“When we first got back, Gage was watching the surveillance video of the truck stop convenience store. The blond guy was the flirty customer talking Valene up in the Maxwell the Martian aisle when we got back with the hairy alien.”
“Where was I?” Cam asked.
Wyatt shrugged. “Taking care of the hairy alien, I guess. I don’t know.” Cam walked over to a computer terminal in Gage’s lab. He searched several surveillance camera feeds until he found the footage Wyatt had seen earlier with Gage. Valene had apparently been talking with the guy for over twenty minutes before they returned. Daphne Charlene could be seen in the background pacing in front of the cash register with a foul expression on her face as she watched Valene chat with Mr. Flirty.
“When Nova gets back with Valene, we’ll have to see if this is the dude she saw.”
Wyatt wasn’t certain he wanted to traipse around looking for the guy Valene had been flirting with, but remained silent.
“What if that face was only in Daphne Charlene’s mind because that’s who Valene was talking to right before she got zapped by the Defender?”
Cam pondered that for a moment. “I guess it’s possible.”
He searched through more surveillance feeds, but didn’t seem to find what he was looking for, if his sour attitude was any indication.
Nova came running into the lab. “Valene’s gone!”
“What do you mean she’s gone? Where is she?”
“I don’t know and I mean she’s not at home, or at your parents’ home or anywhere in Alienn that I could find on my way back.”
“Did you call her cell?” Cam asked, reaching for his phone.
Nova held up her hand to show her cell phone clutched in one palm. “Yes. Of course, she isn’t picking up. I called so many times to leave, ‘Call me back’ messages that her voice mail is already full.”
In Nova’s other hand was a piece of paper. She held it up. “Plus, I found this note taped on Valene’s front door.”
“Way to bury the lead, Nova.”
“Don’t mess with me, I’m worried sick about her.”
Wyatt was also horribly worried about Valene.
Cam took the note from Nova and read out loud, “Hey, Fearless Leader. I’m fairly certain that I have something you want. Just like you have something that I want. Let’s meet tonight at midnight at the lovers’ lane and make the exchange or else your little sister will remain with me permanently and the two of us will enjoy this fine new planet together, tucked away where I promise you will never find us. I.S.”
“What does he want?” Wyatt asked, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. If he knew where to go and rescue her, Wyatt would already be running in that direction, alien purple goo splatter gun at the ready to take down Indigo Smith.
“I wish I knew.”
Nova pushed out a long sigh. “I’ll bet Daphne Charlene knew before we zapped her memories into oblivion.”
Chapter Eleven
Valene blinked sedately as she rode in the passenger seat of her sports car, watching the scenery go by. She felt really good. Peaceful. Serene. And a bit whimsical, truth be told. Had she ever felt this way before? Maybe, but she couldn’t remember any specifics. Her memories faded like the remnants of a powerful dream upon waking. At first, the images are so clear and rational. But as reality sets in, the truth of riding a giant tiger with a saddle on his back to work like everyone does it every day becomes a silly notion. Even so, she enjoyed the serenity and watching the trees go by outside the window.
Was she dreaming right now? She wasn’t sure. Maybe.
She looked at the handsome man driving the car. Where were they going again? She tried to muster the energy to ask. After clearing her suddenly very dry throat and opening her mouth to speak, Valene couldn’t recall what she’d been about to say. Hmm.
The man smiled, raised his eyebrows as if waiting for her to say something, but she was lost for words. How embarrassing. Better not to speak until she knew what she wanted to say, right?
Valene smiled at him, shook her head and put her focus back out her side window and the rustic scenery along the road, settling comfortably into her seat. She closed her eyes and tried to remember her question, but the details evaded her until she decided a nap was a good idea. She let go and started to fall into a light slumber.
Maybe she’d try and remember whatever it was later. Or maybe not. Either way, sleep was so much more important.
