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Back at home, Gracie Layne sat down for tea with Mama to tell her all about the interview. "You guys enjoy," I said. "We've already heard the story. We're going for a walk."
"You know that their questions about her family could have been standard procedure. She is interviewing for a position with a security clearance. There's still no reason to think this has anything to do with us."
"I know, but I feel like it's all related. I remembered something else. When we talked to the guys, remember the bells in the background when Jim was talking?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"I recognized the sound. That was the carillon at Oglethorpe University here in Atlanta."
"You're sure?"
"I'm sure."
Chance pulled out his phone, and I did the same. He called Tom while I called Laurie. "Hi, Laurie. How are you?"
"Good. Are you still at your mom's?"
"Yeah. We leave in a couple of days. When I talked to you yesterday, I forgot to ask you if you've seen Jim over the holiday?"
"I invited him to spend Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with the family, but he had already made plans to be in Montana with his dad and brother. He called though."
"Good. I'm glad things are going well. I miss you, but I won't..." I looked up and noticed Chance signaling me, but I had no idea what he was trying to tell me.
"Wait a minute, Laurie. Chance is trying to tell me something." I'm not sure how, but I got the idea that Chance didn't want me to tell Laurie that I wasn't coming home. I didn't understand. She'd figure it out soon enough when I wasn't around, but for now I'd do as he wanted. "Sorry Laurie. I'll have to call you back when we can talk more. Goodbye."
"Sorry," Chance said. "We need to make a plan. This is all getting too complicated again. Do you think Krista would let us use her place to work tonight?"
"I'll ask." I dialed Krista number. "Hi, Krista. What do you have planned for tonight?"
"I'm still at my folks. Why?"
"Chance and I need to make some plans. Do you mind if we work at your place tonight?"
"Help yourself. You know where the extra key is. There's not much in the fridge, so you'll need to bring whatever you want."
"Great. Thanks. We'll see you for brunch tomorrow, right?"
"Right."
We planned a brunch with Krista, Gracie Layne, and Mama before Chance and I had to leave for the airport. Chance and I headed back to Mama's and packed up our laptops and my pads and headed for Krista's.