Page 7 of Asher's Assignment

“Bye.”

Esther touched the end call button and pushed away from the counter. Well, damn. That was a twist she wasn’t expecting.

A slow smile spread over her face. Excitement pushed out the melancholy. She was going to be an aunt.

Three

Alow buzzing drew Asher Horn’s attention away from his computer screen. He glanced toward the sound, which came from the security monitor to his left that showed his front door. Edie stood on the stoop.

He pushed away from his desk and got up to answer. His smile of greeting dimmed when he took in the slight frown that marred her forehead. “Hey.” He stepped back so she could come inside. “What’s up? Everything okay?”

“It’s okay enough, but—” She stopped and wrung her hands together. “Can you do a little digging into some people for me? I’m a little worried about my sister.”

Asher shut the door and his frown deepened at her words. “Esther? Why?” He couldn’t imagine what trouble the soft-spoken kindergartner teacher could get into. Edie, sure. But her younger sister? The two women were polar opposites. If they didn’t look so much alike, he’d question whether they were actually sisters.

“So, she took on an extra job as a home tutor for an immunocompromised child in her district. I guess the family lives in a rough area, and the dad’s a little creepy. I’m quoting there. I just want to know she’s not walking into some viper’s den or something. Could you run some background checks on the parents?”

“Sure. Come back to my lair. It shouldn’t take long to do a cursory check.” He motioned for her to follow, then led her through the house to the room he’d outfitted for his computers.

“Thanks, Ash. I appreciate it.”

“Not a problem.” He sank into his chair and spun another one out for her. “Have a seat.”

She dropped down next to him and looked at the wall of monitors.

“Okay, what are their names?” Asher focused on a screen and pulled up the database he normally used for background searches, ready to type, but silence answered his question. Frowning, he glanced at Edie. She had her lip between her teeth and an apologetic look in her eyes.

Asher sighed. “You don’t know, do you?”

She shook her head, a chagrined smile forming. “I know the kid’s name. Does that help?”

“Maybe. What is it?”

“Leah Tyler. She’s nine. And she had a heart transplant a couple of months ago.”

Asher let out a low whistle. “Poor kid.” Fingers flying, he pulled up a different database and typed in the child’s name. This one checked news stories. “What city does she live in?”

“Heron Ridge, Oregon. It’s near Coos Bay.”

He added that to his search. “Let’s see what we can find.” With all the information entered, he hit return. They were at the mercy of his internet connection now.

Thankfully, today it was fairly quick. Several results popped up within a few seconds. Asher clicked on the first one. “This is for the local elementary’s honor roll. Her name is on it.” He clicked away and picked the next one, which looked more promising. It was a quick write-up in the local paper for a fundraiser, benefitting the girl.

“There.” Edie pointed at the screen. “Rob and Connie Tyler.”

Asher pulled up the background screen and ran the dad first, using the wife and daughter’s names to narrow the possibilities. He found one result and clicked on it, wincing when a rap sheet for several burglaries and some drug use came up.

“I knew it!” Edie leaned closer, reading.

“These are years old, though. His last conviction was seven years ago.” Asher read through the list. “It looks like he was picked up for some meth use. Nothing after that.”

“Or he just got smarter about it.”

“Or”—he cast a quick glance at her from the side of his eyes—“he realized he needed to be there for his sick kid and kicked the habit.”

Edie pressed her lips together. “Perhaps. Run the mom now.” She pointed at the monitor.

Asher went back to the previous screen and put the mom’s name in. She came up clean.

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