“Okay,” Alice calmed down and took out her clipboard. “Well, guys, I need your input on some of the questions I’ve been creating for Bette and Tina. Are you ready to contribute?”

Place: Chapel Hill, NC – local High School

Year: March 10, 2006

Bette and Tina drove to the school and requested to speak to someone who could help them with their quest. They were sent to the room at the end of the long corridor and found Olivia Winder, the art teacher. She was free that afternoon and was kind enough to listen. When Tina explained the situation, Olivia at first didn’t know what they were talking about.

“You know, I’m relatively new here…Mrs. Jones, who was an art teacher before me, retired last October so if anyone saw those canvases it would be her. I have her phone number somewhere. I hope she remembers what happened to the paintings because she had some health problems that were affecting her memory…that’s why she had to retire actually.”

Olivia placed the call and after a few minutes someone answered.

“Mrs. Jones…hello, this is Olivia Winder. How are you today? … This is wonderful…yes…congratulations … I’m doing fine and the art program is growing … yes, Mrs. Jones, I have a question to ask … last August a lady by the name of…” she looked at Tina who said quickly, “Mrs. Parker.”

“Yes…lady by the name of Mrs. Parker donated several unfinished paintings that she found in the attic of her house. Do you know what happened to them? … Okay … uh-huh … really? Well thank you very much, Mrs. Jones … no, nothing to worry about … have a good day … you too … good bye.”

Olivia hung up the phone and looked at Tina and Bette, “Well, ladies, as far as she remembers the canvases were put into the storage because they were severely damaged due to age and the rain and after some time the principal authorized to throw them away…there was absolutely no way of saving or reusing them. She even consulted the specialist and was told that the canvases were pretty much ruined. The kids just took them out to the backyard and placed near the garbage containers…I’m really sorry.”