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I was walking out of my office at Hairy's when my phone rang. I looked at the screen and saw it was Jim. I hoped he wasn't canceling out of our meeting this afternoon. I had more questions about what we'd learned from the journal.
"Hi, Jim."
"Hi, Everly. I talked to Chance a while ago. He said you were bringing lunch for the two of you. Would you mine bringing my order too? I have some legal business to go over with Chance, so I figured I'd make use of my trip out to his place and do that before lunch. I won't be interfering with any plans you had with Chance, will I?"
"No. I was just going to bring him lunch. He said he was tired of his own cooking."
"I can understand that. If you don't mind picking up my order, I can just call it in."
"Sure, Jim. I'll see you around noon."
I went upstairs, changed into a clean shirt, and ran a brush through my hair. I tucked my pad with my list of questions in the pocket of my laptop bag and headed downstairs. "I'm taking Jim Stafford's order too," I told Rita, as I packed up the food.
"One man at a time not enough for you?" she asked.
"Have to sample the buffet to know what you want more of," I said as I pushed the door open and headed for Snickety.
XXX
I couldn't decide if I was curious or disappointed that Jim was meeting with Chance without me. I understood that Jim might have dealings with Chance that had nothing to do with me and Uncle Harry, but if felt like I was being left out. I had a few things I wanted to talk with Chance about without Jim. I hoped I could stay after Jim left to have some time with Chance one-on-one. I know someone will point out that my wanting to talk with Chance without Jim wasn't any different than Chance and Jim not including me, but I didn't have to like it.
Jim walked out of the A-frame and met me at the car to help carry the food in. "Have you guys concluded your business?" I asked.
"We're through," Jim said.
I was a little surprised when Chance walked over and wrapped his arms around me once I'd set all the bags down on the counter.
"Hi," he said. "I missed you."
I was so surprised, I had no idea how to respond. "Let's sit down and eat before the food gets cold."
We chatted about local news while we ate, but once I cleared the table and the three of us had coffee, Chance explained.
"I've already explained to Jim what I heard about the DNA," Chance said. "So, he's up to speed."
"I know you guys are probably going to laugh at me. I've been thinking about the DNA information and my gut reaction is so what?"
I wished we'd been filming our meetings because both of their jaws dropped open. "I can see I've shocked you. It's just that I don't understand what we can or should do with the DNA information. Do we publish it on a website? Write a book and include it? Sell our story to Hollywood?"
Jim reached over and took my hand. "Everly, slow down. We don't have to do anything with the information."
"That's my point exactly," I said, pulling my hand away. "What's the point of having proof if you don't do anything with it."
"You heard what was in the journal," Chance said. "Harry and my dad spent weeks studying this group. If anyone knew they were out there, this place would be over run. Hunters would be looking for a unique trophy for their wall or, god forbid, building an animal park. You can't honestly think we should go public with this information."
"I get it, and you're right. I wouldn't want to do anything that would cause harm to any animal species that roams these parts. I find it hard to get excited about news I can't share with anyone."
Jim said he understood. He said something to Chance that I couldn't hear. "Everly, your last comment hit the nail on the head," Jim said. "You wouldn't want to share this information with just anyone. No matter how good the tests were or how reliable the people conducting them, some people won't believe. Then there are some that will believe and try to find a way to profit from the knowledge."
"We only want to share this knowledge with people who will believe it and behave appropriately," Chance said.
"So, we only want to share the proof of bigfoot with people who already believe in bigfoot," I said, half joking.
"Exactly," both Jim and Chance said before fist bumping.
Sarcasm seemed to be a foreign language to them. They seemed pleased that I finally got it, but I didn't get it at all. Jim went on to explain the DNA report would be validated by a second lab—someone without any ties to the three of us. All the reports and documentation, like Harry's journal, would be copied so that Chance and I would each have a copy for our records, and Jim would keep another copy in a safe deposit box that the three of us would share access to.
"The non-disclosure forms we signed before we read the journal cover any related documentation," Jim said. "That should be good enough. Everly, as your lawyer I need to make sure that you understand—we've all signed documents that say we can't release this information unless all three of us agree."
"I know. I understand," I said.
Chance turned his chair, so it was facing me more directly. He took both my hands in his and looked directly into my eyes. I had no idea what he was going to do, but I was really feeling like it wasn't appropriate in front of Jim.
"Chance, what are you..."
"There's one more detail we need to take care of," Chance said. "I know when we started this, you weren't convinced that cryptids like bigfoot existed. After seeing the physical evidence, hearing their noises, and reading the DNA report, now, do you believe that bigfoot exists?"
"I can't say I'm comfortable admitting this, but who am I to argue with DNA evidence tested by a university professor."
Chance kept hold of my hands and looked to Jim. "Is that good enough?"
"While not a resounding yes, it'll do, legally."
I pulled my hands away from Chance. "What are you two up to?"
"Just starting to plan our next outing into the woods," Chance said. "We still need to get to the coordinates Harry put in the letter."
"Do you know what's there?"
"I think It's the location of this family group they were studying," Chance said.
"Makes sense," Jim said.
"Well, you've got some time. It'll be almost Christmas before you can hike again, and everything will be buried in snow by then."
"True, but I'll be leading the next expedition," Jim said.
I laughed at the idea of a bigfoot hunting lawyer, but when I looked at the two men, I had the feeling they might not be kidding.