Blake Schwendiman's Blog and Blook

Chapter 66

Monday, 14 March 2022 – 8:15 a.m. MST

With a little less than thirty minutes remaining in their flight, Quinn decided to call Valerie to check on the situation at the office. As the silence on the plane was deafening, the call also provided a diversion.

“How are things there?” Quinn asked.

“I just provided my statement to the police,” Valerie answered. “They’re nearly finished.”

“Did they find any evidence of...”

“No,” Valerie interrupted. “Heart attack.”

Quinn felt an overwhelming rush of relief. “That’s good news,” he said before he realized how it sounded. “I mean, it’s tragic, but at least...”

“Yes. I understand what you mean.”

“Are you okay, Val? You sound like ... you sound exhausted.”

“I am. And shaken,” she replied. “I found him. It was horrible.”

“I’ll be there soon. We’ll get this behind us and things will be better,” Quinn reassured.

“I hope so.”

Quinn wished he could be there. He hated to hear the distress in her voice and know that he was still so far from being able to help. “Will you meet us at the airport?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered. “The car is waiting. I’m on my way out.”

“Good. We’ll see you then. We have part of the messenger.”

“Part?” she asked.

“Yes, Laura has the other part,” Quinn replied. “But she doesn’t know it.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Brad sent Laura some earrings several years ago. They were South African diamond earrings. She loves them. I’m sure they’re required to use the messenger,” Quinn answered. “We’ll go to the house from the airport and get the earrings.”

“Okay,” Valerie replied. She felt her heart sink again. Everything had fallen apart.

“I’ll see you soon.”

Valerie ended the call then collected her things. She forced herself to continue hoping there would be a way to salvage the future.