Leave No Evidence

By M.H. Irick

This is a compelling novel that causes one to think about daily routines. Ironically, the main character, Doug Donovan, lands in unusual circumstances leaving everyone around him highly vulnerable. Quite curiously in the midst of unraveling scandalous events he finds himself next on the killers list, but why? Realizing he is caught up in a dangerous and twisted MURDER for MONEY scheme...it may be too late to escape villainous intents.

At a pivotal point, Donovan is reminded of a Scottish adage his great uncle taught him, To ignore the danger is to deserve the disaster. This advice becomes his maxim to wisdom for using good since and logic. Yet, while holding devout to his faith within the crossroads of trouble, the situation begs for a holy intervention.

The story evolved after a true preternatural event occurred. The author surprisingly heard about her cousin, Sarahs son, whod received a set of keys that had once fit the locks to an authentic U.K. castle. The keys from the family ancestor, Uncle Cecil, had become the boys treasured gift. Curiously, after his unexpected demise, one of the keys had been paranormally movedmore than once. This incident prompted Marilyn to compile a riveting narrative that fashioned her first novel, Leave No Evidence.

In her debut novel, M. H. Irick tells an absorbing story that has the potential to become a sought-after summer page-turner. Leave No Evidence islike the fusing of a Maeve Binchy novel and a mystery by J.D. Robb.

ForeWord Clarion Reviews

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512739589

M.H. Irick

M. H. Irick was raised in the Low Country of South Carolina. This coastal girl’s inherent grace for orchestrating stories was encouraged by her father’s vivid storytelling. The author’s assurance for maintaining a Southern allure is captured through her mind’s eye, by recalling younger times of wading in tide pools on Folly Beach, engaged conversations, loving God and serving others.

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Copyright © 2010, 2016 M.H. Irick.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3959-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3960-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3958-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016906599

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/12/2016

CONTENTS

Author's Magnum Opus

Notes on a Great Work

Introduction

Chapter One

No Crossing the Line

Chapter Two

The Registered Letter

Chapter Three

Early Wake-up Call

Chapter Four

The Key Is under the Doormat

Chapter Five

A Shadowy Figure

Chapter Six

About the Persian Carpet

Chapter Seven

Just Like in the Movies

Chapter Eight

The Epicenter

Chapter Nine

One More Thing

Chapter Ten

The Family Secret

Chapter Eleven

Another Key

Chapter Twelve

Camelot Key

Chapter Thirteen

Bon Voyage

Chapter Fourteen

The Continental Divide

Chapter Fifteen

The Friendly Nightcap

Chapter Sixteen

Numerous Red Flags

Chapter Seventeen

Transcontinental Corruption

Chapter Eighteen

Third-Party Arrival

Chapter Nineteen

The Ringing of Bells

Chapter Twenty

Trails of Smoke

Chapter Twenty-One

The Mirror's Reversed Image

About the Author

DEDICATION

To my cousin Sarah, for the fondest memories of our childhood days, and for her son Doug, whose persona captured my attention from the get-go. I also offer gratitude for my father, James Melvin Harley, who loved all us kids.

AUTHOR'S MAGNUM OPUS

NOTES ON A GREAT WORK

As an author, I've experienced how, every once in a while, there comes an awakening. After surveying personal work habits during the writing of this story, I finally concluded there were moments where something seemingly overrode my direction. Eventually, I surrendered to the fact that many ideas had come to me in an unconscious effort. What's more, I accepted that these epilogues were the transferences by an unseen and divine entity. Consequently, for me, when the bigger picture came into focus, a higher power was realized; God's plan is the great work! This recognition would become the revelation to all my future endeavors, especially writing.

So it begins, after the untimely death of my cousin's son, a true preternatural incident transpired, and this is when the original idea for the novel was born. It came about with Sarah's only child, Doug, whom had favored a set of keys given to him by his great uncle Cecil during a family visit to the U.K. The castles original hardware had become outdated therefore the uncle renewed all the locks within the family's ancestral home. Fortunately, the keys did not go to waste. The chunks of aging metal, which sat on a sturdy key ring, became the boy's treasure, so much so, that after returning to America he toted them everywhere inside his mother and step dad's home. Years afterwards, the boy was met with an unfortunate fatality, but directly following his demise a peculiar incident involving the beloved keys had taken place. This supernatural occurrence enhanced the motivation for the existence of 'Leave No Evidence.' Remarkably, this strange circumstance helped bring a bit of closure to the family's tragedy. Thus, I wrote a similar event that is implemented in the midst of this book's narrative. Yet, while compiling the book's storyline, the incident with the keys was only the first of many unexplained happenings. Later on, other peculiar oddities were disclosed and one in particular gave me notable pause.

After my cousin, Sarah, began reading the manuscript, she quite unexpectedly found the contents overwhelming. Therefore, she decided to stop reading, and get in touch with me. I wasn't anticipating Sarah's call or prepared for the question she asked. She inquired on the probability of how I could know certain criteria without ever having met or spoken to her spouse. She then relayed to me a most surprising element, explaining that many pages in the manuscript were relevant to her husband's life. The fact was, my cousin and I hadn't visited one another for decades and so I'd never met Bud, yet the novel's depiction of places mirrored his background---almost to a tee. It surprised me that many specific movements I'd written about had paralleled this man's life experiences, and so this was most definitely a supernatural oddity that I couldn't begin to dismiss.

These unexplained incidences prompted me to seed the main character, Doug Donovan, with the superlative gift of intuitiveness. This was due to my personal discovery that our God speaks to us in such a mystical sense. This insight quickly surfaces within the forefront of the story's plot, which becomes a resource for the main character to counteract the criminal's tactics. Yet, not all foul is prevented, because evil has a way of U-turning.

Where many are hesitant that the gift of insight exists, it's invariably instilled within us anyway. As Christians, the power of perception is a natural ability---something we all retain. Looking further, there is an eye-opening statement in the book of Genesis 1:27, So God created man in His (own) image. This explains, whether realized or not, humans have extraordinary additional awareness beyond the five basic senses---a God-sense. This powerful tool of extraordinary insight has been one of the personal safety nets to which our Creator provides supernatural protection, and by adding it to the storyline, the gift was emphasized for recognition to its existence.

The book's crimes, when paralleled against the good characters, just might reflect like the mirror's reversed image. Criminals see things differently, and perhaps their likeness transposes an unparalleled style of a more impractical masterwork. Hence, the trained eye of the law can view what the mirror truly holds in its reversed image, and this denotes an interesting vantage point; the fact that every animal leaves a trail and can be unearthed by diligent detective work. The book's theoretical theme for leaving no evidence is much like a design that begins with the idea of an end, but such compositions are mere portals to the tour-de-force, and not necessarily the conclusion. Consequently, neither are the brush strokes that make up a masterpiece to be considered the solitary brilliance in artistry. Rather it's the combination of miss strokes, an artist's signature, a matchless framework, and the right lighting, all to conclude the touches for the pièce de résistance. Thus, my study is that God's entire creation is art and He is the fine tuner to the alpha and omega of every story. This lends the promising thought of how his power turns chaos into order.

Actually, there are no perfect crimes, nor is there a flawless painting, because it is the imperfections of life that create the genuine magnum opus: a great work. More times than not, lessons are learned when mistakes are made, and practice is our theme to get it right. In other words, we can make something good come from what we thought to be less than ideal, and with the Lord's assistance it carries us to the right end. Thus, the credence for the title of Leave No Evidence is a hypothetical theory, because ultimately truth and justice surfaces in God's mastery of timing.

INTRODUCTION

The key to life is not merely holding on to it, but determining what it holds for you. In Leave No Evidence the main character, Doug Donovan, is symbolic of this metaphor; where keys begin to emerge but not without unexpected surprises. Nevertheless, his faith in God---the substantial key in his life---instills an incorrigible hope to reassure him that things will somehow work out in the end. After all, he is a Christian that trusts in the Lord and knows that all things work together for the good. Even so, the strongest individuals must keep their guard up. Thusly, at a pivotal point, Doug is reminded of a Scottish adage his great uncle taught him, "To ignore the danger is to deserve the disaster." This advice becomes his maxim to wisdom for using good since and logic.

No one willingly wants to be taken advantage of, but it happens. During the midst of murderous events within the storyline, the ante is raised, and the main character's perseverance becomes a necessity. This is when Doug must play the hand dealt in order to stay in the game of life. His performance must transform into a built-in fortress like a bluff beyond all pretenses. Assuredly, the antidote to obtaining a place in the winner's circle is his prudent faith, and along with honesty, it builds endurance that can ride the test. His moral high ground denotes like the ringing of a bell, where the resonating and welcoming instant of a mystical change is made known. Simply, Doug's insightfulness and cooperation with the law preserves his integrity to be aboveboard.

Whether you are one of those who struggle with the malady of being too trusting or are blessed to be intuitive, it's always comforting to know the Lord is the source of a person's strength. Essentially, seeking God's divine assistance is the viable remedy to anyone's problems. Therefore, a holy faith can nourish the conviction for knowing where your protection derives from: Jeremiah 16:19, O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of affliction. Doug's devotion is practiced perpetually and when adversity strikes he leans not to his own understanding, but asks God's help and his friends to pray for him. These principles of biblical teaching are the basis for the godly characters throughout this story's narrative and eventually become their blessing.

The credible knowledge for knowing the difference between good and evil along with building a reinforced scriptural background can create the desire for electing good decisions. Yet lawbreakers can destroy some of those aspirations for living well. When individuals within this novel begin looking over their shoulder, it's established that control is less in their grasp than initially thought. It only takes one wrong move to alter a life forever! The keynote for Doug is listening to his gut instinct, to pay attention to the small inner voice and disregard the loud one, which is usually wrong. There are times when you know, without a shadow of a doubt, that someone is not exactly who they say they are, especially when the person is trying so hard to convince otherwise. Albeit, as simple as the concept sounds, the moment of trusting your natural instinct, a heads-up, is what it's really all about. Truly though, without soliciting divine help then it's a guessing game of did I make the right choice?

The main character's inner psyche is an inexhaustible optimist as it corresponds to his human intellect. When faced with wavering evidence and rigid circumstances of unfairness, Doug is in need of a more divine assistance to defend himself against negative exploits. Awkwardly, his defense could go against the underlying facts, but given time, the genuine truth is revealed. Still, there are things that should remain a best-kept secret, and the ability to stay bridled on certain clandestine subjects is merited to this individual's constitution.

It seems in our Christian duties, we blaze trails with good intentions, attempting to spread the 'Good News.' Yet the Word can fall on deaf ears, as some have their own objectives. Doug understands the principle of ignoring the danger that this can lead to unfortunate circumstances. Through it all, he holds fast to his beliefs and doesn't consent to being completely blindfolded to incidences, as he's not one for living in a fool's paradise. Still, however shocking, he finds himself caught up in criminal actions of a group of cunning deceivers. They are out to take advantage of the most unsuspecting, and sometimes getting away with murder. So when the evidence begins pointing in his direction, and detectives don't detect what the game is all about, obviously the case scenario begs for a holy intervention. Doug Donovan, along with friends, begin to survey the suspicions that arise, but knowing the initial threat and that some of the evidence could incriminate the wrong party, he then begins to question: do I divulge all the truth, or protect my domain and remain closemouthed. He, along with others, are committed to the importance of keeping calm, no matter what; nonetheless, the audience of this book will begin to pray that God intervenes for the good guys.

CHAPTER ONE

NO CROSSING THE LINE

Baffling red chalk lines sporadically popped up throughout the eighth-floor of the Cline & Bender's Drafting Company. The substance didn't appear to be like a simple dusting of white chalk and therefore couldn't have emanated from a dated centerpiece---a re-claimed vintage schoolroom's slate board. The antiquated heirloom was preserved by the CEO as a souvenir from the former days of its company's founding. It was originally meant for group problem solving but in essence, the board became an office communiqué, a nostalgic reminder of old-school tradition. Eventually the chalkboards' purpose adapted to unofficial postings like humorous cartooning and shared notations. It was entertaining and a classic item to have in the office. Everybody enjoyed scribbling lighthearted data across the old blackened slate. Until one morning when a note appeared saying, Red Is For Danger! Any amusement the slate board gave employees had quickly halted. The mystery of who might be the culprit for laying the strange red powdery lines on the office floors was now elevated to a serious scare tactic by an individual---a possible coworker.

There was no one looking into what the prank was all about. Clearly some of the staff members were questioning what the red lines meant or what they were actually for? Even so, any investigator would see the obvious denominator was a ridiculous hoax smartly being played throughout the drafting department of the eighth-floor. To an observant eye this made the whole two-color chalk scenario very suspicious. Yes, there was white chalk available, but where did the red come from? Blatantly, there was less of any correlation between the narrow crimson lines and the white residue from a classic throwback chalkboard era. Well, except for the threatening note, Red Is For Danger.

Not fully comprehending, and trying to think less of there being an office prankster, staff members crossed over the red lines. Meanwhile, it was upsetting to the gullible types, given that the meaning was undetermined. The chalk in question shrewdly placed as barriers and purposely meant to rattle the nerves of those who were superstitious---worked famously for an unknown. The red contoured lines were being discovered in the most eclectic of spots: the threshold of doorways and between staff assistants' desks, seemingly as fiendish dividers. Obviously, this meant someone was purposely orchestrating the placement of the red barriers. No one in the office could distinguish its origin, or for that matter, knew what the substance actually consisted of. The overall speculation concluded the entire situation was becoming weird. Soon enough the staff began calling it wicked, and then started asking one another the same question: What's behind all the hocus-pocus red chalk business and who is threatening us?

It was evident there was a troublemaker and that person was trying to cause problems for everyone else in Cline & Bender. Finally, Edwin Cavalier, CEO of the drafting department, questioned the supply clerk, Brenda, but she informed him that her department had never received an order for red chalk, nor had they purchased any such thing---ever! After that discussion, Edwin easily gave up and suspended his inquiry. He had no desire to pursue an investigation of what he deemed to be a ridiculous prank. His thinking was the whole disturbance would die down on its own.

The appearance of the strange chalk cropped up a few weeks after the company promotions and pay raises were issued. Edwin had made a light probe and questioned only one person, which went nowhere. Lastly, due to the frightened staff members talking about a radical crimson chalk being laid in well-defined narrow lines, it spurred one of Cline & Bender leading draft designers, Doug Donavan, to begin his own investigation. He would begin probing the department right away. Consequently, this meant he would hang around after office hours to do a little inquisitive snooping. That's what the architect deemed it would take---his own personal time. Doug rationalized that it wasn't going to stunt his growth to slow down and wait around a few extra minutes. He wholeheartedly believed the red chalk mystery was one that needed solving and he also meant to put a stop to it.

Doug couldn't imagine why anyone would want to use this type of silliness to get a message across basically when they could easily use computers or cell phones. Cline & Bender followed the norm when it came to modern day technology implementing Wi-Fi, which had taken up residency within the decade. He contemplated the purpose of why someone was using red chalk lines as opposed to the office mainframe systems with speedy emails connections. It seemed nonsensible unless someone was purposely hiding a paper trail. He came to one conclusion; the red chalk prank wasn't wholesome.

****

About two years earlier, Doug Donovan made a strategic move from a small town business to seek an enterprising option within a bigger metropolis. He ended up choosing Cline & Bender to achieve his future dreams. Doug wanted to spread his wings and really test the waters with his acquired ecological abilities. The furious pace of a big city didn't seem to faze him in the least, and he managed to keep up with the advanced architectural tempo by fervent reading and studying. Although he grew up in the rural area of New York's suburbia, his natural birthplace was the Big Apple. His parents raised him to become fond of the residential life, but upon accepting the new position with Cline & Bender he moved in closer to work and quickly acclimated himself to the energetic rapidity of bustling crowds and city noise. Of course, Doug was a well-grounded individual and endowed with moral ethics. However, his Christian values never got in the way of his mixing with others and enjoying a good laugh. A typical city pastime for the day would be people watching. Basically, he liked observing the more unique citizens who wander the streets of New York. He noticed their uncanny flair for standing out in a crowd. This kept him laughing and smiling all the way to the bank. It wasn't meant in bad taste or to put others down, but rather to enjoy the diversity of God's creation. Really though, he knew everyone to be somebody to the Lord.

Doug was a nice guy, friendly, single, intelligent, never pretentious, quiet, and mostly kept to himself. He had no need to say much of anything unless requested. He was well dressed and wore smart eyewear for his nearsightedness. The eyeglasses finished off his look of refinement. He also had a good sense of humor---probably from his Scottish decent---and that made him approachable. There were times when you knew Doug was more than a goodhearted architect, he was trustworthy and a man of God. Basically, it was how Doug displayed his demeanor for being compassionate towards anyone who came to him with a problem. He had a habit of removing his glasses and leaning into whomever was speaking to him; a good business technique. His responses always suggested self-examination as he asked them: What do you think God wants you to do and will your decision have the company's best interest in mind. He managed to come off as very pointed and sophisticated while smoothly interjecting his Christian wisdom and sticking with the main topic.

Doug, being the first to offer sound and Godly advice, wasn't happy with the current goings on within the office. The hoax seemed to carry strong connotations of dark magic, and this generated Doug's awareness to reflect on his important church teaching. He recalled a basic Christian doctrine to abstain from anything that pertained to the occults; that of witchcraft or sorcery practices. He knew someone was playing a prank, but it had gone too far and began producing an unhealthy work environment. That's why when he overheard office murmurings about the red chalk lines as a form of black-magic, he instantly wanted to find out the who and then put an end to it.

Doug Donovan liked solving mysteries. In his youth, he'd enjoyed puzzles and the challenges of unraveling brainteasers. It suited him to be the chief architect employed in a highly sought-after drafting company. Now, as an adult, and in his profession, he admired the doctoring of problematic blueprints and worked his way up to the task of managing special projects. His ability to incorporate ecological energy-saving techniques worked together cohesively for updating antiquated buildings. He turned penthouse floor plans into unique solar designs for the modern green-going era. This accomplishment had placed him in the office next to the CEO's chief assistant's desk, where he'd been transitioned into the go-to guy for directing the less experienced architects. Consequently from where Doug sat, in a glassed cubical, anything new happening could clearly be observed. In this way, he managed to head off any potential frustrations of young brown-nosing architects that were distracting to upper management. This type of interception afforded Edwin Cavalier, the CEO, to manage the company's gravity of sales while Doug handled the junior miniscule problems.

****

There was a company hot spot for information---a small commissary filled with fruit, snacks, and beverages, but it also fueled the latest gossip. This is where Doug overheard some of the office assistants discussing the red lines as a form of black-magic. They were babbling about chalk rings and barrier lines being used for rituals in some dark practices. This talk about dark forces set his radar to spinning, and he began deducing who it might be in the office that would be inclined to delve into such malevolent bewitchments. Then, he started putting two and two together and---voilà! He realized maybe the culprit had been sitting right under his nose the whole time. He surmised that the person they knew very little about, one lone chief assistant, Liz Connery, was also the only important and new employee hired at Cline & Bender within the past year.

Doug, himself, had worked there long before Liz was hired, but always observed her maintaining a busy schedule, both in the office and out. He noticed how she hadn't seemed to fit in with the other office assistants, but he questioned this theory. Would that reason, by itself, mean Liz might be mixed up with black-magic or even imply she was the one laying the red chalk lines? Noticeably the CEO's assistant exhibited excellent work ethics, but it was apparent that she was somewhat of a loner, and at times, a complete outsider. Yes, Liz was the top dog as the chief assistant to Edwin Cavalier, but when it came to coffee clutches and watercooler chitchat, she was one to speedily leap out of such situations.

Doug witnessed Liz as obliging, but actually didn't see her connect with anyone except her boss. He was aware that in order to exhibit an unbiased position as an assistant to the CEO, it would require a person that maintained somewhat of a detached persona to the rest of the staff. Doug sensed Liz's ability to remain objective made her first-rate in that category. She was more of an independent worker and definitely an office neutral.

During weekday working hours Cline & Bender was a hubbub of busyness. To start their daily office routines, people hustled on the elevators whisking upward to the eighth floor, ensuring the new day would start off with as much accumulated billable hours as possible. The cost of living in the city had skyrocketed and the salaried employees had become money conscious making every extra minute to calculate a potential added sum to their quarterly bonuses. The hourly staff clocked in by computer as soon as they reached their workstations, hoping to earn a little overtime and a small bump in their paychecks. The company's freebees of drinks and snacks were an additional benefit. The big thing on the office agenda was cranking it up a notch with caffeine and making entertaining small talk. However, the break-room was far more than a commissary filled with fruit, coffee, and bagels. It was an ongoing epicenter concerning the latest information about the awkwardness of where the new red chalk lines lay.

Doug had quickly grown tired of hearing the employees' rigmarole for speculating on the subject of the black-magic dilemma. Moreover, after the CEO had dropped his inquiry it seemed evident that no one else was going to dig in and do the investigative work. Doug was the type to try and make sense of things so without being asked, and assuredly of his own volition, he accepted the task as a secret mission. He felt it was a must especially after Edwin had given up so easily.

Doug was the lead architect in the company, big bonuses and a salary that was satisfying, yet he was no nine-to-fiver, but still obligated to punching in on the same time system. This was to essentially show the amount of hours he was giving the company. Doug didn't like it, but he went along with office procedures---the shuffle of politics in the workplace. Of course, to him early in provided the opportunity for an early out, thus his arrival at or before sunrise also could mean leaving work before the afternoon rush hour.

Nevertheless, on this particular day, he opted to forego his early disappearing act. He had enrolled himself into a man-made secret mission for getting to the bottom of the red-chalk mystery. Being a middle-aged man and unattached, meant there was no one waiting for his arrival at home; therefore, he could changeup his plans in a moment's notice. This freedom allowed Doug's liberty to implement his arterial motive for the evening. By hanging back and waiting around, hopefully he could gather clues on the perpetrator and perhaps catch the culprit of the chalk lines hot-handed.

Doug was aware shortly after five o'clock the staff would vacate the offices and be long gone. His fellow city employees were fast-paced and believed in their punctual exits. Getting ahead of the rush was the mindset of anyone accustomed to downtown living, and quitting-time for New Yorkers was equivalent to a hastening spirit of dashing to city transits for rapid commutes. Doug referred to the afternoon rush hour as a euphoric-driven mesmerism. Although, most of his evenings the esthetic feeling was avoided by leaving work before the intensity of that hour. This was mainly due to his transportation being his own vehicle, and that's where he often found himself ahead of the mad exit of crazy city traffic.

Far before Doug accepted the challenge to get involved with a secret investigation for finding the office's red-chalk culprit, he devised a temporary remedy to combat his work frustrations. It was enjoying a sociable drink at Mackenzie's Tavern, yet this had subsequently become an unfortunate habit. He'd virtually fallen into a deep office rut where his work routines became boring and tedious; thus, the comforts of a local tavern were heavily on his mind more than usual. Even at the risk of socializing with the wrong crowd, he gladly welcomed the break from work monotony. He now supposed studying the mystery substance would be more like an antidote to his office doldrums.

For this, Doug sensed his interesting mission would be a good way to stave off the so-called scotch nights. He'd realized the overgrown habit of numbing his brain with his favorite aged liquor had purely been self-indulgent. He'd beforehand attributed his drinking to merely developing an early midlife crisis and therefore considered scotch as his nerve tonic---a short-term medicinal remedy for reducing stress. Nonetheless, Doug's Reverend had recently counseled him with constructive direction to counteract the need for his boozing. So when the excitement of an office mystery appeared on the scene, he noticed a disturbance of the red haunting lines had momentarily dissuaded after-hours need for bottled spirits. In the back of his mind, he wondered if the Reverend's prayers had already begun to work.

Even so, Doug's drinking wasn't his primary difficulty. He was informed that he needed more than a strong drink and good paying job. An optimal answer for the architect was that he needed companionship. In his current job-rut with added timeline pressures this might have caused him to be heavy on the sauce, but really the man was lonely.

This condition called for immediate advice. The meetings of counsel with his parish priest, Reverend Bernard, who over the years had become an elite friend, involved a stirring and lengthy discussion. The parish priest informed him that he was headed in the opposite way of God's plan for man, and that he should find a new path to engage in, preferably a life-mate and marriage. It might be exactly what Doug expected a priest to say, but he needed to audibly hear the one-on-one, down-to-earth, and sensible counsel. This wasn't something he hadn't considered, but finding her (the perfect mate), he assumed could be a problem. After all, he'd tried to find that flawless someone for several decades.

When sizing up Doug's prospects of wife material, the Reverend Bernard also reminded him that no one was perfect and that he needed to lower his expectations. The priest added he should try emulating the love of God when looking for a potential spouse, seeing the goodness rather than faults, and he proposed that after that everything should work out.

The Reverend Bernard intentionally added a touch of wisdom: Douglas, if you have a female in your life that is also a good friend then you should seek the goodness in that girl's character. You might also ask her to be honest with you and perhaps tell you what she believes to be your faults. He meant for Doug to realize his own character flaws, and too, by engaging in conversation with the opposite sex, he additionally might find himself tripping over a perspective wife.

Doug took these words of wisdom to heart, though for him this only meant more dating trials, and he wasn't good at meeting new people, women in particular. Being an only child was an unlucky factor for molding himself into somewhat of a reclusive person, especially when it came to making small talk with females. Conversations with the opposite sex were like a strenuous climb---a steep uphill effort. Truly, the man felt at times he was a borderline introvert. He knew he'd have to work on reaching out if he'd ever want to change his life's course, specifically for finding that special someone. Yet, maybe after his visit to Reverend Bernard the change had already begun. His mission to unravel the office dilemma could have very well been the answer to his and the Reverend's prayer---to resolve his many issues. Even so, he knew the priest was right about finding companionship.

Through the counsel of his clever minister who usurped the wisdom of God, Doug felt he'd refocused his principles and was willing to give love another chance. Of course, he would have to exert himself in gathering any courage for asking a female to point out his personal character flaws. That request might have been stretching it a bit far, but the advice had redirected his mindset for consciously taking a better look at who he was and what life had to offer.

Doug's inquisitiveness regarding the mysterious chalk lines had certainly tickled his psyche. Luckily, it developed into a much-needed diversion from the course he'd been headed on. To him, the investigation was a type of interest that stimulated his intellect, supposedly a learned character and derived from his boyhood days in Scotland. His summers abroad were spent with a much loved great auntie and uncle who gave him plenty of free reign for the opportunity to explore new places. This created a natural driven curiosity to investigate, ask questions, and obtain answers.

****

Doug's ability to rise above unhealthy habits became easier through the wisdom of his minister's direction. He sensed he was well on his way to an improved future. This was the reverse of a few years back where shortly after landing the job at Cline & Bender, both his parents had succumb to illnesses. His Mom and Pops died within months of one another, leaving Doug parentless. His neighbor's strength, which was drawn from her faith in God, helped to sustain Doug through his bereavement period. It was recognizable that she was good at dealing with death, well, better than he was. In contrast, Doug's reality of losing two parents had created a feeling of emptiness and certainly drained him of his energy, so he wasn't over that hurdle by any stretch of the imagination. He wasn't a soldier, or even close to it, and certainly didn't retain the same training as Mary did.

Mary, Doug's neighbor, was barely a teenager at the time of her parents' passing, yet she took on the personality of a combat soldier, mainly to save herself from the despair of grief. To her, it was a matter of retaining a strategic position before getting to the next location of battle with the enemy---physical and mental warfare. During those tender years this was how she dealt with her loss, to operate in a survival mode; and survive, she did. Picking up the pieces was something she'd grown accustomed to. Mary finished college on her own accord and entered the armed forces, then by taking up more studies, she fulfilled her goals for becoming an MP---a military policewoman.

Unlike Mary he had a tough time coping. As an only child, Doug was devastated when he lost his parents. Up until then his family was a virtual threesome, but without the tight unit of parents it was harder to rebound from their deaths. However, in a saving type of grace, he had a female friend and confidante to fall back on. This coupled with the sound advice of his Reverend, Doug felt he could turn his attention toward making an effort with Mary to take their friendship to another level. Mary Elizabeth Weatherford was also acquaintances to his late parents. Later she became his prized neighbor. Mary was a young woman born in Virginia, yet for the most part, raised in a military family out West. She was emphatically a southern lady who'd been blessed with sensible values making their friendship comparable to a close-knit family member. He appreciated being neighbors with Mary as they relied on one another, but mainly because he only had one single living relative left, a great aunt, but she was a continent away, residing in Scotland.

When his parents were alive, they'd first met Mary Weatherford at their parish church where they all attended regularly. She had no living parents, and that plus her friendliness soon attracted the Donovan's attention. From the very beginning, it seemed Mary's personality charmed both Doug's mom and pops, and of course, he was automatically attracted to her perky disposition. Yet, in actuality, they became more closely acquainted when Doug purchased and moved into a new residence next door to Mary's townhouse---intentionally! Since Mary no longer had that family support system, she easily could relate to how precious family truly was. She pensively understood Doug's dilemma. Mary's own endurance of a long stretch was the liability they both could lean on. Besides, Doug needed her friendship, and even though when in the company of females, he suffered from shyness, Mary somehow put him at ease. Her personality seemed to mirror his own Mother's, in how she offered a gregarious and bubbly behavior. Consequently, this is what made Doug forget himself and fall comfortably into Mary's chatty acquaintance. So by moving next door to a readymade friend, it seemed his life had become less of a hardship. Not having to struggle in developing a new relationship became part of his healing process; basically, it was a quintessential luxury for a shy person. Besides, his parents had been extra fond of Mary, and that made it all the more workable.

Doug was extremely thankful for having such loving parents. They had gone as far as mortgaging their entire homestead for their son's academic degree. After the initial shock of losing them, he ultimately accepted the fact that their generosity would live on through him. He recalled many late nights' during evening studies where his Pops would poke his head in the bedroom door just before retiring, only to say: Your education will always serve you, son. They would exchange smiles and then his father disappeared from the doorway. After the passing of his Pops those words formed a built-in mantra driving him to study even harder. Years down the road, he still wasn't keen on the idea of how his parents mortgaged their homestead for his career; however, eventually he recognized the diploma he'd earned ultimately granted him an architectural title spilling into a fine career. Later he understood his parent's essential goal had been completed. Unfortunately, there was a major sacrifice. The family's homestead was eventually lost. Later, his work began providing a healthy income, which allowed him to purchase the townhome next door to his friend, Mary. This was a step in the right direction. Still, in reality, Doug was living virtually alone---a single man---and that would have to change.

****

Doug and Mary's townhouses stood side-by-side, and this truly made their relationship quite convenient. He sensed they were solid, but it was not at the level he would have preferred. Underneath it all, Doug realized Reverend Bernard was right in his assessment. He needed to be less discriminating when it came to selecting a life mate. He knew he had to work on his Scottish expectations of how that special someone should be perfect in order to be a spouse. He suspected he'd have to make a serious turnabout and get on with life by utilizing Reverend Bernard's encouragement---to examine himself and lower his expectations for an opportunity to live more within the mainstream of God's design.

Nevertheless, Doug temporarily placed the significant other search on hold because there was another plan in motion for the evening. His chief mission being: to find the source of the ominous red chalk lines. He supposed that if everyone were out of the office he'd feel more comfortable about scooping up a sample of the chalk substance from the floor. He believed by sending the red dust to a lab for analysis might actually lead him to what was going on. He figured once the sample was identified then the motive for planting the red substance could become clearer.

The company had a lab under contract for chemically testing topsoil. This was standard procedure for erecting a new building. Doug had a friend named Scott Green that worked at that particular lab, and he felt fortunate in that respect, as he could ask him to perform a small favor without anyone's knowledge---if need be. A few months earlier, renovation of Scott's home had run into a snag. Doug easily fixed the blunder by implementing modern ideas along with drafting a couple of room additions, all with a better price tag. Afterwards, he knew Scott would oblige him any favor for having saved him from the former costly home improvement plan, which would have been a total debacle for his friend's pocketbook.

Although Doug hadn't even begun the exploration of his secret investigation, he was more than ready to wrap it up and get on with life. First thing was to collect a sample and send it to the lab, but no one had