information/clues/hints.
She does have a new lead, researching their
deaths in local newspaper called Jefferson News Courier in March
2010. She might yet find new clues to this mystery. The obvious
hint is the CIA agents died two years ago.
Pamela stares, studiously at her handwritten
deciphered code names from her mighty assembly language
program:
TAG 307891116540 Slanton Ashley IT
106891618322 Slanton Thurston
TAG is code name for Ashley while IT is
Thurston but she doesn’t realize the mathematical numbers. They’re
not telephone numbers based on first three digits in US maybe
foreign cell phones. She doesn’t have a cell phone since she
ditched Lacy’s at Kangaroo Store trash can. She can’t purchase one
either even with the stolen money. She can’t steal one…well she can
but that’s more dangerous.
She grabs, quickly pad & slips, nosily
into backpack then dashes, cautiously down half-empty hallway to
Library Newspapers Archives section where the machines are designed
to read the obit in private and print copy of tragic event.
Libraries overall are supposed to be quiet.
Hoover is one of the busiest in Jefferson County and the largest
that’s why she selected this building over the rest. Middle section
of the open arena at the Hoover library houses children and teen’s
reading/electronic materials making for extremely loud floor space
but good for someone that needs to hide from the local police
authorities.
She jots and jerks, swiftly around little
kids, yelling parents, frustrated students & slow elderly folks
worming her way around rear building & steps, easily into the
newspaper room. Chrome plated 6-tier magazine racks on North wall,
wooden mallet two pocket newspaper racks line West wall and oak
& acrylic literature displays colorfully on East wall while
southern view contains single chairs and double loveseats for
reading and enjoying the skyline view of Red Mountain. Occupants
ignore, gladly her as Pamela tip toes, lightly across carpet to
Archives with small rectangular door leading to privacy.
She picks, lonely terminal in rear &
places backpack on floor as she sits, swiftly working keyboard with
deft finger pads. She re-enters key name and searches by date of
newspaper. Clipping pops, magically upon screen. She scans, wisely
for any more hints of case.
She whispers, softly. “Private graveside
service for Ashley, 23 of Birmingham…”
Private graveside, that’s a key word. She is
CIA agent and CIA is known as deceptive folks regarding data and
people, since before she was born.
She keys other name: Thurston Slanton &
reveals, surprising results.
“The graveside service for Thurston, 24 of
Birmingham…” She blinks eyelids shut, swiftly then open. She sees
the same English words. She whispers, twice. “The graveside service
of Thurston…”
Thurston was provided graveside side while
his sister was given closed casket. Bright red flag!
Pamela flips back to Ashley & re-reads
the article stating in clear black and white letters: Private
graveside service of….
That’s her clue. Ashley is alive, maybe brain
dead or permanently maimed but alive while brother is dead. Pamela
reads, silently complete obituary gathering any more bits of
data.
Ashley was 23 years old buried at Oaktree
Memorial Gardens in Birmingham passing away on March 17, 2010. She
was born in Homewood, loving homemaker & graduated Jefferson
High School. She was born on March 10, 1987. She was preceded in
death by her parents and husband, Thurston Slanton.
“Thurston was her husband, not brother.” She
whispers, softly & doesn’t recognize any more proper nouns or
places including surviving kin or pallbearers. She adds math in
head, quickly. “So sad, 23 years old, now, gone along with her
loving husband.” Pamela shakes, sideways skull.
She flips back to husband, reads, silently
complete electronic clipping.
Thurston was 24 years old
C. J. Cherryh
Learning to Kill: Stories
John O'Riley
Brenda Sinclair
Christopher George
Stephen Lloyd Jones
Karl Iagnemma
Celya Bowers
Jill Gregory
Aria Cunningham