"You actually saved 75 lives!
Even God must be proud of you, my child.
Please, wait here while I make a phone call."
After reading the invitation from the Pentagon, Father Lesterwyn embraced Desmond once again and stepped into the inner room.
"Do you think the church will agree?"
Desmond asked Leo softly.
Leo shook his head.
"Brother, I don't know."
"You spoke so confidently, I thought you had everything under control."
Desmond teased with a smile.
"I simply do everything I can to the best of my ability. The rest—I leave to God."
"Children, good news!
The bishop has agreed. Desmond, we'll set off for Richmond first thing tomorrow morning!"
"Thank you, Father!"
Desmond exclaimed, overcome with emotion.
"It's because of how outstanding you are. As the bishop just said, you're practically God's messenger on Earth.
Oh right, Leo, Desmond mentioned you're planning to start a real estate company?"
"Yes, Father."
Father Lesterwyn patted Leo's shoulder.
"If Desmond gains the bishop's support, I'll have a little surprise for you."
After leaving the church, Desmond and Leo headed to the train station. Kevin, Sean, and the others were scheduled to depart for New York today.
At the same time, the lawyer Kevin had arranged was also arriving in Lynchburg, and Leo would begin working with him on setting up the company.
As soon as they reached the platform, Sean and the others—who were preparing to travel for training—rushed over with worried expressions.
"Coach, are you okay?"
They had just heard from Joseph about the assassination attempt on Leo the night before.
"I'm standing here alive, so that means everything's fine."
At that moment, Kevin arrived with a balding middle-aged man.
"Leo, this is the lawyer I mentioned—Toussaint Egg.
Toussaint, this is Leo. We're planning to start a real estate company together."
With a broad smile, Toussaint extended his hand.
"Kevin has already told me your needs. I'm also sorry to hear about what happened last night, but time is money. May I begin working?"
Just then, the train whistle blew.
Leo patted Sean and the others on the shoulder.
"Follow Kevin and learn everything you can. Get on board."
Then he turned to Toussaint.
"Now I believe what Kevin said. Let's get started."
Toussaint quickly demonstrated his professional expertise.
Leo was again reminded of an important truth: in a world run by people, relationships matter.
This chubby lawyer moved through the Lynchburg City Hall like it was his own house.
Even the perpetually sour-faced receptionist chatted with him—and the other staff members were even more cooperative.
In just one morning, Toussaint completed everything. The Lynchburg Real Estate Company was officially established.
For the first time, Leo truly understood the nature of American bureaucracy:
Officials like Patrick held real power and could push through a company registration in one morning—but the cost was usually too great for the average person.
On the other hand, the clerks—the ones who actually did the work—could accomplish the same, for a price far more manageable.
In this case, it was a stack of shopping vouchers for a Richmond mall, gifted by Toussaint.
"Honestly, Toussaint, your fee doesn't do justice to your skills."
Leo handed Kevin $500 and sighed.
"Thank you for the compliment, Leo.
But this is life. Since the war broke out, it's been tough for us lawyers too.
Still, I'll say this—by next year, $500 might not be enough to hire me again.
I wish your company great success."
Toussaint was ever polite and smiling, but underneath that warm exterior was detachment.
Leo knew that, deep down, Toussaint didn't believe a bunch of ex-soldiers like them could succeed.
Still, Leo was impressed by the man's professionalism—and he had a feeling they would meet again.
Meanwhile, in Quebec, Canada, at a family estate of the Lavoie Lumber Group:
White Lavoie stormed into his father's study with a dark expression, pushing a telegram onto the desk.
After reading it, the elder Lavoie looked up.
"This is a minor matter for us. Give him what he wants."
"But the Norfolk and Western Railway..."
White had already prepared a thousand tons of timber, but transporting it hit a snag—resistance from a director at the Virginia Railway Company.
White, raised in this business, smelled something fishy.
When did something as minor as a rail car allocation need a director's involvement?
"I'll handle it. I'm sure the chairman of Norfolk and Western will oblige me."
His father's decisiveness shocked White. He had never seen the old man so willing to lose money—especially not by handing over railway resources for free.
"Father, that Leo guy isn't even in the army anymore. He's also crossed General MacArthur.
A lot of people want him dead. Should we just eliminate him and earn some goodwill?"
The elder Lavoie looked up.
"Do you have absolute confidence you can kill someone like him?
If not, White Lavoie, are you ready to face endless retaliation from men with nothing to lose?
Just send the reply. Be polite. Some prices are worth paying.
It's far better to be friends with such a man than to become his enemy."
Leo received White's reply on September 9.
Since the assassination attempt, Emily hadn't been doing well. Leo had stayed by her side.
During this time, he wrote three journalistic pieces—unrelated to the novel—and sent them to the Lynchburg Times.
It was the weekend. As Italian Catholics, the Valentino family always attended Sunday Mass.
Leo took Emily, a Protestant, to attend Mass at Lynchburg's Catholic Church.
And as Italians, a hearty post-Mass meal was tradition.
Thanks to Leo's money easing the family's finances, Ricardo invited the extended family for a big meal.
Along with White's letter came two telegrams—one from Desmond in Richmond, the other from Sean and the boys in New Jersey.
The men chatted in the living room; the women bustled in the kitchen.
Emily also entered the kitchen—though she was little help, she tried to be useful.
Leo returned to his room alone and opened White's letter first.
To maintain secrecy, Leo had asked White to wire the telegram to Richmond and have it forwarded by mail.
The letter was full of flattery, followed by White proudly claiming that not only had he agreed to Leo's rock-bottom price,
he had also smoothed things over with the Norfolk and Western Railway—free of charge.
The timber would arrive in Richmond on the 15th.
With White's cooperation, Leo's greatest concern was resolved—and he took note of the favor.
Next, he opened Desmond's telegram.
Desmond had passed the bishop's interview but would stay in Richmond for now.
The bishop and Father Lesterwyn were introducing him to influential religious and social figures.
More good news.
Then Leo turned to Sean's telegram...