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Its the early 80s. In Sonora, Mexico, a group of officials ponder how to stop the flow of airborne contraband from. The tax imposed by the Mexican government on imported goods has created a flow of illicit cargo traveling south. On the roads, this cargo can be intercepted and fees extracted from the drivers. Contraband entering by air at remote, clandestine runways escapes the lucrative fees.

In Tucson, AZ, Vic Mallory recently retired from cubicle-bound job. His successful career netted him a comfortable retirement package, even after making the alimony payments. Vics life is pleasant, but. Something is missing. He yearns for an interesting life, a life driven purpose. He often rents a plane to fly around the southwestern US and Mexico. It gives him a sense of adventure. But he wants more, doesnt know how to take the first step, or even what that first step is.

Vics friends, Darren, is an experienced pilot with Viet Nam experience. Often, they fly in Vics rented airplane, and Darren imparts on his friend skills that he wouldnt get from any sensible instructor, bush pilot skills. Then they debrief over a few beers. Darren is an adventurer with a peculiar past that goes beyond Southeast Asia. Unknown to Vic, his unorthodox flight instructor is involved in the contraband operation into Mexico.

While shooting the breeze in the company of a few beers, Darren gives Vic a rundown of his contraband activities. Vic wonders why he is given the privilege of the sensitive revelation. The answer comes quickly when Darren offers him a job flying contraband. Although reluctant, Vic realizes the uniqueness of the opportunity. Vic accepts, anticipating that his life will be a thriller, full of action.

On the first mission, at night, with Darren in command, they arrive at their destination, a Mexican cattle ranch. The runway is a clearing in the brush long enough to land the plane, with nothing but the headlights of a few cars to guided them. The crew on the ground will take the cargo, and produce the paymentor it could be the Federales, waiting to apprehend them. Vic realizes that he is playing the game of life, intensely.

Vic meets Sara, the middle-aged widow in charge of managing the smuggling activities at the receiving end, and the owner of the ranch. The wealthy lady is graceful, attractive and assertive. Sara walks a fine line between managing her ranch and the smuggling operation. She does show Vic a warmth she doesnt show to others. He fantasizes, oblivious to her dangerous little secrets. Sara has contacts that allow her some impunity. One of them, an influential army colonel has more-personal plans for her.

Vic becomes an experienced smuggler. He flys several missions alone. One of them forces him to devise his own plan to escape the authorities. In another, he is left with insufficient fuel to return homein the middle of Baja California. Close calls and escapes build his confidence. However, he ignores Darrens advice not to get involved with Sara. Not good for business. There are also the dangers that an army colonel can generate. Strangely, the colonel sometimes protected the smugglersfor a while. Then things got interesting.

Eventually, an order came in for a large shipment, one that would take several aircraft to fulfill. With suspicious caution, Vic and Darren undertook the first flight of that mission, each in command of separate aircraft. Despite all their precautions, life just got interesting for them. They were ambushed by the bad guys (authorities), forcing them to undertake an escape that tested Vics nerves and resolve to unimagined levels.

By the end of the story, Vics outlook on life is profoundly changed. He could write his own adventure book.

One of many interesting novels of the southwestern US. It immerses the reader in a mans yearning for an interesting life and the ensuing consequences, some good, some bad, some truly life-changing.

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