Preservation

by Charles Lemoine

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah. Hold on a second.” Wulf pulled into the next lane and pulled around the car that’d gotten between him and the SUV. He quickly jotted down the plate, just in case they became separated.

  “Can’t you ask someone at the station to run the numbers for you?”

  Wulf smiled, “Yeah, but you’re quicker. You seem to find things at a whole other level…not sure how you do that.”

  “It’s a gift, I suppose.”

  “You’re not part of some underground hacking ring, are you?” Wulf couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

  Theresa didn’t immediately answer. “Are you accusing me of something, officer?”

  “I’m just kidding. Anyway, can you run it for me, please? The number is 87CT5GH.”

  Wulf waited for a few seconds. He could hear Theresa typing away on the laptop. Wulf came to a stop at the next light and watched as the SUV went through the yellow. Not illegal, but it pissed him off. He craned his neck to watch as the vehicle pulled away. Soon, it was out of sight as car after car turned right at the intersection and obscured his view. By the time the light changed back to green, he’d lost his chance.

  “What have you got for me, Theresa?”

  “I show that the car is registered to a Caleb Heuston in Los Angeles County.”

  “Caleb? I came across that name during my investigation…does the DMV report show anything about the driver?

  “Some traffic tickets. Nothing all that important.”

  “You said the plates are for a car?” Wulf sped up and tried to pull into the next lane, but got stopped at the next light. “Dammit.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “Damn, traffic gets worse every year.”

  “Yeah,” Theresa said. “To answer your question, the computer says it’s a 2012 Honda Civic.”

  “Shit, I knew it.”

  “Knew what?” Theresa asked. “What’s going on?”

  “I followed Mariska to Ingrid’s house. After what you dug up about them being related, I figured she’d end up going there, but when she got there, a man came running out of the house.”

  “Who do you think it was?”

  “I’m not sure, I was hoping that by running the plates, it’d tell us.”

  Theresa let out a sigh. “I’m going out on a limb here, but I suppose the vehicle you were following wasn’t a 2012 Honda Civic.”

  “Precisely.”

  “Do you think Mariska’s in danger? Do we need to do something? I’m at home, but can meet you wherever, whenever.”

  What would be the point? They had nothing to go on right now. “Nah, nothing we can do right now. I’ll be sure to call you if anything else turns up.”

  “Oh, wait, Wulf? Before you hang up…”

  “Yeah?”

  “So…don’t ask me how, but while you were getting all mad, I did some digging.”

  Wulf huffed, “Me? Mad? Spill it now or I’ll ask you how you how you found out about Mariska’s DNA test…I’ve always been told that such medical information would be protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, not to mention the University of Copenhagen’s firewall security systems.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Theresa said with a laugh.

  “It means, you shouldn’t have been able to access it. That information is secured with government security software.”

  “Whatever, you want the information or not?”

  “Lay it on me.”

  “Seems that this Caleb Heuston and David Beaumont live in the same apartment complex. Although, Heuston’s exact address isn’t available.” Theresa paused for a moment. “What are the odds of that?”

  “It doesn’t prove guilt, but it’s definitely interesting. Good work as always, Theresa. I’m going to start searching the police database for information about this Heuston guy. If you don’t mind, could you do that on your end as well? It seems we aren’t using the same databases.”

  “Anything to help the great Los Angeles Police Department.”

  “I appreciate it.” He hung up the phone.

  He wanted to speed back to Ingrid’s house and tell Mariska to be careful. To watch her with David. But he’d already told her his concerns, and she didn’t want to listen. Didn’t want to see her best friend as anything other than that—the person she’d come to rely on for emotional support.

  No, he needed proof. Something irrefutable…not easily explained away.

  He put in David’s address into his GPS. Might as well pay this asshole a visit.

  Chapter Fifty

  Ingrid led Mariska by the hand through a hidden back-passage way located behind a false-fireplace in the library. Damn this old woman is paranoid, Mariska thought. But she was also the coolest, badass, octogenarian she’d ever met. Although, Ingrid still hadn’t answered the question about who her male visitor was today.

  As they walked through the wall, Ingrid flipped on a light and illuminated the entire hidden passageway. They continued to follow the main path, but Mariska noticed that there was a diverging hallway. She slowed and looked down the alternate passage, but just for a moment. Ingrid gave her a little tug and a warm smile.

  “All in due time, Mariska. There’s so much for me to show you.”

  They continued hand in hand the last few feet until they came to a large metallic door with a keypad and turning-wheel. The kind they used for bank vaults in the movies. Ingrid tapped in a code and a door unlocked with a chirp.

  “Want to turn the wheel?” Ingrid asked.

  “Nah.” Mariska couldn’t suppress her childish grin. She stepped closer, between Ingrid and the wheel. “I guess I’d better get used to it.”

  She took a hold of the wheel in both hands. The cold metal felt good against her sweaty palms. Tightening her grip, she cranked hard to the left. The wheel gave way with force and then easily spun around, opening the last barrier to the vault. Ingrid grabbed the handle next to the wheel and pulled back, the thick, heavy door opened without as much as a creak or groan.

  The room in front of them was completely black.

  “After you.” Ingrid motioned her granddaughter in front of her.

  A moment’s hesitation, but then Mariska took the leap of faith. Her grandmother wouldn’t kill her after all these years, would she?

  As soon as Mariska foot crossed the threshold, the bright, white lights illuminated the room, momentarily blinding her in the process.

  “You remember this place, right?” Ingrid said as she entered the room.

  Mariska’s vision started to return, although she continued to squint. It was the same hidden room that was accessible from the sitting room she’d been in on her first visit.

  “How could I forget?” Mariska turned and took in the room. Something was different this time. “Looks like things have been moved.”

  “Why yes. Very observant, dear.” Ingrid walked over to the one of the covered cases against the wall. “I have something very important to show you.”

  Mariska turned her attention to her and crossed the distance between them, stopping in front of the case. She looked up at her grandmother and felt an immediate tickle of butterflies deep inside her gut.

  Ingrid slowly pulled the canvas tarp away from the case and let it drop to the floor. Even before Ingrid flipped the case-lighting on, Mariska took a quick intake of breath.

  La Brea Woman

  Mariska brushed Ingrid out of the way and started looking for a way to open the case.

  “You’ll need a code.”

  Mariska continued feeling around the edges of the glass enclosure, looking for a way inside. Ingrid took a step back and laughed.

  “You’re as tenacious as me when I was your age.”

  Straightening back to full height, Mariska turned to face her. And with a wickedness in her voice, that she hadn’t expected. “Have you had her this entire time?”

  Ingrid took a step forward, palms up bearing her innocence. “No,
it’s not like that.” But Mariska kept going.

  “Did you try and have me killed? Did you bash me over the head yourself? Or did you hire someone to do it?” Mariska shook her head. She’d just gone from elation to agony in a matter of seconds.

  “You don’t understand. Please.” Ingrid tried to reach for Mariska, but she pulled away from her touch. “Let me explain.”

  “Not until you answer one question of mine first.”

  “Anything.” Ingrid’s expression was sincere, honest.

  Was she finally telling the truth?

  “Did you have anything…and I mean, anything at all, to do with Jane’s death?” Mariska took another threatening step toward Ingrid.

  Without as much as a flinch, or even a step backward, Ingrid’s jaw tightened into a clenched position. Lips flattened into a thin line, and she tilted her head up slightly, giving her an air of indignation.

  “How dare you?” Ingrid spat her words in disgust. “Are you seriously accusing me…your own grandmother, of killing that poor sweet woman?”

  “Yes or no?”

  Mariska and Ingrid were at a standoff. Both sticking to their position of being right.

  Ingrid broke first, “Of course I had nothing to do with her death.” Ingrid’s eyes never left Mariska’s. “I am not a murderer, and I value life over things…no matter how important they may be to me.” Ingrid glanced at the display case, but then looked away.

  Mariska crossed her arms and then turned around to face the La Brea Woman. She believed what Ingrid said, and started feeling guilty for her harsh words and accusations. There were just so many pieces of the puzzle that hadn’t come together yet, and she wasn’t sure they were going to at this point.

  “So.” Mariska turned to face her grandmother. “How did you find the La Brea Woman? And how long have you had her in your possession?”

  “Actually, the last question is the easiest. I obtained her officially yesterday. She’d been missing for a while, so I was concerned that she may have been tampered with…you know, replicated or parts of her replaced by foreign bones. That sort of thing happens far too often in the antiquities and paleontological realms. Authentication was a must.”

  That all made a lot of sense to Mariska. “Where did you have her tested?”

  “The only place I can trust. Or, at least the only place I can trust to keep it hush-hush.” Ingrid walked over closer to the display case and bent down, admiring the skeletal remains. The smile and wonder on her face reminded Mariska of herself. “The University of Copenhagen has an incredible state of the art genetics laboratory. Which is kind of interesting considering it’s one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in that part of Europe.”

  “Wait. You’re telling me you sent her all the way to Europe and got her back with no questions asked? How is that possible? I was practically strip searched on my way home.”

  “No, I sent just a couple bones that I sampled from the remains at random.”

  A memory flashed into Mariska’s mind. There was a doctor in the lab with her that day working with another specialist. He had a human bone…which one was it? Oh, that’s right, Mariska thought.

  “Was it a clavicle?”

  “That’s right…but how’d you know?” It was time for Ingrid to have a shocked look on her face.

  “What are the odds of that shit?” Mariska said as she began passing the floor.

  “Dear, you’re starting to worry me.” Ingrid reached out and took Mariska’s elbow in hand and pulled her around to face her. “What’s going on? Why is the clavicle significant?”

  “When I was in Copenhagen at the same genetics-testing lab you sent the bones, I saw a man with a human clavicle. The bones looked old…old like her.” She pointed to the box. “Who did you send there to test the remains?”

  “It’s not important, who I sent. What’s important is I have possession of the La Brea Woman. We can now study her…learn who she was.”

  Ingrid was saying all the right things. Is she trying to distract me from the truth?

  “The point I’m making is I was attacked while I was there. The man you sent there might have been involved. I can’t imagine it’s just a coincidence you sent someone to the same place I was and they aren’t related somehow. It seems plausible to me…you know, considering everything.” Mariska couldn’t keep herself from revealing her one closely held secret. This woman seemed to suck the truth out of her.

  “Considering what? It’s obvious you have something you want to tell me…or at least haven’t told me.” Ingrid’s curiosity shown on her face, eyes hungry for more information.

  “You first.”

  “All right,” Ingrid said. “The man I sent to Copenhagen to have the bones authenticated was Dr. Caleb Heuston. He’s actually the one that acquired them in first place.”

  “Acquired them? You mean assaulted me and stole her…is that what you mean?”

  “Now, now. Don’t be overly dramatic. I have no reason to believe Heuston assaulted you. Like I said, he sold them to me. That’s all I need to know.”

  “That’s pretty convenient. Isn’t it? And in the meantime, someone has tried to kill me multiple times and then slaughtered Jane.” Mariska stared at Ingrid for moment. Upset and struggling to gather the rest of her thoughts. “And how did he happen to ask you to buy them? Isn’t that a risky proposition? Selling stolen property. To the woman whose family found her in the first place?” Mariska shrugged her shoulders and arched her eyebrows, not attempting to hide her irritation.

  “I can see that you’re upset. I can also understand why.”

  “Can you?”

  “Yes, I can. I promise you I would have never put you in harm’s way. Not on purpose.” Ingrid put a hand on Mariska’s shoulder. “I promise.”

  Mariska sighed. “I believe you.”

  “Good. That’s a start, isn’t it?” Ingrid smiled. “I will help you find who’s responsible for hurting you. I didn’t find my granddaughter after thirty years to simply lose her to some madman.”

  It felt good have as many people on her side as possible, but she still wanted answers. “I need to know why you have her remains and why you aren’t returning them to the museum. They belong to the Page.”

  Ingrid’s eyes hardened as Mariska’s words sank in. “They belong to the person who found them. My father and grandfather…along with the Chief’s father, have the rightful claim. Considering they have all since passed, they belong to us now. It’s been no secret that the La Brea Woman’s remains have been sought after by the local tribes as well as my family.” Ingrid crossed her arms and took a deep breath. “Don’t you see, she belongs here? With people who love her and will take care of her…find out her truth. I’m offering you the chance of a lifetime.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You can study her, the La Brea Woman. Here, in my laboratory. With all my equipment and available resources at your disposal.”

  It was a chance of a lifetime, but could she betray the Page Museum? “If I worked here, I wouldn’t be able to return to the museum, once my name’s been cleared.”

  Ingrid nodded. “You’re right. Your time would be better spent here, doing what you’ve always wanted. No more begging for money. No more putting all your hopes and dreams into the hands of the Review Board.”

  Mariska wasn’t sure what to say. This old woman was quite convincing. What was the right decision?

  “You don’t have to make your mind up right this minute,” Ingrid said. “Let it all sink in. give yourself time to make the right decision.”

  Mariska thought about it for a few moments. This could all be dealt with later. No decisions needed to be made right this second. The most important thing was her grandmother hadn’t put out a hit on her. But if not Ingrid, then who? She thought about Detective Wulf. His kindness and concern for her wellbeing. Could he actually protect her from someone they didn’t know. Someone that hasn’t yet shown themselves?

  “Was Dr.
Heuston the man who visited you today?”

  “Heavens no. I haven’t even met this Heuston character in person. It was more of a black-market exchange sort of thing.” Ingrid’s voice lowered to a whisper as if not saying it too loud made it okay, somehow. “Anyway,” Ingrid went to continue, but stopped and looked into Mariska’s eyes. “I promised I wouldn’t reveal who was here today, but since we are coming clean with each other…it was David Beaumont.”

  “David? What was he doing here?”

  “That’s actually none of your business.”

  “Spill it.” Mariska crossed her arms and squared her stance. “He attacked me in Denmark.”

  Ingrid arched her eyebrows in surprise. “He did? I thought he loved you?”

  “Love is a strong word, but I never thought he wanted to do me harm.” Mariska felt the pit in her stomach deepen. “Tell me. Why was he here?”

  “He came asking for more money. He claimed it was for the Dire Wolf study.” Ingrid shrugged his shoulders. “Personally, I felt the grant should have been more than enough to cover the research…no matter how great the find was.”

  “Wouldn’t the proper procedure be to resubmit a proposal?”

  “Absolutely,” Ingrid said. “I assumed by his methods he was looking for some under-the-table handouts. Totally unacceptable. But to be fair, we didn’t get that far in our discussion because you showed up. He didn’t want you to see him here…something about you getting upset about him being awarded the grant.”

  “I can’t believe this guy.” Mariska put her hand on her hips with an exasperated sigh.

  “Have you gone to the police about him? If he attacked you, it needs to be reported.” She started moving toward the phone. “I’m not going to stand for someone hurting my only granddaughter.”

  Mariska placed a steadying hand on her as she tried to pass by. “Detective Wulf is aware of the incident. The problem is no one’s been able to locate the jerk.”

  “Oh, dear. And here he was in my home.”

  “As soon as we are done here, I’ll call Wulf and let him know he’s in the area.”

  Ingrid cocked her head to the side. “Is there something more you’d like to discuss?”