Chapter Thirteen

Not So Shabby

The women finished their drinks in affable silence. As Carlotta gathered up the cups and placed them in the sink, Summer excused herself and soon returned with a small box.

Knowing that curiosity was one of her greatest flaws, Christine arched her brow and ogled the parcel in Summer's arms.

Carlotta copied the eyebrow arch teasingly, then opened the tape that encased the box with a knife. Pulling out a typewritten, signed missive, she read softly, "Mother Goose will take the identity of Tabitha Murphy.

"Enclosed are identification and passport papers. She is to burn the ones she retrieved from the Cherokee village. An actress from Ohio, her grandparents raised her on a tobacco farm. Enclosed are their pictures as well as some from Tabitha's childhood.

"Able to speak three different languages..."

Christine broke in, "At least Swedish and English, Im still working on Spanish."

"She is to say..." Continued Carlotta, " She was a school teacher in South Africa. Burned out on teaching, she and her fiancé Lance Cousteau, are taking a holiday. She is here in Landon Hills to become more proficient in singing."

"More proficient? I thought, art was something most people considered pretty." Christine queried under her breath.

" Landon Hills is the host of a singing contest every year. Proceeds go to disabled high school seniors that want to go to college and major in an artistic field. The contest brings in revenue for local artists as well. The winter shuts the town down and the summer months are the only time many of the townspeople can make a living." Summer informed her as she played with the ends of her hair, as was Christine's habit.

"I thought Landon Hills was an artists retreat," Christine asked.

"The town doesn't get completely inundated with visitors. The area has so many camps and Ghost town retreats close by that most sleep out of the main town. Travel in to sell their wares is relatively short. Summer handed Christine a map.

"Mr. Reyer has outdone himself this year, he won a grant to hire a teacher for this summer's actors. At the end of the season, the last musical act standing will be taped for America's Music Scholarship Awards. The actor, singer, teacher chosen is…" Carlotta maintained a dramatic pause…"Mr. Umbaldo Piangi!"

Summer squealed quietly and jumped up and down a-la Connie Daae. Christine noticed that Carlotta seemed to look suitably impressed. Preparing for their reaction, she dropped the inevitable bomb. "Who is Umbaldo Piangi?"

"Only the best tenor in one-hundred years. You have been in the boonies, girl." Summer sniffed.
Carlotta snickered. "The Pentagon was quick to inform Mr. PiAngi that his main priority was your voice. The Core doesn't want you to win because you need to fade away into another life after the contest. The idea is to keep you in the public eye as 'Tabitha Murphy' until they can provide you with a stable life this time around.

"Once again the place will be overflowing with guards looking out for your interest but the public will only see them with other persons of interest. Gloria Evertt the movie star will be the judge and we all know she has a retinue of, how do you say it, Summer? Oh yes, I do believe hunks is the word, that follow her." Carlotta dodged a flip flop Summer kicked her way.

"But hasn't anyone listened? I. Can. Not. Sing." Christine groused, pinching the skin between her eyes.

Summer swatted her hand, "Stop that. You'll make frown lines. Something else you might have to get plastic surgery on."

"Wonderful. A lot to look forward to." Christine slumped in her chair.

Carlotta pulled a small tape recorder from the box, turning it on, she set it down on the table. Christine gasped, the recording was of her singing lullabies to Connie. The Agent forwarded the tape and a copy of Christine singing Christmas carols met her ears.

"Who said you couldn't sing, Mother Goose?" Summer questioned with a smile.

"How," sputtered Christine.

Summer lifted an eyebrow, copying Christine. "You don't think Big Daddy Core isn't always somewhere near, do you?"

"I told you the genes were there, Daae. You are a diamond in the rough. You are just going to have to practice, practice, practice, to become Tabitha Murphy in all areas."

"Ok, I make it through to the end of the season, what then?" Christine asked.

Carlotta twisted her lips to the side. "The Core is working on new placements for you, Dr. Chaney, Meghan Giry, Michael Hawke and your daughter. They would like to include Leon Two Panthers but unless some top brass sits on him, that's not likely to happen.

"Meghan too? I've ruined all their lives." Christine laid her head down dejectedly on the table. "Does anyone know who wants to kidnap me?"

"Not as of yet. We know the names of some ancillary players but not the brains."

"Its getting late, here take this box, Christine, there is more you need to familiarize yourself with. We need to get you to your real apartment so all of us can call it a night."

Christine pulled her arms through her backpack and picked up the box. Carlotta and Summer pushed the desk sitting in the office to the side. Pulling up a throw rug they uncovered a trapdoor.

Opening it, Summer smiled. "Be out in front of the Bistro at nine in the morning and Lance will meet you there."

Christine eyed Summer and asked, "Where does Lance sleep?" Summer blushed. "With me, as you, but really me."

"Oooooh." Christine grinned.

"They've been an item for quite a while. Our boss was afraid he was going to loose two good agents, so he allowed them to work together on this assignment." Carlotta climbed down the trapdoor easily, and Christine followed.

'Carlotta should be Mother Goose as much as I follow her', Christine mused.

The walk underground went quickly. Carlotta came to the end of what looked like a dead-end. Bending down, she released a latch near the floor. Tired as she was, Christine couldn't hold back a gasp. Whites and pastels completed the interior.

"I think the term is 'Shabby Chic' décor. Well worn antiques given new life. We know you have an interest in antiques and I hope you add to these during your stay. The Core wants you comfortable in your transition, Tabitha."

Tabitha. That was going to take some getting used to. Christine gave a wan smile as Carlotta showed her to her room. Her white furniture meshed in with white against white walls. Pink, sea green and light blues permeated the bedspread and other furnishings. A painted cabbage rose chandelier hung to the side.

Carlotta cleared her throat, "Take a bath, crash and I will wake you in the morning."

Christine removed her boots, allowing her toes to wiggle in the soft carpet. Taking out a clean shirt and a pair of shorts from her pack, she trudged to the bath. Opening the door she sighed. The same décor permeated the room, a claw-foot tub sat to the side.

Turning on the tap, she explored the closet. Fluffy towels, and rose scented shampoos with soap met her eyes. Choosing a loofa, and gathering up the scented goodies, Christine turned off the water.

Twenty minutes later, Carlotta looked in to say goodnight, and found a sleeping Christine sprawled across the bed. Shaking her head, the hardened agent pulled a comforter out of the closet and covered her charge.