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?“I‘ve got your card,” I claimed as I held it up.
?“And you know where I’ll be,” he said and gave a wave as I continued along my way. Cliff got back to unloading display cases from the bins.
?The marketplace only had a few people milling about as it was the first day. My speech would actually be the real “kick off.”
?Of the people there, most were dressed in casual attire, some in fantasy costumes that went from the interesting to absurd. This explained why Norm had brought the elfin jewelry with him.
?A man pushed past me in impressive makeup and armor. I paused to wonder what a Star Trek Klingon warrior had to do with mysteries, but I just shrugged and kept walking.
?Another fellow went past me in a Holmesian Inverness cape with the traditional deerstalker hat. He, at least, seemed to belong at this conference.
?I couldn’t help the creeping feeling that maybe I was the one who didn’t belong here.
6. Imprint
Sheryl Homes
?I watched some TV, showered, and dressed in my good green silk one piece jumpsuit, I chose it because the silk hung on my body luxuriously. But, my legs and arms were covered, yet the sleeves and pants flared at my wrists and ankles. This created an ensemble that looked dressy, yet casual at the same time. I munched a few whole-grain bars in lieu of dinner, then headed to the auditorium. I just couldn’t face eating dinner with others, and worrying about who might spot me like Allen had.
?I took the elevator down and walked into the auditorium through a side door. It was completely dark, except for a couple of stage lights. Apparently, I had arrived far too early. But the set-up looked good with a large screen and a podium. The screen had the logo of the conference projected upon it.
?Then I heard something.
/> ?Voices.
?I stayed in the shadows and approached the stage carefully. If it was Watkins having a pre-show tête-à-tête with Candy, I didn’t want to interrupt, but I was curious about who, besides myself, had shown up so early.
?I crept silently down the far right aisle until I could peek between the curtain and screen. There were two shadowy figures backstage who appeared to be in an animated conversation.
?“I have to pick it up where?” I heard the taller silhouette complain.
?“I explained it. It’s not that difficult,” cooed the shorter shadow.
?I pricked up my ears. Was that Candy I heard?
?“It’s ridiculous that I have to jump through these hoops. I’ve paid you. You were supposed to bring it to me—”
?“Keep your voice down,” the female ordered.
?“Well, I don’t like it,” I heard the taller silhouette say.
?“It’s what we agreed to,” cooed the shorter shadow.
?They continued in hushed tones, and I couldn’t follow what they said. My impression was that the man sounded cross and Candy vehement.
?It was then I heard the door at the top of the room creak open.
?Backing out the way I came was not an option, so I rushed forward. The concrete walls were covered with a black curtain meant to dampen sound. There was about a foot between the wall and the drapery, so I slipped behind it and peeked through the gap in the curtains.
?“Who’s there?” Candy shouted.
?“Hello,” a voice announced, entering the room. “It’s me, Mark!”
?“Mark!” Candy responded with delight. “You’re early.”
?I peered through the gap carefully as Mark reached the stage and climbed up a short staircase to meet Candy as she came out from backstage to meet him on the podium.
?The man she’d been speaking to was nowhere to be seen.
