Before The Fall

Chapter 1 – "When Anna met Dale"

Sitting in Sarah Dumont's living room was a little unnerving. Anna had picked up on the story of the brilliant scientist turned complete lunatic a few weeks back and now here she was sitting in his widower's house. The trail of the true story of Dr. Dumont's demise had gone cold but one thing was for certain, something was fishy.

Looking over the family photos of happier times Anna felt a bit intrusive but then again she was an investigating reporter. It was in her blood, the need to get to the bottom of a story. Thanks to her father, a skillful reporter himself, she had been born and bred to sniff out the truth of a story.

Looking at a picture of a two smiling young girls reminded her of her sister Julia and how their father gave that same loving look that Lou Dumont gave his daughters.

The clanking of tea-cup on a saucer causes Anna to turn from her reverence. "Oh I'm sorry Mrs. Dumont. Are these your daughters … Karen and Kate?"

Mrs. Dumont shakes her head, pouring Anna a cup of tea. "I'm so glad my girls are back west in college and not here to deal with all of this. Miss …"

"Anna … just call me Anna. I've already read the police report and the unclassified report from the military. I'll do what I can do figure out why your husband really died. If I could get the boxes of research I'll be on my way." Anna takes a sip of tea, noticing a haggard look on Mrs. Dumont's face.

She follows the dainty woman out to the garage, the cool Chicago air making her tighten her coat collar around her neck. One then two cardboard boxes emerge from the darken garage, the lids creased from being opened repeatedly.

Back at the hotel room Anna spreads the good doctor's work out over the floor and bed. Not sure what to make of some of the scientific notations, she decides to give her big sis a call.

Julia was her rock, her go to girl when she was in a jam but since she traded in Chicago for the small town tranquility of Chester's Mill Maine, Anna had to settle for a phone call.

Her fiery big sis was out working on the next big story for the Chester's Mill newspaper when she called, her cell phone going straight to voicemail.

In a way Anna blamed her brother-in-law, Peter Shumway for taking her sister from her. She liked Peter but she never really trusted him. Call it woman's intuition or just a gut feeling but Anna had a not so good feeling about Peter dragging Julia off to Chester's Mill.

Finally giving up on finding any answers with the doctor's notes, Anna grabs her coat and heads down to the bar at the end of the street.

The Lucky Leopard was just what you think a bar with that name would be; a total dive. It was almost midnight and at this hour Anna really didn't care.

Sitting on the first empty stool she could find she places a ten on the bar and orders a cold beer. The bartender gives her a half-smile as she slides the cold mug towards her. "Hard night sweetheart?"

"I've had harder. Hey do you know anything about a military warehouse near here?" Anna takes a gulp of the beer, noticing she had gained the attention of one blonde gentleman in the corner.

The dirty blonde bartender fills another mug, her breasts barely contained in the two sizes too small tank top. "There's the National Guard warehouse not far from here. Why you interested sweetheart?

"I got my reasons." Anna takes the new mug of beer, her eyes glancing briefly at the blonde in the corner.

With her smartphone she searches for the National Guard warehouse, writing down the address on a bar napkin. With two beers down and a head full of steam she heads back to her hotel room.

As soon as she gets to the bar entrance she feels her knees go wobbly. Two firm hands catch her, a pair of blue eyes staring back at her.

"You alright?" The soft whispery voice melts over her as he helps her back to the bar stool.

"I'm fine … I just don't ever drink that much this late. Thanks." Anna smiles back at the handsome blonde, his blue eyes dancing in the neon light.

"Do you need me to call you a cab?" The handsome blonde places his arm around her shoulder.

"No ... I'm staying at the hotel up the street. I'm fine … really." Anna gathers herself when the blond man takes her hand.

"Name is Dale, Dale Barbra but my friends call me Barbie. I can help you find that warehouse if you'd like." Anna looks back at him, her mouth slightly opened.

"I can find it, I'm sure …" Before she can say another word Dale interjects.

"You can find it but can you get in? I don't want to know why you need in but I assure you I can help you get in." His hand slides around Anna's waist and she shivers all over. The two of them lock eyes and at that moment Anna is sure she can trust him.

Julia's voice echoes in her head giving her the advice she had so many times before. "Go with your gut little sister and don't ever doubt it."

Anna looks up at Dale, her gut telling her to go with him. "Okay Dale … I'm Anna and you got a deal."