"How nice to see you again, Agent Rossi," Sister Eugenia smiled at him as he stood in the Registration Office of The New Life Yoga Center. "It has been a while."
Rossi smiled as he thought about what the team would say if they knew that he periodically checked into The New Life Yoga Center to get some uninterrupted time to spend on his writing. The team had teased each other about the time they had spent there three years ago working a case, but he knew several other team members had also been back since then.
"It's good to be back, Sister," Rossi replied, matching Sister Eugenia's cheerfulness. "And, it's Dave – Remember? I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to let you know I was coming. I assume you can accommodate me?"
"For you, Dave – Always," Sister Eugenia assured him. "Your usual cabin is empty at the moment. Here is the key. You can go right on back."
"Thank you, Sister," Rossi accepted the key and walked across the courtyard and down a well-worn path. When he got to his cabin, he stepped onto the porch and looked to his left towards the next cabin. "Great," he thought as he verified that he had a clear view of his neighbor.
It was the next afternoon before Rossi saw his prey walk out the door of her cabin and towards the courtyard. He quickly grabbed a light jacket and followed her.
When he caught up to Christine, she was sitting on a wooden bench, with her head tilted back to catch the early spring sunshine. Quietly, he took a seat next to her.
"You found me. I was wondering how long it was going to take," Christine didn't sound particularly surprised.
"It took longer than I would have liked," Rossi admitted. "Our mutual publicist is very good at keeping her mouth shut."
"Renee is good," Christine agreed. "But, then, so is Penelope – I assume it was The Oracle of All Knowing who found me."
"Ultimately," Rossi confirmed. "You've been here all along?"
"Since Lake Tahoe," Christine confirmed. "And, yes, I was here during your last several visits. Also, when Penelope, JJ, and Alex have visited. The Sisters have been very good about helping me stay off everyone's radar."
Rossi nodded. "And, now, the burning question - How did you do it?" he asked.
"I assume you mean – Get out of Carlsburg, Virginia?" Christine replied. "Actually, in the end, it was nothing more than fate."
"Fate?" Rossi questioned.
"Fate, Karma, Kismet, whatever you want to call it – That, and a charter tour bus." Christine turned her head to look at him. "I assume you tracked me as far as the discount store?"
"Where you bought the suitcase and then just disappeared down the street," Rossi agreed.
"After that, everything just fell into place," Christine explained. "As I walked down the street, I noticed a tour bus parked in a lot next to a church. It appeared to be waiting for people to show up, so I walked over to the driver and asked if he had received his final instructions. He thought I was from the travel agency that had arranged for the trip. When the real tour guide showed up, I managed to give her the impression that I was from the bus company. Within an hour I was headed out of town with a women's group from the First Presbyterian Church, on our way to the Snowy Mountain Resort and Ski Lodge for three days of shopping and touring."
"A private tour bus?" Rossi couldn't believe it. "Garcia is going to be kicking herself! I don't think she ever checks private bus companies!"
"Even if she had, I don't think she would have found it," Christine told him. "The bus company was actually headquartered in Richmond. It was a local travel agency that had contracted with them."
"What then?" Rossi was curious.
"When we reached the resort, there were rooms available for the driver and the tour guide(s), so I took one," Christine continued. "And, as soon as I was sure all the ladies in the group were settled in, I walked into the resort's Human Resources Office and filled out an application."
"They hired you?" Rossi didn't believe this.
"It was the beginning of the ski season, when they are always shorthanded," Christine pointed out. "While they didn't need anyone with my particular accounting expertise at that location, they did need someone at a resort they own in Lake Tahoe. There was a truckload of equipment being moved between the resorts, so I got a ride with that."
"References?" Rossi was intrigued. "Social security number?"
"I gave them Miss Lilly's real name and her current contact information," Christine told him. "If you will remember, her favorite dictum was 'discreet'. I've always kept in touch with her. As for a Social Security number, I used my brother's. We have the same first initial and the same last name. Apparently, nobody ever really checked."
"So, you ended up in Lake Tahoe," Rossi mused.
"Where I worked until the babies were born, and I ran away – again," Christine concluded sadly.