AN: Thanks for the incredible response to this Snowing story! See previous chapter for important authors notes on characters and story notes.
Just a couple of notes for the last chapter and the next few. The Characters of Aaron Glover, the podcaster and Paul and Helen Santino are from Manifest and not Once characters. Another note: In this universe, Killian and Liam are not related, nor do they know one another.
This one will update bi-weekly on Monday nights. Please consider leaving a review, it is much appreciated. Here are individual responses to reviews:
Grace5231973: Yep, Johanna clamed up really fast. She definitely knows something. Margaret does have the right to know. I really like the flashbacks too. They're fun and I think they add a lot to the story. Glad you're enjoying. :)
Number Ten: Thanks, I'm glad I was able to portray his torment well. He is very torn and it's a tough situation. Yeah, he was lucky and recovered fast. Glad you liked Emma's talk with Ruth. I know, Johanna is frustrating. Secrets do this in real life and destroy lives for sure. Glad you're enjoying it!
Ghostwriter: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Jennifer Baratta: Thanks!
Sexystarwarslover: Yeah, there will be many more memories to be made now that he's back. Yeah...it remains to be seen whether Vance is really dead or not. Glad you liked Emma's time with Ruth. Yeah, I like that Margaret and David are basically her surrogate parents. Yeah, I think he definitely regrets moving on. Yeah, Emma still loves him. Yep, MM is a bad ass and always will be. Yep, Arthur is a dick, as usual. Yep, this reporter got their attention. Yep, Emma has a new kind of Calling. Yeah, the reunion between Margaret and Johanna started out good, but she is definitely hiding something. Glad you like the flashback and you are enjoying! :)
AnonSnowing: Yep, the Callings are so far from being over. I'm glad Margaret and David were her surrogate parents too. They probably made all the difference. Yep, that verse matches the plane number. No coincidences. Yeah, a 10 day break was nice and needed. Yeah, it's not David's fault, but Arthur is a dick. I love when David cups her cheek too. Yep, another reporter, but this one may not be bad. A black hawk helicopter is a military utility chopper, usually equipped to carry troops and equipped for air assault. They are usually the choppers sent into battle zones for reconnaissance or medevac. Red Hook is about 88 miles from NYC. Yep, eventually we'll discover the identity of the Major. I know, David makes me swoon too. Yep, Johanna is excited to see them...but it doesn't hold. Cora is definitely involved here. I'm sooo glad David and Margaret are not in the situation that Killian and Emma are too. Glad you liked the flashback too! Yep, they can have many more days like that now! Glad you're enjoying!
Lightning in a Bottle
Chapter 30: Crosswinds, Pt 2
Aurora felt the phone buzz in her sock, as she stood out on the deck outside the beach house. She looked around and then pulled it out, reading the text.
"Need to hear from you or the deal is off," she read. It was from her military contact and she looked around nervously. She didn't want to work for them...but if she didn't, then it was quite possible that she would go to jail and never see her son again. For the moment though, she ignored the text and shoved the phone back in her sock, before going back inside. More passengers had arrived by then...including David Nolan and his wife. It was curious. Margaret Nolan was the only non-passenger that seemed clued in on everything and showed up wherever David went. Aurora counted eighteen other passengers arriving, nineteen if one were to include Margaret Nolan, who wasn't on the plane. But she kept coming back to how odd that was. While it was reasonable that some other spouses might know a bit about what was going on with them, those on the plane seemed to keep their loved ones out of this or at arm's length. But David chose to bring her into everything and even hearing Margaret speak, if one didn't know, they might think she was on the plane too. She was as heavily immersed in all of it, as much as her husband and she debated on whether or not to reveal that to her blackmailer.
She knew they would find it interesting, but she liked them. They seemed so close and so in love in a way she had never seen before. She shook her head. Nothing could get in her way of getting her son back.
"Thank you all for coming…" Glinda said, greeting them.
"And why exactly are we here?" Captain Liam Jones asked.
"Yeah...and she's not a passenger, so what's she doing here?" Leroy Miner slurred.
"Are you drunk?" David asked.
"What's it to you, handsome? Why don't you answer my question," Leroy replied.
"She's here, because she's my wife and I want her here," David replied sternly.
"Yeah...so back off and I hope you didn't drive here," Emma said, giving him a warning. He glared at her, as he saw the badge on her hip.
"Relax…I took a cab here, blondie," he said, in a surly tone.
"Okay…I know tensions are high, but we brought you together today to assess our situation," Glinda said.
"Why us?" Bethany asked.
"As you know, the Nolans were integral in helping rescue these passengers from a military black site operation. They were experimented on and with the exception of a couple, most remain unresponsive," Glinda said.
"We also know that when the plane exploded, these ten passengers had the same urge to go to it that we did. They just weren't allowed to come to the hanger since they were in captivity," Regina added.
"We think it's important that we all share our experiences since we know that we are definitely their focal group," she said, as she looked at the Nolans.
"You weren't there...so why are you involved?" Liam asked suspiciously.
"It...it is a derivative of my research that they were using to experiment with the Callings. Against my knowledge," Glinda responded.
"So you say," Liam murmured to himself.
"Well...if we're talking about experiences, then let's talk about the believers. They were waiting outside the courthouse when I made bail, fawning and trying to follow me. It's creepy," Bethany complained.
"I agree...these believers are always standing around the street. Before the plane, I was an entrepreneur and then I came back to nothing. No one will take me seriously now in the business world. It seems these believers are the only ones that don't hate us," Baron Samdi said.
"Well...there's a reporter after you two. Anyone else have the press following them?" Emma asked.
"Oh no...that's just golden boy and his pretty little wifey here that wasn't even on the plane," Leroy replied.
"Excuse me? You think we like being followed around by reporters?" David asked.
"You certainly seem to be in the thick of all of this," Leroy replied.
"My husband is the reason the passengers that were held captive are alive!" Margaret exclaimed.
"She's right," Regina agreed.
"Squabbling is not going to get us anywhere. I want this house to be a sanctuary for all passengers. I have it available until spring. Hopefully, we can help the passengers that were experimented on by then, but I think it's important that we stick together, especially with all the attention on us," Glinda reasoned. Liam looked at David and gave him a head nod, motioning him outside, as they mostly dispersed. David took her hand and followed him out onto the deck.
"Captain…" David said. Liam briefly gave Margaret a look, wondering if he could really talk with her there, but then decided that her husband would tell her whatever he said anyway.
"I don't think we can trust this woman," he said. They exchanged a glance.
"I'll admit, we had our reservations at first, but she's helped us every step of the way," David replied. Margaret nodded.
"He's right...believe me, I thought the same as you at first. But she has helped. She was there with us at the rescue," she said.
"Her research is the reason those passengers are vegetables!" he pointed out.
"This whole thing could just be another extension of the experiment and we're all her lab rats," he added.
"I get your caginess, but I truly don't think she has malicious intent," David said, but Liam didn't look like he believed it.
"You don't understand...you don't have people blaming you for the flight," Liam said.
"The government is all over this and this stuff in the wrong hands…" he said, as he trailed off.
"What stuff?" David asked, but Liam sidestepped him again.
"We can't trust that woman and this whole thing was a waste of time," he hissed, as he stormed off for his car to leave. David and Margaret exchanged another glance, before turning to find Aurora Rose there.
"I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. But he seemed to be getting really agitated there," she mentioned. David let that slide for the moment and decided to ask her some questions.
"When you were held captive...did you ever hear them talk about someone called the Major?" he asked. She thought for a moment.
"I overheard a conversation that Jenkins was having on speakerphone with someone he called Major and he acted like he was afraid of her; like she was really powerful or something. She said that money was no object, because the Holy Grail was priceless," she said, with a shrug.
"I remember that, because it was a weird thing to say. I don't know what the Holy Grail is...but she wants it badly," she added. David's eyes widened and he looked at his wife.
"The Major is a woman...you're sure?" he asked. Aurora nodded and she was surprised when Margaret took her hands.
"Thank you so much...that's very helpful," she said.
"She's right...we really appreciate your help," David replied. Aurora smiled, a real smile, like she hadn't in a long time. She didn't remember the last time that someone had been kind to her or appreciated her. It felt nice. She watched them go and felt the phone buzz in her sock. She took it out and glared at it, before tossing it into the ocean.
Emma got to the station and dropped Paul's file onto her desk. She looked up and noticed that Killian was walking in the door, which was heralded by clapping. He looked a bit shy at the attention and she smiled, as she gave him a hug.
"Welcome back," she said.
"Thanks," he replied.
"I'm surprised to see you. You know you could have milked this for a few more sick days," she teased.
"I know...but I actually wanted to talk to you," he replied.
"Oh...we'll have to talk later. I'm trying to find a woman. She's the wife of a passenger that didn't show up at the hanger when we got back," she said.
"And before you ask...yes, the Captain signed off on the investigation," she added. He smiled.
"So fill me in," he requested. She hesitated though. She knew they needed to put some distance between them. He was married...and she couldn't have him. But...as usual when it came to him, she caved.
"Her name is Helen Santino. He was an attorney before the plane...and apparently a good one. We're talking serious money. When he disappeared, it looks like she lost everything. Last known address is some crappy apartment in Astoria," she replied.
"Social media?" he asked.
"Yeah...that's the weird part. There's nothing...she's about our age, so it's strange that she doesn't have anything," Emma replied.
"Maybe she wiped it," he suggested.
"You think?" Emma asked. He shrugged.
"If Clorinda Taylor's reaction to her sister Tisbe coming back is anything to go by...then we know some people didn't react well to the plane coming back," he replied. She nodded.
"Everything before that suggests they were happy...so why didn't she show up at the airport?" Emma wondered.
"Maybe there is someone else," he replied, as their eyes met.
"Uh yeah...anyway, I think I'll go check out her place in Astoria," Emma said.
"I'd love to tag along," Killian replied. She was about to protest, but he was really good at this kind of stuff, so she relented and allowed him to follow her to her car.
David drove them home and out of curiosity, they started listening to Aaron Glover's 828 gate podcast on the way
During the 5 1/2 years that the plane was missing, the flight path, weather patterns, and telemetry have been exhaustively studied. The NTSB took eighteen months and it's full of holes. But I'm not giving up. I'll find the truth.
As they arrived home, David shut it off and they looked at each other.
"Well...he's definitely better than creepy Sidney Glass," Margaret mentioned.
"Yeah...but I'm still not sure we should trust him," David replied.
"There's only about a minute left in this one. Let's finish it," she suggested, as he turned it back on.
"That's about all for this episode, but don't miss next week's installment when we discuss the mysterious Major involved in all this and her quest for the Holy Grail," he said. Their eyes widened and they looked at each other in shock.
"The Holy Grail…" Margaret said.
"Just like Aurora talked about," he replied.
"I guess we need to talk to him, after all," Margaret said, as they got out and headed into the house.
"Hey Dad...can we shoot some hoops?" Henry asked. David smiled and took the ball from him. They would call Mr. Glover later. It had been a long time since Henry felt well enough to play basketball.
"Sure buddy...that sounds great," David said. Margaret watched him go and saw Olive on the couch with her math book.
"How was your day, honey?" she asked.
"Pretty boring...how about you and Dad? Did you find Johanna?" Olive asked. Margaret sighed.
"We did and she was happy to see us at first, until she realized we were there to talk about my mother's death," Margaret said.
"What happened?" Olive asked.
"She told me to leave it alone, stay away from Cora Mills, and then she practically kicked us out of her house," Margaret replied.
"Well, that's majorly weird and suspicious," Olive said.
"It was...and I didn't get a chance to ask Regina to pull my mother's medical files," Margaret replied.
"Well, until you do...we could poke around the Internet for more information," Olive suggested.
"Okay...let's see what we can find. You drive, Internet wiz," Margaret said, as she sat beside her daughter and they began looking.
A few hours later.
After helping her Mom do some research, Olive left the house with her gear and arrived at the rock climbing studio.
Lance unpacked the gear back in the box of his truck, as Olive approached and he smiled when seeing her.
"Hey Olive," he greeted.
"Hi Lance...thanks for meeting me. I know this is still kind of weird," Olive replied.
"It's not...just so long as your parents know," he reminded her. She nodded.
"They do...and they're fine with me continuing to do rock climbing," she said.
"That's great...so how are they?" he asked. He said they, but Olive knew he meant her mother. She beamed.
"They're great...I mean Mom is her old self. With Dad back, it's like the light inside her turned back on and Dad is way more patient with me than I deserve," Olive said.
"Don't say that...you're not half as bad as you make yourself out to be," he replied.
"Maybe…I think he gets that I'm not a little girl anymore, but he also still treats me like I am...but in a good way that I didn't realize that I missed," Olive confessed. Lance smiled.
"That's wonderful...and that's what a father does, no matter how old you get," he replied. She nodded, as they went inside the rock climbing place. They were unaware, however, that Sidney Glass was across the street in his car, snapping photos of them…
While shooting some hoops with Henry, David waited to hear back from the podcaster about a meeting. He hadn't agreed to anything yet, but Aaron texted back and agreed to meet for coffee. Margaret told him to go ahead and then pick up dinner on the way home, while she spent some time with Henry. He agreed and kissed her quickly, promising not to be long. He parked and arrived at the coffee shop, looking around in hopes that no one was watching him. He was a bit higher profile lately than he was comfortable with.
"Hey...thanks for meeting me," Aaron said, as he handed him a coffee.
"Thanks…" David said, as they sat at a corner table outside.
"So...you listened, I assume?" Aaron asked.
"Margaret and I listened to a few episodes," he said.
"So, you're agreeing to be interviewed?" Aaron asked.
"Not yet…" David said.
"You have to understand that the passengers...we don't know who we can trust right now. We feel like we all have a target on our backs," he added.
"I get that," Aaron replied.
"But you might be able to earn my trust," David said.
"How?" Aaron asked.
"What do you know about the Holy Grail?" he asked. Aaron looked around.
"Where did you hear that term?" he asked.
"Not important…" David evaded. Aaron sighed.
"I have a source," he said vaguely.
"Can I talk to them?" David asked. Aaron shook his head.
"I can't reveal my source or the information will dry up," Aaron refuted.
"What can you tell me then?" David asked.
"Right after 828 returned, the Senate Intelligence Committee, House Appropriations started having secret meetings in which they earmarked millions to preserve the phantom shiner. It's a fish. Hasn't been seen since the 1940s. So why earmark funds?" Aaron asked.
"To pay for a Clandestine operation," David surmised. Aaron smiled.
"Very good, Professor," he teased.
"But all my source had was a fragment of a conversation he overheard. A senator said, 'It's the Holy Grail.' We have to be the first, or 828 blows up in our face," Aaron said.
"The Holy Grail? You think that's what the Major's looking for?" David asked.
"No, not literally. This isn't Arthurian legend. But it's something big," Aaron said.
"So...you ready to go on the record?" Aaron asked.
"Not quite," David replied.
"But you told me something...so I'll tell you something I know," he added, as Aaron listened with rapt attention.
"The Major is a woman," he revealed.
"You're sure?" Aaron asked. David nodded.
"And we know that it was a military black hawk that she came to Red Hook in, but we'd need someone in intel to trace it further," Aaron said. David thought back to Agent King and though he knew that he blamed him for Vance's death...he could tell that he truly cared about Vance. If he could somehow convince him that it might have been this Major that was responsible for his death, then he might agree to help them.
"If I could talk to Agent King...I might be able to convince him to help. But I need access to him. Do you think your source could make that happen?" David asked.
"It's worth a shot," Aaron replied.
"Good...make it happen and we can see about that interview," David agreed, as they shook hands and parted ways.
Emma and Killian arrived at the apartment building, which was the last known address for Helen Santino. Emma knocked and when they found no answer, they turned the doorknob, finding it unlocked. Thinking that might mean foul play, they drew their weapons and slowly walked in. They searched, but found no one.
"Clear…" Killian called.
"Clear…" Emma echoed, as they met in the kitchen. They found a carton of milk that had an expiration date that was well past. There was also stuff scattered everywhere, like someone left unexpectedly.
"I do not want to know what's in that carton," Killian joked. She snorted.
"She definitely left in a hurry," Emma said, as they looked through her things.
"She either left in a hurry or was taken," Killian said, as Emma found some documents and photos.
"Yeah...can you continue searching? I'm going to take these to Paul and see if it jogs his memory at all," she said.
"Sure," he agreed, though he was clearly disappointed that she was ditching him. Perhaps it was for the best. They couldn't be together anyway, but that didn't stop him from watching her go with longing...