Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter twenty-two of "Ride the Wind II: Justice Unbound." I'm glad it took just a week to get out. Nadine's parents will make their first appearance in the next few chapters. I am so ready to introduce them. Stay tuned for chapter twenty-four.

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Chapter 22: Conversation With a Trainer

Brenda drove her black Chevy truck down the street five minutes later. She looked around its interior. Its exterior happened to be faded. It had a large scratch in the driver's door near the bottom of it. Dirt could be seen along the bottom of it on both sides. Bird poop was in the upper left-hand corner of the windshield. The bumper contained a dent in it.

Brenda spotted the Kenworth Café on her left and pushed the blinker bar down as she came to a stop. The left blinker began flashing. Three cars and two trucks passed before she pulled into the parking lot. She moved the bar up, causing the blinker to cease its flashing. She parked in a space near the entrance and switched off the engine.

Brenda eyed the basketball air refresher that hung from the rearview mirror. She unbuckled her seatbelt before running her fingers through her hair. She grabbed her purse from the passenger's seat. She exited the van and began making her way toward the entrance. Jesse, Randolph, and Dwight came out of the café. She decided to head for them.

"Hey there!" Brenda shouted as she waved at the trio.

Jesse, Randolph, and Dwight looked at the trainer. They stopped in their tracks as she came to them. She put her arm down.

"Hey, Brenda," Jesse greeted.

"I saw you two at the aquatic theater earlier today," Brenda said, gesturing toward him and Randolph. "What brought you here?"

"We just wanted to have some coffee in this café," Jesse answered. "Are you coming here for coffee?"

"Yep," Brenda admitted, nodding rapidly. "I come here for coffee after work two or three days a week. After I am here for a while, I go home and make dinner. It's my life."

"We ran into our friend here," Randolph explained, pointing his finger at Dwight. "We decided to hang out with him."

"Dwight Mercer is at your service," Dwight said, holding out his hand.

"Dwight, I've heard a lot about you," Brenda said, taking his hand and shaking it. She released her hold on it. "You've placed many kids in good homes over the last twenty-nine years."

"It's a difficult job, but someone has to do it," Dwight commented with a chuckle.

"What are your friends' names?" Brenda wondered, eyeing Jesse and Randolph.

"I am Jesse Greenwood," Jesse responded.

"My name is Randolph Johnson," Randolph added.

Brenda felt her jaw drop and her eyes go as wide as saucers. She shook her head rapidly. She took a closer look at the duo, wondering if she heard wrong. She realized they were telling the truth.

"You're the one who freed Willy from his tank," Brenda said, pointing her finger at Jesse.

"That was me," Jesse admitted with a nod.

Brenda moved her finger to Randolph. "You're the one who was Willy's caregiver."

"Yep," Randolph said and slipped his hands inside his pockets.

"What were you two doing at the aquatic theater. Dial told me you two vowed never to come back," Brenda commented in seriousness.

"We did, but we wanted to see how Lilli was doing in person," Randolph answered swiftly. He emitted a heavy sigh. "In fact, we really need to talk to you about her."

"What do you mean?" Brenda asked confusingly.

Dwight pressed his lips together. "Could we go over to Randolph's van and talk? We don't want anyone snooping on our conversation."

Brenda nodded in a slow manner. Randolph led her, Jesse, and Dwight over to his van. She gave them a serious look as she crossed her arms.

"All right. What is going on? Why do you need to talk to me about Lilli?" Brenda asked in much curiosity.

"I don't know if you are aware, but a Southern Resident female orca named Isabella disappeared ten months ago. She was Willy's daughter," Jesse said, placing his hand on his hip.

"I didn't know about that," Brenda replied. "I really don't keep up with the news about this region's orcas. I am too busy focusing on caring for Northwest Adventure Park's animals, especially Lilli."

Dwight tilted his head. "We don't blame you."

"It is a tough job caring for animals, no matter where they are," Jesse murmured in gentleness.

"I know you are aware the records show that Dial purchased Lilli from the Brighton Aquarium in Colorado," Randolph commented.

"Yes, I am," Brenda said, taking a deep breath. "There is not much information on Lilli herself. I do know that many aquariums have incomplete records on their animals, especially whales and dolphins."

Jesse bit his lip. "The thing is we believe that Dial may have illegally caught Isabella from the wild and sent her to the Brighton Aquarium after he renamed her Lilli. We think he kept her there until she was fully trained and 'bought' her from the aquarium."

Brenda gasped in much shock. She opened and closed her mouth, but she couldn't get any words to form. Jesse, Randolph, and Dwight wondered when she would say something.

"I know it is hard to believe, but what we are saying could be true," Randolph said in a gentle voice.

"You are damn right I find it hard to believe," Brenda commented, getting a little angry. "Dial learned his lesson. He wouldn't do what he did with Willy ever again. He told me so."

"Just because he did doesn't mean he meant it," Jesse pointed out bluntly. "Businessmen like him rarely change. They will do anything to make money, even resorting to illegal means."

"They are among the sneakiest people on the face of this Earth," Dwight added.

"That is true," Brenda agreed and showed a bit of uncertainty. "Still, that doesn't make what you say true."

"My parents, my sister, my girlfriend's parents, and Dwight went to see Lilli themselves two months ago. They were amazed at how much she looked like Isabella. They tried to get pictures, but spectators kept getting in the way. Mom and Dad told Randolph, Nadine, Nancy, Andros, Ashley, Zhane, and Karone about what was going on after we got here," Jesse explained calmly.

"We were shocked," Randolph admitted firmly. "Jesse and I believed it might be true from the start. Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone, Nadine, and Elvis were very skeptical. So was Missy. However, Zhane and Karone seemed to agree with Randolph's theory that whale hunters could've disguised their boat as one for fishing in order to carry out their capture operation. Elvis and Nadine were uncertain, as were Andros and Ashley. They, Zhane, and Karone agreed to go with us to see Lilli and get pictures."

"I will show you a picture of Isabella," Jesse said, getting out his IPhone. He eyed Randolph grabbing his. "Randolph will show you a picture of Lilli. We want to show you the similarities between the two orcas."

Jesse turned on his IPhone. He swiped the screen and pressed the picture app to bring up his pictures. He scrolled down to a set of pictures of Isabella. He touched one of her surfacing next to Willy and Nikki. Randolph repeated all his friend's actions with his IPhone to bring up one of Lilli doing a bow in the middle of the tank. Both of their left sides were visible. They showed them to Brenda, who furrowed her brow.

"Look at their eyepatches, saddle patches, and sides," Jesse instructed as he motioned toward each of part of the orcas.

"Can you see the similarities in them?" Randolph asked.

Brenda nodded. "I can, but many orcas of different ecotypes are known to resemble each other. Besides, Lilli has knicks in her dorsal and notches in her flukes."

"We believe netting caused those knicks and notches," Randolph commented while turning off his IPhone.

Jesse switched off his IPhone. "There is something else. When Lilli saw us, my brother, my girlfriend, and my friends before the show, she seemed to recognize us. She got excited and swam up to us. She did several things we know Isabella did a lot. She acted the same way after the show."

"Everyone in the group began to believe she was Isabella, except for Andros and Karone. Missy was still skeptical when we told her and her parents about what Lilli did. Glen and Annie said it confirmed their belief she was Isabella," Randolph added as he and his friend slipped their IPhones into their pockets.

"Swimming up to people and interacting with them has always been part of Lilli's personality," Brenda pointed out.

Randolph emitted a soft snort. "It was also part of Isabella's personality. With us, our friends, and our family, that is."

Brenda shook her head in disbelief. She paced back and forth five times before coming back to the trio.

"What you are saying isn't true. Dial wouldn't risk going to jail by acquiring a protected animal illegally for the second time. The park would be shut down permanently. I would lose my job. So would the other workers," Brenda insisted.

"It is your right not to believe us. We are within our rights to believe that Isabella was stolen from the wild and was renamed Lilli," Dwight replied in a low yet firm voice.

"Lilli and I have a very close relationship. She gets along well with Jane and Izzy. Even if what you say turns out to be true, being separated from me could cause her to become depressed. She might even die," Brenda explained urgently.

"We understand your concerns, but the Southern Resident orcas are critically endangered. If Lilli turns out to be Isabella, then it would be best to return her to the wild," Randolph said in a serious voice. "They are in need of females. She would prove valuable to the population, especially J-Pod."

"Randolph brought a sample of Isabella's blood with him. Would you be willing to provide us a sample of Lilli's blood, so it can be tested?" Jesse asked hopefully.

"Dial would never agree to such a test," Brenda said, shaking her head.

"He doesn't have to know," Jesse whispered, putting his finger over his lips.

"Is Lilli having a medical examination done soon?" Dwight wondered in curiosity.

"Lilli is having a medical examination done this Wednesday. Jane and Izzy will be part of it as well," Brenda answered, swallowing hard.

"That means you could get us a sample of Lilli's blood," Jesse commented, his body shaking some. "You must do this. We've got to know the truth."

Brenda bit her lip before letting out a shuddering breath. Though she was still skeptical, she knew these men were right. She needed to let them test a sample of Lilli's blood. In fact, she wanted to prove to them they were wrong about her being Isabella.

"All right. I will give Randolph a sample of Lilli's blood, so it can be tested," Brenda said.

"Thank you," Jesse said, letting out a relieved sigh. "Thank you so much."

"I will tell you right now. It is going to prove your story isn't true," Brenda insisted in much firmness. "Lilli will end up staying where she is."

"What time can you meet me here to give me the blood sample?" Randolph wondered.

"I can meet you here at five-thirty after I get off work," Brenda responded, snorting softly.

"That sounds good to me," Randolph said, nodding at her. "I will see you then."

"Just don't get your hopes up about Lilli," Brenda warned sternly. "I am sorry Isabella is gone, but I know Lilli isn't her."

"We don't want you to lose your job. If you do, the Seattle Aquarium is always looking for people to work for them," Jesse pointed out.

"You should look them up," Randolph murmured in gentleness.

"All right," Brenda said, nodding slowly.

Jesse, Randolph, and Dwight observed the trainer heading inside. They looked at each other while giving shrugs.

"At least she didn't start screaming at us," Randolph whispered and breathed deeply.

"It doesn't matter. We managed to convince her to help us a little bit," Jesse assured. "Once we get the proof, we just might be able to convince her to help us even more."

"Of course, we have to tread carefully because Dial could figure out what is going on," Randolph warned sternly.

"Yeah," Dwight agreed. "I need to head home. I will see you later."

Dwight went over to his brown car that happened to be behind Randolph's van. It was a Mercedes. It appeared to be new, though it had somewhat faded spots here and there. A scratch was under the handle on the driver's door. Specks of dirt could be seen at the bottom of the door behind the passengers. He got in and buckled his seatbelt. He drove out of the parking lot. He proceeded to go down the street. Jesse and Randolph looked at each other.

"We should get back to Glen and Annie's house," Randolph said seriously.

"Yes, but we are stopping by Clausen Sports and Fishing Store first," Jesse pointed out while holding up a finger. "Nadine wants a diet sprite like she said on the phone."

"Of course," Randolph answered and blew a raspberry. "What do you think I am, stupid?"

Jesse chuckled. "No, but you do stupid things sometimes. I know I can."

Randolph huffed. "At least my age has nothing to do with any stupidity I display."

Jesse punched his mentor in the arm very lightly. They went to their respective sides of the van. They entered it, fastening their seatbelts. Randolph turned on the engine and headed out of the lot. He went down the street while sliding his hands to the sides of the steering wheel.