Page 60 of The Cannon
She continues and every so often reacts to the dramatic story.
“What was your mother’s name?”
“Billie,” I say getting around the lump in my throat.
“Do you remember her calling you baby boy?” she says softly.
“No. I was too little.” The words even sound sad to me.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s got to be her. This Anne is your Anne.” Her voice trails off as the emotion of the moment takes over.
I’m crying too. But between the sobs I begin to hatch a plan. “I need your help. I want to fly there and offer whatever I can to help, but I’m not sure what kind of condition she’s in. Is there a way you can find out?”
“First you need to call this Maria. Maybe she can tell you, me, what you want to know.”
“Yeah. Good thinking. I’d like you to be on the phone with me. Are you okay with that?”
“I’d be honored, Sawyer. Let me find a few phone numbers and contacts in case we need to do some digging. You should see if you can find anything on the internet about this Maria. It’s a common name but you have her city and age. We need to see if she’s legit before you call.”
“Good thinking. Can you stay the night?” I hear the need in my own voice. “We can brainstorm and you can help me compose my response. I want to answer her by tonight and set up a call.”
“Of course. I’ll come straight from the office.”
* * *
Over the nexttwo hours I found what I was searching for. It was easy. Maria Cortez, age thirty-two of McKinney, Texas. I narrowed the search by the list of her relatives, which included the unusual name of Alwar.
There was no criminal record or liens against her home. I was able to find her address, phone number and see the exterior of her modest but well-kept home. Shit. This is how stalkers find their victims. But for me it was gold.
“I’ve never had a picnic in bed,” says Bristol wiping a rogue piece of cheese off my chin. “I like it.”
“Me too, baby.”
I’m writing my response to Maria before I commit it to email. Lines are crossed out, whole paragraphs scribbled away. I need this to be right.
“Read me what you have,” Bristol says.
“Okay.”
Maria,
Thank you for being such a good friend to Anne. I believe she is my sister and genetics prove it. Being a ninety-nine percent match is a fact that can’t be disputed. It sounds like you and Anwar are great friends and that Anne needs you right now.
I live and work in Tennessee but have a few days off every few weeks. I’d like to fly in to see my sister whenever you decide to tell her. I’ll need some advance notice because of my work schedule. But I will figure it out as soon as you say it’s a go. What do you think about that? When are you planning on telling her we’ve corresponded?
I’d like to call you and keep abreast of Anne’s condition. Would that work for you? I respect your time limits and appreciate all you’re doing for my sister and her child.
I’ll be asking you about what I can do to help Anne’s situation. How old her child is and if she needs any additional financial support. I want to help with that.
Thank you again for being an angel for her. My cell number is 901-555-9993. Sawyer
Looking up into Bristol’s eyes I see her smile.
“That sounds perfect. Except for one thing,” she says.
“What?”
“I wouldn’t mention the financial support just yet. Talk to her first and get the whole picture.”
