The only reason he checked was because he thought it was likely from the office of The Calderian, wanting a status report on what he’d learned about Luca.
It was not.
He read the lengthy message three times, shocked by what it revealed, and spent several long moments trying to figure out what he should do about it, if anything.
Was it a coincidence that he had received this message while here on Earth? There had been a death and, because of that loss, there were procedures that would need to be followed in accordance with Alpha-Prime law. The death would impact someone here in Alienn, Arkansas.
Darkfall did not know if the death was due to natural causes, or if someone had helped the person into the next realm.
Unfortunately, this message and what it suggested would have to wait until he finished his mission to discover what had happened to Luca Radbourne on Earth. And why, after nearly completing a very important mission, his best friend seemed not to remember who he was. Darkfall had been elated to discover Luca alive.
Now, he needed to determine whether someone had helped Luca forget.
The coincidences seemed to be stacking up.
Darkfall didn’t like it, not one single bit.
His gut churned in agreement.
Chapter Ten
Beryl grabbed a hand basket, selected a few things she usually had for lunch and doubled her luncheon choices. The Supernova Supermarket deli made a nice sandwich, wrapped up and ready to go, with mayonnaise and mustard packets on the side to customize any offering. She added a plastic knife and some extra napkins to her basket.
She strolled down one of the snack aisles and grabbed a bag of her favorite kind of potato chips. She stopped by the produce section and selected apples, a banana and a small container of prewashed grapes that were ready to eat.
Fruit was often all she ate as a dessert, but she decided to grab a couple of large cookies from the bakery, which she thought was appropriate for a picnic, especially a first date picnic.
On her way to the checkout, Beryl stopped in front of the refrigerated beverage station for a couple of bottles of cooled water to round out her picnic.
“Picnic for two?” Tanya asked as she rang up Beryl’s purchases. She didn’t try very hard to hide a knowing smile.
“Yes,” Beryl said, resigned to the fact that she lived in a small town and this was the way earthlings acted around each other. “I’m having a picnic with Jake today.”
Tanya grinned. “I’m so glad, Beryl. I really am. I think you two make a perfect couple.”
“We’ll see.” She paid for the food and Tanya put everything in a paper grocery sack for her.
Beryl didn’t know if Tanya had heard about her tragic left-at-the-altar story. The cashier had never mentioned it, but it wouldn’t surprise her. The moment Beryl had gone out and about in Alienn after settling in, she overheard someone she didn’t know mention it in a whispered conversation while waiting in line at the post office. Beryl had pretended not to hear. She had hoped she’d have a few months before everyone knew about her past.
“Have fun,” the cashier said as Beryl passed the now silent ice machine and went through the front sliding doors of the store.
Beryl walked quickly, her pace faster than usual, anxious to get to the place where they were going to meet up. Then they could head to the park in the center of Alienn. She usually sat on a park bench, but she’d snagged a blanket out of the trunk of her car. Today, she and Jake could sit at a picnic table.
The skies above were crystal blue without a cloud in view. Perfect day for a picnic in the park with a guy she couldn’t wait to get to know better.
As she rounded the corner a block from the park, Beryl saw that Jake waiting for her. The lingering panic that she would get stood up faded as she closed in on him. The light changed as she reached it and she had to wait before crossing the street.
Jake had not seen her yet. The spark that she seemed to feel around this man arced across the street to where she stood. Dang. He was fine.
At long last, the light changed and the little green man on the Walk signal lit up. She got halfway through the crosswalk when he saw her. He smiled and stood up straighter, one hand lifting to wave at her. Beryl waved and hurried to join him.
“I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” she said as she stepped close and put a hand on his arm. She wanted to feel that spark—and she sure did. Wow.
“Not too long. I might have come a little early because I was so anxious to get here to meet up with you.” His gaze shifted to the grocery bag she held. “I see you brought us a feast.”
“Not really a feast, but I hope it’s enough for a nice picnic.”
“I have no doubt. There’s the added bonus that I don’t ever remember being on a picnic, so this will likely be the best picnic I’ve ever had.” His grin was infectious and she giggled.
