SWNOVELS Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Karla was convinced the idea held water, but with the photograph that could take her through time now in her possession, her current conundrum was figuring out how to make the leap.
Reflecting on her previous time–travel escapades, it seemed that danger was her inadvertent catalyst. Only when peril loomed did the past open its arms to her.
The next day, Karla sauntered into the police station and handed the group photo over to Una, asking for help in identifying the people captured within its faded edges.
Una, taking the photo, inquired curiously, “Where did you get this relic? It looks like it’s been collecting dust for ages.”
“It’s a long story,” Karla replied, avoiding the question. “For now, could you just help me. find out who these youngsters are? Names, current whereabouts–if they’re even around anymore.”
Una nodded, “Sure thing. Give me till lunchtime, and I’ll have some answers for you.”
“Thanks a bunch.” Karla offered her gratitude just as Henry strolled by and chimed in with concern, “Karla, you haven’t run into any shady characters lately, have you?”
She shook her head, “Nope, it’s been quiet since the last incident.”
“That’s a relief,” Henry responded, his protective instincts kicking in. “Still, stay on your toes. Next time you’re planning to head out, bring me along, okay?”
Karla gave him a non–committal, “Sure, I’ll keep that in mind,” and turned her attention
back to Una.
True to her word, Una delivered the results over lunch with efficiency that was nothing short of impressive. However, she regretfully informed Karla that the information on two of these people was nonexistent–as if they had vanished into thin air.
“Nothing at all?” Karla was taken aback. A complete lack of records often spelled out a grim reality. Those people might no longer be among the living.
“Only got something on the lovebirds,” Una said as she handed over a file. “They’re quite the couple–both physicists, major contributors to their field, living in Fox Hollow, and both professors at a prestigious university.”
Karla’s interest piqued as she scanned the dossier. The first page detailed their profiles, complete with pictures from their middle age. Karla could still recognize the smiling and gentle middle–aged woman in the photo, who was the girl in the group picture. Her name was Polly, born in 1954, and she graduated from Harvard University.
The mention of Harvard triggered thoughts of Rowan, who was also a Harvard man.
Polly’s husband, Wayne, was another Harvard grad, born in 1953, The young man with glasses from the photo had aged into a kind and approachable middle–aged academic.
Karla surmised they must have been friends with Rowan during his college days. Finding them might shed light on a chapter of Rowan’s life that remained a mystery.
Determined to meet the couple, Karla took leave from work and planned to fly out to Fox Hollow the next morning.
Back home, she packed her bags and attempted to catch some sleep, but rest eluded her. She fished out the small iron box and examined a key inside. Her instinct told her that it would be important, so she slipped it into the pocket of the jeans she planned to wear the next day.
Then, thumbing through a book written in dense French, she found a bookmark–a postcard depicting the Eiffel Tower. Turning it over, Karla was stunned. The blank side was filled with her name, “Karla,” written over and over with an intensity that spoke of restrained emotion, each letter etched with forceful deliberation.
Staring at the repeated scrawl, Karla could sense a profound resentment emanating from the page. She let out a wry chuckle, “Seems like he’s really got a bone to pick with me.”