Leave No Trace

Chapter 9

Nolan

She stood as soon as Danielson walked in. "You smell like a bar." She reprimanded.

"Forgive me for not smelling like flowers. I decided to meet Bates in a loud, noisy place so we wouldn't be overheard." She smiled, having previously met Bates. She was fond of the older man.

"Ha!" She laughed, shaking her head. "Come here, I want to show you the school records we pulled."

He walked over to her desk, as she showed off the grades. "Look at this, Danielson. Average grades all through elementary school, pulled up to an 87 average in grade 8, won an Academic award at her graduation... But look at these marks in grade nine..."

"Almost all of these are nineties." He said, his mouth open in surprise, looking up. "All but two are in the nineties."

"Exactly!" She said, grinning. "So... anything on the Marshall boy?"

"Nothing interesting. As I found out from a friend of mine.... His parents own a boat. Same marina as Austin's boat."

"Same marina? You're kidding." He'd surprised her. "What's the boat called?"

"She's registered as the Victory."

"Interesting. Along with Allison's school records, I was also able to get some more information on the Marshall family. Parents are David and Shannon Marshall, they have three biological daughters, two older than Dean, one younger. Charlotte is twenty-three, Maura is eighteen and Laura is ten. Both of his older sisters still live with the family, one is at Niagara College, studying drama, the other is at Brock, as a political science major."

"Hmmm." He looked up. "He's been raised around girls is what you're saying?"

"Yeah. But if what Mira says is anything to base our assumptions on, then he clearly doesn't know how to treat them."

"Nolan." He warned. "Don't push. It's not worth it."

She sighed. "Still no DNA back from the lab. I have to go. Austin wanted me home for dinner. He wants to go over our wedding plans."

"What are your wedding plans?"

"You don't want to know." She stood, and glanced over. "If Mira calls, tell her to call my cell, okay?"

"Yes ma'am." He saluted her, knowing she hated that. But as she walked out the door, her phone rang.

She picked up, taking a deep breath. "Nolan."

"Kate, I just remembered something."

"Hi Mira. Nice to hear from you." She said, walking over to her car.

"Listen, is there somewhere we can talk? Dean is always lurking, I can't say anything to my other friends, and I need someone to talk to."

"Is this related to the case?"

"Yes." Mira sounded impatient, but not worried. "Where can we meet?"

"Tell you what.... How does the Tim Hortons on the highway sound?"

"Perfect. Meet you in ten." Nolan shook her head as the other girl hung up without another word. She leaned her head against the head rest. It was going to be a long night.

****

She was waiting for Mira, occasionally glancing at her watch, sipping a coffee.

Mira suddenly slid into the booth, barely ruffled.

"You're late." Nolan reprimanded.

"Chill, Kate, it's nothing serious." Mira made a face.

"What can I help you with?" Nolan asked, curious.