordered six pairs of pants – two khaki, two desert camo, and two military green. He ordered six new long sleeve t-shirts to match the pants. He ordered fifteen days of boxers and socks. Anything worn and threadbare would go to charity. He ordered another hygiene kit and another household items kit. He ordered a new RFID wallet.

Darius ordered thirty days of canned and dried food for Morse. He ordered two more packages of blue tennis balls. He ordered thirty days of food for him – canned soups, canned meats, and pasta and rice boxed meals. He passed on ordering MRE because that container was still almost full. It meant he hadn't been hiking and camping as much as he would like.

If Darius didn't feel like cooking – there was the men's dorm or Rory's. He could also call Welch or Taylor to see if they wanted to go out for a burger. He looked at the dwindling supply of meat in his freezer. He ordered one of the bulk meat options from the local butcher and paid the delivery charge. If he ever hunted again and brought down a deer, he knew where to have it dressed.

Darius liked playing board games or cards with the men at the dormitory on Sunday night. He appreciated Banfield giving him a pass to use the hydro jet therapy tubs when he wanted a hot soak. He ordered cases of individually wrapped chips, popcorn, crackers, pretzels, nuts and mini granola bars to share on Sunday game night.

Anya invited him for lunch at her dads. Anya worked the last 96 hours at the hospital, mostly in the ER. She arrived home around six this morning, sleeping in until noon. "We eat in the family room, watching football." She explained after hugging him hello and dropping a kiss to his cheek. He leaned down, holding her and resting his forehead against hers. "Did you sleep well?"

"Always," Anya hugged him again and moved out of his arms. Darius was surprised to be offered hopping john casserole, spiral cut ham, fried chicken, spinach salad, cornbread, sweet potato pie, pecan pie, and sweet tea.

"Did you cook?" Darius asked Amy, to a snort by Anya.

"Our housekeeper, Mrs. Chang, prepared everything. I just heat everything and get it to the table. We have set menus for holidays; it just makes our lives easier. I know what to do with last minute prep for each meal." Amy laughed. "I lay claim to the flowers Darius brought for the hostess," she teased her sister.

"We celebrate the Chinese New Year also. It's Sunday, February tenth if you can join us. For Chinese New Year we have Chinese Fried Oysters, Ginger and Scallion Baked Salmon, Soy Sauce Chicken, Garlic Vegetable Noodles, Carrots, Asparagus Tips and Red Pepper Strips in Ginger and Garlic Sauce, Chinese Dumplings and Egg Rolls, and Walnut Cookies. I patronize two excellent Chinese caterers. We drink really good white wine." Will noted Darius's surprise at the menu.

"There are certain traditions we uphold also," Anya rolled her eyes. "We spring clean and declutter before the Chinese New Year, donating everything to charity. We buy one new, very colorful outfit which we wear that day. We set the table with red table linens and red candles. Our dads 'share the wealth' by giving Amy and me a piece of gold jewelry in a red box. We watch Jackie Chan movies. Amy and I buy tickets for the family for the Dragon Fest which is in July. It's a parade, dances, food and a street festival."

"What are your plans for the MLK weekend," Drew asked.

"Saturday, I'm going to the Rock and Gem show at the HUB on UDub's campus. The Earth and Space Sciences department is hosting it. I'm interested in the tips on prospecting, and identification of rocks and meteorites. I can also get the books I need for my two online classes, Intro to Geology and Intro to Earth Science. My instructors recommended an eleven-piece mining set which has three sizes of dirt/sand sifters. It's available at the bookstore also." Darius checked the calendar on his phone. "Sunday, I'm going to a couple estate sales, yard sales and thrift stores with my friends Bee and Ray. They are coming to Seattle for the Antiques and Collectibles Show on Saturday. We've been invited to spend the weekend at Grey Manor with Carrick and Grace Grey."

"I'm working Saturday and Sunday that weekend to have Monday off." Anya commented. "I'm taking Amy to SEA-TAC. She's back in classes at Stanford. This is her last semester of medical school. Then I'm back here to clean my room, do laundry, take a nap, and prepare for a rough ride until June. The fifth years are interviewing for their fellowships, and prepping for their boards. It's the domino effect. Fourth years step up, third pick up the slack."

"It's the MLK Day of Service. Will and I volunteer in the medic tent at the 5K run fundraiser and food drive for Northwest Food Bank which is six until noon. Then we volunteer at the food bank, helping to haul supplies and put things away. That is from one until done." Drew explained. "Would you like to join us for pizza and movies that night?"

"Monday evening is the first informal meeting for the Coping Together event in June." He caught the questioning looks on everyone's faces. "The Coping Together board lost a member when Elena Lincoln went missing, so now Grace is relying on family and friends. I understand they are not filling Elena's position on the board. I'm there with Bee and Ray to talk security."

January 4, 2013

A heavy overcast fog settled low on Puget Sound, shrouding the Olympics to the west and the Cascades to the east. Skyscrapers, which rose above the fog; were treated to a mottled gray blanket which obscured the view of the city. A red-sky dawn threatened to burn off the fog before melting the snow and ice on I-5. Christian, framed by his office doors, waited for Ros and for hot coffee. Ana laid out his clothes for the first casual Friday of the year at Grey House. She felt more employees would participate in Casual Fridays if he did. He wore a grey cashmere sweater and black jeans which showed off his ass. She wore black jeans and her rose pink cashmere sweater for Casual Friday. It cost $10 to participate in casual Friday, with the funds going to the Seattle Boys and Girls Club Summer Programs.

"While you and Ana are in Albuquerque for the ePublishing conference, Barney and crew are going to the Ideas Conference at WSCC. They are attending the tech startup breakfast at the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce first. Barney and crew split the topics among them to attend the most seminars. They are excited about a smart antenna for mobile communications and internet. Barney is attending a seminar on the future of satellite communications, a seminar on web-based Bluetooth monitoring, and smart materials development and manufacturing."

"While I'm busy reading reports from Grey House departments…what will you be doing?" Christian asked Ros.

"Gwen has a booth for the Family Science Days, which is being held at the Fairmont Olympic in their ballroom. Demonstrations, interactive science booths for grades K-12. STEM trainers, books and materials, puzzles and games. There is an Odyssey of the Mind competition at Seattle Prep with some of the interesting projects broadcast to the Fairmont Olympic. She'll be signing and selling the STEM science project book she illustrated. University of Washington Press is displaying their ten DVD STEM series. I'm helping her and representing Grey House." Ros passed him a flyer.

Valentine's Day

Darius surprised Anya with a mango colored rose on Valentine's Day. It reminded him of her new outfit for the Chinese New Year. She wore a mango tea length dress, with one shoulder bare and one puff sleeve to her elbow. It was cloth belted. She wore bright yellow wedge shoes and jewelry. Amy's new outfit was bright aqua. Drew and Will wore red silk shirts with black jeans. Darius bought a blue, yellow and green spring plaid long sleeve shirt. He knew he could wear it again for Easter. Drew and Will gave him a brushed gold money clip. Darius gave each of them a gold nugget in a red organza bag. "It's to start your collection of gold nuggets," he teased them. "I know you want to go camping and prospecting with me this summer." Without an audience, Anya gave Darius a gift labeled 'to him, from her, for them'. It was a black lace trimmed red silk and satin La Perla chemise with matching panties.

~X~

Aedan Keyes took his beautiful wife to the 'Larcenous Lovers' film noir festival at the Seattle Art Museum. SAM screened classic films like Double Indemnity, The Postman Rings Twice, and North by Northwest. SAM gave short film talks and urged the audience to watch for artwork in the films. They offered 1940s libations and appetizers to attendees.

Aedan and Sabine dressed in 1940s clothes which were specially made since she was petite and he was a bodybuilder. They had a lot of hot sex over the weekend when she wore nothing but the garter belt and seamed stockings he adored, and he came to bed in silk boxers and his fedora hat.

Aedan's reason for taking Sabine to their playroom was to celebrate her consultant position monitoring Elena Lincoln's estate for the WAG's office for the next six years. She needed playroom time in between studying for her last semester of classes for her forensic accounting master's degree. The BDSM community had been quieter and more stable since the departure of Elena Lincoln. When Aedan turfed the RACK community which seemed to follow Elena, Locke and Keyes solidified their SSC standing in the community. It was essential to do so since he planned to sell the club before the fiscal year ended. He wanted to invest in businesses where he was home at night with Sabine…and a baby or two.

Presidents Day Weekend

Kate spent the weekend reading ahead and working on class assignments for her MBA classes. Elliot, Mitch and Jose went to the Seattle Home Show to view exhibits on green building, remodeling, decorating and landscaping. Elliot was pleased with the progress on the women's dormitory. Once it opened at Easter, Grey Construction would concentrate on the track and field facility in addition to other permanent facilities. Grace and Carrick flew Theo and Frannie to a golf weekend in Tucson. Christian flew Ana to an ePublishing conference in Miami. While Christian was working and scoping out business opportunities, Ana was learning ePublishing practices, tips and tricks.

Ray and Bee attended three estate sales, two large community rummage sales and visited half a dozen thrift stores in Seattle and surrounding communities. Anya worked the weekend, so Darius spent quality time with the vets, and Bee and Ray.

Jason and Gail had Sophie for the weekend. It was great to have their apartment at Grey Sound where they could use the heated pool with her. The family attended the Around the World event at the Seattle Center. Sophie was introduced to languages, food, clothing and customs of the sixteen different cultures represented in Seattle. Gail spoke French and Jason spoke German. Before the weekend was over, Sophie could count to twenty in French and German. Gail purchased a two-sided, laminated cheat chart with 100 basic French words and pronunciation, the French alphabet and pronunciation and counting to 100 with pronunciation. Jason purchased an identical cheat chart in German.

Easter, 2013 – March 31

Darius was late getting up this morning. He volunteered at Seattle Children's Hospital yesterday with Amy. She flew in on the red-eye Friday night, and would fly out on the red-eye tonight. Amy dressed as Peter Cottontail and dropped off an Easter treat and toy to every sick child in the hospital. Darius had a late dinner in the cafeteria with Anya and her family. After he came home, he studied until very late.

Tomorrow Darius planned to go metal detecting in the Seattle parks which hosted Easter Egg hunts. The dormitories were preparing a ham and roast turkey dinner with scalloped potatoes, asparagus, salad, hot rolls and cherry cheesecake. He and Morse would take a run, clean up and go to lunch. This afternoon he planned to give the RV campground a look-see. He and Morse would move there after Memorial Day Weekend. This afternoon, he and Morse would walk grids and metal detect at the complex today. He learned to concentrate around benches, bathrooms, picnic tables and playground equipment in addition to parking lots.

"Come on buddy. We have to earn that ham lunch!" Darius opened the door to his trailer and let Morse out. Instead of waiting for Darius…Morse was off like a gunshot. Darius rocked back on his heels. 'WTF?' He took off after Morse. "SETTLE!" He yelled to Morse, but he was ignored. "MORSE!"

Morse kept running toward the women's dormitory. He dropped into his 'scent spotted' stance by an older blue Ford Taurus.

Darius's heart fell to his feet. Morse had not identified unexploded ordinance…he identified a cadaver. 'Please don't let it be a vet. Please don't let it be a suicide. Please…' tears filled his eyes. He remembered a quote from his handler training. 'Nothing is so wretched or foolish as to anticipate misfortunes. What madness is it to be expecting evil before it comes? Lucius Annaeus Seneca.' Darius called 911. He identified himself, where he was, and that his dog had identified a car with a cadaver in it. He agreed to keep people from disturbing the car and area around the car until SPD arrived.

Three hours later, the car and body were removed from the complex. It cast a pall over the festive air of the holiday. SPD told Darius the owner of the car was the deceased. She was a forty-year-old Navy nurse, who was scheduled to move into the women's dormitory today or tomorrow. She was admitted to the dormitory because her PTSD prevented her from working fulltime. Banfield offered her a part-time position in the Intake Center on the medical floor. She parked in the general parking for the complex. It was clean and spotless inside the car. The trunk held a suitcase of clothes, a cosmetic case of toiletries, a backpack of food, and a banker box of personal items – letters, books, pictures, and a few CDs. Her briefcase held her DD-214, her honorary discharge papers, training certificates file, enlistment paperwork file, her certificate of eligibility for a VA loan, her certificate of eligibility for the GI Bill, her medical records, and a small case holding her military awards and ribbons. Her purse, with a cell phone, was on the floor of the car by the backseat. Jane Doe occupied the back seat of her car, pillow under her head, and blanket covering her. SPD postulated she was living in her car.

The coroner felt she died around two in the morning. He said it would be a few days before the cause of death was determined. However, he felt Jane Doe died of natural causes.

Darius and Morse were last stragglers to be fed lunch. The kitchen staff heard they should keep a tray warm for him. He told the dormitory managers about the nurse who died. They told the women's dormitory managers. The kitchen staff ensured he had extra-large servings of everything with double ham for him and ham for Morse. They reminded him when dinner would be served. Darius fibbed and claimed a prior engagement for the evening. He could not explain Morse finding a deceased vet one more time.

Monday, April 1

Darius and Morse spent time walking grids with his metal detector at the Alki Community Center in the morning and the Laurelhurst Community Center in the afternoon. He threw out blue tennis balls for Morse to fetch while wearing his service dog vest. The vest guaranteed people would not try to pet Morse nor offer him food. Darius's backpack carried a tube of blue tennis balls, a medium-sized leather bag, two bottles of water, a collapsible bowl, and a two packs of cheese cubes and jerky strips. It carried his metal detector, rake, trowel, gloves and a spare plastic grocery bag for trash. What he could not pack was the calm he and Morse needed to relieve their stress.

Alki Community Center was a treasure trove for odd pieces of gold jewelry and miscellaneous coins. He dug up a gold chain with broken clasp. It was about 18 inches long. Darius laughed because a man stuck in the disco era lost his bling. He found one gold earring, and one gold cufflink. He located three charms: a gold bridesmaid charm, a miniature gold locket with a diamond chip, and a gold bowling pin and ball charm with '100' etched on it. He dug up what he thought might be a Chinese coin, gold, with a square cut in the middle of it. He found a small one-inch square, mother-of-pearl decorated brass pillbox. He wondered who lost their pills, until he opened it. Inside was a small pill, which he would drop in a bag and give to Anya to destroy. The pillbox also held a pair of gold stud earrings with what might be half carat diamond stones. Later he would learn they were white topaz. It also held a 1934 wheat sheaf penny.

At Laurelhurst Community Center, Darius found a skeleton key hanging off the ring of a zippered coin purse, filled with mostly quarters, dimes and nickels. He sighted a rape whistle, which saddened him. He located two watches, with broken clasps. He dug up a Black Hills gold 'mother' pendant. He unearthed a cache of Bic ink pens, bound with a filthy lanyard with swivel hook for holding keys. He located a crucifix, a die cast 1957 red Chevy toy car and several metal buttons. His find for the day? A half-pound rock predominantly identified as nickel and iron. The rock was part of a border around some rose bushes. Darius was sure it was a meteorite. He would take it to the UDub geology department to verify his suspicions. He cleaned all his finds worth saving, and threw away the trash. He added the coins to his change stash. He started a new stash of gold jewelry to sell to a jeweler when he needed funds. He added the non-jewelry items to his fishbowl of finds.

Anya emailed him with lots of laughter emojis for April Fool's Day. He told her about the cadaver at the complex, his afternoon of metal detecting, and a hope to see her on Wednesday night. He emailed a picture of the odd coin to Anya. Right now, he wanted a long hot shower with Anya, tight hugs from Anya, and crawling into bed with Anya, for an uninterrupted eight hours of sleep. Somehow…like with Ease…he slept better in her arms.

~X~

While cooking dinner for Morse and himself, Darius came to a decision. The thought of spending the next four to six years in classes depressed him. He liked learning…but he liked the outdoors better. In his spare time since the first of December, Darius made notes about a business plan. He was a trained handler for an explosives detection dog. Morse was a trained explosives detection dog. He and Morse took search and rescue training, concentrating on cadaver identification/location. Darius needed property where he could build kennels and dog runs. He needed two papered female German Shepherds, which were two years old. They had to be German Shepherd working dogs, not show dogs. Once Morse passed his genetic check (he was papered also), Darius could start breeding puppies, and training them. Tonight he would print and assemble his rough business plan. Tomorrow he would go see Adrian Welch.

Darius ordered a dozen books from Amazon about training scent dogs, training SAR dogs, and training service dogs. He ordered books on breeding German Shepherds. He ordered a couple books on how to develop a business plan. He would talk to Bee, and to the dog handlers at Pendleton. He still had his secret quarter of a million and the death benefit from Ease. He had some of the funds from his retirement. He enjoyed learning about geology; but with a backer like Christian and Ana Grey, this could be the career choice of his life.

April 2

"Are you serious?" Adrian paused while examining the rough business plan offered by Darius.

"As a heartbeat. I need someone to refine my business plan. I can't ask the finance people at the complex because they are busy electronically filing income tax forms for 400 vets. I've done the research, and have financial projections for half a decade." Darius enjoyed the hot coffee offered by Adrian. "I basically have 100 days to establish the foundation of this project before the new fiscal year begins."

"I have two ideas…which might help you in addition to helping others," Adrian opined. "I'd like to schedule a meeting with you, Elliot and Kate Grey and me. Kate is taking courses for her MBA. She is seeking a project for this semester. I think she could polish your business plan. I'd like to discuss the physical property aspects with Elliot. He should look over the potential sites you identified. Perhaps Elliot can estimate the cost to build the log home you want, the office, the dog kennels and dog runs. You'll need a parking area and storage sheds. You need an indoor and outdoor training center. You need an infirmary for sick dogs, keeping them sequestered from the healthy ones. You need a set of single kennels with dog runs for mating pairs." He added notes to the physical needs of the plan.

"After Kate creates a polished business plan, with input from Elliot, I will propose the business venture to Mr. Grey. Due diligence, everything." Adrian offered. "You're putting up $100K cash, along with your training and expertise, and the training and paperwork for Morse. I don't think $250K is an excessive amount for your investment. I'm impressed by the amount of research you've completed."

"There's only three months until the new fiscal year," Darius admitted. Year one I must establish an LLC, get a business license, buy property, build a house, build kennels, build dog runs, and build training venues. Buying enough acreage outside Seattle, yet close enough for commuting is a large outlay of cash. I want to build a log house on the property for Morse and me."

"Forty acres or more won't be that easy to find," Adrian started to say. Darius handed him a list of fifteen properties, all within a one hour drive of Seattle.

"Year one I need a minimum of two, and a maximum of four papered female German Shepherds. I'd prefer they were obedience and crate trained, but if they have service training, they are more valuable to me. Morse can stand stud for three to six years before he needs to be replaced. One litter a year, with an estimate of 65 days for gestation for each female. An estimated eight puppies per litter. The breeding cycles will depend on when the ladies come into heat. We're talking 25-50 puppies the first year. We need at least one set of puppies per quarter. If I can get a second, third or fourth breeding pair, it's not as taxing for Morse or his ladies."

"I want to breed dogs which handlers purchase to receive training at other established facilities in the U.S. What I want is one kennel and dog run per year for the next four years to house one stud and two-four ladies. The kennels and dog runs would accommodate approximately 200 dogs by the time they are completely built. The dogs will be separated by age: birth to two months, two months to one-year, and one-year to two years. I need an onsite vet clinic for a visiting vet and assistant. They would probably be on call the first few years."

"Is the price you're contemplating for the dogs competitive? $1K for papered two-month-old puppies. $2.5K for dogs under a year old, which have received obedience and crate training. $20-25K for two year olds which have been trained as explosives, weapons and drug scent dogs." Adrian continued to make notes on the rough business plan.

"If we don't sell all the dogs as puppies, then we must have an established training program. I would like to bring on a second trainer in year two to train SARs dogs. I'd like to bring on a trainer in year three to train PTSD service dogs. I'd like to bring on a trainer in year four to train service dogs for blind, autistic, deaf, mobility, etc. I know people train all different breeds, but I prefer working with German Shepherds."

"So you are only a training facility for the puppies which were not purchased at two months?" Adrian checked the business plan.

"It might mean training a dog or two each year, but once they are trained…they're worth $20-25K per dog." Darius explained. "I don't want to establish and run a $15 million canine training center by myself. I don't want to build classrooms and auditoriums. I don't want a business office with 150 employees."

Adrian examined Darius. "Is there a reason for this? I thought you planned to live at the complex, do some part-time work for us and for Elliot. I heard you planned to pursue your education. I had hopes of refining your position with us. I was thinking we should have a K9 patrol for each of the major establishments – Grey House, Grey Annex, Grey Construction, Grey Sound, Escala, Grey Manor, and Elliot and Kate's condo."

"I have to get away from the complex. Morse and I have struggled for the last 48 hours over the death of the Navy nurse at the complex. I would have gone to the mountains to clear my mind…but I was like a man possessed. Morse and I walked grids yesterday at two venues to clear our minds and give us some perspective, but this has been a difficult blow. The nurse was the third cadaver Morse has scented. We don't deal well with cadavers, as Morse was trained to protect and defend first. I wish I realized that before we were trained. It would have saved us heartache." Darius refilled his coffee.

"I think an 18 dog K-9 unit, all housed at one location, and all trained to patrol each primary location, is an excellent idea. I will volunteer to help interview your director of K-9 services. However, it's a great deal more indoor work than I want. Once Grey Dogs is established, I would not mind breeding and training replacement animals."

April 4

"Kate, Elliot…thank you for coming. It's just easier for all of us to meet here at Escala. Mrs. Jones prepared a lovely chicken parmigiana dinner." Ana greeted her friends. "We're starting as quick as…"

Darius and Morse stepped off the elevator. "Sorry, he took his time shooting dust at all the trees in the neighborhood."

"Shooting dust?" Ana frowned.

"I think he ran out of urine after tree number four, so he must have been shooting dust at the other dozen," Darius laughed.

"Did you bring your overnight items? We plan to have wine and talk for a long time. I don't want you driving back to the complex," Ana warned him gently.

"I hope you don't mind…I have been looking forward to a long hot soak in a jacuzzi tub. Bee gave me a package of her favorite bath salts. If Morse and I encroach on your hospitality, you can toss us to the curb." Darius offered. "I'm hoping Grey Security can help me avoid the media at the complex. It's not enough for the media to know the Navy nurse's name or that she died of a cerebral aneurysm. They heard she was found by a retired explosives detection military trained dog. They are determined to interview me and take pictures of Morse."

Andrea took notes while they ate dinner and discussed the development of Grey Dogs. Christian understood Darius offered to help find a director; but he did not want the job. It took another hour to outline Darius's business plan. Kate took the five section binder from Adrian and began making her own notes on 5x7 lined sticky notes to add to each section.

"I apologize the business plan is rough. Parts are handwritten, and other parts are printed. There's an outline on the first page. Everything is numbered or lettered so you can match the information to the outline. Each year, since it is a five-year plan, should be separated from the rest. Table of contents for each year first, followed by cost breakouts, followed by the plan."

"Who is the main contact?" Kate asked.

"Darius Mills first; me second." Adrian passed his and Darius's Grey House contact information to Kate.

"It's time to discuss how Grey Construction plays into this," Darius passed a set of log house blueprints to Elliot. "It's my plan to use the spare room in the loft as an office. I like the open concept for the first floor. The master bedroom and ensuite are perfectly sized for me. However, if you could find a way to expand the closet situation in the loft, I would appreciate it."

"Let's meet the fourteenth and twenty-eighth at Grey Sound at six for dinner and business," Christian offered. "Grey House has nothing critical on the horizon right now. I'd like to see advanced business plans for Grey Dogs and for Protective Pups. We need to anticipate problems and be proactive in our planning."

"Without seeing the property, it's almost impossible to plan where to build things," Elliot explained. "With Darius's blueprints, we have a list of materials needed and a timeline. We need blueprints for kennels and dog runs, blue prints for the training center and vet clinic. We need lists of materials, timeline, and estimated number of construction workers and contractors."

"I am looking at four properties this week," Darius explained. "I have $100,000 in savings which I can use for a down payment when I find a property to fit my needs and likes."

"Make sure it's developed, because I don't want to waste time laying sewer, water and utilities," Elliot warned him. "Are you moving to the RV campground like Banfield? We want to take down the storage unit and move it closer to the family buildings to hold supplies and machinery."

"I can move to the campground tomorrow, with a renewable lease the first of each month," Darius agreed.

May 4

"I'm impressed," Anya viewed the future home of Protective Pups. Darius signed the offer for 40 acres in Renton. He gave them a down payment of $50K, with a guarantee of the remaining funds before June thirtieth. He unlocked the 10-foot construction fence which encircled the property. He drove onto the property followed by the Greys, Steeles, Rodriguez men, and the Blacks. Once he parked, he let Morse out of his crate stationed in the bed of the trunk. Anya accepted his help with the picnic basket and blanket.

A dozen Grey Construction crew prepared the property for construction with the fence, porta potties and large trash barrels. They set a large storage building for machinery and other for materials. "I need pictures of the place," Elliot warned José. "I have the plot map and the blue prints for all the buildings and facilities. Having the pictures puts it all in perspective, especially if you GPS tag the pictures."

A dozen Grey Security were present also. They inspected the 10-foot-tall chain link fence which secured the property. They discussed security for the site once the buildings were completed.

Elliot and Ethan unloaded sets of picnic tables and benches. Grace and Gail coordinated the unloading of food and libations along with dishes, cutlery and paper products. Carrick coordinated the unloading of grills. Rod and Ray coordinated the unloading of sports equipment. Elliot unloaded the plot map and blue prints. The sixty plus group separated into tasks – site discussion, food prep, entertaining family, and those just hanging about, enjoying the day.

Before the end of the day, the site discussion group walked the property and planned where to place every possible structure needed for Protective Pups. Elliot anticipated the dog runs and kennels would be complete by the Fourth of July. Darius's log house and a log cabin office would be complete by Labor Day. Christian guaranteed funds between now and July first when all the paperwork would be signed.

May 6-9

The Mammogram Van, funded by donations from Kavanagh Media, offered free mammograms to the female veterans at the complex.

May 24, 2013

"It is my pleasure and honor to open the Lambert Supply Depot," Ana cut the red, white and blue striped ribbon which provided a temporary barrier to the business access of a small strip mall. The Lambert Supply Depot with gas pumps was at one end of the strip. "A mail center, laundromat, a bank, a hair dresser/barber shop, and a take and bake pizza parlor are included in the grand opening today." Ana was dressed in a blue summer dress with red and white stripe accessories. "The track and field facility with gymnasium has a grand opening in thirty minutes. It will be followed by a grand opening of the RV campground at the top of the hour. The RV campground has a recreation center, mail center, and a parts store for RV campers and trailers. It will be followed by a grand opening for the storage units."

"The Lambert Supply Depot will sell food, newspapers, ready to serve coffee, over the counter medications, clothes, and has a small home repair section. The laundromat has a small drycleaner drop off and pick up. The mail center has a package shipping business and copy center."

Kate and José both took great pictures of the day for the Kavanagh Media website. Ana thanked José for his offer of pictures to decorate Lambert Supply Depot, but she only wanted to use the picture of Frank which Carla gave her. It was a great family-oriented day for the Greys and Steeles. Darius and Morse wore Grey House tactical gear and posed with lots of vets and their friends and family.

Darius passed both of his online classes with honors. His final project for both classes was a written report and metallurgical analysis of the meteorite he found April first. Kate passed her MBA courses with honors, of course. She used the business plan for Grey Dogs as her final project in one class, and the business plan for Protective Pups as her final project in the other. Ana passed her first two semester online classes with honors, in addition to picking up six hours of continuing education credits for two conferences. Her final projects were tracking two manuscripts from receipt to publishing decision. Amy graduated from Stanford, with honors and in the top ten students at the Stanford School of Medicine. Anya and Darius cheered her on, via Skype. Will and Drew attended her graduation. Dr. T. sent a graduation gift with Will and Drew. It was a raspberry colored Littman stethoscope. Amy wanted to be a general surgeon and would intern at Northwest. Jose's girlfriend, Sophia Gonzales, graduated from UDub with her Master's Degree in Forensics. She was hired by the CSU of SPD to sketch crime scenes, courtroom scenes and reconstructive drawings.

June 1

Ana laid on their tartan picnic blanket and gazed up at the clear, blue, summer sky. Her view was framed by meadow flowers and tall green grasses. The heat of the afternoon summer sun warmed her skin and bones. She relaxed, her body and brain languid. She savored the beautiful, peaceful day. Utterly content in her life and marriage. Life right here, right now, was good, and Ana learned to appreciate it and live in the moment like her husband. She appreciated their commitment to one another, and their commitment to spend the third weekend of every month either soaring, sailing or swimming. Elliot's crew built a sea wall for them past the boathouse, along with 20 feet of beach stretching the length of their property. Once it was completed, she and Christian christened the beach on a moonless night. It was the last of their property to receive their personal stamp.

June 15

Sabine wanted to skip graduation ceremonies, but Aedan and her grandmother Natalie Martello would not let her. Since she was the top graduate student, her professors asked her to carry the banner for their Michael C. Foster School of Business. She wore business attire under her gown, so she looked professional in her before and after pictures. She saw one student with a model of a wind generator on his mortarboard. It gave her a momentary flashback to Christian Grey, but she put it out of her head. It didn't help that Bill Gates' father was receiving a degree today. The place would be packed with movers and shakers.

So many people decorated their mortarboards. Once she knew she was carrying the banner, she was assured her family would know where she was. Her master's degree in Economic Crime Forensics would be worth the cost. When Elena Lincoln's estate was finally settled in 2018, it would owe the IRS one quarter of its funds. It would owe the WAG one quarter of its funds. It would owe Sabine a quarter of a million in fees. The remainder would be given to her executor and heir who Sabine refused to think about today. Her office manager for Falcon Financials had her MBA and CPA. With Elena's money, Sabine would expand Falcon Forensics. Once the fiscal year started, she would give her vita to the Seattle Police Department, the Washington Bureau of Investigation and the Washington Attorney General.

June 17-19

Christian and Ana took The Grace out for three days. Christian explained it was about 24 hours to sail from Seattle to San Francisco. He and Ana had supplies for five days, and were in no hurry to push themselves to sail an established route. Early in the morning they sailed out of the Port of Seattle toward Port Angles and on to Neah Bay Harbor. It was still early morning as they watched a large gray whale explode out of the water to fall back into the sea, sending jets of white spray and foam 20-30 feet into the sky. They anchored the boat where they were a safe distance from him, but close enough to enjoy the water aerobatic display. Christian pointed out various boats which also anchored to watch the display. After 40 minutes, the denizen of the deep disappeared. Christian and Ana cleaned up from their impromptu breakfast on deck, and began sailing south.

Christian explained they could sail close to the coast, but the tides were better about 100 miles off the coast. The couple planned three days of sailing. They enjoyed sunrise and sunset on the ocean. They spent the first night at sea and the second night anchored at Grays Harbor. It was a great night of star gazing. Ana bought Christian a telescope for their first anniversary. Christian gave Ana a diamond first anniversary charm for her charm bracelet. He promised her a white gold whale charm for her bracelet. Taylor met them at Grey Docks the afternoon of day three and drove them to Grey Sound.