Jarod had just arrived at the site of his latest pretend. He was just outside of Blue Cove but he wasn't worried. He knew Miss Parker would be investigating his last lair and would be trying to decipher the meaning of his breadcrumb clues to his whereabouts. He was confident he would be finished with this pretend before he saw his old friend again. Little did he know it would bring them closer than he had believed possible. Jarod was investigating the mysterious disappearance of a volunteer Marine. Richard F. Patten had been an English teacher at a local Junior High school. He was in the USMC reserves. Patten left school early on November 4th complaining of stomach pains. It was later discovered that his branch of the Marines was called to help at the headquarters and his excuse was a cover up. Most of the branch returned the next day from their "TOP SECRET" projects but Patten did not. The students and faculty of the school began to wonder what had happened to him. They were told he was severely sick and would not return any time soon.
Jarod came up to a door marked "Colonel McDowall". He had been told to meet with Colonel McDowall. He knocked on the door. A deep female voice answered "Come in." Jarod was caught a little off guard. The voice reminded him of someone. He regained his composer and opened the door.
"Colonel McDowall?" asked Jarod.
"I take it you're new here. No, the Colonel is out now. I'm Miss Powers, his 'temporary' secretary." the young woman answered.
Miss Powers had icy blue eyes and dark brown hair. Jarod was a little distracted. This girl could have been Miss Parker's twin sister, if it weren't for the age difference. She noticed him staring at her. There was another way she was like Parker; she had the same temper.
"What are you looking at, buddy?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare. You just remind me of someone I know." Jarod quickly recovered. "I'm Jarod Camello. I was told to speak to the Colonel about the case of the missing Private Patten. He disappeared around two weeks ago."
Jarod noticed that Miss Powers was a bit uneasy at his last statement about Patten. He knew there was more to this girl than she let him see and he intended to find out what she was hiding. Even with his abilities, he couldn't tell she was thinking the same thing about him.
Go to Part Two.