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declared, missing, presumed dead. For Tim s sake, I hoped, given
time, she would come to her senses and contact him. As for
Vance& my brother could take care of himself. Did Petra give
any hint as to what her plans might be?
Fraser s smile was a tad wistful. She said she d always wanted
to walk across America from the Pacific to the Atlantic and stop
and visit all the places in between. I offered to go with her, but she
said no, the trip would be one of personal discovery. When she
reached New York, she d know what she wanted and where she
wanted to go from there.
Sounds like a pretty dangerous plan. Impractical, too.
That s what we told her, Kevin said, looking a little sad. She
said if she was a man, she d give it try. Since she wasn t, she d
take the bus.
Have you heard from her?
Once, Fraser admitted. To let me know she was okay. She
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knew I d be worried after she took off without saying goodbye. I
asked her to keep in touch, and she promised she would. I also told
her to call her brother, and she said she d think about it.
Anything else? I pressed.
I traced the call to the bus station in Flagstaff. We haven t
heard from her since.
How long since the call?
Almost a month.
I spared a glance for the mug of now-cold coffee and got to my
feet. As you say, Petra s an adult. If she wants to take a bus trip to
New York, then I guess it s her business. If it s okay with you,
though, I ll have her brother call and give you his phone number.
Then if she calls again, you can let him know.
Sure, fine with me, Fraser said as the pair of them followed
me out of the room and down the hallway.
I doubt she will, Kevin said as we reached the door. She
said she intended to make sure no one ever found her, and I know
she meant it.
With no way of knowing if Petra did mean what she said, or if
the day would arrive when she had a change of heart, I returned to
the SUV and started the engine.
The only problem I had now was deciding what to tell Tim.
The whole truth and leave him to waste his life on false hope if
Kevin was right? Or go for a slightly edited version, and let Tim be
surprised if Kevin was wrong and Petra called?
Reminding myself I was being paid to seek out and deliver the
truth, not adjust it, I released the brake and headed for home.
* * *
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I found Tim asleep on the sofa. Albert was curled up on his
chest. George was tucked into his side.
George opened one eye and gave me a self-satisfied, who-in-
hell-needs-you cat smile. Hmm! So much for his loyalty to he who
provides him with all the comforts of life.
Still, they all looked so comfortable and cozy, I crept out of the
room and headed for the kitchen.
I don t know if Tim heard me come in, or if George read my
thoughts and decided to pay attention as to which side his and
Albert s cookies were buttered. Whatever! I d barely opened the
refrigerator door and reached for a beer when all three appeared in
the doorway, Tim rubbing his eyes and the two cats licking their
well-fed chops.
How did things go? Any progress? Tim asked.
Here, catch. I tossed him the beer and reached for another.
Let s go out on the deck and I ll tell you.
When I was through, he didn t say anything for a while. Then
he said, Have you told Vance?
No. I m not sure who the client is here, you or Vance, so I
figured you should do that.
How do you think he ll take it?
A month was a long time in the candy floss world of stardom.
Knowing my brother, I had a feeling he d already moved on.
Hard to say. If he makes a fuss, just say it s her life to do with
however she decides.
Which is true. I just wish we were closer. That I d spent more
time with her and gotten to know her better while I had the
chance.
That could still happen.
I doubt it. I m her brother and I love her. I hope she calls, and
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if she needs anything, I ll be there. But&
I knew what Tim was thinking, but couldn t actually say. The
only bond between them was blood. No shared childhood
memories or experiences, and without being able to sit down and
play the old Do you remember when game, they were virtual
strangers.
While Tim went inside to call Vance, I sipped my beer and
relaxed. It was early evening now. The sun was still hot, but a soft
ocean breeze caressed my overheated body and filled my head with
thoughts of a refreshing shower and cool, crisp sheets.
It also reminded me of the IOU I d given Tim, and I wondered
if he remembered, too.
I closed my eyes, ran a hand down my belly and touched my
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