Melanie thinks we’re here honeymooning. Someone should have told her, honeymoons aren’t supposed to be based on a bed of lies.

What we’re really doing here is not honeymooning. It’s business. If I can keep Mark happy, and Melanie away from things that might put her in immediate danger, then I can work behind the scenes to carry out my plan. Part of that plan is saving my own ass. In the process, I have to make the determination of whether or not to keep my lovely bride around. You could say there’s something about a betrayal that leaves a bad taste in a person’s mouth. On the other hand, I have to say, while there are some kinks to be worked out, so far, so good. My wife is good entertainment if you’re looking for that sort of thing, and right now I could use a bit of levity in my life. Which is why I was pleased to receive confirmation from a mile high that all is nearly in working order. They really put her into shape. Where I thought things were perfect, they made them better.

Nonetheless, I’m aware the ultimate warfare is the understanding that the moment one feels secure is the moment you have to change things up. God knows, aiming low is seductive.

Personally, I aim high. Around the throat region, generally. That’s why I paid the guy to let me prove a point to Melanie. It still amazes me how far people are willing to go in pursuit of the almighty dollar. I could have killed that guy. It’s risky, to say the least, when the only thing standing between him living and dying was a few seconds and a little control on my part. Seems like a lot to risk for fifty bucks, if you ask me. But then, it’s a proven fact that once people make a decision or a commitment to something, they are likely to follow through for no other sake than they don't want to be seen as inconsistent. If compliance is what you’re looking for, it’s best to start small and build. Works like a charm. In this case, as soon as I got him to say yes to helping me impress a girl, I knew the rest was pretty much in the bag. The devil is in the detail. Who cares that I left out the part where I’d choke him into submission when it was only meant to be a shove? He’d already agreed to the deal.

“Fancy a swim?” I ask Melanie after lunch.

“I don’t swim.”

That’s good to know. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths. “Fine,” I say. “You can lay out. I’ll swim.”

We’ll start small and build.

“Perfect,” she quips. “I’ll bring the agreement. I’ve been reading up on it, and this will give me a chance to ask a few questions….”

“What kind of questions?”

She yawns loudly, and after a second or two, she holds a finger up. “First a nap.”

While Melanie is sleeping I check my phone. I’d purposely left it in the room when we went to lunch, and I was pretty sure what I’d missed. Three calls from Mark. I step out of the room to call him back.

He answers on the first ring. “How’s the honeymoon going?”

“Very well.”

“Good,” he says. There’s a pause. “Listen, I have a bad connection. I’ll ring you right back.”

I don’t think much of it. Mark has always been suspicious of being recorded. He likes to be the one initiating calls. He thinks this matters.

Three seconds later, he rings me back. “I have to ask…is there a reason you chose Scottsdale?”

I hadn’t told him where we were going, but I’m not surprised by the question in the least. Mark knows everything. “It’s sunny here.”

“So then it doesn’t have anything to do with the flagship location Grant Dunn had in the works?”

“No,” I tell him “But while I’m in the area if you need—”

“Do you know why Michael is dead, Tom?”

His question catches me off guard. I don’t like to think about Michael’s death. But I never forget either. “I know speed was definitely a factor.”

“Michael was a drunk, Tom.”

“Yes,” I say. People like Mark need all the reassurance one can give. “I’m aware.”

“Do you know how long we had been trying to rehabilitate your friend?”

“No.” The truth is a fickle and vindictive mistress.

“Ten months,” he tells me. “We gave him ten long months.”

I find myself pacing the length of the hall. “I see.” I don’t see. I have no idea what this has to do with anything.

“Rehabilitating Michael was a social experiment for the church.”

“I see.”

“And you know the interesting thing about experiments Tom?”

No, but I have a feeling he’s about to tell me.

“He couldn’t mess up our rate of success if he were dead.”

“Like June,” I say.

Mark inhales deeply. “You are very good with your deductive reasoning Tom. Very good.”

“What did you need?”

“Huh?”

“You called. I assume it wasn’t to tell me how smart I am.”

“Oh.” There’s a brief pause and then he says, “You’re right about that Tom. You’re my favorite accountant. But that you already knew.”

I hear a door open down the hall. I assume it’s Melanie looking for me. I walk around the corner so I’m out of sight.

“Tom?”

“I’m here…”

“We need to move our latest experiment along. The men’s alliance is getting antsy.”

“How can I help?” I want to make him spell it out.

“Stick to the plan,” he says. “You have the portfolio. Make a choice in the direction we should take. One way or the other. Something has to be done.”

“What do you mean one way or the other?” I want clarification.

“I trust you’ll make the right decision.” He doesn’t give an inch.

“I’m working on it,” I assure him.

“Great. Now, go enjoy yourself. You know what they say about being all business and no pleasure…”

“No, I don’t.”

“It makes Tom a dull boy.”