CHAPTER SEVEN

Mother Goose

Christine whistled under her breath. Finally, she could see human shaped forms ahead. Could it be? There was something with them that had wheels instead of legs, too. "Hallelujah," Christine said gratefully. She bent down and pat her black mare's neck. "Nothing meant by it girl." The horse rolled her eyes and nickered in response.

Pulling on the reins, Christine stopped alongside Alan. A voice from the trail called," Mozart!" Alan replied, "'Driving Miss Daisy'!"

Satisfied all was well, Lance dismounted to help Christine off her horse. She watched two people approach well aware of the hidden guns in her companion's holsters.

One of the new arrivals was an older man with graying hair sporting a navy-blue beret. The other figure was a tall, angular red-head. Her tailored khaki clothing resembled a safari suit. Her accented voice was hoarse and guttural. "So this is our Healer. Welcome, Christine Daae," she fluffed her pixie styled hair with one hand, as she held out the other.

Alan had dismounted and started to make introductions. "Christine, this is Carlotta Giudiceli, and Julius Reyer. They will be two of your body guards. Does E.S.P. exist on your list of talents? You haven't asked where we are, but I'm going to tell you anyway. You are in the north-central part of Montana, close to the Canadian border. God's Country."

"Thanks. I've learned the Core will tell me on their own time, Alan." Christine shook Ms. Giudiceli's hand, then Mr. Reyer's. The little man's small, black eyes surveyed Christine, as his mustache moved in a perpetual twitch.

Alan yawned, "Along with these two good people, I will be a town resident, also. Lance, will be our liaison."

Carlotta tilted her head, indicating for Christine to follow. The tall woman strode with a purposeful ease toward the three-wheelers parked in a clearing.

Accepting a sports-drink from her, Christine distrustfully eyed the all-terrain vehicles, each three-wheeler was rusty with mismatched parts.

Noticing her appraisal, Carlotta laughed, "New vehicles will draw attention. Don't worry they are safe. The Core had the motors 'hopped up' a bit. Have you ever manned one?"

Christine shook her head to the negative as she swallowed her drink. Gratefully, she placed the cool bottle to her forehead.

"I thought not. Listen carefully. Hearing is impossible when you are riding behind another person. Landon Hills is an Artist Retreat. You will be working for Mr. Reyer, in his dining club. The town is completely geared to artists and tourists. There are Bistros, art shops, camps, music school…you name it."

"Are there any doctor's offices?" Christine inquired.

"You are no longer a nurse. You are an entertainer." Carlotta spoke nonchalantly.

"I can't sing a note!" Christine gasped.

"That could be entertaining…maybe not." Alan threw his hands up in surrender as two pairs of feminine eyes glared at him.

"Isn't your daughter an actress and singer?"

Christine nodded to Carlotta's question.

"So, then, the genes are there. You just have to bring them out." Carlotta waved her hand dismissively. "I am your room-mate. Don't be alarmed, I am working on being a Kunoichi-no-jutsu. You will be safe."

"Who will save her from you?" Alan quipped, while stepping out of reach of Carlotta's long legs.

Carlotta raised a dignified eyebrow, and made a moue with her mouth. "Continuing on, there will be a double, waiting for you in the house provided for your residence. Her name is Core Agent, Summer Rose." Carlotta firmly grabbed Christine's chin, turning her face from side to side. "She is much younger than you; we may have to tweak her face a little."

Alan guffawed at Christine's baleful expression. She wasn't sure she liked this rude female agent.

Carlotta strode noiselessly, and retrieved two packets from her three-wheeler. "One for you, Agent Berkley, and one for you, Agent Cousteau. Don't bother opening it here, I can tell you what it says. You both are now white clearance. Congratulations, gentlemen."

Carlotta ignored the men, turned on her heel, and continued to talk to Christine. "Summer, will be the one actually living in the house. There is a tunnel that connects it to the dinner club. You will be living below the club. Every day you go home, but return to an apartment below the club; and Summer, will be available as the happy dinner club entertainer, slash, homemaker after hours."

"To justify your presence, Agent Cousteau, you will be Ms. Daee, and Ms. Rose's significant other. This will enable you to move about freely without questions in town."

Lance laughed and bowed from the waist, "At your service Ms. Daae."

"It may sound juvenile, Ms. Daae, but in all vocal conversations and writing, you are Mother Goose. We will discuss your working identity, later." Carlotta placed a helmet over her hair.

Agent Reyer cut Christine's reply off as he mounted his vehicle, and placed a helmet on his graying head. "I will be in the dining club's apartment above you, Carlotta will be living with you, and Alan will be residing above the bar next door.

"When we arrive, Carlotta will take you straight to the house so you can meet Summer." Kick-starting his vehicle, he yelled, "We need to go; Ms Daae has spent enough time being visible in Montana's wilderness for one day."