“Adam, can you please show this young lady to the art room and tell her about our program.”
“I certainly can, Miss Dee. I’m always happy to help out a prospective student.”
I followed him to a clean and organized art room. There were clay vases drying on a set of shelves, water colored canvases filled the walls, there were even a few marble statues. Easels were arranged around the room. The quality of the work and the variety of art formats was surprising. It looked like something I’d expect to find in a prestigious art school, not a community center for the less fortunate in Germanna.
“This is where the magic happens,” he said. “What brings you here?”
“My mom passed away. She was an artist, but I refused to learn from her when she was still around. I miss her and I want to see the world through her eyes, so here I am.”
“We all have a calling to see the truth hidden behind misconceptions, falsehoods, and tailored realities. You’ll learn to open yourself up to the truth here.”
“Are you the only teacher?”
“Now, I am.”
“My friend recommended this place, but I thought she said her teacher was a girl.”
“That would have been Emma Lynn. She’s no longer with us.”
“That’s too bad. My friend said the nicest things about her and how talented she is. Will she be returning?”
“No, I don’t think so. Emma Lynn found a higher calling.”
“Mr. Adam,” said a boy who skipped through the door. Several other children and adults entered the room, their eager faces flashed smiles at Adam.
“I didn’t realize you had a class,” I said.
“It’s okay. You can stay and see what it’s like.”
“I wish I could, but I have a previous commitment. Thank you so much for speaking with me.”
“I look forward to opening your mind to new possibilities.”
That sounded a bit creepy, but I hadn’t spent much time around artistic folks, so maybe they were all a bit spacey. He hadn’t said anything bad, but I felt weird being around him.
Outside of the community center, I ran into two teenage girls who were carrying canvases and bags overflowing with art supplies.
“Hello, are you taking the art classes here?” I asked.
They stopped at my words and eyed me with distrust. The girls clutched their possessions tighter and darting their eyes about as if looking for an easy escape. Crap. Way to put them at ease, Marty. I’m sure they would spill their guts now that I scared them.
“What’s it to you?” asked the taller, brown-haired girl.
“I’m a private investigator and was hired by the Jamisons to find their daughter.”
“Show us your badge,” said the same girl.
I pulled out my badge and held it out for their inspection. This was ridiculous and these two were rude and disrespectful. Each of the girls took their time looking it over. I halfway expected them to scratch at it to check if the gold was fake or bite it like people do to check if a gold coin is fake. Fake coins bent, but real ones didn’t.
“Do you know Emma Lynn Jamison? If so, I’d like to ask you a few questions,” I said.
“We have to get to class and we don’t have to tell you anything,” said the blond-haired girl.
“You aren’t even a real investigator and can’t do anything to us,” said the other girl, whose face was twisted into a sneer.
“But I can and will if you don’t answer this lady’s questions.” I stiffened, recognizing Miles’ voice.
“Fine. No need to be nasty about it,” said the brown-haired girl.
Miles came out of nowhere. I hadn’t taken him for the stealthy type. He was more of the stomp around like a rampaging ogre and waving his badge kind of guy. For him to be here at the same time that I was meant that he was following me. The last thing I needed was him shadowing me. I wasn’t going on some magical rampage. I pushed my magic down and it was cooperating – for now.
“So, did you know the young lady you were asked about?” he said.
“Everyone knew and loved her. She was soft spoken and shy, but once she spoke about art, it was like she just came alive. Until I met her, I considered quitting. Emma Lynn gave me a new perspective. I love art again,” said the brown-haired girl.
“She sounds very nice. Did everyone like her then?” I asked.
“No one has any reason not to. She is as nice as can be,” said blondie.
“So, no one had any reason to dislike her or hurt her?” I asked.
“Oh my God! Is she okay? Did someone hurt her? I thought she was being transferred to the Institute?” asked the brown-haired girl.
“Sorry for alarming you. This is part of a standard background investigation I’ve been hired to do by the Rare Herbs and Medicinals Company. What can you tell me about her transfer?” I asked.
“Oh, she was so happy. I’ve never seen her like that. She said getting to work for a place like this was a higher calling. That it was an elite position that she’d somehow been selected for,” said the brown haired girl.
“Selected for what?” asked Miles.
“I can ask my own questions,” I told him. “Well, actually, that was the question I was going to ask. Can you tell us what she was selected for?” I asked.
“She got selected to attend the Institute of Reawakening,” said the same girl.
“It was my understating that she was going to work at the Rare Herbs and Medicinals Company.”
I nearly winced at my own stupidity. Now, I’ve given Miles insight into this case. I needed him checking into the Institute and the Company even less than I needed him shadowing. If something was going on, him snooping around could tip those places off and kill my leads.
“Well, some things are even better than a company job. And why are you even bothering to do an investigation if she’s not
