Preservation
Page 39
Ingrid nodded and stepped closer to Mariska’s parents. She watched as Ingrid and Leah began commiserating about something. She heard the words apartment and decorating and assumed the worst. No doubt, within the next few days her apartment would be refurbished and rehabbed into whatever they decided.
That’s okay, Mariska thought. I’m going to be too busy anyway.
As she made her way to out the front door, she turned and looked back at the museum. Inside to the far wall was Zed, the largest and fully intact Columbian Mammoth ever unearthed at the La Brea Tar Pits. To the right stood a giant ground sloth and extinct short-faced bear. The thrill of working here wouldn’t soon go away, and she was confident once she was finished doing what she needed to do, she’d be back.
Her internal dialogue was cut short when she saw Kathy watching her from behind the Saber-toothed Tiger display. Kathy was now the face of the museum, but for how long? If looks could kill, there’s no doubt she’d have finished Mariska off. A chill ran through her body as she closed the door behind her. Shaking off the eerie feeling of new enemies, of the unknown, and potential dangers that still awaited, Mariska hurried to her car. As she approached the car, she became immediately aware that Wulf was nowhere to be seen. The box sat on her trunk, but as she searched the parking lot, there was no sign of Wulf’s vehicle.
She used her remote to unlock the car and took the box off and opened the trunk. Mariska put the box into the trunk, and she noticed a piece of white paper folded and tucked into the top of the box. She pulled it out and opened it. Her belly immediately fluttered with a million butterflies as she read his note.
Mariska:
I wanted to wait for you, but couldn’t. Not because I didn’t have time, but because I didn’t trust myself. There is so much I want to say, but none of it is appropriate at this time. I promise you that as soon as this investigation is completed, you’ll hear from me again.
Wulf
Mariska folded the paper and put it in her pocket. She heard the sound of a car engine, and she looked. At the far end of the parking lot, Wulf’s car pulled out into traffic, and he sped away.
She wanted to see him again. She wanted to rush to his home and wrap her arms around him and never let go, but Mariska still had secrets. He was still looking for the La Brea Woman. Would his investigation lead him to her and Ingrid or would they be able to keep that private?
Mariska slammed her trunk closed and got into the front seat of her car. She looked back at the museum.
She placed a call on her cell phone.
“Hello?”
“Thomas? Hi, it’s Mariska.”
“Oh, hello dear. Miss Ingrid isn’t here right now. Can I tell her you called?”
“Absolutely,” Mariska said. “I’m actually headed out to the estate. Ingrid wanted me to meet her there.”
“Oh, great. See you soon.” Thomas hung up the phone.
Mariska got behind the wheel and shut the door. Ingrid assured her that the La Brea Woman would be returned to her rightful people as soon as they were able to determine it. They would mysteriously find her remains off an anonymous tip and her remains would be made public. With their research completed, they would be able to point to her descendants and the museum would have no other option but to return her. It was simply awful what the museum had done to this woman and her legacy. Times have changed, she said to herself. People had evolved as a society, right? The public would want her returned…and that’s what she was going to ensure. That was the plan, anyway. There was still a lot of work ahead of her but she looked forward to it.
Why wait until Monday to start? She put the car into drive and pulled away from the museum.
The La Brea Woman’s secrets had waited long enough. It was time to tell her story.
THE END
Acknowledgements
There are so many people I need to thank for supporting me through the process of writing this book.
Ricardo: Thank you so much for putting up with me. I know that I was a pain in the butt to be around at times and this book took a lot of time to research and write. I wouldn’t have finished it had it not been for your support and encouragement.
Leah: You have and always will be my sister-by-choice. The family you pick is often closer and more supportive than the one you’re born with and I couldn’t be happier to have you as part of my life.
My friends/family: I can’t thank each and every one of you enough for supporting me and loving me. It feels good to have so many of you encouraging me through the hard times and helping me feel that this crazy idea of being an author is possible.
I hope this book will make each and every person who has been with me through this process proud. This project was a labor of love and I tried to incorporate the things I find important and interesting: history, science, and a good mystery.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charles Lemoine is a Midwest transplant to the land of cactus, coyotes, and diamondback rattlesnakes. A traveler and collector of fine-things, he met his better half in the City of Angels. When he’s not trying to save the world, one geriatric patient at a time, he spends his time drinking coffee, eating pizza, and playing with his three, adorable rescue-dogs. Having an interest in the arts, he also spends quite a bit of time writing and creating beautiful glass mosaics, the flashier the better. Mostly, he enjoys spending time with friends and family who share his sense of humor and are willing to laugh at the most inappropriate times.