CHAPTER SEVEN

C HAPTER S EVEN

Pinewood

M yra was up early. The dogs were her alarm clock. They had to go out and have breakfast. She occasionally thought about installing a doggie door, but instinct told her it would make the house vulnerable, even with five barking dogs and a security system that would make Fort Knox blush. It was no coincidence that Charles had engaged the same company to outfit the house and property.

After the time the Sisters were placed under house arrest, Charles convinced Myra they should have better surveillance than the local authorities could provide. Over the years, Charles and Fergus kept up with the latest reconnaissance equipment. Their technology rivaled that of many counter-intelligence agencies, and their access to personal information was capable of diving to the depths of the dark web. Between Fergus’s stint at Scotland Yard, and Charles’s at MI6, they were a formidable pair. With Myra’s calculating thought process and Annie’s guile, they, too, formed an indomitable duo. Their level of expertise at covert operations only sharpened as the years went on. While no one had any idea where this trip to Oregon would end, Myra was certain there was something afoot in the foothills of the Cascades.

Annie roared into the rear driveway of the farmhouse with Fergus in tow. She was a maniac driver, even in a golf cart. Fergus smoothed his hair, then pulled Annie’s luggage off the back. Annie held the door to the kitchen. “We’re here!” she proclaimed above the yapping of the dogs.

Charles suppressed a smirk. No matter how many times Fergus traveled with Annie behind the wheel, he always looked as if he’d just cheated death. His eyes bulged, his breath was short, and his face red.

Myra wiggled her way through the throng of dogs and gave Annie a big hug. “Good morning! Everything all set?”

“Of course.” The jet was ready to take off, and Annie had made reservations at The Grand Hotel. “Our suite has two beds, a living room, dining area, desk; it includes breakfast, has a view, and it’s soundproof. And it’s just a couple of blocks from the hospital.”

“That will surely come in handy,” Myra responded.

“Plus, they have champagne service.” Annie giggled.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Myra chuckled.

Charles and Fergus rolled their eyes as if to say, Here we go again . The men brought the luggage to the waiting town car. Lots of hugs and kisses from both humans and dogs, and the gals were on their way.

Myra and Annie arrived at the airport and boarded the private jet. Myra phoned Patricia and left a voice mail message saying she and Annie would be arriving around dinnertime. They planned to check in to the hotel and then head to the hospital if that was acceptable to Patricia. Patricia replied several minutes later via text.

Yes. That’s fine. Mill moving to private room.

Myra read the message out loud. “That’s a relief. I’ll be honest. I have no idea why he asked for me.”

Annie raised an eyebrow as she fastened her seat belt. “First love?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Myra gave Annie’s rhinestone boots a friendly tap.

“Not you, silly. Him!” Annie laughed.

“Even more ridiculous.” Myra leaned back into the plush seat, folded her hands, and closed her eyes.

“You’re still nervous about flying?” Annie asked, as she watched Myra fidget with her pearls.

“Always,” Myra replied, and took a very deep breath. “I used to love it, but there’ve been too many incidents lately.”

“At least we don’t have to deal with belligerent, rowdy drunks!” Annie chuckled.

“Well, there’s that.” Myra opened one eye. “I know Phillip is a fine, experienced pilot. It’s the airborne equipment, and the people who are handling it, that I worry about.”

“Maybe a mimosa would help?” Annie grinned.

“Sure. Why not?” Myra wasn’t a big drinker, but an occasional champagne or wine with dinner wasn’t out of the ordinary.

Annie pushed the call button. A voice responded. “Yes, Ms. De Silva?”

“When we’ve reached cruising altitude, could you please bring me and Mrs. Rutledge two mimosas?”

“Yes, ma’am. Should be within the next ten minutes.”

“Excellent.” Annie sat back and watched the ground slip farther away.

Annie wasn’t fancy, but she enjoyed some of the finer things. A good massage and facial, a pristine beach, fine wine, and fast cars. The faster the better.

As if Myra were reading her mind, she asked, “Have you ever considered becoming a race car driver?”

“I think you’ve asked me that almost every time you let me drive.”

“Well, then?”

“No, but if there’s time, I’d like to check out one of the speedways.”

“Of course you would. You’ve done it before, haven’t you?”

“Only once, believe it or not. I promised Fergus I wouldn’t do anything dangerous on this trip.” She chuckled. “Besides what we normally do.”

Myra laughed. “We sure have gotten ourselves in a few pickles, haven’t we?”

“So many, I’m surprised we’re not brined by now!” Annie hooted.

The mimosa did the trick, and Myra dozed off. Annie pulled out her phone and confirmed their car and hotel reservations. Then she did a little digging into the Spangler family. She took a few notes to send to Fergus and Charles, and sent a message to Maggie, her crackerjack reporter: Do a follow up on the missing girl. You will have to come out here.

Maggie replied within seconds: Will do. LMK. I’m packed and ready. Maggie knew when Annie and Myra traveled, it usually meant they were looking into something unseemly, so she was at the ready.

* * *

The flight took less than four hours while they enjoyed their aerial view of the Rocky Mountains and the Great Salt Lake. As they made their way above the Cascades, lenticular clouds hovered over the magnificent Mount Rainier, signaling a change in weather. The scenery was breathtaking. They were admiring the view when the jet was slightly jostled by an updraft from the mountains. Myra jumped, gasped, and grabbed her pearls. “Easy on those, girlfriend.” Annie leaned over and patted Myra’s knee. “We’re almost there.” Then the jet banked southward to Salem, and they could see Mount Hood in the distance. It was a smooth three-point landing. Myra thought she had been holding her breath for the last fifteen minutes and let out a huge whoosh of air.

“Atta girl.” Annie grinned. “I did a little more digging into the Spangler family while you were napping, and I told Maggie to do a follow-up. We may want her to fly out here.”

“Good idea. I can only imagine that Mill wants to talk to me about something serious.”

Annie winked and started to sing “When a Man Loves a Woman.”

“Listen, you. Two things. First, you can’t carry a tune in a bucket. Second, you’ve gotta stop that nonsense.”

Annie stuck out her tongue and made a raspberry sound. Myra laughed. “You still can’t carry a tune.”

“Ah, but Milton?” She raised her eyebrows up and down.

“Would you please stop that?” Myra’s eyes grew wide.

“Oh, alright.” Annie paused. “For now.”

Myra rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Remind me. Why are we friends?”

“Because you love me. And I love you.” Annie smiled.

“True, but sometimes you can be so annoying.” Myra grinned.

“Another thing to love about me. My crass sense of humor.”

“You said it; I didn’t.” Myra folded her arms and gave Annie a phony look of annoyance.