****
Angela looked at her watch again, annoyed. She had rushed herself to fly to Portland to meet Ann Goth and was anxious to get this whole thing over with. The flight she had seen through the air terminal window a few minutes ago taxing towards the gates had to be the one she was waiting for. Sure enough, soon she saw Ann Goth, walking rapidly towards her, leading a crowd of travelers. Angela detested this petite but strong, confident woman, this powerful rival for control of Johnny, but she smiled and waved.
“Hello, Angela,” Ann said, without emotion. Her hands were free, a shoulder strap held her duffel bag, but she ignored Angela’s outstretched hand. “This is merely a temporary alliance of necessity and convenience Angela. Did you rent the car?”
“Well, it could be even more convenient for you if you would simply tell me where Johnny went. Then I could go get him, and you could simply go back to Ohio.”
“No. You couldn’t do it yourself. There are people and issues that have to be dealt with by me, not an outsider.”
“You mean Johnny’s old Indian friends, I suppose. I think I can handle them.”
Ann laughed. “You have no idea who or what you’re dealing with. But you may be of some minor help. That’s why I’m letting you come with me.”
“You’re letting me come with you?” she started to reply angrily, but Ann cut her off.
“Do you have car keys? I’ll drive.”
Fighting back her anger, Angela pulled keys from her purse and shoved them towards Ann. Ann snatched them and marched out of the airport so swiftly that Angela had to sometimes jog to keep up with her.
Five minutes later, Ann was driving the sleek Acura rapidly towards the coast. “Johnny is very special, Angela, and so is his relationship with Goth Mountain.”
“So there really is a Goth Mountain?”
“Yes. And it is likely that it will be very difficult to get Johnny to leave it.”
“Why? Is it made of diamonds or something?”
“Nothing so trivial. It is made of dreams. Nothing you would understand.”
Angela smiled. No, she understood. This was it. She was finally going to find out Johnny’s secrets. And somehow that was going to mean more money and status for her, she was sure of it.