What, they were expecting her to lead this meeting? Because she wasn’t going to! She looked to Alec, but the woman spoke before he could.
“I am so sorry,” she said repentantly. “Alec’s a nice guy, the nicest! I was just trying to help him meet a nice girl, I feel terrible how this looked. I wasn’t trying to set him up like that.”
“When did I tell you to cancel the membership you made for me?” Alec asked her.
“Well, you’ve mentioned several times you were tired of it and wanted to quit.”
“Yes, I did,” Alec said, making sure Claire heard that. She appeared to be listening. “When did I tell you to cancel it, and every date you already had scheduled? When did I tell you, not when did you finally check your messages.”
“Well, I didn’t see it until you told me to look just now,” she said apologetically, gripping her phone in her hand. “But the first message was left on Monday.”
“When did you plan Saturday’s date? And did you tell me about it?”
“A couple of weeks ago, but no, I forgot. I knew you’d get a reminder from the agency… I didn’t think you’d have anything else to do, you never have before…”
“Did I have dates scheduled Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, of every week? What about last weekend, specifically.”
“No, not always. Last Friday there was one, but not Saturday. Sunday, we all had dinner at your parents’ house.”
Alec looked at Claire, his expression sincere rather than angry.
“I never asked for a second date with any of those women, because I never would’ve asked any of them out in the first place. I dated constantly because Sandy, my sister-in-law, kept setting me up. When I got the reminder about Saturday and Sunday, I cancelled Sunday right away. I tried to cancel Saturday, but the girl wouldn’t answer the phone. All I got was a message that voicemail wasn’t set up. I made the mistake of thinking I was responsible in some way for the plans that were made in my name.”
“I’m so sorry about that,” Sandy replied. She looked utterly repentant. Alec’s expression softened.
“I know. You were trying to be helpful. I appreciate the thought. Just—no more. Get rid of that account, and cancel all of the dates you’ve made. I’m done keeping commitments I don’t make myself.”
“I will, I’ll cancel right away, today,” she assured him.
“And do not ever share anything personal about me, with anyone, ever again,” Alec said, giving Marlena a scathing look.
“I won’t,” Sandy promised.
“Okay. Good,” Alec said. He managed a slight smile, to reassure her. He was upset, but… she wasn’t the only one whose good intentions backfired.
“Alec is a great guy,” his brother Eric said, sending a glare in Marlena’s direction. “He told us what you thought, and it just isn’t true.”
“Hi, I’m Rick, your brother-in-law…” said the other guy Claire didn’t recognize, as he stepped forward to shake Claire’s hand. “Eric is right, and so is Sandy. I can’t think of a guy less deserving of that reputation.”
“Do you have any questions you want to ask?” Alec asked Claire.
She shook her head.
“If you change your mind, let me know,” Sandy hurried to say.
“Okay. Thanks. I will,” Claire replied. “And it’s nice to meet you, Rick.”
“You too, Claire,” he replied.
“Need anything else?” Eric asked Alec, and he shook his head.
“Not unless Claire does.”
“I don’t,” she said. Alec wondered what she was thinking. Her expression was serious, but otherwise neutral.
“Then we’ll be going,” Rick said, and so did Alec’s brother.
Both couples returned to their respective vehicles, and Alec and Claire were left alone.
“I hope you know now, that you were wrong about me,” he said seriously. Claire sighed.
“I do. And I’m sorry. You’ve got to admit it looked terrible, though.”
“Yes, I do,” he quickly acknowledged. “It did, it looked awful.”
“I’m glad I was wrong,” she said. “I hated to think that’s how you were.”
“We didn’t know each other long, but I thought you knew me better than to believe that. No matter what your sister said.”
Claire could see he was hurt by it. She sighed and sat on the front step, so he joined her.
“What I know, is that I can’t trust my intuition. I’ve been wrong before.”
“What happened?” he asked, concern filling his eyes. Claire waved away that unpleasant subject.
“I don’t want to talk about it. It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes… it does. I’m your friend. At least I hope you still believe I am.”
Claire considered that, and nodded a little.
“I feel raw,” she admitted.
“I do too. And I’m sorry,” he said.
“Evidently,” she couldn’t help laughing a little. “That was quite an event you organized just now.”
Alec laughed too, because she was laughing, and it was a relief.
“Yeah, well… I couldn’t live with you thinking that about me. So… what happened?”
She thought for a moment, then shrugged.
“I made the mistake of thinking one of my guy friends liked me. I was strung along with statements like ‘I feel like we click,’ ‘I’m not going anywhere,’ and ‘there’s no one else I’d rather be with,’ while he decided whether or not there was someone better out there. Not that I knew it, until he discovered there was. I found out when he announced their engagement. That’s the latest, and most extreme of the many examples I could give. I can’t trust my judgment, so… I don’t.”
“What did your judgment tell you about me?”
“That you’re my friend. That you’re a really great guy, and that I can trust you. I didn’t believe what Marlena told me. But then…”
“I answered everything in the stupidest way possible. I know. I hated being part of that dating service. I didn’t want you to know.”
“Why?” she frowned a little.
“I was ashamed of it. Who else, that’s semi-normal, anyway, has to resort to that?” he asked.
“Oh,” she said, looking studiously at the ant that walked purposefully across the step and around her foot. “I was going to raise my hand, until you said semi-normal…”
Alec laughed, and she did too.
“Semi-normal is as close as I’d come to labeling you normal,” he smiled. “You’re way better than that.”
“Thanks,” she smiled back. “If it’s any consolation, I would’ve joined a dating service a long time ago, if I could afford it.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here, and I wouldn’t have a chance. At least… I hope I still do,” he said, searching her face for the answer.
“I wouldn’t say you’ve used up your last chance,” she replied hesitantly.
“Good. You can trust your judgment, when it comes to me. As long as it’s positive,” he quickly added. She laughed a little, and so did he. “I wasn’t doing what that other guy did, I hope you know that.”
“I was afraid you were. Especially when you said no girl would be jealous of me.”
“I meant there’s no one to be jealous, because I don’t have a girlfriend,” he clarified. “But what are you saying, that guy said that?”
“He expected to be friends just like before, even though he had a fiancé. He said she was gorgeous, she wouldn’t be jealous. The thought of her feeling threatened by me, was funny to him.”
Irritation filled Alec’s eyes.
“Don’t believe it, Claire. The guy’s a jerk. And, he’s blind. You’re a little short for a supermodel, but you can hold your own with anyone.”
Claire couldn’t help blushing.
“Thanks. That’s sweet of you to say. I never want to be in that place again, wondering where I stand, and if a guy wants to go out, just be friends, or st
ring me along while he looks for someone better.”
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
“I wasn’t doing that, and I’m sorry I made it seem that way. I like you, I want you to know that. But I’m going to take the time to earn back your trust, before I ask you out again. Does that sound alright to you?”
“I like that,” she readily agreed.
“Great,” he smiled. “Until then, the only going out I’ll do, is with you. As friends.”
“I like that, too,” she smiled. “Now, explain your plan to take me with you on a date with someone else.”
“Friday, or Saturday?” he asked ruefully.
“Uh, well, both. I’d really like to hear it.”
“I thought the date on Friday was cancelled, until I got the reminder. If you weren’t at Mrs. Frederick’s, we would’ve already been on a date. Assuming you agreed, anyway. So I would’ve told you… and cancelled it. I didn’t tell you after the fact, because I forgot. Sorry if this sounds bad, but that date didn’t make much of an impression. All I was thinking at the time, was that I wanted to get back to your car. If I could do things over again, I’d cancel the date on Friday as soon as I got the text reminder, and tell you about Saturday as soon as I got that reminder. I’d have no choice but to tell you about the dating service, too. Then, assuming you didn’t consider me too lame to hang out with anymore, I would’ve taken you with me to the restaurant to tell the girl she should’ve set up her voicemail, and saved herself the trip.”
“I don’t think you’re lame,” she said, giving him a scolding look. “I’m a little concerned about your lack of memory. You are excessively forgetful in some areas. And somewhat relationally stunted. That, too.”
Alec couldn’t help laughing, and so did she.
“Now that I’ve got a chance at a relationship I actually want, expect to see vast improvement in all of those areas,” he replied. “So… since you’re laughing, I hope that means you forgive me.”
“I have,” she assured him.
“I forgive you too,” Daphne’s voice called out from the cell phone lying on the step between Claire and Alec. She winced a little, and he gave the phone a sharp look.
“Daniel’s on his way over,” Daphne continued. “Do you need me anymore, or am I free to go?”
“What, going so soon?” Claire replied, giving Alec an apologetic look. “You guys haven’t even been introduced.”
“Fine,” her friend replied. “Hi, Alec.”
“Hi, Daphne. This is Daphne, right?” he asked.
“Yes, this is Daphne. Nice to meet you, Alec. Claire, unless you want to introduce Alec to Daniel, I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later.”
“Alright, bye,” Claire said, and ended their call. She put her phone in her pocket, and gave Alec a sheepish glance. “Sorry, but… it’ll save me having to repeat it all later.”
“I doubt that,” he retorted, but she saw in his eyes that he was teasing.
“Come on,” she said briskly, rising to her feet. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“How do you plan to do that?” he inquired.
“Follow me to the secret sitting room, and you’ll see,” she said mysteriously. She opened the door, and he went with her.
“This is about the case of the collectible killer, isn’t it,” he said, his curiosity rising, as they climbed the stairs to the second floor. “I recall hearing you solved it.”
“Not completely, but… I know what Allen Parker’s eBay userid is.”
“Really? That’s great, Claire! What else?”
“I discovered that none of his listings were auctions. They were all buy-it-now,” she replied.
“I guess that would make sense… still, how could he be sure someone else didn’t end up buying the research some foreign company, or government, was paying him to steal?”
“His auctions were way overpriced, so there was that insurance. The other question though, is how could the foreign company, or government, be sure they bought the right item?”
“You figured it out, I can tell by looking at you,” he said, in response to the excitement in her eyes.
“I did! Some of his listings had a series of tildes and asterisks before and after the title. And, some didn’t.”
“So that’s the sign?” he wondered.
“I’m sure of it,” she said confidently.
“Did you find any of the dolls listed, with or without the symbols in the title?”
“I did. All without.”
“So… I take it you ripped their heads off without mercy, and checked them again,” he assumed.
“Nope. I left them strictly alone,” she replied.
“You’re loving dragging this out. What are you not telling me?” Alec wondered.
“Really? You want me to take the time to list all the things I haven’t already told you?”
“Sure. Go ahead,” he shrugged. “I’ve got time.”
“It’ll take me almost twenty years,” she pointed out.
“Not if you skip the hours spent in sleep. Quit trying to torture me, and tell me what you learned.”
“I’m torturing myself, as much as I am you. I can’t wait to tell you what I found!” she admitted, her eyes shining again.
“Then don’t,” he replied.
“Come in and have a seat, and I will. Or won’t. I’ll tell you, I mean. And I’ll show you,” she said mysteriously.”
“Judging by the look in your eyes, I may need to sit down,” he decided.
They reached the top of the stairs, and Claire led the way down the hall and through her bedroom and closet, to the secret room. She motioned, and they both had a seat on the couch.
Herschel took a moment to yawn, then hopped out of the rocking chair, and crawled onto Alec’s lap.
“Allen had more than dolls listed,” Claire began.
“Were any of those listings also contained in the banker’s boxes?” Alec wondered.
“No. But one of the items listed is sitting beside you, on the end table.”
“Are you serious?” he asked in surprise, focusing his attention there. “What, the clock? The lamp was here when we discovered the room.”
“That’s right. The clock. It was sitting on the shelf of donate items the day I started work at the museum. It’s adorable, so I brought it home.”
“Then I guess Tammy did unload some of the items from the boxes,” he surmised.
“She must have, because Mr. Lochlan didn’t mention it. Someone attempted to purchase it through eBay. They’re still waiting for delivery, obviously. The dolls in our possession which were listed, had no special characters in the title.”
“And we searched them already,” Alec added. “Are you saying the clock listing did?”
“Yes!” she replied, her excitement palpable. She hopped off the couch, and disappeared inside the closet. She was back out in a flash, gripping a small food storage container in her hands.
“What did you find?” he asked, staring at the opaque tub and turning to face her, as she joined him on the couch.
Herschel did not appreciate being jostled. Alec was obviously more excited about whatever Claire held, than he was in providing a stable place on which to nap.
Herschel returned to the rocking chair.
Claire held out the lidded container, and Alec reached out to take it.
“Don’t drop it,” she cautioned, and released it into his hands. He carefully peeled off the lid.
“No way,” he said in amazement, as he stared at the vial, still imbedded in the putty that once held it to the clock. “I wonder what it’s supposed to do? Cure a disease, or maybe prevent… Have you thought about what to do with this?”
“I called the FBI and left a message.”
“What did you tell them?”
“I gave my phone number, and said I’ve got evidence in the Allen Parker, Variant Research case,” Claire replied.
“That ought to be enough to get the message
to the right person,” Alec reasoned.
“I hope so. I don’t want to contact Variant directly,” she admitted.
“You’d end up talking to the FBI anyway,” he considered. “Might as well start there to begin with.”
“I’ll be less likely to end up under investigation, myself,” she agreed.
“You have no connection to Allen Parker. You moved here recently because you inherited your grandma’s house. You got the job at the museum because of your previous work experience. Imagine how many years of planning, plus coincidences, would have to take place in order for you to intentionally end up here at the just the right time.”
“Thank you! Be sure and tell that to anyone who doesn’t have the clarity to see it for themselves.”
“I will,” Alec assured her. “I’ve been with you almost every second of this investigation. Unless they want to give us credit for orchestrating this crime ourselves, when I was six and you were two… we’ve had no further association with one another, until now.”
“How clever of us. Variant Research probably wasn’t even around at the time.”
“Have you looked into Variant any further?” he wondered.
“No. I haven’t researched Intersect, either, which is the parent company. I guess that’s what it’s called, anyway.”
“I wonder if anyone’s blogged about their experiences while participating in a Variant drug trial.”
“I wonder if that’s allowed,” Claire considered. “We’ll do a search and find out.”
“What about the person who tried to buy the clock?” Alec wondered. “Was the same userid used for all of the special character encased listings?”
“Without a court order, I can’t tell you that. At some point, eBay must have changed their policies. Or practices. The buyer’s userid is now revealed only to the seller.”
“That’s too bad. Although, it probably wouldn’t tell us much, anyway,” he consoled her, as well as himself. He studied the vial’s label. “It seems kind of strange that there’s no writing, or anything else to identify this. Except…”
Alec gave it a closer look.
“What?” Claire wondered.
“This has two labels, one over the other,” Alec pointed out. “I’d like to know what the first one says, but… if we try peeling this off, we’re likely to destroy it.”
Lochlan Museum: The Case of the Collectible Killer Page 31