“We’ll help her unpack all the family keepsakes, and she can tell us stories about growing up and everything, okay?” said Becky.
“I think it’s a great idea. You can count me in. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it, especially because we all know how much you hate cleaning, Becky,” said Johanna.
Valerie was nodding and about to give her agreement when Jett walked up to the table.
“Thank you, ladies. Grace is fine. She’s with Justyn. Jalen has gone to donate to the CAWC - Connections for Abused Women and Children. We met some very nice ladies and their children at Great America. They were given a day at the amusement park as a donation to Greenhouse Shelter where they are all living.
“Jalen is also going to give the program directors information on the women’s retreat we’re going to be building up in Wisconsin,” he said, looking at them in turn. “Perhaps if ladies from the event on Saturday don’t want to emigrate to HeVan, they might be willing to move to Wisconsin and run the retreat for us. We are also going to be farming and raising chickens, pigs, and sheep.
“But enough about that, we’ll know more after Queen Addie signs the papers on Thursday. For now, let me show you the light show and presentation we’ll be running on Saturday.
“Valerie, let me know if you want anything changed,” he said. Then he turned and walked over to the center of the room.
“Becky, can you get the lights?”
Becky got up from the table and went over to the master switches for the room. After playing around with them, she figured out which combination would be best. They didn’t want the room to be in total darkness, just dark enough to see the light projections.
“Johanna, we’ll need to put masking tape over the switches, so we remember which ones to turn off and which ones to keep on.”
Becky would have said more, but the swirling lights in the middle of the room distracted her.
Jett was holding a wand-like device that looked like a long pen and it was projecting a holographic image - or part of one.
“As you can see, this is incomplete. We’ll need three devices, and that will complete the image and give it three dimensions.”
He allowed the presentation to go on a little longer and then turned it off.
The four of them went over the seating plans and where the best place was to secure the wand projectors. The final count was nearly six hundred women, but they figured that some of them would not come. They were planning on five hundred showing up and had extra tables and chairs, which could be added as needed. The meeting broke up twenty minutes later with the ladies going out for lunch and Jett heading home.
***
Sarah unpacked her purchases and decided she had been good long enough. She went downstairs to the front desk.
“Yes!” she said under her breath; the hotel had a room set aside with computers and printers for business travelers. She quickly logged on and found the information she needed. She was printing out the address when one of the clerks from the front desk came over.
“Um, hello - Ms. Kline?” she said.
“Hi! I’m Sarah Kline, is there a problem?”
“Um, this is highly irregular, but we got a phone call from a man named Jack…” she tapered off her explanation and her face began to turn red, “and then a doctor called…” she stumbled to a stop.
“Am I banned from using the computers in the hotel?” asked Sarah with a frown.
“No, we can’t ban you from amenities you pay for. However, Jack is giving all the front-desk clerks cash if they spot you on a computer. So…” she trailed off again and shrugged her shoulders. “I wouldn’t have paid him any attention if it weren’t for the call from the doctor. So, um, can I offer you a complimentary massage in our spa?”
Sarah just grinned at her. She already had what she needed. “I tell you what, sign me up for the full treatment - hair, nails, massage, the works, for Saturday afternoon, at around one. I’m going to an event Saturday night and want to look like a million.”
Still seeing doubt in the young woman’s eyes, she added, “and I promise not to go near these computers again for the rest of my visit.”
The young lady blushed again. “I’ll be sure to set up all your spa appointments and send the confirmation to your room’s voicemail. Um, can I ask you a question? Is Jack as cute as he sounds?” she asked.
“Cuter. He’s also tall, dark, and handsome,” Sarah said. Then she continued, “Unfortunately, though, you’re out of luck; he plays for the other team.”
Sarah had gathered up her purse, and her printout and they were walking out of the workspace when the clerk said, “I guess it’s true what they say, all the good ones are taken, or they’re gay.”
“I wouldn’t say that, I’m attending an eye-candy extravaganza on Saturday night. The best matchmaker in Chicago is going to be matching attendees with their ‘alien’ mates.
“It’s part of the Sci-Fi Convention, and I’m sure it’s a gimmick to promote Valerie Hudson’s books. However, I don’t really care. I’m going to get one or maybe two guys to escort me to dinner and be at my disposal for the evening. I couldn’t pass that up,” said Sarah, laughing.
“Oh wow, I didn’t hear anything about that. I’m a big fan, too. Do you think they’re still selling tickets?” she asked.
Sarah stopped walking; they had reached the middle of the lobby. She looked over at the nametag on the girl’s lapel. It read Tammy.
“Well, Tammy, as far as I know, this event wasn’t advertised. It was by invitation only. I got the invite because I wrote Valerie an email a couple of years ago about a birthmark I have and how it resembled the mark she uses in her series logo. Therefore, I guess I was on her email fan list or something.
“Why don’t you come with me, are you off on Saturday? That way, I won’t be on my own. I’m sure I can get you in.”
“Huh, that’s strange. I used to have a birthmark, too. I doubt if my birthmark matched her logo - that would be too coincidental. My mom had mine removed when I was little,” she said with a grimace.
“She wanted me in those little kiddie pageants and thought it looked like I had a tattoo or something. I didn’t even remember having a mark until you brought it up.
“You’re not required to have a birthmark to attend, are you? Because I’d love to go, I’m off on Saturday, too.” She let out a little giggle and bounced in place. “I tell you what; I’ll make spa appointments for both of us. Luckily, I get an employee discount. Would it be okay if I got ready here, with you?”
Tammy didn’t know why she had said that. To push herself on a guest like this was very unprofessional of her. For some reason, she felt it was important for her to make a connection with this woman. Actually, she already felt connected to her, as if they were sisters; it was a weird feeling.
“Tammy, that’s a perfect idea. I think you and I are going to be great friends; it’ll be like before Prom or something. We can giggle about the men we’re going to meet. Now, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you around,” said Sarah.
“Yeah, back to work. I’m still collecting from Jack, though,” Tammy added with a smirk as she turned to walk back to the desk.
She feels it too, Tammy thought.
Sarah chuckled as she headed out the door. What a great girl. I feel like we’re old friends already, she thought. Trust Jack - he covered all the angles.
She stepped into the cab that the doorman waved down and gave the address for the head office of the CAWC. She had a special person to see and to hijack for a lunch companion.
A few minutes later she was getting out of the cab in front of an office building. She paid the taxi driver, went inside, and looked up the office in the directory. After negotiating the stairs - because she planned to have dessert with lunch and wanted to work off the calories in advance - she reached the fifth floor. As she exited the stairwell and approached the door, she glanced over at the elevator that was just closing.
Wow, really tall guy, she though
t.
She went in and approached the receptionist.
“Hello, is Sola Parra available? You can tell her Sarah Kline is in Chicago and stopped by to say hello.”
She went over to the waiting area after the receptionist said it might take a few minutes.
The place was nicely furnished in warm, friendly colors: standard beige commercial carpeting with chocolate brown couches, floral print on the chairs in colors of pumpkin-orange, sage-green, and cream. However, what really struck her was the artwork. The walls covered with drawings done by children. They were all such happy pictures, too. She was leaning in close to look at the detail on one when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
“Today must be my day for angels. First, I get a tall avenging angel bearing gifts, and now I get a cherub. How are you, Sarah? I thought you were getting away from this type of work for a while,” said Sola, as she walked over to give Sarah a hug. She gestured to the hallway, “Come. Let’s go into my office.”
“Okay, but only to get your coat and bag, I’m taking you to lunch, Sola. I timed it this way on purpose,” Sarah said. “After six years of phone calls, our first meeting deserves a little celebration. And I know the very best way to celebrate - here,” she said, handing Sola an envelope.
Sola laughed. “You outmaneuver everyone, Sarah. I assure you I will not challenge your planning. I would love to go to lunch with you. My previous visitor just made our budget for the next six months, so I can afford to take a long lunch hour. Now let’s see what you’ve brought me,” she said, opening the envelope.
When she saw the check, she smiled. When she saw the amount, she nearly cried.
“Oh Sarah, this is so wonderful! You do realize you’ve saved lives with this. Forget buying me lunch, I’m buying you lunch!” She gave Sarah a big hug, “You’re the best - now let me get my coat.”
She dashed into her office and came out a moment later with her coat and purse. “I know a little Eritrean place nearby; they make the most delicious Sambusas! Eritrea is that tiny country right next door to Somalia, so it’s delightful African food. I know San Francisco has a reputation as a ‘foodie town’ so I have to show off a little. You know, pump up my own city,” she said with a laugh over her shoulder as she walked back toward reception.
“Okay, hold up, though. A little person here, remember? How tall are you anyway, Sola? And if I eat Sambusas, will I grow up to be you?” Sarah asked as they walked up to the receptionist.
Sola told the receptionist she wouldn’t be back for a couple of hours but to call her cell if an emergency came up.
Turning back to Sarah, she smiled again, “We’re all clear. I guess you don’t look like you sound any more than I do. Why would you want to be me? Being you isn’t fantastic enough? I know a lot of people who are going to be living better lives because you’re you.”
“Then I still want to be me, only a little taller,” she said and they both laughed. “Seriously, forget the height difference; I want to know how you keep in shape. I can’t get this tush to go down no matter what I do,” said Sarah, as she led the way to the stairwell. “See, I take the stairs, too, and still I have a fat ass.”
“Sarah, this is something we deal with all the time, women who don’t appreciate how wonderful they really are. You are beautiful, inside and out. I remember being taller than all my school friends. My adolescent years were quite painful. Now, because of the stress of my job, I swim for a few hours each evening. It helps me not to bring my job home to my family,” said Sola. “The swimmer’s body is just a great side benefit.” She laughed again when Sarah groaned.
The two of them continued to gossip and catch up on the way to the restaurant. Sola helped women in abusive situations get into shelters and get the therapy they and their children needed. Her organization also helped women get back on their feet.
Sarah had used her specialized programs to track down dead-beat dads and to hide women who were in jeopardy and needed a fresh start. She was an expert at setting up new legal identities for women trying to get away from husbands and boyfriends who had abused them.
She had developed specialized software programs that helped law enforcement track fugitives. In addition, she got rich selling the software to police departments around the country and other government agencies. The software was specialized and not available to the public.
Then her company developed other programs for the public. Her ‘Find Friends Now’ web site and software were what had taken the company from merely successful to publicly offered, where it took off like a rocket. Most social-networking sites wanted people to make connections. Almost all of them used her search engines to accomplish that.
Of her first program, she figured if you used it to find, you could also use it to hide. It took her years to work out a system and many frustrating hours of labor. She’d just about killed herself finishing the programs and running them for the last two years.
Together with Jack, Sola, and many others like her around the country, they had saved hundreds of women who were in peril.
They were finishing a delicious meal. The waiter was handing Sarah the tray with her credit card and a couple of mints when he froze. He looked down at her and then over her head, then back down again. “Excuse me - here’s your card. Have an enjoyable rest of the day,” he said abstractedly before walking off.
“I wonder what that was all about?” asked Sarah.
“I turned to see whether there was something behind you and didn’t see anything unusual,” said Sola.
“Never mind, it’s not that important. I’m going to be in town through the weekend, at least. Call me if you need anything.”
“You’re on vacation, Sarah, go sightseeing! I’m not calling you with any problems - Jack’s orders,” said Sola.
She laughed when she saw the look on Sarah’s face.
“Okay, then I had an idea for fun. If I rent a couple of limos, may I take the shelter kids on a shopping spree at the local toy store? I looked up a couple…I mean I asked the concierge for some places, just in case.”
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear the reference to ‘looking up.’ Why don’t you go shopping for yourself? Your generous donation is going to allow us to fund all sorts of special programs and things for the shelter and women who are turned away when we’re full. With your gift, we can put them up at extended-stay hotels for a month or so while we find them an alternative,” Sola said.
“I already went shopping this morning and bought out the stores. Come on, Sola, call over to the shelter and let me have a couple of moms as helpers. It’s no fun just giving cash. I want to see those kid’s faces light up,” begged Sarah.
“Besides, I made an obscene amount of money when I sold my shares. Don’t you want to help me spend it?”
“I can’t turn down that face,” Sola said. “I’ll call the director now. I only wish I could come with you. Luckily, before I dig back into my files, I get to call the Board of Directors and let them in on our two-fold good luck.”
She picked up her cell and turned it on as they got up and left the restaurant. They were each going their separate ways on the sidewalk. Sola smirked when she saw a limo glide up outside with another behind it.
“You were that sure I’d give in?”
“You’re a softy, just like me. Can I give you a lift?” Sarah asked with a laugh.
***
Becky, Valerie, and Johanna walked up the sidewalk to the Japanese restaurant they’d chosen for lunch. Becky looked over at the restaurant next door while they were waiting for other patrons to exit. It looked like it had only been open for a short while. She’d never had Eritrean food before, and she thought she’d like to try it.
However, Valerie was craving Teriyaki, so they were going here.
That waiter sure is giving me the oddest look, Becky thought, as she followed Johanna and Valerie inside.
After lunch, Becky headed back home. She still had about sixty IDs that needed to be done
before Saturday.
***
Vasily Kadyrov waited in the meeting room for his attorney to arrive. His wrists and ankles were chained, linked to another chain around his waist. The charges against him warranted the extra precautions. He preferred to see it as proof that even locked up in this hellhole he was feared.
His empire crumbled around his head and shoulders. Most of his funds had been seized; his grandson and his grandniece were also awaiting trial for crimes ranging from burglary to murder and everything in between.
It had taken the State’s Attorney nearly ten minutes to read all the multiple charges and counts before the Grand Jury. Final jury selection had taken place, and the jury sequestered with an armed escort to guard them. The trial would begin on Monday. His attorney felt he could get the bulk of the evidence thrown out if they could discount the method used to collect it.
The best way to discount the method was to eliminate the man who had invented it and the woman who had come into his business and planted it on him and his grandson. They needed to kill her, her fiancé and his brothers, and then the rest would go away.
His attorney entered the room. At that point, the guard stepped out to give them some privacy.
“I apologize for not being able to shake your hand, Edward,” Vasily said, rattling his chains as he shrugged, “and the ambiance leaves much to be desired.”
He gestured to the utilitarian room with linoleum floors and metal chairs as best he could with the chain going through a hook on the table.
Edward Crunch sat down on the other side of the table, “How are you holding up, Vasily? I will be happy to see you out of here, old friend.”
Vasily leaned back in his chair, “I plan to be out of here soon, that is, if you have good news for me. As to how I’m holding up, better than most. I have a reputation, even in here. Now, tell me a story.”
“They’ve come out of hiding. Actually, they were never in hiding. After they got all the evidence together - and we still haven’t been able to find out which property room they’re keeping it in - they actually went camping. They’ve supposedly been hiking all over Wisconsin while waiting for the trial to begin. Now they’re back at that guy Jalen’s condo, only it turns out that it belongs to Detective Grace Perez.
Lucy Kelly Page 3
