Helen might have been curious about Peter’s efforts, but she knew that a somewhat crowded hotel balcony was not an ideal place to have that – potentially long – conversation. The studio where James and Michelle rehearsed was very close to their hotel. Usually, their sessions lasted hours, but, after singing for hours the night before, Michelle would not want to strain her voice. More than likely, they would not be long. Helen didn’t wish to discuss the matter in front of James and she also didn’t need to handle her friend’s questions about the night she had spent with Marcus, yet again. Therefore, she convinced Olivia to visit a beachside café in Santa Monica.

“Alright…” Olivia started, gazing out at the ocean, as she lifted her glass to her lips. “I’d really love to know what’s going on in that little head of yours. You’ve barely said a word all morning. What’s the big emergency, Helen?”

“First of all…” Helen drew in a sharp breath. “I think I’m in love.”

“Well…” Olivia snorted in amusement, facing her. “You finally realized it. Better late than never, I guess.”

“What, you knew?” Helen’s voice became high-pitched, her brows popping up as she leaned towards her. “How?”

“From the moment I saw you crying on that balcony.” Olivia replied, easing her glass down on the table. “I mean, why else would you cry for someone? Plus, the guy’s your type. He’s handsome, he doesn’t talk much and he’s a musician.”

“If you’re saying he’s a lot like James, trust me, he’s not.” Helen remarked, shaking her head sideways. “Sure, he’s not so talkative, but, he doesn’t have a temper. The other night, I tried to get out of bed. I accidentally kneed him in the crotch. He cried out in pain, but then, he just smiled at me and said something like: ‘Try to be more careful next time’.”

“Yeah,” Olivia gave a short laugh. “James wouldn’t do that. What are you planning to do?”

“What can I do?” Helen answered her friend’s question with a question, holding her hands out. “Try to enjoy it? How could I do that, knowing I’ll be leaving soon?”

“You’re already doing something …” Olivia raised an eyebrow, “… something that could change his life. Who knows? If things go well, your biker may not have to live in the shadows for much longer.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you about that.” Helen stated, leaning her elbows on the table. “What’s Peter been up to?”

“Well, he can’t hack into the Pentagon.” Olivia informed, dropping her gaze from her friend’s stare. “He said ‘without a supercomputer, it’s pretty much impenetrable’. But, he’s been digging in the dark web. He’s come up with some very controversial reports on the incident, but there’s a problem.”

“What kind of problem?” Helen waited for her answer with bated breath.

“All this needs to be investigated.” Olivia said with a touch of sadness in her voice. “Pete’s just a college student. We need to find a very skilled investigator, who won’t be afraid to challenge the official account.”

“I can’t afford one.” Helen sighed, running both hands through her hair.

“Awww, poor thing,” Olivia spoke in her most comforting voice, reaching to caress her hand. “Do you really think I hadn’t thought of that?”

Helen’s face became slack in disbelief, her mouth open wide as she stared at her friend. Once again, Olivia had proven her love to her. Unable to force a single word out of her throat, she put her fingers over her lips, as Olivia’s smile turned into a huge grin.

“I talked to James about it, yesterday morning.” Olivia went on. “He said he’d been thinking about Marcus’s case, since they saw each other on our wedding. He’s found an investigator. His name is Dan Warrick. I’ll ask Peter to contact him today and hand over everything’s he’s found so far.”

“I can’t thank you guys enough for this.” Helen said, her voice a soft whisper, as she felt tears rising up in her eyes.

“Anything for my friend,” Olivia uttered in a whisper as well when she placed her hand over Helen’s. “I pray this goes well; for both of your sakes. Marcus has been on the run for too long and you? You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

At that point, Helen’s phone rang. It was her mother.

“Hey, mom. What’s up?”

“Hi, sweetheart. All is fine here.” Debbie’s voice came out somewhat faint. “How about you?”

“Not much has changed since last night. Mom, you sound a little off. What is it?”

“Nothing important, pumpkin.” Debbie put a little force in her voice, before her sigh sent shivers of worry through her daughter. “It can wait. Don’t you worry, ok?”

“Mom!” Helen raised her tone. “What is it?”

“Like I said, it’s nothing urgent. You take care, child. Bye.”

“Ok, something’s seriously wrong.” Helen murmured, tossing her cell phone across the table.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Olivia’s smile vanished, as she leaned closer to her friend. “What do you think it is?”

“I don’t have a clue.” Helen shrugged her shoulders. “She said it’s not urgent. She picked one hell of a time to call me, that’s for sure.”

“What are you going to do?” Her friend’s question was the one she had been asking herself, since the moment she hung up the phone. Helen might have been having the greatest time on this trip, spending her time with her friends and Marcus; but, in her mind, that question only had one answer.

“I’m going back to Shandaken,” she announced. “I’m worried about them.”

“What?” Olivia screeched. “Really? Because of a hint?”

“Liv, they’re my family!” Helen exclaimed. “What am I supposed to do, turn my back on them? And it’s not just a hint. My mother never talks like that, unless something’s gone seriously wrong.”

“It’s your call, Helen.” Olivia clenched her jaw. “I’m fine with it, but, what about Marcus? How are you going to tell him?”

“I’ll figure it out.” Helen stated, her heart sinking at the thought of her conversation with him. “Let’s just go back to the hotel.”