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The vendor room didn't open until after the opening session of the conference, so I grabbed a Danish and coffee in the hospitality room. I was surprised by the crowd attending the session. There were more bigfoot fans than I would have thought.
Chance and I were both in our places behind the table in our booth when the doors to the vendor room opened. Chance did most of the talking when people stopped by our both. From the greetings he got and the comments, I was learning that while Uncle Harry and Dutch Munroe were well known in bigfoot circles, Chance's fame was bigger than that. I guess most cryptid hunters focus on one particular cryptid like searching for bigfoot or Nessie. Chance was known for hunting any cryptid. Based on the number of t-shirts he sold and autographed for the steady stream of very young women who sought him out, I didn't think he'd have to hunt for companionship.
"I didn't realize you were such a celebrity," I said as one excited group of twenty-something females walked off after taking selfies with Chance. "I'm beginning to think I'm here as your body guard."
"Seems like a job you might enjoy."
I left Chance manning the booth to attend some of the sessions. Chance thought it would help me understand what I'd gotten myself into. I just sat down when Coke-machine guy sat down in the chair beside me. "We meet again," he said. We met at the Coke machine last night. What's your involvement with cryptids?"
"Harry Wilkins was my uncle."
"I was sorry to hear about his passing. It was such a blow to the local cryptid community to lose Harry and Dutch so close together."
Our conversation was cut off by the presenters opening remarks. The presentation was about documentation and validating evidence. It was interesting. I was just making my way out the door when an older woman stepped into my path. "Are you Everly Mason?"
"I am."
"Hi. I'm Helen Kepler. I was a friend of your Uncle Harry's."
"It's nice to meet you."
"I saw Chance in the vendor room. He mentioned you were here. Are you free for lunch? I thought you might like to hear some stories about your uncle."
"I'd like that."
"I'll meet you at your booth at noon."
I walked out of the room and started down the hall when Jerry caught up with me. "I saw you talking to Helen. How do you know her?"
"She was a friend of my uncle's."
"What did you think of the presentation?"
We exchanged some comments then I asked about his interest in cryptids. "I'm not exactly sure what shape my interest will take. Like you, I’m new to this. I may write a book or make a film."
I picked up the pace. "I need to get back to my booth." I skirted around a group gathered at the door to the vendor room.
"Did I miss any excitement?" I asked as I slipped behind the table.
"I booked a trip for January. How was the talk?"
Interesting. I met Helen Kepler. She invited me to lunch."
"Good. I'm sure she'll have Harry stories to share."
I noticed Jerry at a vendor booth across the aisle. He was watching me but not being obvious about it. I tugged Chance's arm. "See the guy across the aisle. The one in the green shirt with glasses? Do you know him?"
"I've seen him around some of these events, and I think he's been in Hairy's a few times. Why?"
"I met him at the Coke machine on our floor last night, but I never saw him get a soda. Then he sat beside me in the session this morning and caught up with me in the corridor. His name is Jerry Lucas. I'm getting a stalker vibe from him. He told me he was new to cryptid hunting like me, but he knew Helen's name and you say you've seen him around."
They worked the booth but kept an eye on Jerry. He never ventured out of sight, but only approached the booth when Chance took a break. I guess he could be flirting with me but, if he is, he isn't very good at it. I gave Chance an update when he came back before he got caught up discussing a possible trip with two hunters.
"Are you ready for lunch?" Helen asked as she walked up.
"Before we go, do you know the guy in the green shirt at the end of the row?"
She looked. "Yeah, he's been following me. Let's go." As we left the booth, she laid her hand on Chance's arm. "Could you keep our stalker busy for a bit while we make our escape?"
"I'm on it," he said.