It was close to midnight when the POstables and the Hasletts checked into the hotel, so they agreed to meet for breakfast at nine o'clock the next morning in the dining area on the main floor. After their orders had been taken, they discussed Victoria's upcoming wedding and how they planned to make contact with her before then. They wanted to ensure that she had plenty of time to read the wedding day letter, if nothing else, before the ceremony.
"I still can't believe little Tori Rose is getting married," Clarice declared. "I wonder how she's going to react to us showing up out of the blue. I'm slightly worried, honestly."
"Now, Clarice, you're acting as if she despised us," her husband interjected. "She just needed her space. I told you that all along, but you wouldn't listen to me."
"Oh, Dalbert, what was I supposed to think? And you didn't know for sure, either. There was a time or two you swore to track her down yourself."
The Dormans and O'Tooles snickered unobtrusively at the older couple's banter.
"I feel quite confident that you two will be a very pleasant surprise to Victoria," Oliver stated.
"You, and that baby book, and those letters—it will be the best wedding gift she could ever receive," Rita remarked and everyone else agreed.
"I can't wait to meet her," Shane commented. "I feel like I know her already. It's pretty amazing how all of this fell into place," she continued, looking at Clarice. "You know, if Oliver had rejected this investigation, if Rita had not recognized the school in that picture, if you had not opened up to us, if I hadn't noticed the shocking resemblance Victoria has to her mom, and if Norman hadn't revealed the wedding date and the groom's name on the invitation. And all just days before her wedding. Oh, my goodness." She blew out a breath and fanned her eyes with her hand, attempting to keep tears at bay. "Trust the timing," she chuckled as she cried.
"Trust the timing," Oliver repeated, as he reached under the table and placed his hand on her thigh. "You know, we've seen some splendid miracles in our line of work, but this—this has been exceptional."
"It reminds me of the jigsaw puzzles Rita and I put together sometimes. This was like a thousand-piece puzzle. And when you're missing a piece, you just don't have the whole picture," Norman stated. He glanced at Rita and they smiled at each other.
"I'm amazed at how you all put your heart and your soul into your what you do. It's not just a job for you, is it?" Clarice asked.
The POstables shook their heads.
"It's a calling," Oliver replied, smiling at Shane, who nodded in agreement.
The waitress appeared and began serving their food. Shane appeared restless and was practically squirming in her seat. When her food was placed before her, she took a gulp of water and then stood up quickly.
"I'm sorry—excuse me," Shane said abruptly, and Oliver stood as well. She bolted out of the dining area and Oliver followed her, after excusing himself. The Dormans and Hasletts gave each other questioning looks.
Oliver was several feet behind her but saw her exit the hotel lobby. When he walked out the front door, he found her standing there under the breezeway, punching her cell phone as if she was texting someone in a hurry.
"Shane?" he called out.
"Oliver! You didn't have to follow me," she told him.
"I wanted to check on you," he insisted.
"I'm sorry," Shane apologized, shaking her head. "I just—I remembered a voicemail."
"So suddenly? And it's that urgent?" Oliver interrogated her.
Shane chortled exaggeratedly, clearly evading his questions. Just then, her phone dinged and she seemed relieved.
"Oh! It's a message from Ellis. He said that Victoria is supposed to be at the church by one o'clock. Let's go finish our breakfast and get going."
Shane rushed back into the hotel almost as quickly as she had run out. Oliver shook his head in exasperation and followed his wife back inside.