by Vega Lizzie
“Sure,” he answered immediately, “I thought about anyone that’s been in our orbit for a while. Made a couple notes on one or two.”
“I saw that part, thanks.” She took a deep breath, “Any secrets you don’t want us to know about?” She had difficulty keeping eye contact, “Maybe from Mom?”
“What?” he sputtered, “No, of course not.” As she saw him glance over her shoulder at her mother, Shannon caught sight of a woman standing just inside the gift shop. She abruptly looked away as their eyes briefly met. Shannon reared back, “Good. But reach out to me if you think of anyone else, or if anyone suddenly makes themselves obvious.”
“I will,” he said firmly, “what do you think is going on?”
Shannon stepped back, squaring off her shoulders to him. Her father was four inches taller than Shannon, but for a moment, she seemed to tower over him. She could feel Terra and Olivia watching from the boarding area. “Greed,” she answered coolly, “that might be all it is. All it ever is. Maybe add a touch of ego and stupidity.”
“Welcome back to the wild wild West,” he said with an odd grin.
She chuckled and it helped to disperse the tension, “I was always your wild one, Pops. Some things never change.” She turned and subtly pointed to Terra. “I’m not looking for your approval, but what do you think?”
They watched as Terra shared a laugh with Olivia at the concession stand in the boarding area. Together, in both stature and confidence, they looked like they owned the place.
“If I’m to be very honest, Shannon, I wasn’t surprised when your Mom told me about the two of you. But meeting her, seeing how happy you are? That’s all that matters to me.” He chuckled, “I’m a little intimidated by her. She’s got a certain…” he shrugged, “I don’t know how to describe it.”
Shannon snorted as she waved to Terra, “Swagger. She has bloomed into a supremely confident woman.”
“That kinda nails it,” he nodded, “Olivia too. It’s like she shares the best parts of both of you. I’m proud of you.”
Again, he had said the words she had most wanted to hear, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. “I won’t be so long the next time, okay? We’ll get through whatever is going on and get you put back together. Call me if anything unusual happens.” Hugging him tightly, she turned quickly and made her way to get her boarding pass checked. After a final wave to her Montana family, she joined Terra and Olivia in the secured passenger area.
Wiping her eyes, she directed Olivia to grab three spots on the lounge seating and leaned close to Terra, “Gift shop, the woman in sunglasses. Dark hair, early-twenties.” She sniffled, “He had wonderful things to say. I should be thinking better thoughts.”
“I see her, Shan. I’m glad he said nice things to you.” She turned her back to the waiting area, “I noticed her just after we went through security. It’s a small gift shop and she’s been standing in the same spot the whole time.
“Great,” Shannon sighed, “Kinda diminishes the moment for me. Probably just a random person.”
“Mmm, no,” Terra murmured and Shannon looked up at her to see her looking back at the gift shop under her brow, “I would love to agree with you, but she was at the stables when we rented the horses. I’m positive it’s her.”
Shannon’s eyes narrowed, “Bet she’s not on Dad’s list.” She took a deep breath, “Ollie, she said firmly, “I need one last picture of you two, just before we take off.”
Oliva yawned, “Sure. Where?”
Shannon posed them with their backs to gift shop and pretended to screw up the photo and took an extra one. Sitting on the plane during the flight, Terra began to make notes and prepared a file for Marcus to be sent the minute they landed. Shannon texted as well and seemed anxious during the two-hour flight. She seemed grateful that another cloudless sky kept Olivia busy looking out the window as they compared notes.
“Marcus is gonna be busy,” Terra commented as the plane taxied to the terminal, “Depending on what he finds, I’m going to adjust my schedule a bit.”
“You can’t do that,” Shannon came back, “I mean, I really appreciate it, but your job is a big deal. I don’t want the drama out west to get in the way.”
“Let’s see what genius boy turns up and then we can figure it out. I don’t want you to worry about your Dad.”
“I am worried,” Shannon confessed, “I’m worried that my Dad is cheating on my mom. That’s just for starters.” Editing the photograph taken in the airport terminal, she’d zoomed past Olivia and Terra to focus on the mysterious woman, “Here she is. Thoughts?”
Terra looked a moment, then shrugged, “Doesn’t seem like your Dad’s type. I mean, like…well, your mom. Sorry.”
“I know what you mean. I’m not mad, of course, just disappointed…possibly.”
Terra quickly moved the discussion to action, “Send me a copy of that picture, I’ll send it to Eliza along with the bone circle video. Maybe she knows something. I’d maybe send one to Angela as well.” She caught a rare look of hesitation in Shannon’s face, “maybe not quite so public to begin with?”
“For the very near future,” Shannon murmured as Olivia came back with her suitcase dragging behind her, “I hope Angela pushed the last button on the elevator. I was so rattled that afternoon, I don’t really remember.”
“Crap, more floors below? More than demons?”
“She’s never said anything about letting him go,” Shannon began to wonder, “maybe I’ll ask.”
Again, Terra heard the hesitation in her voice. She reached out to take Shannon’s hand, “You give yourself some time to process the weekend. Then I’m gonna set you up with Issac for a little sit down.”
“Set Mom up with Issac?” Olivia repeated, then held her cocked brow for a moment, “That’s a solid plan.” She pointed to the baggage carousel, “Your two bags are just rounding the corner. Let’s eat, I’m starving.” She winked at Terra as she passed by, “Robbie just texted me. He’s just pulling up to the terminal.”
Shannon shared what was becoming a common expression between her and Terra regarding Olivia, “Do I look that flustered? What kind of radar do you call that?”
Terra waited a moment before Olivia was farther away, “I don’t want to pile on more for you to think about but have you noticed that she picks up, actually perceives is a better word, whatever power or vibe of the person around her? She stood out on that park field and did a type magic that she had never seen before.”
“That we had never seen before,” Shannon corrected, but was easily following Terra’s point, “maybe we’re too close to see it.”
“Like I said, no piling on but maybe we bring in someone who doesn’t know her but knows the situation…there’s your bag…do an assessment or something.”
Shannon pulled her suitcase off the conveyor, “You mean keep it a secret from her, or what?”
“A gentle well-meaning secret, of course. Just until we get a handle on what ever she’s up to.”
Chapter 9
“Okay,” Marcus scratched his chin, “So I’m on the same page as you two, you want me to tell you what I found, but stop searching the names and still keep a digital eye on them, right?”
Terra was already biting her lip and shrugged as she sorted out his assessment, “Yeah, but, well can you keep it secret?”
“It’s already secret,” Marcus defended himself, “There’s no way I’d...”
“You’re fine, Marcus, but I want to keep this super low-key.” Shannon shrugged again, “Maybe just me. There’s a weirdly personal aspect to this.” She paused, “will they know you are checking on them?”
“That’s disturbing,” Marcus frowned, “There’s no way they would know I was checking them out.”
“No way to trace it back to you, right?”
“Zee-ro chance of that,” he muttered but after a moment, a puckish grin showed up, “That is so interesting. And now, you’ve piqued my curiosity.”
Shanno
n started to chuckle, “Just a sec, buddy. Would it be possible to see if anyone searches back at you? Could you put a tracker or something in an email to see where they forward it to?”
He took a sip of his coffeeshop latte, holding Shannon’s gaze. After a pause, he winked at her and smiled, “That would be redundant.”
“Oh, oh my God,” Terra began to sputter and laugh, “That was so cool, so chill.” She turned to Shannon, “He’s already done that.” She looked back to Marcus, “Do it again.”
“Do what again?” he asked as he began to blush, “What are you talking about?”
“That wink. So, oh what’s a good word…”
Shannon chuckled, “Debonair,” she grinned. “Do you do that at work? Very captivating.”
“You guys are teasing me. Knock it off. Do you want to know what I found or not?”
Terra wouldn’t let it go, “It’s kinda hot.” Shannon quickly agreed, “Very commanding. You nailed the moment.” She looked at Terra, “Very Daniel Craig of you.”
Marcus just shook his head, “So my big sisters just told me I’m hot. Thanks, but it sorta waters down the overall effect.” He cleared his throat, “So, I found some fun stuff.”
“Yeah, down to business,” Shannon said clearing her throat, “I’m really curious on so many levels here. Dad, his potential mystery woman…” She saw Marcus raise his brow, “Okay let’s start there. Now I get it.”
“Shannon is concerned,” Terra began, “but for a different reason.”
“Mmm, fine, but honestly, she’s the least interesting of the bunch.” Marcus brought up a copy of the picture that Terra had taken at the airport. Alongside that photo, he posted a picture from what looked like a college yearbook.
“She’s a librarian at the community college.” With that brief bit of information, he ended his presentation.
Shannon seemed disappointed. “Wait, that’s it?”
“Pretty much,” he nodded, “Her name is Chloe Anderson. All I can find is that she’s lived in Helena her whole life. She’s twenty-three, single, was a good student and doesn’t get out much. Both her parents are dead. After living with an uncle and aunt through high school, now she’s all by herself.”
“Maybe not lately,” Shannon said quickly as Terra remained silent. “She’s very attractive.”
Marcus shook his head, “As you might have influenced me when we talked about her, I took the liberty of digging a bit deeper. Nothing in her purchases, other than a ton of books, tells me that she’s dating or even takes a vacation. No hotel reservations or anything. Honestly, she makes very little at her job, but she tutors some and makes ends meet. Goes by Chloe on her Facebook page and almost never updates it, like ever.”
Shannon sighed, “Makes it kinda tough to hate her.” Shannon looked at Terra, “You’re really quiet.”
“It’s nothing,” she said softly, “just listening.”
“Okay, well she was following us, so she stays high on the list. Who else, ya got?”
“A judge, didn’t stand out in any bad way,” Marcus began, anticipating an interruption. It came from Terra, “Like Colin,” she added, “that sorta makes me feel better…maybe.”
“Maybe,” Marcus continued, the grinned, “I dare you to ask him.”
Shannon’s enthusiasm instantly withered, “To be honest, I’d rather not. It’s like he’s never…” She paused and looked at Terra, “far enough out of our picture but at the same time, not really in it either.”
Terra agreed, “I thought he would be more involved after the park incident. It was business as usual for him. Who else?”
“Todd McCormick, the County Sheriff,” Marcus said, “now he, on the hand, makes way too much money for his job title. He’s definitely got some side action going on. I’ll work on that.”
Shannon shook her head, “I should have known, he always had that, I’m the new sheriff in this town attitude, even when I was back home. A lot of old west attitude towards kids that were different or didn’t fit in.”
“Like you,” Terra smiled, “even then.”
“Even then. Plus, he didn’t like me hanging out with his son, Darien. Even though it was super brief. Now that guy is a world class jerk.”
“He’s got some pretty stiff protection on his information,” Marcus added, “I wouldn’t doubt it’s deliberate. I’ll dig a little more.” Marcus continued to list his findings but seemed disappointed, “other that the Sheriff, none of the other names raised any red flags other than this land developer.”
Setting a photo in front of Shannon, she only shrugged at the image and the name, “Way after my time. What makes him special?”
“He was the last name on your Dad’s list, also the most recent addition to the business community. He’s only lived in Helena for a couple of years. Very successful guy from the Denver area.”
“Why is that noteworthy?” Shannon asked.
“Younger or older?” Terra broke in suddenly for the first time in a few minutes, “much smaller market. For big business opportunities, I mean.” She faded quietly after her comment with a tiny shrug.
“He’s in his early forties,” Marcus said as he looked through the file, “maybe tired of the busy big…I’ll keep digging on him as well.” He tipped his head to Terra.
Shannon was increasingly aware that the conversation between the three of them only included her and Marcus, she nudged Terra, “Still just listening?”
“Sorry. I’m sure it’s nothing, but she’s only lived in one place her whole life, twenty-three, single, parents gone, an aunt and an uncle and now by herself?”
“Oh yeah, still on our mystery woman. Very attractive?” Shannon said quietly and put her hand on Terra’s arm, “Sounds awfully familiar hearing you say it. I’m sorry I didn’t pay more attention.”
Terra nodded, “It’s fine. But hearing Marcus check almost every box, I got a little sad for her. Can we find out more about her?”
Marcus was quick to recommit, “Sure, give me the day. Include her parents?”
Terra nodded, “I feel like I want to talk to her. If only to get her off the list and we can move on to the real players.”
“Confront her directly?” Shannon wondered out loud, “If she’s mixed up in this with my father,” Shannon looked down at the countertop, “I don’t know what to think about that.”
“Not confront her,” Terra countered, “at least not at first. I can observe either from the void or in,” she shrugged, “the library for starters. Just to get a feel for her. I can do the same for our mystery men.”
“That’s gonna take some time. You have a pretty full case load.”
Terra smiled finally, “A half day here and there, nobody will notice, and I won’t cause a fuss in either situation. I want to do it.” She grinned, “Too much tea, be right back.”
Shannon snickered but was silent until she heard the door to the bathroom close, “Here,” she said to Marcus, handing a pile of photocopies, “This is between you and me, okay? It starts at the present and works its way back through the years. I’d like to see what you can find.”
“Sure,” Marcus grinned as he flipped through the copies of Shannon’s family tree, “Just you. No problem. What are you looking for?”
Shannon shrugged but hurriedly put her binder away as she heard Terra coming back to the kitchen, “I have no idea. Just curious.”
Terra was quickly back in the kitchen. She hopped up on the bar stool with a determined smile, “I’m gonna hop out there her and pay her a little secret visit.”
“Sound good, “Shannon agreed, “then we can both get her off the list…in a couple of ways. When?”
Terra snickered at the hidden urgency of Shannon’s tone, “Tomorrow. I have court until three-ish, then I’ll go.” She flexed her arms to make muscles, “What do you think? I should go out and get a black cat suit and be all sleek and scary.”
Marcus rolled his eyes, “So very Daniel Craig of you. Maybe add a bat-belt?” He stuck h
is tongue out at Terra, “your current accessories are certainly adequate.”
It was suddenly quiet around the table as Marcus’s complexion took on a distinctively rosy glow. For a rare moment, only Terra’s crooked grin said anything.
Shannon snorted, “So…?”
“Sorry,” he apologized, “it sounded funnier in my head.” Terra burst out laughing and threw her arms around Marcus, kissing him on the cheek. “Save that one. It’s a compliment. I’ll go with the usual jeans and…stuff.”
Now he was beet red, “also works.” He began to pack up his laptop, “gotta go. I have homework. I’ll keep you posted. He caught Shannon’s eye, “on anything else that turns up.”
As the door to the loft closed behind him, Terra was quick. “God, he is adorable. I’m not suggesting that we play matchmaker but..”
“Then I will,” Shannon quickly added, “he’s so…deserving of someone?” Shannon ended her assessment as a question.
“Has he ever had a girlfriend?” Terra asked, “Like steady or…” She watched Shannon trying to fend off a grimace, “Oh, then…someone as smart as he is.” Now Terra winced, “Good luck with that…he’s handsome,” she said steering away from one, “let’s find someone that is as deep…”
Shannon threw up her hands, “The boy sets the bar pretty high.”
“We need a cute, smart nerd,” Terra stated, “with adequate accessories. I could start spying on at the University. I can practice, starting tomorrow.”
“That is such a bad idea,” Shannon snickered, “I can’t wait.”
Chapter 10
After an hour of studying the layout of the library, Terra had expected to secretly hover in close view of their mystery woman. What she didn’t expect was to watch the young woman sit dead still at her desk, her head resting on her hand until a second librarian came over to talk to her. Hidden from view, Terra moved in closer to listen.
“Chloe, sweetie,” the young woman whispered, “You’re having another bad day. Why not clock out and go home to relax.” Terra saw her nod and turn, tears rolling down her cheeks, “Okay,” she sniffled, “Bad day…I just need to be done.”