After hours of being hunched over a computer Dro stood and stretched. He looked at Idris, "If the person who placed that flag had our equipment we never would have found him. I really want to meet this person."
“No, we would not have. We still have not found him, just a general area of where he might be,” Idris replied tiredly rubbing the back of his neck to work out the kink that had settled there. "I have a feeling that he is a she and you are right. She is very good.”
Idris gave his report while they were all gathered in the galley eating breakfast, "We traced the signal to an area called Oregon. From there it just bounces from tower to tower never settling in one spot. I believe it is Aaliyah." He let that hang in the air then continued, "It all fits. First, she was a genius with computers before she disappeared and she was only a child then. The computers here would be so easy for her hack into. Second, she has always loved water in any form and the signal ends in a place that is bordered by the ocean. Unless I am wrong and I do not think I am, then this,” he said pulling out the ice blue chrystal, still glowing and pulsing from under his shirt, "will lead us to her one way or another." He put a map of Oregon on the screen and they studied it looking for the best landing zone that would hide the shuttle.
Four hours later Jayden had finished putting together a plan that gave them the best chance of succeeding and they were on their way to Earth. A planet known to be hostile to aliens. If they got caught they were fully prepared to fight their way out. None of them had any sympathy for any of the occupants on Earth. It was time to bring Aaliyah home.
Chrystal Bones Billie Jo Hanlin
Chapter 8
As Jayden, Idris and Vihan were winding their way through the minefield of satellites heading towards Earth, Blue and Riley were driving along the winding coast road discussing all they had found out that day and formulating a plan to bring Scotty home. When Blue described her encounter with the rooster and Marco, Riley burst into laughter. She could picture it perfectly and knew Blue could have hurt them a lot more than she had.
"Do you think their boss is going to be a problem?”
"No, he just wants his money. He sounds like one of the better loan sharks out there. He does make sure Marco watches the rooster and that’s something. I have no doubt that he will be taken care of, boss's nephew or not, if he gets out of hand. I told Marco I would let him know where the LCA is when we are done with him,” Blue said with a glance at Riley before turning her eyes back to the road.
Riley shrugged her shoulders in unconcern. Neither of them cared what happened to him after they got Scotty back. Blue continued, "None of the neighbors knew him very well so they weren't much help. One neighbor did see him and Scotty loading the car with sleeping bags and canned food. She asked if they were going camping. She is recently divorced from hubby number two and actively looking for number three. She said it made her curious because he didn't seem the roughing it type since he was wearing a thousand dollar suit. She tried to make conversation because, in her words, he was good-looking and hey, the penthouse. She assumed he had money and was disappointed but resigned when I informed her otherwise. The LCA was in a hurry and brushed her off. Bruised her ego enough that she was willing to tell me everything without any prompting on my part. It fits with what you got from Scotty about the trees."
“Yeah, it does. Scotty could only see out the one window though. We don't know what is on the other three sides,” Riley said thoughtfully.
Blue’s phone gave a beep beep beep. She pulled it from her pocket, looked at the display then handed it to Riley. The tracer she had put on Janie's phone had just been activated. She was receiving a call from a number not on her contact list.
The tracer allowed Blue and Riley to listen in on the call. If it wasn't from the LCA they would hang up. If it was they would be able to hear what was said. It was from the LCA so they listened and concentrated on his words and the tone of his voice. Back at the beach house Blue's computer would be busy tracing the call to its source.
But for now they listened as the LCA demanded five million dollars in forty eight hours if Janie wanted her son back. Otherwise he would just keep the boy and she would never see him again. He never once referred to Scotty as his son. He then mentioned a couple of DVDs he might sell to the media if Janie didn't feel very cooperative.
"You know for someone who has a loan shark on his ass and an eviction notice on his swanky penthouse he sure sounds smug,” Blue remarked.
"Doesn't he just. I wonder what is on those DVDs that has Janie so worried." Riley mused. Blue snorted "It's got to be a sex DVD with Janie as the star and you know it."
“I know. Just once I wish it was about a confession of being a jewel or art thief and basking in her secret treasure room. She does go to all those fancy parties. Plenty of opportunities to snatch some pretty baubles." Riley rubbed her hands in glee and trying for an evil look cackled, “Muwhahaaa." To her pleasure that made Blue laugh. She didn't laugh very much so when Riley could make her she counted it a victory. "Just think of all I could have managed to snatch when I was younger if I had those kinds of opportunities."
“Steal Riley, not snatch. You were a pickpocket."
"You make it sound like a bad thing when you say it that way. I was a really good pickpocket. I never once got caught,” Riley pouted. She held out her hands and wiggled her fingers in front of Blue’s face. “I had magic fingers. Still do for that matter.”
“What you had was big green eyes in a cute face. No one wanted to think that someone as cute as you were was also a little thief,” Blue retorted.
Riley's phone chose that moment to come to life. The theme song from the movie Ghost Busters rang out. She had a different ringtone for everyone on her contact list. Blue’s ring tone was the theme from Star Wars. "Hey Jake. Whats up?"
"Nate called, he wants five million in two days."
"I know. We heard and are even now tracing the call." She caught Blue's wince and gave her a grimace back and mouthed oops.
"Just how did you hear a private call on a private phone? Riley Parker did you bug Janie's phone?" Jakes voice ended in a shout. Riley decided the best course of action was to take the high road. "Well, of course Jake. How else did you expect us to get the information we need to do our job. You are the one who asked us to find Scotty any way we could,” she said in as prissy a tone as she could while trying not to laugh. Giving up, she continued excitedly, "Besides Blue came up with this really neat app that lets us listen to calls. We only listen to the calls coming in from an unknown number. So you don't have to worry we won't listen to your calls. You can continue to talk sweet nothings to your girlfriend."
"She's not my girlfriend!”
"Boy Jake, you sound kind of stressed. Maybe you should look into taking some yoga classes."
"Have you always been this irritating?” Jake asked her. "Never mind, so you know what is going on. Saves me from telling you. What you don't know is Janie's going to give him the money if you haven't found Scotty by the time the forty eight hours are up. I don't trust this idiot to return Scotty. Even if he does, what is to keep him from trying this shit again."
Riley simply said, "Trust us. We will find Scotty and the LCA won't ever do this again. I can guarantee that.”
“LCA?" Jake sounded puzzled.
“Yes. It’s short for Lying Cheating Ass. Blue came up with it,” she told him. He gave a strangled laugh and hung up.
She turned to Blue, "He hung up on me. That was just rude." She narrowed her eyes. "You haven't been giving him lessons have you?"
Blue glanced at her. “I think he learned how to be rude on his own,” She paused. “You are in a mood. What is gotten into you today?"
"I'm not sure but it has been an incredible day. I connected with A.P. I know now how you and Leo feel. He is such a beautiful horse, but so hurt and scared. I fell in love with him. Then the connection with Scotty was so strong. I was actually able to talk to him. I know we will find him. Oh, I also dr
ank several triple shot cappuccino’s so I'm kinda wound up."
“There is no kinda about it. You are wound up. You know you should not drink more than a couple cups of coffee a day.”
“Hey I knew it was going to be a long day,” Riley retorted. Riley on caffeine was worse than a toddler on a sugar high.
The rest of the drive home passed quickly. It was just after three am when Blue turned into the drive of the beach house. It was the first place she could call her own and she loved it. Every inch of the property was covered by sensors and cameras. No one could sneak up on her. She had an app on her phone to alert her if someone came by when she wasn't here. It was a large sprawling four bedroom ranch house with a three car garage.
Blue pushed a button on her phone and the garage door opened smoothly and soundlessly. She drove in and waited until the door closed and the lights came on. She and Riley got out of the car and went to the panel on the wall. Blue pushed in a series of numbers and when she heard a click pushed in another series of numbers. A small panel slid out of the wall. She stepped forward and a beam shot out and scanned her right eye. She stepped back so Riley could step forward and the beam scanned her left eye.
When everything checked out a computerized voice said, "Welcome home Blue and Riley. What is today’s password." "Twinkle, twinkle little star,” Blue said. "Voice verification complete." There was an audible snick as the locks disengaged.
If she had given the wrong password the garage would have been flooded with an odorless knockout gas that would effect everyone but Blue, even Riley would pass out. They entered the warm house and Blue immediately went to the room next to the kitchen to check the security cameras. Riley wasn't as conscientious as Blue about security but she understood her friends need to be safe in her own home before she could relax.
Blue returned with a grin on her tired face. "You are not going to believe this. I got a hit with the facial recognition program at a casino in Lincoln City. The LCA was seen entering the casino at 10:26 pm this evening and leaving at 2:59 am with a tall brunette. He played poker and walked away with six grand. No point in going there now but we know where to start looking in the morning."
She was right about the LCA not leaving the state to gamble. She knew he was an addict and had taken the chance to monitor all the nearby casinos. She hadn’t expected to find him so fast but she wasn’t going to argue with the results. It had been a long day and with very little sleep the night before Blue was exhausted. They would finish this in the morning and have Scotty back with his mom by nightfall. Well before the forty eight hour deadline was up.
Chrystal Bones Billie Jo Hanlin
Chapter 9
Jayden piloted the shuttle through the the satellites that surrounded the planet and into Earth’s atmosphere. He had timed the trip to make a night landing to lessen the chance of being seen. So far the stealth system was working perfectly. Dro had stayed onboard the Trilleion along with Sparks and Jos to monitor Earth’s communications and to warn Jayden if it became necessary. So far none of the satellites’ surveillance systems had detected them.
He had opted for a landing on the coast of Oregon since that was where the signals Idris had tracked originated. He set the shuttle down on a deserted stretch of beach between two small towns. They had watched the coast for the last several hours as they flew in and had seen no activity in this area.
The shuttle blended in to look like one of the giant boulders that littered the base of the sheer cliff when he settled it in place. Working quickly they secured the shuttle before rolling out their transportation. The air cars resembled Earth’s motorcycles enough that if anyone asked they would say they were a prototype being tested. Jos had added fake wheels but that was all that was needed.
There were still a couple hours of night left and they wanted to travel as far as they could. The plan was to avoid contact with the natives as much as possible. That meant traveling mostly at night and off road. Jayden looked at Idris and said, "Lead the way."
Idris took the chrystal out from under his shirt, he had no idea how this was going to work and could only hope Dro was right when he said it would lead him to Aaliyah. The glowing pulsing chrystal did nothing for several minutes then it lifted and Idris felt a slight tugging to the north. He looked up and exclaimed in excitement, "It is going to work like a locater. Maybe this will not be as hard as we thought."
The three alien men mounted the bikes and with Idris in the lead headed in the direction the chrystal led. Staying on the small strip of rocky sand between the ocean and the cliffside when they could, they kept a steady pace and made good time. Before the sun rose they stopped to rest for a couple of hours in a small cave. Wrapping themselves in thin thermal blankets they settled in.
Idris gave up trying to sleep and moved quietly to sit at the mouth of the cave. He watched the sky lighten and the waves crash against beach. He was going to see his sister today. He knew it. For once the universe was smiling on him. It was returning what it had taken from him and Shillidon. She had been through so much in her short life and he could not help but wonder what type of woman she had grown into. Would she recognize him? Would she be happy to see him?
Jayden and Vihan watched him from their spots against the wall. With a glance at each other they both rose and went to stand next to Idris. Jayden put his hand on Idris’s shoulder and squeezed. “Let’s go. None of us are going to get any sleep until we find her.” Without a word Idris stood and walked to the bikes followed by Jayden and Vihan.
Chrystal Bones Billie Jo Hanlin
Chapter 10
Blue and Riley lay on the floor head to head with Leo lying next to Blue with his head in his favorite spot, on her stomach. Riley clutched Turtle, the stuffed horse, in her hands. She opened her mind and once again concentrated on finding Scotty.
Blue opened her mind to Riley’s and together they followed the path to Scotty's mind. The connection was made much quicker this time and once again Riley was amazed at how receptive Scotty was. He was barely awake but he smiled when he felt Riley, "Hi, you came back." he said in a sleepy voice.
"I sure did. How are you doing little man?" she asked. "Okay, but I'm hungry and Daddy's been gone for a really long time."
"My friend Blue and I are looking for you. Do you have any idea where you are?"
"No. We drove for a really, really long time. I fell asleep and when I woke up we were here. I saw the ocean. I like the water, mom says I'm part fish. I'm not really, but mom’s silly sometimes." He was so innocent, Riley thought. She didn't think she or Blue had ever been that innocent. She kept him talking so Blue could trace where he was at.
When Blue felt Riley connect to Scotty she left her body behind and took her energy form. She was the only person she knew who could do this. She had read all the stories about Astral Projection but nothing quite explained what she could do. In this form she couldn’t touch anyone or anything but she could fly through any barrier.
She could see the wispy remnants of those who had died and lingered. For the most part they were harmless and would soon fade away. There were the occasional spirits who refused to fade. They tended to be responsible for all the ghost stories. Communicating with them was out. None of them had ever been able to see or hear her so she left them to the Mediums who could speak with them. No one but Riley had ever been able to hear her when she was in what she thought of as her energy form. Even then it took concentration to send her thoughts to Riley.
Floating near the ceiling she looked down and saw herself and Riley lying on the floor with Leo guarding their bodies. He wouldn't move until she was back in her corporeal body. In this form she could follow the trail of Riley"s mind seeing what she couldn't. She floated through the walls slowly, she didn't know how she could do this but it sure came in handy at times.
The only drawback in her mind was that her body was completely defenseless. If someone got through Leo all they had to do was kill her body and she would be trapped in this form. She didn
't know how long her spirit could live without her body and she really didn't want to find out.
She flew north until she was a few miles past Lincoln City. The trail veered off to the east away from the ocean and into a wooded area. She came upon a small rundown house with the windows boarded up. The vegetation had almost taken over any yard it might have once had. She could see a faint path where someone had tramped through the grass to the front door. She flew around the house checking to see if they were alone before floating inside.
In the bedroom she found a small boy curled in a sleeping bag. He was chattering about his horse ranch and how when he grew up he was going to race horses because he liked to go really fast and horses could run faster than he could. Blue smiled and wrapped him in her energy. “He's a little chatterbox,” she sent to Riley. She felt Riley's answering smile.
"It didn't take you long to get here. Is he in Lincoln?"
"A few miles outside of it. It will only take us a couple of hours to drive here. Stay with him until I get back in case the LCA shows up."
She thought about trying to give the boy some of her energy. He really shouldn't be as tired as he was. She rejected the idea for now. He looked healthy, just tired and dirty. It would be better for him if he went back to sleep until she and Riley could get to him.
When she got back she hovered over her body long enough for Leo to give her a snort and show his teeth. His way of telling her to quit delaying. It was always wretched forcing herself back in to the confines of a physical form but she took the hint and let her astral self seep into her body.
She sat up and gave Leo a hug with arms that felt so heavy it took effort to move them. Then she turned to Riley and nudged her at the same time she said, "Time to come back."
A few minutes later Riley opened her eyes. "He went back to sleep a few minutes ago. I think he will be okay until we can get there.”
Chrystal Bones (Finding Home Book 1) Page 6