Author: Kayelle Allen

In this scene from Her Crystal Clear Truth, Shohn and Joe are meeting for dinner and to discuss how Shohn's company, idBot, can help Joe find the person he's looking for.

Who are these people?

The pleasant meal and minimal small talk gave way to a dessert of cheesecake, a Batchelors specialty. Over the last few scrapes of forks against plates, Shohn asked Joe who he hoped to find.

He brought out a flatpic from an inside pocket. "Read the words on the back, if you can make them out."

"It says, OUR SON'S MOTHER, 4640. Who are the people in this image?"

"The adults are my parents. That was taken at a picnic just before I was born. I have corroborating evidence that puts them there on that same date. They're in a few more photographs too. Bad lighting and focus, but I recognize them."

"On what planet?"

"Trien. My parents were both teaching there at the time. Mother communication and my father climate systems. The party where this was taken was apparently on the surface, at some kind of park. You can see clouds and trees."

Saint-Cyr's "upstairs garden" came to mind. "Were they stationed on the FIST?"

"Yes. For two years."

"Then this was likely taken on the station, rather than the surface. The Facility for Interstellar Ships and Transports has tighter security than the TCF or even idBot. No one's allowed planetside. Once you're on the station, you're on the station. But they have several parks where people can go that simulate being outdoors."

"I had no idea. If she was on the FIST, there should be records."

"I can't imagine why not. You think this is your birth mother?"

"I have DNA evidence that proves I'm not their biological son." He slid the dessert plate aside. "I'm in town to speak at a conference this week. One of my first forays back into work. I was hoping you'd be able to investigate her disappearance while I'm here."

"When you say disappearance, what do you mean?"

"I can't find information about her. It's like she popped into being for that photograph and then slipped away again. There are no records, no recollections." He braced both elbows on the table. "I'm a scientist. I'm used to searching for facts. I deal with details. I hypothesize, theorize, and research. I know this will sound crazy, but it's like someone has tried to erase her existence. There's nothing about her anywhere. No name. Nothing. Even among those who were at the event, no one remembers her or my parents being there." He reached over and touched the photo. "I had a photoborg test this. It's a real image. Not faked. They were there. I didn't know she might have been on the FIST itself. Do you think they'll have records?"

"Possibly. Likely." Her operative had done an excellent job steering him to her. Thankful Joe couldn't smell her emotions, she tamped down the pleasure at having the opportunity to work with him. "I'm curious for my own reasons," she admitted. "I like a puzzle, and this certainly is one. You're passionate about this." She reached over and rested a hand on his for a brief moment. "You deserve to know."

"Then you'll take the job?"

She'd already decided before showing up, but it wouldn't do to reveal that. "Your need captured my attention. I will do my best to find her."

As if all the tension went out of him at once, Joe sank back in his seat. "Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me. I dislike coming up against brick walls where there should be doors."

"Oh, now that I can relate to. Do you have digital copies of these images?"

"Yes. Do you need them now?"

"Please." She picked up her mobile and pointed it at his while he cast the images toward her. A quick examination showed everything had transferred. She sent them straight to her secure work vault. "The images are higher resolution than I'm accustomed to. They won't be difficult to use for searches. Discreet searches."

"When can you start?"

"As soon as we leave this table. I'll contact you with an update, good or bad, by tomorrow afternoon. Count on it."