“Graduation is in June?” I shake my head. “I can’t stay that long.”
“I’m sure you’ll convince Shannon.”
I let out a long breath. “I think it might be best if I don’t stay at Shannon and Jerry’s.” My work comes to mind. “Does this place have internet?”
“Just like the big cities.” Becky turns toward the kitchen. “There’s a folder with all the information you need.”
“This is really a great place to stay. If you’re sure you don’t mind me being here. And,” I add, “I know you said it is rented from Memorial Day weekend on, but that’s two weeks away. I talked my boss into letting me work remotely. I don’t have a ticket to get back home, but...” I think about being here after all this time. “...I sure as hell won’t be staying longer than two weeks.”
Becky looks down at her wrist. The watch appears tobe a smart one. I’m happy to see that she is progressing with the times. Not everyone in this stagnant world is living in our childhood of two decades ago.
“I can’t stay long,” she says, her tone growing serious. “I’ll try to get together with you. We’ll find time. First, tell me why you came.”
“You called.” I pull my hand back and cover the fingers of both hands with the sleeves of my sweater as I stand and shut the open glass door. The screen was allowing too much cold breeze to enter. Besides, the dust has cleared away. The air is clean.
“I’ve called before,” she says.
Her wedding.
“Please, you know why I couldn’t come.”
Truly there were many reasons. Her groom was only one of them.
“I do, and now?”
I toss my head from side to side as I again fight the emotions. “I guess I need to know.”
“He’s dead, Jillian. What more do you want to know?”
“I haven’t figured that out yet.” I spin back toward her. “Something feels...I can’t describe it.”
“I think,” she says with a sigh as if she is measuring each word, “you conjure up fiction for a living and that makes you see stories where they don’t exist.”
“It’s not all fiction. I do research on crimes—real crimes. Then I use that research to help put together believable stories for the various made-for-television series.”
That is what I do. In a nutshell, I am a criminal andlegal visual-effects advisor for a visual-effects specialist with three different cable network shows. My research partner and I see the outline before a script is complete. Then we give real life examples of similar situations and cases, all the way from crime to final verdict, unless the case is cold.
Liam’s and my insight give authentication. After our input, it’s up to the writers and directors of each show as to how they use our information.
It’s our job to provide it.
Despite my parents’ skepticism, majoring in journalism, law, and criminal justice all came together for a purpose. It was the internship during my last two years of college that opened the door.
Of course, all three shows have the disclaimer aboutnot real people...any similarity...
“Coach Gilbert is dead,” Beck says. “From what I’ve heard around town, his body was barely identifiable.” She shivers. “I’ve heard the animals...or birds...they...”
“What?”
“I don’t know for sure. Rumor is that his eyes were gone.”
My nose scrunches and my stomach twists as I envision crime-scene photographs I’ve studied. I’m aware of the effects the elements can have on the human body. And then there are the parasites and wildlife. Recent warmer weather combined with cool snaps, as well as waking hibernating animals can wreak havoc.
“So the casket was...”
“Closed. Mrs. Coach saw him, but she and his familydecided to let the world remember him as he was. Besides, she didn’t want Joey to remember...”
“Yeah,” I say with a sigh as I return to the couch and sit down. “That’s all I’ve been doing since I heard, remembering.”
