Damaged Amazon

by Kim Pritekel

  “Again, what exactly are we doing again?”

  Shannon grinned over at her big sister. “It’s basically a treasure hunt where people hide stuff and I use Dad’s GPS to find it.”

  “Okay, so then why did you have me stop to buy a bunch of erasers and stickers and stuff?” Nora asked, unbuckling her seatbelt, accepting the printed page she was handed.

  “That has a few clues on it,” Shannon explained. “The erasers and stuff are to put in the geocache. You take stuff and leave stuff.”

  Nora nodded, looking over the text on the page. “Okie dokie.” The two headed into the woods, Nora watching her step. She was lamenting wearing tennis shoes now, rather than the hiking boots Shannon had worn. “So, how do you like the new house?” she asked, glancing over at her sister, reaching up to move a low-hanging branch out of their way. The thirteen-year-old was still several inches shorter than Nora, but even Shannon would have been smacked in the face.

  Shannon shrugged, glancing down at the GPS. “It’s okay, I guess. It made me mad that I had to switch schools.” She glanced up at Nora. “I liked Heaton. It was awesome to be able to jump on my bike and ride up to the college and spend the day reading or playing on the computer or whatever. I don’t like Pleasant View that much.” She let out a sigh. “Kinda feel like I’m out in the middle of nowhere.”

  “I know, kiddo.” Nora wrapped an arm around Shannon’s shoulders. “I’m sorry. I was only a little bit younger than you when we moved here, so I understand.” As they continued through the heavily wooded area, she asked, “Do you like Minnie?”

  Shannon sent a glare her way, which made Nora chuckle. “She’s a hag, and she’s the reason we had to move. Not happy with Minnelia Turk.” She scrunched her lovely young face. “Who on earth names their kid Minnelia?”

  Nora shook her head slowly. “You’ve got me on that one.” She chuckled. “Just when I thought Minnie was bad. So, are you still singing?”

  “Of course!” Shannon exclaimed, as though Nora should know better than to ask.

  “Well good, ’cuz, it would break my heart if you ever stopped singing, kiddo.”

  Shannon smiled with pride. “I’d rather sing than just about anything, Nor. Way more important than boys.”

  “What? You mean, you’re not engaged, yet?” Nora teased.

  Shannon rolled her eyes. “Duh, I’m only thirteen. Boys can wait.”

  “Yes, indeed,” Nora said, the two continuing to follow the GPS signal.

  “Over that way!” Shannon exclaimed, excitedly pointing toward three trees that seemed to be in a distinctive and natural huddle. “Come on!”

  Nora followed, startled as the teen took off running. Once she caught up to her, out of breath, Shannon was on her hands and knees, pushing foliage aside. She glanced over her shoulder at Nora. “Read the clue.”

  Nora lifted the page she’d been given in the car. “Uh, okay. ‘To find me look for the green, but don’t let your eyes fool you.’” Nora’s eyebrows drew together. “What kind of clue is that?”

  Shannon didn’t bother to answer and instead, set the GPS unit aside and began to really dig in, leaves, twigs, clots of dirt, and even a lizard all flew until Shannon whooped out in victory.

  Curious, Nora moved to her side and squatted down. She watched as Shannon pulled out a neon green case that appeared to be for holding glasses or sunglasses. She chuckled. “Well, I guess the clue makes more sense now.”

  Shannon fell back to sit on her behind in the leaves and opened it. She pulled out a long, narrow slip of paper rolled up like a scroll. It sat atop various little gizmos, including half a pencil, plastic coins, a couple “dollars” from a Monopoly game, and a handful of plastic farm animals, including a chicken with a plastic wire necklace attached to it.

  “Pick something,” Shannon said, handing Nora the eyeglass case as she unfurled the scroll and jotted down the date and her name.

  Nora picked through the contents until she decided on the chicken on a plastic string.

  Nora removed an eraser shaped like a duck from Shannon’s backpack and placed it inside the case, as well as the rerolled scroll. She put the green case back where they’d found it. Shannon grinned up at Nora as she stood, wiping any loose dirt off the butt of her jeans.

  “Congratulations,” she said. “You’ve now officially been part of finding your first geocache.”

  Three hours, seven more finds, and a lunch later, Nora pulled up in front of her father’s ranch-style house, a mile past the Mesa Drive-In.

  “I’m so glad you came home for my choir concert,” Shannon said, glancing over at Nora from the passenger seat where she had unbuckled her seatbelt.

  “Oh, course! It’s not every day my little sister gets not one solo, but two.” She smiled as Shannon blushed slightly. “Listen, I have something for you.” Nora reached past her sister to the glove compartment and grabbed a square wrapped package from within. “With your incredible talent, I wanted to introduce you to an incredible talent.”

  Shannon took the package and with the look of a child on Christmas morning, tore into the wrapping paper revealing the two-disc CD set of Phantom of the Opera and Eden, which had a handwritten note on the dust jacket inside the plastic jewel case cover.

  No matter what happens in life, always remember to be you and that you’re loved.

  Love your big sis,

  Nora

  “Wow,” Shannon whispered, her fingers running over the smooth plastic. “I’ve heard of Phantom of the Opera before, but who is this Sarah Brightman person? She’s pretty.”

  “Yes, and she’s in both of those. She plays Christine Daae in Phantom and the other one is her own album. I saw her in Milan two years ago. You actually sound a lot like her.”

  Shannon glanced over at her. “Seriously?”

  “Yup. If you like her stuff, I’ll send you more.” She reached over, resting her hand on the back of the headrest of Shannon’s seat. “Listen, missy, next time I come back here, I fully expect to be serenaded by your favorite Sarah song. Got me?”

  Shannon grinned and nodded vigorously. “I got you.”

  ****

  Nora stood at her dresser, jewelry box open. She dug through a few trinkets she’d brought back from her travels until she found what she was looking for. A small smile spread across her lips when she found the plastic chicken on a plastic, smooth and tubular rope like a strand of red licorice.

  Closing her eyes, she brought the plastic chicken up to her lips and left a soft kiss there, almost as though sending up a silent prayer. Her attention was taken by the chirp of her phone lying on the dresser, which she instantly silenced, not wanting to wake Bella who was asleep right across the hall. She’d asked Sarah to text when she arrived rather than knocking or ringing the doorbell.

  Pocketing the chicken, Nora headed toward her bedroom door, flicking off the light and, as quietly as possible, trotting down the steep staircase.

  “Hey,” Sarah said as Nora let her in through the kitchen door. “I know it’s late and I’m sorry. It’s been some very long, chaotic days.”

  “It’s okay. There’s coffee going if you want some,” Nora said, keeping her hand on the glass door as it closed so it wouldn’t slam and wake her niece.

  “Yeah, that would be great.” Sarah stood in the middle of the kitchen holding a blue folder and looking rather uncertain.

  “Sorry,” Nora said with an apologetic smile. “Have a seat.”

  As Nora moved around the small kitchen, gathering mugs, spoons, and coffee fixings, Sarah pulled out a chair at the wooden square table and sat. “As I said on the phone earlier, I have a slight update and I have some questions.”

  “Okay,” Nora said, butterflies batting ruthlessly at her insides in anticipation of what she was going to hear. She brought her offerings to the table and took the seat across from Sarah.

  “Nora,” Sarah began, her expression serious, “does Shannon have any connection to Canon City?”

  No
ra considered the question as she poured Sarah a mug of coffee. Eventually, she shook her head as she slid the steaming mug over to her. “No. I’ve never heard her mention it before, at least. I’m not even sure she’s ever been there.” She eyed her warily. “Why?”

  Seeming to ignore Nora’s question, Sarah opened the folder that lay on the table and presented Nora with an eight-by-ten color photo of the ruined high-heeled shoe they’d found. “A couple hikers found some things. Do you recognize this shoe?”

  Nora took the proffered picture and studied it. Instantly, tears stung the backs of her eyes. She nodded. “I was with her when she bought these shoes,” she said softly, recognizing the small patch of rhinestones at the top of the stiletto stem. She gave Sarah a small smile. “I used to call this shoe her hooker shoes because of how high they are.” She looked back down at the shoe. “There was only one?” She noted Sarah’s nod. “Are these scuff marks? It almost looks like…” She had to stop, unable to say it out loud.

  “I know it looks like drag marks,” Sarah said softly, taking the picture back. “We’re not sure yet.” She handed over another glossy.

  Nora looked at it and shook her head. “I know Shannon is the ultimate girly girl, all bags and shoes, but I don’t recognize this purse. That doesn’t mean anything, though,” she clarified. “It could be hers, but I don’t know.”

  “Okay. What kind of car does Shannon drive, Nora?” Sarah took the opportunity to pour some cream and add a bit of sugar to her coffee, lightly stirring with the provided spoon.

  “Uh…” Nora glanced off into space to think. “Subaru. An Impreza, I think. Why? Did you find her car?” Nora asked, not entirely sure what she wanted Sarah’s answer to be.

  Sarah shook her head. “No, but we found what we believe to be her car key with the purse. It’s a key for a Subaru.”

  Nora buried her face in her hands for a long moment before blowing out a breath, her hands dropping to the table. Sarah reached across the wooden surface and covered Nora’s hand with one of her own.

  “I know this is hard,” she said softly, kindness in her dark eyes. “I’m so sorry. I’m doing all I can to find her.”

  Nora nodded, swallowing hard before she was able to speak. “I know. How, how do you know for sure these are her things? I mean, could it be coincidence?”

  Sarah let out a breath of her own before she removed a third picture from the folder and handed it to Nora.

  A sob tore from Nora’s throat when she saw the image of her sister staring back at her from her very own driver’s license. As her vision became blurry with tears, she heard the scoot of a wooden chair on the floor as Sarah moved from her chair to the one next to Nora. Nora allowed herself to be taken into a hug, her head cradled against Sarah’s shoulder and soothing fingers running through her hair.

  “I know,” Sarah whispered into the hug. “It’s okay.”

  After several minutes, the tears began to slow then stop. Nora sniffled, feeling stupid and entirely too comfortable. She moved away from Sarah, giving her a rueful, albeit watery smile. “Sorry.”

  “You have nothing to apologize for,” Sarah said with a smile of her own. She reached a hand up and tucked some hair behind Nora’s ear. “Do you want to stop for tonight?”

  Nora shook her head, pushing away from the table to grab a paper towel from the roll mounted under the cabinet. “No,” she said, wiping her face before blowing her nose. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect that to hit me so hard.”

  Sarah moved over to where Nora stood by the sink, her back leaning against a perpendicular counter as she crossed her arms over her button-up shirt-clad chest. “It’s completely understandable that it would, Nor,” she said.

  Nora glanced at her, not used to hearing the name Sarah used to call her. She had to push that aside. “Was that blood smeared on her license, Sarah?”

  “We don’t know, yet. The lab hasn’t gotten back to us. It was pretty muddy up there, so it could be mud, but we don’t know.”

  Nora threw her soiled paper towel into the trash next to the stove. “What does this all mean, Sarah? I mean, that guy with her apartment key that day, that was in Colorado Springs obviously, but then this stuff found in Canon City which is what, like forty-five minutes away?”

  “Yeah. The thing that has me concerned is, they’re two different counties, El Paso and Fremont Counties. I have to wonder if whoever is responsible for Shannon’s disappearance did that on purpose.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Sarah shrugged as she moved back to the table and took her seat. She sipped from her coffee before she said, “Typically the police aren’t going to communicate unless some sort of link is found, a connection to another county or town. I’m guessing the person or persons behind this were hoping that would work in their favor.”

  Nora walked back to her seat, as well. “Sarah, do you think Shannon is still alive?”

  Sarah let out a heavy sigh as she sat back in her chair. “I can’t say that, but I can’t say that she isn’t. The only thing I can tell you is, the more time that goes by, the more dangerous the situation becomes.”

  Nora nodded. “I understand.” She grabbed her own cup of coffee and fixed it how she liked it. She grimaced when she took a sip as it had cooled. “Do you want yours warmed up?” she asked, getting to her feet.

  “Nah,” Sarah said with a grin. “I’m used to drinking cold coffee all day.”

  Nora smiled and made her way over to the microwave.

  “Would you be willing to look at some folks for me? Help me identify them?”

  “Sure. Whatever you need.”

  “Okay,” Sarah said, digging through her folder and pulling out several more pictures, placing one in front of Nora’s chair. “Do you know this guy?”

  The microwave beeping to a halt, Nora retrieved her coffee and rejoined Sarah. She set the mug down as she lowered herself into the chair, her gaze on the man in the picture. “He looks familiar, but I don’t know his name. I think I saw him a few times at a club Shannon hangs out at in Denver.” She spared a glance to Sarah. “I used to go with her sometimes.”

  “Do you know the name of the club?”

  “It was called The East Room, but it closed down last year.”

  “Okay, this guy?”

  Nora looked at the new picture presented to her, this one a Hispanic man. “No idea.”

  “Okay, and finally this guy.”

  “Oh, that’s Rick Stanton,” Nora said immediately, tapping the picture of the smiling man. “Bella’s father.”

  “And, he died two years ago, right?” Sarah asked, putting the three pictures back into the folder.

  Nora looked at her with confusion in her eyes. “Rick? No. I just saw him, maybe six months ago at Sam’s Club. He looked alive and well to me. I mean, I don’t know if something has happened since, but he’s definitely been alive in the past couple years. Why would you think he was dead?”

  “Do you know Ronnie Garcia?”

  Nora thought for a moment. “Isn’t that the neighbor’s son? Penny?”

  Sarah nodded. “Yup. He told me Shannon told him Bella’s dad was dead.”

  “That’s weird,” Nora said, stroking her chin. “Why would she tell him that? She loved Rick.”

  “Mommy! Mommy, no!”

  Nora nearly knocked her chair over backward in her haste to get to the stairs, which she raced up, Sarah hot on her heels. Nora was breathless with concern and exertion by the time she reached Bella’s bedroom. The little girl was sitting up in bed, eyes wide and tears running down her cheeks.

  “Bella?” Nora hurried over to her bed. “Hey. What’s wrong, honey?” Nora glanced over at Sarah, who stood at the foot of Bella’s bed as the child clung to her. “Did you have a bad dream?” she murmured to the girl, who nodded, her face buried in Nora’s neck.

  “Can I get her anything? Some water or something?” Sarah asked.

  “Do you want some water, sweetie?” Nora rubbed comforting circ
les across Bella’s back. At Bella’s nod, Sarah turned and hurried from the room. “What happened in your dream, hmm?” Nora asked softly, gently pushing the little girl away from her so she could look into her tear-streaked face. She used the edge of the sheet to dry her cheeks.

  “Mommy got hurt,” she said, her voice as tiny as she was.

  “How did she get hurt?” She glanced up when Sarah reappeared, an unopened bottle of water in her hand. “Thanks, Sarah.” Nora twisted off the cap as Sarah took a seat at the foot of the bed. “Here, sweetie. Take a drink.”

  Bella grasped the bottle in her small hands and took several long gulps before handing the bottle back to her aunt. “A big doggie ate her.”

  “A big doggie?”

  “Like we saw in the field that day.”

  “Ah, the coyote. Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry.” Nora gave her a small kiss on her forehead.

  “Is Mommy okay?” she asked, looking up at Nora with big, green eyes.

  Nora glanced over the child’s head to Sarah, not sure how to answer that. “Bella,” she began gently, “I want you to meet someone. This lady is Sarah.” Bella glanced at Sarah, who was sitting a couple of feet away and waving a few fingers at her. “Can you say hello, sweetie?”

  “Hi,” Bella said quietly.

  “Hi, Bella,” Sarah said. “I’m working to try to bring your mommy back home to you, okay?”

  “Are you magic?” Bella asked, two fingers finding their way into her mouth.

  Sarah smiled and shook her head. “No, but I’m a police officer. I’ll do all I can, okay?”

  Bella nodded, eyeing her. “’Kay.”

  “Let’s get you tucked back in, okay?” Nora said softly, standing from the bed. “Lay down, sweetie.” She got the girl settled and leaned over to give her a kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight, sweet girl. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Bye, police lady,” Bella said sleepily to Sarah, who was moving to the door.

  The two women headed back downstairs.

  “She is such a beautiful little girl,” Sarah said, walking to the table and gathering her things together. “I see so much of what I remember Shannon looking like as a child.”