Preservation

by Charles Lemoine

  Mariska turned and with outstretched arms, rushed over and gave the woman a huge hug. “It’s been way too long. I’ve missed you.”

  “Honey, I’ve missed you too. I know it’s none of my business, but I heard about your accident.” The middle-aged woman reached out a hand and smoothed Mariska’s hair. “Are you, okay?”

  Jane had been a part of the family since before Mariska was even born. She lived in a casita on the property although Mariska’s parents had asked her to come and live with them in the main house. Jane wanted her independence.

  “I’ll be fine.” She gave Jane another big hug. “How are they doing?”

  “They miss you.” Jane leaned in a little closer and lowered her voice. “Your mom mentioned at breakfast that she’s distraught over what happened to you last night. She even asked your father if he could make you move back in.”

  “Make me?” Mariska laughed.

  “I know, honey. You know how worried your mom gets.” Jane grabbed Mariska’s hand. “I’ll keep her busy. The less time on her hands to worry about you, the better.”

  “Thank you.” Mariska gave her a hug. “You know my parents can’t survive without you.”

  “Well they better figure it out, I’m not getting any younger, you know.” Jane had been saying this for the past ten years or so. Her parents had a maid service come in to clean, and a landscaper took care of the expansive property. Mariska’s parents continued to pay Jane, provided her with housing, food, and companionship. It was a win-win situation for everyone. And as long as it was never spoken aloud, it would continue that way until the very end.

  Mariska said, “I need help, and as much as I hate to do it, I have to ask my parents for it.”

  Jane’s expression grew thoughtful. “I can’t imagine they’d ever say no to you.”

  “That’s part of the problem. I know they’ll help me. I’m scared to get them involved. What if my dad tries to use his influence and they somehow suffer the consequences of my actions? That’d make two tragedies in one day.”

  “Oh, believe me, I know. You were such a stubborn, headstrong child.”

  Mariska feigned shock. “Sweet, little old me?”

  “With all seriousness, Mariska. They want to help you. They need to help you. You’re their only child.” She put a hand to her chest. “Trust me, they want to provide for everyone they love, but especially you.”

  “I know.” Mariska looked around the front of the home for a moment. “Something looks different.”

  “Remember that hideous monstrosity of a fountain?”

  Mariska turned around to find the gigantic black stone water feature gone, replaced by a beautiful Japanese pine tree.

  “How did you ever convince my father to get rid of that thing?”

  “It wasn’t easy.” Jane took a quick glance over her shoulder to ensure they were still alone. “Your mom had a brilliant idea. She had me back the car out of the garage.”

  “But you hate to drive my parent’s car.”

  “Precisely the point. I backed your father’s Land Rover right into it. Cracked that son of a bitch clean through.” She let out the most glorious cackle but stifled it before it got out of control.

  “I love you,” Mariska said, still giggling to herself.

  “Where are my manners?” Jane looped her arm through hers, and they hurried inside. “Let’s go out back. Your mom is going to be so excited to see you.”

  They walked arm-in-arm through the mansion. They passed pieces of priceless art and artifacts from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Mariska’s favorite, the Pleistocene Era. Prehistory was often more interesting then ancient history. There were so many mysteries still to be solved. They passed through the kitchen, into the formal dining room, and made it to the side exit that opened up to the pool. Her childhood home in Holmby Heights hadn’t had a pool. Well, it did, until her mom had it filled in. She always said it was too big of a risk to have small children around water.

  “She’s right over there,” Jane said, pointing to the far side of the property. Right at the edge of the manicured lawn was a small grove of lemon, lime, and pomegranate trees. The trees were confined to one side, blocking the view of their only neighbor to the north of the property. The unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean never ceased to be amaze. High up enough on the cliff to keep the smell of seaweed away, the clean, cool breeze was always refreshing.

  Mariska turned and gave Jane a hug. “Thank you.”

  She hurried across the huge property, careful not to step on any of the randomly placed sprinkler heads. Her heels sank into the soft sodded lawn, and a sprinkler head would spell certain disaster. Mariska stopped at the tree line. The scent of rosebushes drew her attention to the left. Her mom had been hard at work in the garden. Perfectly manicured, the roses were in full bloom and caught the light just right. Red, white, yellow, and pink. All beautiful. All well-loved.

  Mariska turned back to find her mom sitting on a folding chair under the canopy of fruit trees, crying. She rushed to her side.

  “Mom, are you hurt? What’s wrong?” She threw her arms around her mom and squeezed. “Please don’t cry.”

  Leah tried to stand, but Mariska kept her planted firmly in the chair, arms wrapped around her mom’s waist and head resting on her bosom.

  “Oh baby. You’re here. I’ve been so worried about you.”

  Mariska sat back on her heels and looked up at her mom. “Please don’t worry about me, Mom. I’m okay. Really.”

  Leah wiped the tears from her cheeks. “It’s just that you were hurt—in the hospital. And…there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t protect you.”

  “But I’m okay. Please don’t cry.” Mariska gave her mom another hug, and they remained in the embrace until she could hear her mom’s breathing relax and tears no longer flowed. “I love you.”

  “I love you more.” Leah kissed the top of Mariska’s head as she lightly rocked her back and forth. “I’ve been thinking.”

  Mariska sat back on her heels and faced her mom. “About what?”

  “Your father and I would love it if you’d come back to live with us…you know, just for a little while.” Her mother’s eyes were bloodshot but hopeful. “Just until you recover…and they catch whoever did this to you.”

  “I can’t come running home every time life gets hard.”

  Leah took Mariska’s hands in hers. “I want to know you’re safe.”

  “Bad things can happen no matter where I live. I know it’s not the answer you wanted, but you and Dad raised me to be independent. Even though it doesn’t seem like it sometimes.”

  “We raised you to be kind and make good decisions.” Leah looked out over the ocean. “I thought I was going to lose you last night. My only child.”

  “Mom, please don’t think that way.” She leaned in and kissed her mother’s cheek. “It was just a bump on the back of the head. I promise you it won’t happen again.”

  Leah’s eyes locked with hers. They both knew it wasn’t a promise anyone could keep, but it needed to be said. “Did I ever tell you the story about when your father and I took you home for the very first time?”

  Many times, Mariska thought. “Tell me again.”

  “You’d been found outside the Page Museum, hours after you’d been born and abandoned.”

  Found in the dumpster. Thrown away like garbage. “You found me,” Mariska said.

  Her mom continued, “I heard a soft mewing sound when your father and I were leaving the annual Page Museum Fundraising Gala. I turned to him, and we couldn’t for the life of us figure out what it was. Well, I decided even if it was an abandoned kitten, my dress wasn’t worth more than a life, and I hopped up into the dumpster.”

  Thank, God for you, Mom. I love you. Mariska sat in silence listening to her mom recount that day.

  “Anyway, I was knee deep in boxes and discarded food from the party when you let out a cry that could wake the dead. I always told Robert that you must have though
t it was your last chance.”

  “I think I knew you were the one. You and Dad were meant to be my parents.”

  Leah’s eyes welled up with tears. “It was meant to be. Your father and I lost two children during the second trimester. We’d given up hope that we’d ever have children…and then we found you.”

  Mariska swallowed hard.

  Leah continued, “I’ve never asked you this before, but do you ever wish things were different?”

  Different? Mariska’s searched her mom’s features for an explanation. What did she mean by that?

  “What do you mean?”

  Leah dabbed away tears with the sleeve of her shirt. “Do you feel like you’ve missed out on anything? Was it strange for you to be raised by parents who didn’t look like you?”

  “I’ve got questions no one can answer, but I can’t imagine anything better than I already have.” Mariska spoke the truth. She’d often wondered who she was and where she came from. There’d always been a part of her that felt a bit empty or lost. Curiosity about who she really was and who her real parents were would never go away. And in some ways, she felt that drove her with her work and research. The need to find answers to questions that were theoretically impossible to solve. Like who was the La Brea Woman?

  “Do you mean that?” Leah asked.

  “Absolutely. You and Dad are my parents, and I love you both with all my heart. I couldn’t have asked for a more loving and happy childhood.” Mariska hugged her mom and stood. “Let’s go inside. I need to talk to you and Dad about something important.”

  A snap of a twig made the women turn and see Robert Stevenson standing there under one of the larger Lime Trees.

  “How long were you standing there?” Mariska asked.

  Her dad cleared his throat, his face betraying the emotions he’d been feeling just moments ago. “Long enough.”

  Mariska went over and hugged her father, the cologne he always wore soothing her nerves almost instantly as his arms squeezed her back. She led him the last few feet to where her mom now stood, the Pacific Ocean, bright blue and beautiful stretched out behind them as far as she could see.

  “So, to what do we owe your visit?” He looked tired, the little lines around his eyes seemed deeper and more plentiful than she remembered.

  “I came to ask you for some help.”

  The pair both feigned being blown over by a gust of wind. “You rarely ask us for help.”

  She deserved that. They were always trying to help her, offer her their influence and connections to powerful people, but she’d always declined. Somehow it seemed like cheating. David, her best friend, had also managed to graduate from a top-notch school with straight A’s and landed the same job she did at the museum. He did it all on a shoestring budget and absolutely no friends in high places. So, while she accepted her family’s financial support to get through college and find a decent place to live, she enjoyed it when she could do more for herself, and never asked her parents to get her a job or influence her acceptance into school or graduate programs. If David was able to do it, there wasn’t any reason she should be different.

  “Please don’t make this hard for her, Robert.” Leah smacked her husband’s arm. They turned to face, Mariska. “Whatever you need. We would be happy to help. Right, Robert?” Another smack to the arm.

  “Absolutely, honey.”

  “Okay,” Mariska said. “I got a phone call last night from Dr. Snyder. He wanted to meet me at the museum to tell me something important.”

  “Please tell me he was calling to offer you a vacation. After all, you’ve been through so much already.” Leah’s expression was so hopeful, Mariska felt a pain deep inside to have to break the truth.

  “Not exactly,” Mariska said. “I was fired.”

  “Fired?” her parents said in unison.

  “He is under the impression that I have something to do with the disappearance of the La Brea Woman.”

  Leah looked from Mariska to Robert. “That’s absurd. You adore that woman. Why would you have done something to her remains? It’s been your life goal to research her. I mean, hadn’t you been given the grant?”

  “It hadn’t been officially announced yet, but I knew I was going to get it.” Mariska ran her fingers through her hair and looked away from her parents. “And, there’s more.”

  “More?” Leah said.

  “He demanded that I remove myself from the La Brea Woman research to ensure that the museum was always kept in the best of light. And, well…I messed up.”

  Her father threw his hands up in the air. “You did what?”

  “I swear to you, Dad. I planned on staying away from her, but then something came to mind, and I knew it would help us identify who she might belong to and in turn help us to find her. I know it was a huge longshot, but I felt like I had to try.” Mariska looked from her dad to her mom. “Dr. Snyder caught me and fired me. I’m sorry.”

  “We know you are honey,” Leah grabbed Mariska’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Did you say that to Dr. Snyder?”

  “Absolutely…but, he doesn’t care.”

  Robert stepped forward and put an arm around Mariska’s shoulders. “What can I do?”

  She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big bear hug, looked up into his face with the large, tearful eyes and said, “Snyder is going to go to the board of directors and petition them to fire me—despite the outcome of the investigation. I was hoping you could talk to him…or them…on my behalf? Maybe just ask them to hold off judgment until after the conclusion of the investigation? I mean, you know I’m innocent. That has to count for something.”

  “Is there anything else?” her dad asked.

  “My laptop is at the Page still, and I’m not allowed to go on the premises to get it. So, if you could ask him for it when you speak with him, I’d appreciate it.”

  Robert took Mariska by her arms and gave her the most fatherly look she’d seen as an adult. His eyes were full of doubt. Her heart sank. Was it he couldn’t pull the right strings, or was he unwilling to help? After all, it was her own fault. “I’ll make a call and see what I can do.”

  The three of them hugged. It was time to leave. She needed to go home and make a game plan on how to proceed, with or without help from her parents. Her father assured her that as soon as he heard anything, he would give her a call. She gave them both a kiss on the cheek and hurried back across the lawn, only looking back once. Her heart sank as she saw them watching her go. No matter what happened, she had to keep them out of harm’s way. If she could at all help it, this would be the last time she asked them to get involved in one of her messups. What would she do without them?

  “Please don’t wait so long before coming back for a visit,” Jane told her as she walked Mariska to the door.

  “I won’t. I miss you all too much to stay away.”

  “Good girl.” Jane hugged Mariska and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “If you need anything let me know. I have some pull with your parents, you know.”

  Mariska smiled. “Thank you, and yes, you’ll be the first to know.” She turned and started walking to her car. Turning back at the sound of Jane’s voice.

  “Be very careful out there. I have a sinking feeling about all this.” Jane clutched at the collars of her shirt, despite the warm weather.

  Mariska jumped in her car and waved goodbye as she circled around the tree in the driveway. The middle-aged woman’s image grew smaller in the rearview mirror as she hurried home to wait for her father’s call.

  Chapter Eight

  It had taken an hour and thirty-nine minutes to drive from her parents’ home to her apartment. Another two minutes and five seconds to climb her stairway and successfully fidget with the lock that should have been fixed months ago and enter her apartment. And yet, still no call from her father. How long did it take for him to pull some of his strings? Call in a favor? Ask a colleague for help? There was nothing she hated more than asking her family for their help, ex
cept waiting for the help to arrive.

  There was no better way for her to lose track of time, than getting immersed in work. She didn’t have the La Brea Woman’s remains to examine, but she did have the beads and the tooth. Rather than taking them out of safekeeping, she started with the internet. It’d been a long time since she’d completed research without having her hands on something to touch, feel, examine and smell.

  If she had her laptop or the backup files at work, she’d have access to the research she’d already conducted, but her home-desktop computer would have to do. She poured herself a glass of wine and plopped down at the desk in her living room. Where was she going to start researching? The beads. The tooth was organic material, and she would need more equipment to get anything done. She tried multiple searches through Google. Traditional Indigenous beadwork. Ancient Californian beads. Styles and types of beadwork from Indigenous Americans.

  Nothing. Or at least nothing helpful. Everything she found looked alien compared to what she’d found on the La Brea Woman’s body. Maybe they don’t belong to her. Or, maybe she wasn’t an ancestor of a local tribe. Maybe her people were just moving through the area, following the herds of Mammoths? So many questions and so few answers. She felt like Bones, the doctor on Star Trek. She needed to perform a task she wasn’t qualified to do. She wanted to scream: Dammit Jim, I’m a paleontologist, not an anthropologist.

  Frustrated, she tilted back in the office chair and let out a huff. Two more large swigs of wine and the glass was empty. Her mind began to wander. Who would want to steal the La Brea Woman’s remains? And, who would want them bad enough to assault her?

  Her phone rang, and she dashed across the room and into the kitchen where she’d left the cell phone on the counter. She reached it by the third ring. Dad—his phone number lit up the screen.