No Fear!

62

Gloria didn’t begin work until eleven that next morning. It was one of the perks of being the boss and after the late night, and the endless storms keeping her awake, it seemed the right time to use her power. She called Emma for a meeting and smiled when she hung up, She’s such a faithful girl, probably slept two hours before getting back to work. She was going over reports when Emma interrupted her. Without looking up, she waved for her to come in. “Close the door, Emma. I’m looking over the numbers, and in spite of what’s happened, we have a full house.” She raised her head and smiled at the girl. “How are you feeling today? You can catch a nap this afternoon if you need it.”

“Gloria, the streets are flooded out here, and also in Centro. It’s a mess. Tonight starts Carnaval. The official number is six inches of rain last night, how does that happen? How does this happen in February?” Her cell rang. She covered the phone after answering and said, “It’s Mom, can I tell her to come here?”

“Let me take it, please. Don’t worry, I’ll be nice.” She laughed at Emma’s expression but took the phone from her. “Good morning, Cowgirl. I trust your mattress was kind to your little ass last night?” Her eyes twinkled at the answer from the other end. “Yes, she’s here but where are you? We girls have a date to research little Sara. We’re waiting for you in my office.” She hung up and gave the phone back to her assistant.

Emma was appalled, “I hope you two are having fun with your past, and not really bashing each other. I’m in the middle of you guys and I expect you both to know how important it is to me that you get along.”

“Pull your chair around here so you can see the computer. First, we Google her, you never know, maybe the easy way will work.” Gloria grinned, and told her to get another chair for her mom. I went through some old employment files and found her last name. Lucky for us, it’s not Smith. Let’s see.” She typed in the name Sara Lockers and they waited for something to come up.

Mori walked in without knocking, carrying three cups of coffee. “I don’t know how you drink it, Witch. So if you don’t like it, I’ll drink yours and mine.”

Emma stood to greet her, concerned about the name calling. “Are you two going to at least try with each other?” When she saw the exchange between them, she relaxed. There was no sign of hatred in their eyes. “Where’s Daddy?”

Mori took her seat next to Gloria, and passed out the coffee. “He’s on the beach. I think he’s walkin’ to the end, Bruja you call it?” And to Gloria, “Tell me again what that means in English, Witch.”

“The two of you are a barrel of laughs, you’re just cracking me up. Mom, we’re trying to find Sara. Do you remember where in Seattle she went after leaving Wind River?” Emma was anxious about finding Sara.

Mori answered, “North Seattle. It was an English pub in the north part of town. Ben knew the manager there so he set it up for her. Sorry, that’s about all I know.”

Gloria entered key words into Google. “Cowgirl, maybe you mean Irish pub? Look, ladies.” She pointed to a map on the computer. “Amazing, there are three Irish pubs in Seattle, but only one in the north end.” She put her hand in the air for a high five with Mori. “Do you want to talk to the manager, Mori? She was closest to you, after all. Find out if they remember her, anything to help us do the trace.”

Mori looked at the screen and let out a sound of joy. “That’s it! Finn Mac in the University District. I remember Ben tellin’ her that she’d be workin’ in a bar that catered to students at the north end.” In her excitement, she picked up the phone and began dialing, but was struck by anger when Gloria pulled the phone away from her, and hung up. “What are you doin’? I might be able to find someone who remembers her.”

Gloria had a look of compassion when she reminded them both that it had been 25 years, and they mustn’t get their hopes too high. “Please use this other phone, Cowgirl. It’s my American phone.”

Mori looked at Emma and asked if she was prepared for what they might learn. And then she made the call. Luckily, the manager was in. But she was told that the pub had gone through several hands during all the years. After hearing the computer keys clicking on the other end, she was given the name of the woman who managed, but did not own the bar, all those years ago. The woman still lived in Seattle. Mori wrote down her name and phone number. Next she asked if they had records of employees from then, and gave her Sara’s name. Mori listened for over five minutes without saying a word. When she hung up, she faced the other two, but it was clear what had happened without her saying a word.

“How did she die, Mom?”