Dared to Dream: A Kate Anderson Mystery (Kate Anderson Mysteries Book 4) by J.J. Clarke

Author:J.J. Clarke [Clarke, J.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-08-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter FIFTEEN

WOMEN’S NETWORK

Sister Anne waited in her office for the Skype call. She glanced out the window, straight into the glaring sun. Oh, my goodness, it must be one hundred degrees outside. She closed the blind, paced around the sparse room, and stared at the crucifix on the wall. She thought about being a young girl named Jennifer who entered the convent when she was fifteen. She knew her parents had done their best—after all, their family had been blessed with three sets of twins and fourteen children.

She retrieved the pad and pen from her desk. Please Lord, let there be six people on the screen. She prayed. Hail Mary full of Grace. The familiar ring of Skype boomeranged around the room and interrupted Sister Anne’s thoughts and prayers. She pushed the button and Kate and Rosie appeared on two different screens.

Kate spoke first. “Good afternoon, Sister. Are you missing evening prayers?”

“Yes, dear.” Sister Anne whispered closer to the screen. Her usual peaceful face turned into a slight grimace. “It’s the only time I have any privacy around here. I’m sorry for your many troubles. I’ve been praying and wouldn’t bother you now, but we have an urgent matter to discuss.”

Kate said, “We received a postcard. It said, package arrived—waiting. Did you get one too?”

“Yes. Sally adhered to the old ways of doing business. We couldn’t really understand why. The postcard system was very efficient and cost effective, but it is old school.” She laughed. “That’s what the school children say. You don’t remember the costs of long-distance calls or party lines where neighbors and telephone operators could listen into a private phone conversation.”

“Except Sally was right.” Rosie said. “All modern systems have broken down.”

“I hated to disturb you, Kate, you must be so distraught. The problem is—well it’s hard to explain, but I don’t know what to do. A mother and daughter who originated from your sector must be lost in our network. The mother was beaten badly and needed shoulder surgery. To complicate things, we don’t know how or where Sally made medical arrangements. We can’t transport her into Canada needing surgery. She’s what we call Code Hot Potato. We must move her fast.”

Kate spoke up, “Sister, I would love to help, and I’ll look for some records telling how Sally arranged medical assistance.”

“Here’s the other problem. I only knew Sally as my contact in your area. We’re second in the chain. They come to me, and I pass them to my contact in Nebraska. As you can see, we’re the only ones on the call.” She gestured palms up towards the computer screen. “We usually have three more women. They never show their faces. I only know my contact in Nebraska, and she’s not returning any calls. I don’t know the other people.”

“How long has it been?” Kate asked.

“It’s been a week since they left the convent. I received confirmation they arrived safely in Nebraska. I am worried sick. We know the woman and child got passed on to at least the next person in the network, because we received the postcard.

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