“That’s right. I didn’t tell you,” Sue spoke up, “the IRS seized that shipment at the storage unit. They turned it over to the FBI. I’m still not sure who shipped it there or how they used my credentials, or why. All I know, it’s out of our hands.”
“I still think Darrel had something to do with it,” Maggie said.
“Darrel is innocent of everything. He had solid alibis for the time all that happened,” Sue said.
“What about that woman at your office that said she saw him using your computer and phone?” Maggie asked.
“All lies, she was just trying to get him in trouble,” Sue said, “she didn’t want him to take Chase’s place.”
“Is he still going to Norfolk?” Mike asked.
“He sure is, and I have been promoted to take Chase’s place,” Sue said proudly.
“I thought they weren’t replacing Chase,” Maggie said.
“Now that Darrel is leaving, they changed their minds.”
“Well, congratulations, Sue,” Mike said.
“Congratulations,” both Maggie and Kat held up their margaritas for a toast.
“Thank you,” Sue said, also lifting her glass. Mike joined in with his iced tea.
“What about you, Kat,” Mike asked, “what are your plans?”
“I will be retiring in six months on my 55th birthday July 10,” Kat smiled.
“Cheers to that,” Sue said as they all raised their glasses again.
“That’s awesome, Kat,” Maggie said, “but your not 55.”
“Seriously Maggie, just go with it. Whatever age I am, I am looking forward to retirement,” Kat said, “I have been working since I was 15.”
They finally settled on lunch and ate in silence until the empty dishes were cleared from the table.
Maggie was relaxed from her Margarita and was enjoying the last few moments with her dear friends.
“Thank you, ladies, for all your help and especially all your support after all these years,” Maggie said, feeling tears well up.
“You just take care of yourself,” Kat said.
“Good luck in your new adventures,” Sue said.
After tearful hugs goodbye, Maggie and Mike headed to Olympia to pick up the RV and met Kat at the Doggie Day Care, where they loaded up Lila and Hoss, who both instantly made themselves comfortable on the king size bed at the back of the RV.
By the end of the day, Mike and Maggie were on the highway heading South-East with one large Great Dane and a miniature Australian Shephard.
Mike looked over at Maggie as she sat back in the overstuffed captain chair. She kicked her shoes off now settled in for a long drive. She looked back at him as he returned his focus on the road in front of him.
“Thank you again for coming to Seattle and helping me,” Maggie said, shifting her feet to the vent so she could feel the warm air on her cold toes.
“It was my pleasure Maggie,” Mike smiled and turned the radio on to a classic rock station. He moved his head to the drumbeat and Maggie closed her eyes, finally feeling free from all the past of the Pacific Northwest. She would look for her biological mother when she was settled back in Boca.
For the next few days, they drove as long as they could each day, passing the time by sharing their history. It was like a dam burst for Maggie as she had been holding in all her secrets for so long. They took turns driving with Mike doing most of it, stopping at rest stops and Walmart Parking lots to sleep.
The last day on the road was quiet and they would reach Salisbury by the end of the day. Maggie fed the dogs and took them for a short walk at the Truckstop where they gassed up. They parked in the far corner where they sat at the small wooden picnic table eating the breakfast burritos they bought inside.
“I guess I had better start thinking about what I’m going to do now,” Maggie said between bites. “The lawyer took a big chunk of my savings and my house is gone unless Liza suddenly shows up. I’m going to have to get a real job again. Where am I going to live?”
“I’ve been thinking about that too,” Mike said, reaching across to grab a napkin.
“I thought about staying in the Pacific Northwest, but I just can’t leave the sun. Seattle is just too depressing and I’m not talking about the constant rain.”
“You know Seattle’s average rainfall is only 37 inches compared to 62 inches in Miami,” Mike said.
“Okay, Mr. Encyclopedia, I was talking about sunny days.”
Mike pulled out his phone and, after a few minutes, read the statistics, “Seattle has 152 sunny days compared to Miami with 248 sunny days.”
“See what I mean.”
“But if you want sun, you will need to move to Yuma, Arizona. They have 328 of full sun and averages of only 3 inches of rain a year.”
“Sounds a little dusty,” Maggie stood and gathered all their garbage and placed it into the bag.
“Here is a good compromise,” Mike tapped his phone, “this place has only 43 inches of rain and 215 sunny days.”
“That sounds like a place I could live,” Maggie smiled.
“Then it’s settled. You are moving to Salisbury, NC, to work with me as a private detective. You need two years understudy before you can go out on your own, anyway.”
Maggie froze mid-step, rolling the idea around in her head.
“Where would I live?” she asked, if only to buy time while she let the idea sink in.
“You could stay with me, but I’m not sure how you would like to live with a teenager with an attitude.”
“I don’t want to invade Zoey’s world. I remember 14 and it was hard enough without some strange woman living in your house.”
“I bet Aunt Millie would love for you to stay with her. She has a whole side of the house she never uses. I bet she would love the company.”
“You think she wouldn’t mind? I won’t be able to pay much.” Maggie hung her head.
“So, you’re willing to stay?” Mike asked eagerly.
“I can’t think of anything else to do right now, so yes, temporarily until I can think of something else and if Aunt Millie is willing to rent me a room.”
“That’s great, Maggie,” Mike said, smiling wide. Maggie also smiled as she put the garbage in the can, feeling a little lighter as she got back into the passenger seat. Both dogs had already settled in the back bed.
Mike hopped up into the driver’s seat.
“Did I tell you Zoey wants a Quinceanera?”
“Are you Hispanic?” Maggie asked.
“No, but she feels like it's racist not to celebrate 15 instead of 16,” Mike said, shaking his head.
“You have your hands full.”
Maggie was looking forward to getting to know Zoey. She certainly kept her father on his toes.
“I never had a sweet 16,” Maggie said. “That was the year my mom left us, and my dad was a bit overwhelmed with everything.”
“Knowing my daughter, she will also want a sweet 16.”
“Smart girl.” Maggie smiled.
Just as Mike started the ignition, his phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket, looked confused as he stared at the screen before putting it to his ear.
“Hello,” He said and then stayed silent, listening to someone speaking on the other side. Maggie watched his face turn pale.
“What?” he yelled into the phone and then instantly calmed his voice. “When is the last time anyone saw them?”
Mike looked at Maggie and shook his head. His face blank and his lips tight.
“Are you sure?” he said, shaking his head in disbelief, “Okay…I’m on my way.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Zoey is missing.” Mike was visibly shaken.
“What do you mean ‘missing’?”
“She was on an overnight school trip in Asheville and there was a fire at the cabin where they were staying. The kids were evacuated, but Zoey and one other girl are missing.”
“Oh no,” Maggie covered her mouth with both hands.
> “They weren’t in the cabin. Apparently, Zoey and her friend snuck out late last night and never returned. One of the other girls was supposed to go but chickened out.”
“I guess we are going to Ashville?” Maggie asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“She is going to be okay, Mike,” Maggie looked over at Mike, who had a death grip on the steering wheel.
“I know,” he said, “because we are going to find her. One thing about Zoey is she is fearless.”
“Like her father.” Maggie smiled just as her phone buzzed. She looked at the number. She didn’t recognize it, but Mike glanced over.
“Answer that,” he said.
“Why?” Maggie asked.
“That’s Kyleigh’s number.”
Deception Trail: A Maggie McFarlin Mystery Page 18
