Chapter 32: Color Me Stupid

The next week passed quickly.  Murdock spent most days split between the compound and the airfield.  At the airfield, he worked with Doc on prioritizing improvement projects based on necessity and available funds, which were unfortunately very limited, even with Nancy and Murdock's investment dollars. At the compound, he found himself running an obstacle course with a bunch of kids almost half his age.  He told Nancy ruefully that neither activity was very good for his morale.

Saturday night was Jazz and Nancy's second show at Charlie's, and if possible, the crowd was even bigger.  Nancy teased Charlie that she was going to call the fire marshal on him.  It was a joke that Charlie took seriously.  He told Nancy and Jazz that he was looking into plans for an outside pavilion-type seating area, and that in the future they might do some outside shows when the weather was amenable.  He was definitely seeing dollar signs, and wanted to capitalize on the success, but his inside seating capacity was limited, and he was afraid he was going to have to start turning people away at the door. He didn't like it, but he had to admit that it was a nice problem to be having.

Sunday found Nancy and Murdock in the shade of Aunt Bea's wing, in the same grassy field as the week before.  They had just finished a leisurely lunch and were lounging in each other's arms, dozing fitfully when the radio crackled, "Taylorcraft Alpha Bravo Zero Five Nine Echo, this is Langley Field, do you copy, over?"

Murdock sat up, "What's Doc want now?" He opened the door and answered the call, "Langley Field, this is Taylorcraft five nine echo, copy, over."

"Taylorcraft five nine echo, please return to Langley Field ASAP, over."

"Langley Field, Taylorcraft five nine echo, roger, over and out," Murdock turned to look at Nancy, "Somethin' must be up – guess we gotta head back."

When they arrived at the field, Nancy noticed that her Uncle's jet was on the ground. They were completing their post-flight check when Doc came running out to greet them, "'Bout time you got back, the General wants to see ya – said it's urgent."

Murdock grimaced, "What's he want now?"

Doc grinned, "Not you, HM, he said he needs to see Nancy."

Murdock smiled at his wife, "Lucky you! I can finish up here if you want to go . . ."

Nancy shook her head, "You aren't getting out of it that easy. I'll help you finish up then we can both go."

Ten minutes later they were entering the General's office on the jet.  Nancy was surprised when she saw her Uncle sitting behind the desk. He looked pale and drawn, as if he wasn't getting enough rest.  But he smiled when he saw them, and motioned them both to chairs, "I'm glad you're both here.  Sorry to interrupt you picnic, but Carla said we couldn't really wait any longer.  We will have to be leaving again soon, and I need to talk to you before I go."

Nancy and Murdock exchanged curious glances, but waited patiently for the General to continue.  He stood and walked around the desk, and Nancy was struck again by his pallor. He leaned against the front of the desk, and looked at Nancy forthrightly, "I have to admit, Nancy, that I never really foresaw this day, but then that's likely because it didn't really fit in with my 'well-ordered view of the world'," he smiled as he quoted Nancy's own words back to her, "A wise young man told me that I should look closer to home for a successor," his eyes darted to Murdock briefly, before he continued, "and so, I guess now is as good a time as any to discuss the possibility of you taking over Stockwell Enterprises in my stead."

Nancy looked at her Uncle in surprise, "This is rather sudden, Uncle," she said uncertainly, glancing at Murdock to gauge his reaction. He appeared unsurprised by the announcement.

Her Uncle smiled, "Actually, it's not sudden at all," he said matter-of-factly, "It is simply that I can no longer put it off." He leaned over and spoke into the intercom, "Carla, please bring the papers out."

He then continued, "I will be, um, indisposed for the next several weeks, and I need to put someone, I'm hoping you, Nancy, in place to run the company while I'm away.  I won't be totally out of touch, but I will not be able to oversee the day to day operations." Carla entered with an official looking document in duplicate and handed it to the General, "I've drawn up the partnership papers already, and I was hoping you would agree to sign them so we can make this official," he handed the papers to Nancy.

She absently flipped through the document, then looked at her Uncle quizzically, "What is this all about, Uncle? Why are you going to be 'indisposed' for the next few weeks? Where are you going?"

Her Uncle crossed his arms, compressing his lips into a thin, rueful line before replying, "I will be going to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas for an intense treatment session.  I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's several years ago, and have been in remission for some time, but it has recently come back."

"You have cancer?" Nancy asked incredulously, "You never told me . . ." Murdock reached over and squeezed his wife's hand reassuringly, the news was coming as a shock for both of them, but it certainly did explain a lot about the General's actions over the last couple of months.

"Nancy, when I was first diagnosed you were a child, and still dealing with the death of your mother.  You didn't need the added stress of knowing about my problems.  The disease has been in remission for years, and I really thought I had beaten it, but, I'm afraid that isn't the case."

Nancy looked at the papers in her hand, and thrust them at her Uncle, "I don't need these, Uncle.  I can take care of things until you return."

Her Uncle refused to take them, "I want this to be official, in case something does happen while I'm going through treatment.  It's for my own peace of mind.  There are many people that depend on Stockwell Enterprises for their livelihoods, and I don't want there to be any chance that that could be jeopardized."

"Please do me this favor, Nancy," his eyes were almost pleading, "Colonel Smith told me that I was a fool if I didn't convince you to take over Stockwell Enterprises – don't force me to die a fool."

Nancy looked at him sharply, "Fine, I'll sign the damn papers, but nobody is dying – do you hear me?" she snatched a pen off the desk and signed at the marked places, "And you'd better get your ass back here and show me what the hell I'm supposed to be doing before I royally screw it up."

He smiled at Nancy as he took the signed contract that she held out, "I'll be back, but I think you'll do fine without me. Carla can help you with the administrative items," He walked back around the desk, and pulled a briefcase out and set it on the desk, "Inside you'll find a laptop computer with all the current project files and assignments, as well as pending cases. I would recommend the jet as a good center for operations, I'll have it flown back to Langley . . ."

"Don't do that, Uncle," Nancy interrupted, "I'll set up office at the compound.  It will suit me better than the jet.  You keep it at your disposal," she turned to Carla, "I'll need your help in keeping up with the administrative duties, but I'll expect those to occur out of the compound for the interim, until the General is back on his feet."

Carla nodded curtly, "I'll be at the compound tomorrow at 8am and we can go over what you need to know."

The General stood again and held out the briefcase, "I will be in touch," he promised as Nancy took the case from him.  He put a comforting hand on her shoulder, "I know that this is a bit a shock for you, Nancy.  But I wouldn't ask you to do this if I didn't have every confidence that you could handle it.  Make good use of the experience of you husband, and the other senior Abel Agents – and don't be afraid to ask Colonel Smith for help.  He will be able to ease the transition – he's a good man."

Nancy looked into her Uncle's eyes for a moment, then hugged him impulsively.  He patted her back awkwardly, "Don't worry about me," he said brusquely, "I'll be fine."

Carla stepped forward, "We really need to be getting in the air, sir.  You're due at the Center by 1800 hours."

The General squeezed Nancy's shoulder affectionately, "I'll be in touch. You'll do fine." Nancy smiled at him sadly, before turning and heading out of the jet.  The General put a hand on Murdock's arm as he started to follow, "I expect you to keep an eye on her, Captain and help her as needed.  This is a bit overwhelming."

Murdock shook his head, a slight smile on his face, "You are the king of understatement, General. Don't worry, Nan'll be fine, she just needs a little bit of time for it to sink in," looking him directly in the eye, he added, "Take care of yourself." Then turned and followed Nancy off the jet.

He caught up with her just outside of the hangar and looked at her appraisingly, "How ya holdin' up, Short Cake?"

She didn't say anything just moved into his arms, allowing the tears that she had been holding in check to flow.  He held her, smoothing her hair and letting her get it out of her system for a few minutes.

They both turned as the jet started to taxi and watched in silence as it took off.  Nancy looked up at her husband, her eyes still red from crying, "He's too ornery to die anyways," she said with certainty, "He'll want to stick around long enough to tell me everything that I do wrong with Stockwell Enterprises.  That should keep him going for at least a decade!"

THE END