**A/N: I realized only too late that this first part should have been in the last chapter since, strictly speaking, it takes place on the same day and acts thematically as a kind of epilogue to the events of that chapter. But I missed it in the editing, so I've thrown it in here so that it's not missed by you wonderful readers-something that would certainly happen if I were to plop it in as an update to the last chapter, which most of you may have already read. C'est la vie. It is what it is!**

COOPER: Diane, it's nearing midnight. I'm retiring early because I've essentially been ordered to take it easy. But I have finished most of what I set out to do today, despite a three-and-three-quarter hour cat nap and an impromptu visit from Major Briggs and Mrs. Lanterman earlier this evening. (Pause) Ours was a curious meeting, Diane. When Major Briggs returned from his disappearance, he was sporting what looked like a burn or a tattoo: three equilateral triangles arranged in formation, located behind his ear. Mrs. Lanterman also disappeared for a time when she was just a girl and when she returned, she also had markings branded on her body, this time the mirror images of two mountains on the back of her leg. What these two shapes signify is anyone's guess, but more important are the strange circumstances surrounding each event: Both Major Briggs and Mrs. Lanterman witnessed a flash of bright light and heard the screech of an owl right before they vanished. I, too, experienced the same phenomena. (Pause) Was I meant to see that? What is the significance of these coincidental events? Are the simply coincidences or is there a deeper meaning here? (Pause) In happier news, Sheriff Truman has turned a corner. It took an assault by a strange woman to bring him out of it. But that's another story for another tape. (Sigh) Harry is hurting deeply, and I don't blame him. No one does. But we're all happy and hopeful about his recovery. I believe he is sleeping off his drunkenness as we speak, and I anticipate he'll be fine—if a little sore—in the morning. (Pause) That leaves me with the final bit of information for you. In my last tape, I mentioned the arrival in town of Ben Horne's new business partner. Well, Diane, I was made aware today that this man—John Justice Wheeler, or Jack to his friends—has set his sights on Audrey, and—(Pause; deep breath) I am nowhere near sure how to react to the news that she has moved on so quickly from what I thought was something quite deep and profound between us. My feelings are a mystery. But then so are women, and Audrey no less than any other. But I can say that the pit in my stomach that formed when I saw the two of them embarking on a picnic excursion together earlier today has not gone away or even lessened since that time. (Long pause) I can scarcely believe that I could be capable of such heartache after such a short interlude, and yet that is the closest approximation that makes any sense to me at the moment. This is a tough one, Diane. (Pause) But, on to other things. Did you know that Norma Jennings has a sister? A young woman named Annie. She's the newest waitress over at the Double R. A nice enough girl, but—like everyone else in this town—I have the distinct impression that she is, as they say, filled with secrets...

Wednesday, March 22

Afternoon

Coop looked down again at the doodle he'd drawn in front of him, then back at the retreating figure of Annie Blackburn, who had lit a lightbulb in his head. "Harry," he said finally. "I've got to see this Owl Cave…"

Truman nodded. "Just say the word."

Cooper glanced back at the napkin once last time and then back up at the counter, grabbing Shelly's attention with a wave of his hand. "Can we get ours to go?"

FBI Regional Bureau Chief Gordon Cole spun around on his counter stool. "WHAT'S UP, COOP?"

"FINISH YOUR PIE, GORDON," Cooper shouted back. "WE'RE ROLLING OUT."

Truman winced and stood up, still a bit wobbly on his hungover legs but with a pressing need to get away from the shouting that seemed to ricochet through his cranium like ice in a hiball glass. "I'll radio the station," he said. "Get Hawk and Andy down to meet us."

Cooper gave a curt nod. "Good thinking, Harry."

Agent Cole pried himself away from the counter and stood at Cooper's side. "WHERE'RE WE OFF TO?"

"OWL CAVE," Cooper offered.

"CAVE?" Gordon asked. "COOP, ARE YOU GOING SPELUNKING?"

Cooper paused to consider for a moment before smiling. "Well, I suppose we are."

"WHAT'S THAT?"

Cooper held up his hand. "NOTHING, GORDON," he said.

Cole flashed an 'Ok' sign with his fingers. "OKIE-DOKIE," he said. "I THINK I'M GOING TO SKIP THIS ONE, IF IT'S ALL THE SAME TO YOU. DO YOU KNOW IF THERE'S A DOCTOR IN TOWN WHO CAN TAKE A LOOK-SEE AT MY EARS?"

Puzzled, Cooper nodded his head. "DOC HAYWARD."

"HAYWARD?"

"ONE AND THE SAME."

Cole turned to look at Shelly. "I CAN HEAR HER, COOP. CLEAR AS DAY."

Cooper smiled. "Congratulations, Gordon."

"NO, I HAD THE PIE."

Cooper shook his head, bemused, and flashed a thumbs up. "SEE YOU LATER, GORDON."

As they parted ways, Annie rounded the countertop, two carry out boxes in her hands, balancing two cups of coffee on top. "Agent Cooper—"

Cooper grinned, throwing his coat over his arm as he reached into his pocket for his wallet. "Annie, you're a gem. How much do I owe you?"

She blushed. "An even six," she said. "Coffee's on me."

Taken aback by such a generous gesture, Cooper's voice hushed in awe. "Well, thank you Annie." He took the food and drink from her hands.

"See you around?" she asked.

"You can count on it."

"All right then," she lowered her head. "Bye."

"Bye," he said to her back as she walked toward the counter again. He waved to Cole and Shelly and then, with one last look in Annie's direction, he turned and walked out into the misty street beyond the front door.

Truman had already started the truck. As Cooper climbed in, he handed the sheriff containers and coffees.

"Harry," he said as he shut the cabin door. "What can you tell me about Annie Blackburn?"

Truman threw the gear shift in reverse and pulled out of the parking stall. "Not much to tell. She's a sweet kid—grew up here. I've known her since she was a toddler. Kept to herself as long as I've known her, and lived here right up until she didn't…"

"Where did she go?" Cooper asked.

Truman merged onto the road. "She was up at a convent, if you can believe that. Just got back into town a few days ago," Truman said, casting a sideways glance at Cooper. "Hey Coop, lemme ask you a question: why the sudden interest in Norma's kid sister?"

Cooper shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "She just…strikes me as an interesting person."

The sheriff seemed skeptical. "She's a nice girl, I'll give her that…but interesting?" he shook his head. "Shelly is interesting. The Log Lady is interesting. Audrey is—"

Cooper snapped to attention, and Truman shrugged.

"Well, Audrey is something else," the sheriff finally said.

Cooper nodded and glanced at an errant thumbnail, its edge split and frayed. "Audrey is with someone else," he said.

"Who?" Truman asked.

Cooper leaned back against his seat. "John Justice Wheeler," he said, taking a sip from the paper coffee cup.

Truman nodded. "Friend of Ben's."

"Yup."

The sheriff sighed. "Well, Coop, all I can say about that is: when you find love, no matter where it is or who it is or what the circumstances are, you've got to hold onto it," he said. "Because you hope it will last forever, but you never know for sure if it will."

Cooper turned to Truman, his loss still etched on his face. This was experience talking, no question about it.

"Who said anything about love?" Cooper asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Truman side-eyed his friend, and it was enough of an answer. But at the same time, Cooper couldn't sure who, exactly, Truman was talking about—Annie the waitress and recovering nun, or Audrey?

As they pulled into the station a short time later, Cooper realized even he didn't know for sure anymore…