More Clues

One last peek into the closet. That was all she needed, or so she thought. Maybe there would be more clues in there. So downstairs she went, with the puppy close on her heels.

Soon enough she had everything opened up again. She grabbed a few more folders and decided to take a deeper dive into the contents of those folders, maybe there would be more of a clue inside them.

At his desk she opened a couple more of the files. Same thing, some deeds for property registered to numbered companies, businesses purchased under other company names, the most common being Hera Enterprises. Maybe she should look into that company. Google is a great asset. After making notes on her notepad, she took these folders back to the shelf, making sure to place them back exactly as she found them.

She poked around a little more on the shelf and on the bottom right side of the shelf was a single children's book. It seemed out of place with all of the other things there. So, she took it out and opened it up.

The contents were nothing like the cover. Inside the cover of the book was a note book with notations about companies and how they are all connected. She saw a Canadian numbered company that was owned by another Washington state company and that company was owned by Hera Holdings which was a subsidiary of Hera Enterprises. The sloppy notes were scattered but somehow understandable. In red ink on the bottom of the page was a note about another company â€" a hotel chain and its head offices were in St. Louis Missouri.

Now, that was curious. She contemplated the fact that her husband was off to a symposium in the same city, for a Coroners convention and he was not yet a coroner. He had only discussed changing his field never said anything about any courses or having to attend anything before this trip. What in the world is going on here?

'Maybe I'll ask Cindra and Alistair. They own a few companies, maybe they can sort this all out.'

But how to ask without involving Mark. She wondered how to search company owners' names and thought that google may help her once again.

She looked inside the desk once more to check her husbands hand written day planner, just to see if there were any new notes for his schedule this week. When she opened the book, she saw that he had blocked off several days for St Louis. Right next to that notation was written 'Manuel?'

Maybe Manuel was meeting him there? Maybe they were both looking to change vocations. No, that can't be it, Manuel was opening a chain of medical clinics. What does this hotel chain have to do with Manuel and what does it have to do with Mark? What was with all of these companies and why did Mark have to take off out of town with what she now assumes is a false symposium?

Aliss locked the closet and the room again and took her notes up to her laptop to start her searching.

Hera Enterprises was a subsidiary of Demeter Holdings which was another company registered to 1269573 BC Ltd a Canadian holdings company registered to CVAR Holdings. CVAR was registered in the Cayman Islands. This was so confusing. Time to simplify.

She plunked in one of the company's names and found a website. That site didn't have any information about the company's owners, only staff members and company executives.

She then searched google for answers and it offered to check government registries. She did that as well and round and round this circle went. One conglomeration owned by another and another.

She was just about to give up searching when google provided one newspaper article showed up associated with one of the smaller companies attached to those she was searching. It seems that 25684-2 Alternative Inc was owned by none other than Cindra Conners. This company owned Headwaters Academy.

She sat back, cold chills running down her arms and its hair stood up on end. What the heck?! Why would Cindra buy her sons school? And if she did, why didn't she tell Aliss or Mark that she did? She had always felt a tension between Mark and his parents, did this have anything to do with that? Cindra checked the dates on the purchase and it was exactly 2 months before Mac attended the school. Now, Aliss wondered if Cindra owned the private middle school Mac was attending currently. Somehow, it wouldn't surprise her.

How was Mark involved in all of this? He always said, 'only the best my dear.' Maybe buying up all of the schools was a way to ensure that their son only got the best.

Maybe it was time to come clean to Mark and tell him everything she found out. He was her husband and she thought she could trust him. It was just so very exciting doing her own detective work. Hmm. Maybe it was time to visit Cindra and see what she could figure out without alerting her. But how?

Aliss sat back in her chair. She needed time to process and then to plan. Mark would be away for a few more days so she could take this time to visit with Cindra, ask a few vague questions.

Aliss then thought to call Janice. She was always down for a good adventure. Now that was a good idea. Between the two of them they could figure this all out. Janice had already called her and invited her out to lunch. Oh shit! Aliss had forgotten all about it and now was the time to meet.

"Hey Janice. Sorry I've been so busy lately. I see that you called. What's up?" Aliss said knowing what Janice wanted.

"Well, there you are! Too late for lunch, but I've got news! I know that Mark is out of town, can I come over? Say around 4 o'clock? I can pick up Mac on my way." Janice sounded both excited and nervous at the same time, and her voice was up half an octave.

"Uhm, yea sure. Mac will love that. I'll call the school. See you at 4."

Janice was excited and nervous. It was time to put Cindra's plan into action. Janice wasn't sure how, but she was going to get Aliss back to work at that construction company, somehow. She had to. Pleasing Cindra was top of her list. Aliss would have to be second. Things had to get done, and Janice was going to do it.

Aliss printed the article about her son's school and tucked in inside her notebook. She shut down her computer and put it away.

Goldie was whimpering to let Aliss know it was time for their walk. Aliss put on the dogs' harness, latched the leash and headed for the door. Just then the doorbell rang. It was a full half hour before she was expecting Janice, and besides if it were Janice she would just walk into the house right behind Mac.

Aliss opened the door, standing there was a man she had never seen before.

"Can I help you?" She asked.

"Good afternoon, ma'am I was wondering if you dropped this scarf? I think you dropped it last time you took your dog out for a walk."

She had never seen it before, was the last conscious thought she had.