Final Collection

by Jesse Goodrich

CHAPTER 16

  Eva was confident that approaching a search for Adam by locating at least one liability to the directors was best done by doing a general sweeping search to start and knew Allen at least had a variety of people he could start to contact that would be on the outer limits while she sought information from the inside. Mark had kept most information closed from her but was loose enough with trust that he introduced her to people who were ‘valued.’ After narrowing the field down to two people Eva, through ‘City’ contacts, was granted two flights that day with the compensation approved under the title ‘In an effort to keep customer satisfaction the number one priority.” Her first visit devoured most of the afternoon but her second which nearly started into the next day proved more valuable. The taxi driver buzzed the entry gate from his window, expecting no response this late in the evening and turning slightly to face Eva in the back, “are you sure you don’t want to just go to a hotel until morning?” He wanted to make some remark about the wealth of living but kept his mouth closed in order to receive a hefty tip for bringing the rich together during trivially stressful situations. Eva remained silent and finally the gates opened and the driveway lights came on guiding the way up to the dual pillared turn around entry. The driver stopped beneath the overhang and whistled as he saw the view overlooking the city between the pillars. Eva thanked the driver and not thinking to pay started to walk to the front door before the man cleared his throat in the you’re forgetting something type of way. “Sorry, it’s been a long day,” and gave the man double what was expected. He smiled and gaining enough courage made a pass, “Well, if everything’s alright here, I’m off tomorrow,” he stuttered a little trying to push through to the end, “and if you’d like to get a drink in the afternoon, can I get your number?” Eva smiled and the man knew it wasn’t going to happen so thanked her for the tip and found his way back down the drive.

  Eva turned back to the door and Dr. Elliot was standing there with his early white hair looking no more than early thirties, glasses set smartly on his face and wearing expensive looking jeans and a plain shirt that spoke volumes to how comfortable simplicity could be. “Eva! Come in, I’m glad you made it, I just finished pressing coffee.” Eva followed him inside and noticed a burly woman with a very disgruntled face, nearly trudging up the stairs, as if she hadn’t been allowed a full nights rest before her work in the morning. “So,” he began offering Eva a seat across the room and handing her a cup from the platter on the coffee table in the ‘sitting’ room, “how was the flight in?” She smiled enjoying the first flavors of the coffee and knowing what he wanted to hear, “Excellent, thank you for the bump in class.” He leaned back feeling proud of himself and pushed his glasses up, “Oh, it was no trouble, I’m just glad you had a good flight.” He took a small sip then leaned forward and set his cup back on the platter, not entirely pleased with the taste. “Well, I suppose we should get right back to where we left conversation earlier.” He waited for some sort of recognition that it was okay for him to continue talking and prove how important he actually was. Eva took another drink then nodding placed the empty cup back on the platter. “Well, if I have access to any information of value, it would be that…sorry, do you need accommodations for the evening? I have a room ready, or if you’re more comfortable at a hotel, I know several of their managers in the area…” Eva was in love with how easy this was going to be, and she laughed to herself, keeping a steadily painful expression on her face she replied, “I’m sorry, I need to keep moving on this one and I’d rather get on with it, my first stop was an incredible waste of time.” He nodded, looking upset but pleased at the same time, “Who did you see first, Jamison up north? He’s arrogant and a fool. I’m glad you came to your senses.” Eva enjoyed watching him continue talking beyond any value while he gave her the directions she needed and several alternate locations to look if for some reason his current information was somehow incorrectly stated to him, mind you not incorrectly received by him. She left a little after midnight and conveniently did so with transportation from a company Doctor Richard Elliot himself frequently trusted.

  Time warp

  Allen had called Mallory from the office after leaving Eva at Adam’s wreck of an apartment with the key. He wanted her to go through all of their contacts they had kept over the past ten years and try to get in touch with any who’d had a traumatic and unexpected loss. She didn’t follow but he comforted her with taking a half day today and working extra hours down the line so that he could relay as much as he could remember from conversation with Eva that morning. “The most important thing to find out, would be if they have found or been introduced to a new life since then,” Allen remembered trying to be as clear as possible. The day was dragging by for Allen and he wasn’t excited about leaving the office in such a rocky condition, though he determined to believe it was in the best interest of getting people used to taking on more responsibility. He left well before half a day’s work and hurried home to find Mallory preparing lunch. She watched his disappointed expression grow as he walked toward her in the kitchen. “Taking a break?!” he gave her quite a tone. Mallory grabbed his hand and handed him a bottle of dark beer, “Sit at the table,” she directed with a smile, “I’ll have lunch out in a minute. And that better be empty before I come in.” Allen did as he was told a little confused. The beer was good and finished before Mallory came into the dining room with a new bottle and a plate filled with half sandwiches. “So Allen, sneaking out in the early morning to meet with a woman I’ve never met, not saying a word, calling home and demanding that I have horrific conversations with people I haven’t spoken with in more than five years if ever as some were only acquaintances of yours.” Allen enjoyed the burn of the first half of the second bottle of dark beer in what seemed too short a time for him. “Yes, well, I’m sorry,” he started, only to find himself smiling at the smile Mallory had on her face. She was glowing Allen thought, and it wasn’t the beer, it was all her. “I’m very sorry for acting the way I did, not trusting your follow through, and for not letting you know where I went.” Mallory was beaming in a way Allen hadn’t noticed in too long a time. “I found who and what you were looking for…in one call,” she proudly stated before finishing her thoughts, “but we can talk about that and everything else after the kids get back.” Allen shifted a little uneasily and with satisfaction left the beer and the table behind, thinking he wasn’t exactly hungry yet anyhow.