The Marsh Madness

I blurted before he could even say “hello.” “So sorry, Lance. I am alive, but we have been invaded by police today and things were out of my control.” I crossed my fingers and fibbed. I couldn’t bring myself to say that I’d forgotten about my burner phone.

“I couldn’t get near this phone for reasons that I’m sure you will figure out.”

“Are you okay? I’ve been flipping out here. I was just coming over.”

“Better to get your beauty sleep. The police are watching us. There’s a police car in front of the house, and it’s probably better if that officer doesn’t see you. You don’t want to end up connected to the case.”

I thought I heard Lance gulp. “I’m not worried.”

“Well, we might need the flexibility of one of us not being considered a suspect or accessory.”

“Right. Flexibility, that’s good.”

“I need to thank you for helping me. How about I meet you at the library tomorrow—if I’m not in jail—and I can take you to dinner to thank you?” I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist that.

“I’ve been looking forward to trying Mr. Grimsby’s Bistro,” Lance said. “And I have to make a presentation to the library board meeting tomorrow night, so lunch? Small plates are good for lunch.”

“Sure thing. Everyone’s talking about Mr. Grimsby’s.” That Lance, so classy. There you go, Vera, I thought. The first of your expenses will go to a stylish new dining spot. Lunch was better for me because it would get me moving along earlier. Not that I had anywhere to go or anything to do, but I was hopeful. “Now, before we fall asleep, let’s hear what you’ve found out that’s so interesting.”

I could hear the excitement in his voice. “I recognized an old acquaintance from the photo. I told her I’m doing a bit of research for an article in a library journal on the value of photography in researching social networks.”

I laughed out loud. “Brilliant!”

“I know it’s a stretch. But she bought it. I sent her the image, cropped out of the group shot, and she told me everything about this woman. Her name is Shelby Church. I’m going to meet my friend for breakfast tomorrow. I’ll print the entire group photo and see what else I can turn up.”

“But this is already great, Lance. We have a name.”

“Maybe not entirely good news.”

Lance does love to tease, although sometimes his timing sucks. I sighed. “Why would that be?”

“Shelby’s an actress—”

“She’s an actress? Really? Why isn’t it good news?”

“According to my friend, after a couple of years in off-off-Broadway flops, she’s got her first big break in a film and she’s finishing up filming a thriller in Europe—Prague, I think. My connection was pretty surprised and insinuated the picture was low-budget and wouldn’t ever hit the big screen, probably go straight to DVD or whatever, but my point is I guess Shelby couldn’t have been involved.”

“It’s not hard to be somewhere that you aren’t. Or not be somewhere that you are. That’s easy peasy, Lance.” Or it is in my family, anyway.

“I guess so. I imagine the police will check her flight arrangements and all that.”

“Why would they when they’re so keen on pinning the whole thing on us? Ah, sorry, Lance. I’m on edge. The cops are getting to me, and we don’t know from one minute to the next when we’ll be arrested.”

“Is there anything I can do to help with that?”

“Thanks. You already have. This could be our first real break. I appreciate it.” I figured I could mouse around the Internet chasing this Shelby.

“We’d both better get our beauty sleep. I’ll let you know what happens tomorrow.”

I could feel fatigue descending, like a big boot from the sky. Seconds after we disconnected, I was sound asleep. So much for chasing Shelby Church across the wasteland of the Internet.


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