“New York City, New York. What would someone from the east coast want with our family here on the west coast? Uncle Doug, you or your family ever live someplace other than California or Oregon?”
“No, but who knows where Wanda is. When she said she wanted to go off and find herself, we didn’t know and still don’t know where she is. But we don’t really need to know because we talk to her at least once a week.”
“Fern said she got an e-mail a few days ago that said she’d be busy and would check in when she could.”
“Yeah, I got one too, it was two weeks ago. Got one this morning that said she was still busy, but was okay. Nothing struck me as worrisome. It was Wanda being Wanda. She’ll tell us what she’s been doing when she’s ready.”
“So, no alarm bells from either e-mail?”
“No.”
“Dad. I searched social media for this guy, I can’t do the checks you can with your police access, but I don’t see anything funny. Other than almost a month ago he broke up with his fiancée.”
“Well, we won’t get answers if we don’t confront the guy,” Brandon said. “Brian, you can come with if you promise to stay in the SUV.”
“Okay.” Brian grinned and followed his father and uncle out. A few minutes later, as they drove down Main Street, he called out. “There he is. He’s sitting at a table at Jane’s outside.”
Brandon slowed, made a turn and went around the block so that when he parked at the curb, he wasseveral yards from Jane’s Restaurant. “Which one?” Doug asked.
“Jane just put a plate of food in front of him and refilled his coffee cup.”
“Let’s go,” Brandon said, and looked at his son and sighed. “Fine, but if your mother finds out, we’re both in the dog house. And if anything goes wonky, run.”
“Okay.” He grinned and hopped out. “How about I go get a table close to him and you and Uncle Doug come in from behind?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Doug grinned and watched as his nephew did just that. He was close enough he could hear anything the man said. He and Brandon walked in through the front.
“Hey, guys, coffee?” Jane called out.
“Yeah, but Brian’s out on the patio, we’ll take it out there with pie.” Brandon grinned, which caused Jane to laugh.
“Fern not back yet?”
“Not until Sunday. Better make it two apples and whatever Doug wants.
“Cherry.” He grinned, and they filled their own coffee cups. Brandon grabbed a soda for his son, and they went out to the patio. Brian had sat with his back to the man so that Brandon and Doug could face him. He made a mental note to congratulate his son on his choice of seating.
After their pie was served, it wasn’t long before this Christopher Evans looked over. “Gentlemen, I see by your badges that you’re in charge around here, could I ask you some questions?”
“Sure, mind if we join you?” Brandon asked.
“Not at all,” Christopher said, and moved his plate and cup closer to him. He watched as two big men wearing badges and a boy joined them. After several minutes of silence, they finished eating, and Brandon leaned back and sipped his coffee.
“What can we do for you?”
“I’m looking for a family from my past, it’s taken me over six weeks so far, and it’s finally led me here to this town.”
“What family?”
“Perkins. I can’t recall the parents’ names, but I know there were three children. Oldest was a girl named Fern, then there was a boy named Doug, He was two years older than me when we lived in California, and I considered him my best friend, even though I was only five and he was seven. But who I’m really looking for is the youngest girl, she was three the last time I saw her. But I remember her name was Wanda.” He paused and sipped his coffee. “It’s imperative that I find this Wanda Perkins.”
“Why?” Doug demanded, then looked at Brandon who only nodded. Indicating he could take the lead. “I’m Douglas Perkins, and I have an older sister, Fern, who happens to be the Sheriff’s wife and Brian’s mother.”
“Really?” Christopher leaned forward. “Thank god. I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Christopher Evans.”
“Sorry, can’t say I do.”
“Didn’t think so, it was over twenty years ago, but how about this. I married your sister, Wanda.”
