Temporal Exploring 101 - Deep Future

IV.22 A trip to the beach and an exercise in urban climbing

"Well I am awfully glad that you decided to take the time come here to tell us about these new developments, Mel," Madison declared.

"It was my pleasure. I have never been to this part of the country before," Melanie replied. "Besides, I wanted to see you again." Her ears turned red as she said that.

Nancy's cousin returned the other girl's smile."Me too. I am so happy you could make it. By the way, you look awesome in that dark blue cardigan."

"Thanks! You are looking rather amazing yourself, if I may say so."

Natty cleared her throat.  "So how come you got all that new information for us, Melanie?" she inquired. "I thought that Ms Ames had pulled you off that case."

"Well yes, she had told me to stop investigating the case of the disappeared women," the blond girl replied. "But when she learned that Tyler Roth had been asking questions about several of those women prior to their disappearance, she decided that I might as well extend the investigation the mysterious disappearance of the tycoon himself. A cold case, to be sure, in the sense that all the major news-media had already covered it extensively and all their combined investigative efforts had come to nothing. But my boss thought that in light of my discoveries about Tyler's possible connection to the case of the missing women it might be worthwhile for me to look into the Roth case to see if I could come up with a new angle."

"So what did you find out about him?" I asked.

Melanie shrugged. "I told you most of that already. I mean, I followed the standard procedures of investigative journalism, talked to his business partners, his neighbors, that sort of thing. I explained the methods to Madison in some detail when you guys visited the Eye, didn't I, Maddie? "

Madison grinned. "You sure did. And you made a hell of a strong cup of coffee for me, as I recall."

I made an effort to get back Melanie's attention.

"So did you find out where he lives? Or lived?" I prompted.

"Well, his London address is officially listed, so it is not a big secret or anything. But I discovered that he had also rented a flat under an assumed name in an apartment complex in Hardington, a town of moderate size located to the north of London. It is not quite a gated community, but close. I tried to gain access to the apartment building, but as it turned out it was virtually impossible to enter the site without proper credentials." Melanie gave a rueful smile. "I went as far as pretending that I was his niece when I talked to the concierge, but she would not buy it. I almost managed to get myself arrested."

"Hm." I considered that. "I would very much like to see that place."

"No problem, that. I could drive you there, if you like," the girl from the Clarion Eye offered. "See, I am here with my own car."

"Why, that would be splendid," Nancy commented.

"Yeah, let's go and do that," Madison chimed in.

Half an hour later we were driving south in Melanie's Mini Cooper. It was a rather small car, to the point where the five of us barely fit in, but we somehow managed. Two hours into the trip as we were driving down the coast Nancy suggested that we make a rest stop at a small deserted beach on the side of the road. As there were no objections, Melanie pulled off the main road and followed a small path that brought us almost all the way the waterline.

It was a hot summer day, the sun was shining brightly, sparkling on the clear blue water.

"Let's go swimming, shall we?" Natty suggested.