Alien Allure by Hope Callaghan

Author:Hope Callaghan [Callaghan, Hope]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-21T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

“I asked you a question. What are you doing?”

Gloria regained her balance, coming face-to-face with the scowling man.

“I…uh…I’m one of the convention volunteers. I’m making my rounds checking on attendees. I thought I heard a noise coming from the van.”

The dog inside the van began barking loudly.

Eleanor barreled around the corner. “There’s a dog inside the van.”

“I cracked the window. He’s fine. Besides, this is none of your business.”

“I should call animal control,” Eleanor snapped.

“Try it, you old hag.”

Gloria stepped between them. “We didn’t come here to pick a fight…only to check on the guests.”

“You have a funny way of showing it,” the man said. “I’m fine. The dog’s fine. You can leave now.”

“Perfect. We’ll be on our way Mr…”

“Mr. None of Your Business.”

Gloria bit back a smart reply. She grabbed Eleanor’s arm and they marched off the campsite.

“What a jerk,” Eleanor fumed. “What’s up with the dog in the van? Doesn’t he know how dangerous it is to leave an animal inside a vehicle?”

“If he hadn’t shown up, I might’ve tried the van door. It’s probably a good thing I didn’t since I’m thinking the dog possesses the same disposition as his owner,” Gloria said. “What was his lot number? I want to look him up later.”

Eleanor did an about-face. She hurried back to the site, took a quick look at the number on the post and ran back to where Gloria stood waiting. “Eighteen.”

They stopped to answer a couple of questions before reaching the final cluster of campsites in the Neptune zone. The next van that matched the criteria – both in color and with a license plate containing either a three or eight, was empty. The van’s doors were locked, and there was no one in sight.

“We need to check this one out when we get back up front,” Eleanor waited for Gloria to join her.

“Three vans – all needing a little more investigating, including Penelope and Mr. None of Your Business.”

“Who deserves to be investigated because of his crappy attitude,” Eleanor said.

“I think it’s time to get down to business and do a little online digging around.” Gloria abruptly stopped. “Eleanor, you’re brilliant.”

“I am? I mean, I am. What did I do?”

“Online searches. If I’m not mistaken, Ruth and the NASCA group have an online page and a website where they share tips and information.”

“Which means we might be able to glean more information about the van owners by checking out their profiles,” Eleanor said.

“And social engagement.” Gloria picked up the pace, and they hurried back to the office.

Margaret and Ruth were already there. Dot and Lucy showed up moments later. “No luck. There were two vans matching the suspect’s vehicle. One was empty, with no one around. The other was owned by a little old lady from Pasadena,” Lucy said.

“She was from Madison, Wisconsin,” Dot chuckled. “Definitely off the radar as a suspect.”

“Although I’m almost certain she was secretly recording our conversation,” Lucy said. “What about you, Margaret?”

“Eh.” Margaret lifted her hand and teetered it back and forth.

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