Epilogue “How did this even happen?” #2
“I fear we’re going to find enough to give the archaeologists mass anxiety attacks,” he admitted.
“That’s why we are all working a small amount of ground each; that way we can measure and evaluate the soil layers.
We don’t want to destroy any archaeological evidence.
Just follow your script, then Dr. Laura Boscoll will handle the instructions for the groundbreaking.
Focus on what’s important: we’re making memories for a bunch of kids.
Today is one they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.
Sure, I handled the paperwork, but you’re the reason we’re all here.
You took a girl’s last wish for her life, which had been nothing more than a long lost memory, and you made it a reality.
Rather than tear these kids from their lives, you decided to sustain their futures.
Then you went overboard and went out of your way to process kids who were entering the foster system due to abuse and at high risk of their parents coming after them. ”
I sighed at the reminder; when I’d started my project shortly after returning to the United States, I hadn’t expected for there to be so many cases of parents beating kids to the brink of death.
The instant the government yanked custody, I’d come swooping in.
Thus far, I’d plucked sixty-seven girls and twenty boys from hospitals across the country, making arrangements for them to go to Switzerland or Germany when they had recovered enough to fly.
Those who couldn’t make use of planes but could go by ship were put on cruises with a dragon to get them overseas.
Thanks to my father’s negotiations with the schools, I would only be paying ten million a year rescuing kids and seeing them safely through school and on to the rest of their lives.
I still had no idea what the four million dollar refund I’d recently received was about, but I’d just turned it around and put it into the account that would pay for the kids next year. “Hey, Dad? Why was I refunded some money, anyway?”
“You were refunded the amount of donations sent in from kids who had graduated and found out what was going on; it wouldn’t surprise me if you become the fallback woman in case donations don’t pay full care and tuition for the kids,” he explained.
“They’re starting to ask questions, which I’ve been answering on your behalf.
You’re busy enough being a forensic accountant with a house hobby. ”
I grumbled over the mention of the houses in Dragon Heights.
I’d managed to get the Merorie estate settled, learning I had plenty of money in the form of paintings and other pieces of art to last my lifespan twenty times over, and that was assuming I lived for a thousand years.
The value of the place staggered me, and even if I paid taxes on the sales, I’d never be able to spend all the money.
The Valley of Thorns would eat some of the funds, but the current estimate for the entire build came in at just under five million dollars, and that included a full restoration of the catacombs, a proper building over the area for visitors, and the house itself.
“Are you grouchy because you can’t spend the money?” Erik asked with laughter in his voice.
“I really am.”
“You’ll get over it. You didn’t perish over the holidays when you realized we had to open over two thousand presents from kids who are grateful you’re now their honorary mother.”
I considered flinging myself into the water with a wail over the situation.
“I still question why you didn’t stop me.
I gave them all a pocket watch. Do you know what looks ridiculous nowadays?
Pocket watches. But I got them all one, and every new kid gets one, too—the schools are holding on to them until they turn ten and can handle the responsibility of keeping it.
But everyone got theirs even though the school holds on to them except for special events.
I’ve turned the whole thing into a madhouse. ”
“You just couldn’t stand the thought of the kids not having someone they could count as a parent. When I was asking about a clutch, I meant one we started in our bedroom!”
My father burst into laughter and excused himself while my mother snickered, shook her head, and followed him.
In reality, we were aiming for a singlet, and we’d start our efforts as soon as we finished closing as much of the trafficking cases as we could. In another year or two, I surmised we’d be expecting pattering feet in our home to go with the furry beasts who shadowed us everywhere we went.
“Do you think we’ll find them?” I asked, allowing my worry to creep into my voice.
“I don’t know. But I do know that we’re going to try.” Erik glanced in the direction of the Acri clan, who had come to reunite with their family and help with our project. “I know you want to hunt for Enzo’s sister.”
I did—and I had a few ideas of where to start my search. I’d spotted a few references in the Merorie clan materials regarding dragon trafficking and what became of them.
She’d mentioned a few black dragons who met his sister’s description, and they hunted traffickers from the shadows.
I might not find Enzo’s sister, but if I could lure out one of the black dragons hunting traffickers, I might get down to the bottom of what had happened to those the ghosts had seemed convinced still lived.
I didn’t believe they had meant the children but rather the older women who had vanished after accepting contract jobs from Madam Merorie.
The thought of leaving that mystery alone didn’t appeal, but until luck came calling, I would have to bide my time while seeking out the critical piece that would allow me to finally assemble the whole puzzle.
Drawing a deep breath, I looked over the crowd of children, archaeologists, world leaders, and reporters, all present to witness the beginning of a new era for the region.
“Do you think I’m stupid for not being happy with how much we’ve accomplished?
I want to wrap the case, but I want to fix Enzo’s family, too. ”
Time after time I had witnessed the power of closure. Until learning his sister’s fate, Enzo would never know peace.
Over the past year, I’d seen that truth in his eyes.
Erik smiled, and his gaze landed on someone in the crowd waiting for the ceremony to begin.
“Right now, there isn’t a whole lot we can do, but the start of a strong investigation is right here.
Cultivate those world leaders, drop hints you want to solve a cold case, and cast your line.
Who knows what fish might bite? We won’t know if we don’t try, and we’ll sleep a lot better knowing we tried. ”
That we would. If Erik was game to continue the hunt, I would throw myself into the work with wild abandon—and a wager my husband would love. “You’re right. If I find her, we have a singlet. If you find her, I’ll consider an actual clutch.”
“You’re on.”