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YESTERDAY'S DREAMS

Chapter Six

It was well into the night, the clock nearing that fateful stroke of midnight when Trent finally announced they should call it a night. Between him and Katheryn, there had been no progress in connecting the list of names from the MASH unit during the war to the items they had taken photos of. Between Carlos and Kim, military records and such sensitive information as they dared to try acquiring over the waves of the internet proved unfruitful. Either firewalls or simply a lack of adequate and helpful information led them to many dead ends. At this point, they all agreed they needed sleep or they'd go crazy in the meantime.

The next morning, Kim buzzed Trent's cell phone with a far too high level of enthusiasm that didn't permeate to Trent who had none left to pass on to Carlos and Katheryn at such an hour. Be that as it may, the trip met their spunky secretary back at headquarters after approximately six hours of sleep.

"Oh, good! I'm so glad you guys are finally here!" Kim beamed, donning a cup of coffee.

"Any left?" Carlos moaned through a yawn while rubbing his eyes and stumbling across the room in front the others.

Kim shook her head in between sips. "I just poured the last cup. My sixth one. You'll have to make another pot."

"No wonder you're so chipper," Trent scoffed and pointed himself in the direction of the coffee pot.

After indulging in a large portion of the liquid in hand, Kim set the cup down and motioned for the others to come closer. "So I bet you're eager to hear why I called you back so early."

"It crossed our minds," Carlos mentioned, barely rolling his eyes.

Kim waited a second for Trent to join them before she finally revealed her secrets. "Well, I got to thinking after I went home last night that we've been going about this all the wrong way. We've been trying to look at the big things like marriage certificates, birth certificates, and official military document stuff. But after two hours of sleep I couldn't stand it and had to do more searching. And this is what I came up with. I decided to search locally since I can get into those types of things way easier! And sure enough, I got lucky. One of the MASH unit's members has family living right here in Dallas."

"No way!" Katheryn beamed and circled quickly around the desk to get a look at the computer.

Kim squinted hard, tightening in on a piece of information. "I found an article from last year from a man named Cy Young Klinger. He mentioned in a speech at a technology convention that he's proud to have made his father proud and everyone who served alongside him in the Korean War no matter what their job was. So I just connected the dots and think this could be a lead. Of course, I don't know if his father is still alive or not."

"Nice work," Trent smiled, patting Kim on the back. "Did you get an address?"

Kim handed Trent a slip of paper amidst the silence with the address already listed.

"Great!" Trent beamed, taking the slip of paper. "Hey, Kath? Want to take this one with me?"

Katheryn's smile spread from ear to ear. "Of course!"

"Hey!" Carlos blurted out. "What about me?"

"Prep for the bust in a few days. Dig up more info with Kim. Also, call Walker and ask if he knows anyone who might be able to help us research the Korean War. Maybe he knows a few things we wouldn't."

"Gotcha," Carlos ambled back to the coffee pot, knowing very well his need for fuel to accomplish anything worth trying.

Meanwhile, as Trent and Katheryn arrived to his Corvette by the curb, Trent stalled by his door, looking over the closed top to Katheryn with a twist of a smile. "You know, I never did get the chance to ask you how you're doing."

"What do you mean?"

"Being engaged. I think it suits you."

"Well, thanks," Katheryn rolled her eyes and proceeded to get inside the car where she waited eagerly for Trent to start the engine on the rather cool morning. "I know I should be thrilled. But I'm sure I am."

"Why's that?" Trent asked, concern in his eyes as he looked at the address in his hand one last time before accelerating.

"Oh, it's not Carlos. God, I love that man. It's all the wedding fluff I'm not eager about. It's been fun doing it with Alex for her wedding. But I don't think it's for me. I don't want a huge wedding. I'd elope if it wasn't for me wanting all my friends and family to be there."

"How's Carlos feel about it?"

"I don't know. We haven't really talked about it much. But I get the feeling he's all for the sooner the better."

"Yeah." Trent's smile broadened. "I can see that for sure. Have you talked to Roscoe yet?"

Kath shook her head. "Part of me wants to wait until things quiet down some. Then we'll start making plans. But I don't see that happening. Our track record is awful."

"I bet Molly will want to go dress shopping with you."

"Oh, I know she will. As much as I'm loathing it, I'm actually looking forward to spending some time with my bridesmaids. Speaking of, did you and Molly have that talk yet?"

"So it was you," Trent tilted his head in curiosity, capturing a brief glimpse of Kath. "Yeah. We talked."

"And?"

"I think things are going well."

"I'm glad. I think you two are perfect for each other."

"Hey, now don't go trying to play matchmaker. We worked things out. But I don't think either of us is sure yet where this is leading."

"Oh, I know where it's going, Trent Malloy."

"I bet you do. But let things happen as they will."

"Okay," Kath finally surrendered, a lift of her hands added for due emphasis. "Just don't go saying 'I told you so' when the question pops right off of your lips one of these days."

Trent simply smiled to himself, remembering the best kiss he and Molly shared before the road before him made him snap out of it and remember their task at hand.

Resorting to watching the scenery pass by, Kath was surprised when Trent made a sharp right turn at the next stop sign. After several seconds he took a careful left turn up to a closed gate. Trent and Katheryn paused to look at each other, both of them equally curious about the man they were going to meet. At this point, neither of them had assumed him to be a rich man. But as the security guard walked up to the window on Trent's side, they were beginning to feel quite differently about the situation.

Trent rolled down the window and courteously gave the officer a nod. "Hello, officer."

"Is Mr. Klinger expected you?" the officer immediately interrogated the stranger in front of him.

"No, I'm afraid not," Trent replied hesitantly. "To be honest, we didn't realize things were so tight around here."

"Well, they are," the officer replied, his jaw set in an even form as he glared into the car. "What's your business here?"

"My name's Trent Malloy. This is one of my partners Katheryn Beaumont. We're private investigators."

"Oh, no you don't," the officer pointed firmly to the road. "You can be gone right this minute. We don't have no call for your kind around here."

"But you don't understand, sir. We need to speak to Mr. Klinger. It involves the Korean War. And possibly his father Maxwell."

The guard was immediately disturbed by the mention of Mr. Klinger's father. His eyes widened as he stepped back. He seemed in a daze until a passing of another car on the road seemed to alert him. "Come on in," he stated flatly.

Trent intended to thank the man. But he didn't have a chance. He was gone and the gate was opened before he could say another word.

At the front entrance, the twosome were greeted by a housemaid who escorted them into a private office on the second floor of the stately home. Katheryn could tell the immensity of the riches before as she gently guided her hand along the banister of the stairs as she climbed the circled frame upward. A glimmering chandelier graced the foyer, its glass elements casting light throughout the entire space. Marble columns held the various walls in their stately glory.

The second floor was filled with far less pomp than the previous floor. But if Katheryn had an estimation in mind, she had to guess that the very carpets she walked on were from Egypt, and the wood that constructed the bookshelves were from trees grown in some faraway land.

After being told that Mr. Klinger would be with them as soon as possible, the maid left, leaving Trent and Katheryn to their own devices in the massive library or office…neither of them could tell which one it was.

Katheryn was tempted to sort through as many of the books as the time allowed her. But thinking better of it, she chose one book instead that called her very name from eye level across the room. She could resist the urge no longer and reached out to feel the cover of what had to be an original copy of the work she had treasured since she was a child.

Trent noticed her curiosity was getting the best of her and wandered over to where she stood lost in the world of her beloved fictional characters. His presence nearly caused her to jump, and she returned the book to the shelf as quickly as she had acquired it.

"I was just curious," she explained, Trent's eyes searching her conscience without him saying a word. "I was!" She insisted before returning to the chairs in front of the desk and taking a seat.

Silently, the two investigators were both secretly hard at work, deducing any sort of clue about the mystery man from this one piece of his massive abode. Already, Katheryn had figured out his love for old things. Nearly everything they saw had to be over fifty years old at least down to the very fountain pen on the desk. Could it have belonged to his father?

And over across the room by the massive book collection, Trent had already discovered the man's love for war…or at least the history thereof. About one-third of the space was filled with journals from war heroes and various accounts of many of time's most famous battles from across the globe.

As soon as the door to the room opened to reveal the man behind the possessions, Trent and Katheryn were ready to hear the man's story…and his father's if they were lucky.

"I'm sorry to keep you both waiting," the man offered politely and accepted handshakes from both of them. "I wasn't expecting company, but when Joe told me why you two wanted to see me, I quickly rearranged my afternoon."

He settled himself behind the desk and then continued, "You know about my father?"

"Yes, we do," Trent replied as he walked over to the desk and remained standing next to Kath. "We have recently been hired by a local company to investigate a recent find in Korea. A time capsule was recently dug up on a field where a M*A*S*H unit used to be during the war. We have reason to believe that your father was among the ones who would have been there during the time it was buried."

Cy Young thought about Trent's words for a moment. "You know, my father always talked of the war fondly despite how bad it really was. That's where he met my mother, you know. She was from South Korea. But I can't recall him mentioning a time capsule."

Katheryn proceeded to hand Cy Young a few of the photos they had taken of the items that were in the capsule itself. "Maybe you can remember your father talking about any of these items."

Cy Young took the photos in hand and began looking at each one. His response was mostly mellow until he came across one of a rather beautiful but time-worn dress. Cy Young laughed and kept pointing happily at the picture while exclaiming, "Oh, my. This had to have belonged to my father."

Trent and Katheryn exchanged deeply confused looks. A dress? For a man?

Cy noticed their confusion. "You see, my father absolutely hated the war. He wanted out from day one and tried everything to get a section eight that would get him out of the army for being a lunatic. It didn't work though. Everyone there loved him too much. He was indispensable."

Katheryn took a moment to picture in her mind what that crazy scene might have looked like and smiled. "Sounds like he's a special man."

"He was." Cy seemed to pause and swallow hard. "I miss him every day."

"He's gone?" Katheryn asked cautiously.

"Yes. For about five years now. Heart attack. I still have my mother with me though. She misses him terribly."

Sadness clouded Kath's features as she nodded towards the massive library collection. "I can see you enjoy studying wars. I imagine it must be because of your father."

Cy nodded, pressing his lips together as memories seemed to catch him off guard. "Yes, ma'am. War's a nasty thing. But it brought my parents together. So I can't be too mad. In fact, I wish I could help you guys out more. But honestly never knew about this time capsule you've uncovered. It's news to me! I hope I can see it in person one of these days in fact. But you know what…" Cy suddenly reached for a pen and paper, quickly jotted something down, and handed it to Katheryn. "Here's one of my closest friend's phone numbers. She lives out in San Francisco. Name's Erin. She's the daughter of one of the men my father served with. We stay in contact all of the time. I've heard say several times that her father journaled his experiences from the war. Maybe she could help you guys out."

Trent stepped forward with hand extended. "Thank you very much, sir. You've been a great help."

Cy Young stood and eagerly returned the handshake. "My pleasure, Mr. Malloy. I hope this helps. And if there's any other way I can help please let me know."

Katheryn stood and shook Cy's hand also. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. And please…let me know if they allow us meager civilians to see the box. It sounds amazing."

"We'll try our best," Katheryn offered, knowing that she couldn't promise anything. The picture of the admiral's stern face glaring them into fear itself was enough to set caution into her words.

Mr. Klinger's maid had no sooner closed the door politely behind the twosome taking their leave had Katheryn paused on the walkway to their car, stopping Trent with a touch of her hand. His eyes seemed to ask what the matter was before his words could follow, urging Kath to speak.

"I'll go."

"What?"

"To California. I'll take over the case and go interview this lady."

"Absolutely not," Trent was quick to put Kath in her place. "That's not a good idea."

"Why not? I'm perfectly capable of traveling on my own. I'm a grown woman, Trent Malloy."

"It's not about that," Trent reasoned, a sharp sigh following. But he couldn't find any more words to defend his point of view. "Give me one good reason one of us can't go with you."

"Easy. Sarah still needs you, Trent. And you and Carlos are busting those warehouse thieves in a day or so. It just wouldn't be logical. And I have the time. When I get back, we'll piece the puzzle together hopefully."

Trent had to admit Katheryn's reasoning was very sane. It seemed like a good idea. But he still didn't like her going that far alone. Not because she couldn't handle it but because…well, he couldn't really figure out why it bothered him so much.

After thinking it through more as they walked to the edge of the expansive driveway where his Corvette waited, Trent laid a gentle hand on Kath's shoulder and gave her a suspicious smile that drew her attention quickly. "I guess you'd better go home and start packing, kid. There's a plane waiting for you."