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We spent some time discussing how to approach Robichau. We couldn't just make accusations against the agency he worked for. We needed to find an in to the BITES organization. We arranged a late checkout, ordered coffee and hot water from room service, and packed while we waited for the delivery. Once Chance had coffee and I had my cup of tea, we settled in on either side of the table. Chance pulled out his phone and punched in Robichau's number. We were both surprised when a deep voice answered.
"Is this John Robichau," Chance asked. I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation. "My name is Chance Munroe, I'm a hunter and guide from Idaho. I heard about you last week when I was leading a snake hunt. Is it true that you work for BITES?" There was a pause while John answered. "If you don't mind I'd like to put you on speaker. My girlfriend and business partner is here with me." I guess John agreed, because Chance laid the phone on the table between us.
"I'll try to explain why I called. My father and Everly's uncle were cryptid hunters. They both passed away recently. Because of some information we found in their journals, we have some questions about the BITES organization."
"I can try to answer, but it would probably be best for you to talk to my team leader Jared Dickenson. He and his wife are more familiar with BITES. For me, it's just the name on my paycheck. I can give you Jared's contact information."
"We'd appreciate that, John. Thank you," I said.
Chance passed along his business email address, and John said he'd send the info. After the call ended, we worried that we might have rushed into it. "He seemed OK, but I think we need to have a better plan before we call his boss if we get the information. There was a ping just then and Chance glanced at his phone. "We got it."
"I don't see how we can ask what we want to know. We don't know if we can trust any of these people. For all we know, John could have been the person that shot Tom."
"I'm pretty sure that person is dead, so that wasn't John, but I get your point."
We agreed to think about it, but that was all we could do for now. We dressed in our Chance Munroe Expedition shirts and headed for the airport to meet our clients. As often happens to me, I get overwhelmed when I have too many things competing for my attention. When Chance parked at the airport, I realized that he wanted me to be his partner in his business. That meant I had to act like a professional cryptid hunter. I had no idea how to do that.
Chance opened my door. "Were you going to get out?" he asked.
"I can't do this, Chance. I'm sorry. I'll just hang here at the airport until I can get a flight back to Idaho."
"What are you talking about, Babe? You're going on this hunt with me. We've talked about this. What's the matter?"
"I don't want to disappoint you. I'm not a professional... well really anything. I certainly can’t act like your partner."
"You are my partner, Babe. In everything. If I didn't think you could handle this, I wouldn't have included you. You'll be an asset to any cryptid hunt. You've seen bigfoot. You've found foot prints and hair. You've walked on a Sasquatch trail. Hell, you have more cryptid experience than pretty much anyone I know. Plus, you've killed a wild hog. You'll be just fine." He lifted me out of the truck. "I need you with me, Everly." His words shocked me. The thought that Chance Munroe needed me made my insides turn to goo. He bent down to kiss me and any objections I had took a backseat to the idea of spending the next few days with Chance.
We were waiting at baggage claim when Chance's clients arrived. The three men were all older and looked as though they'd be more at home behind a desk than in the wilderness. Chance introduced me, and we made our way back to the SUV. We drove a couple of hours east of Dallas and stopped at a chain hotel. We had half an hour before meeting the hunters in the lobby to go to dinner.
Once we were in our room, Chance pulled me in for a hug. "You're doing fine, Babe. I'm glad you're here."
"Me too." I pulled out the pad with the to-do list Chance and I had put together. I updated the list with what we'd accomplished and looked over the remaining items. "I know we don't have much time, but I have an idea about how to approach the BITES people. I can pose as a reporter doing a story on Dr. Renee Bellamy after her death. Her being a female in the cryptid field makes her news worthy."
"It's worth considering. I'll think about when I can. You ready to go?"