Florida

surprise

Of all the properties she owned, her house in Florida was Regina Praeda’s favorite. It wasn’t the year-round sunshine or the coastline. It was the solid stone, white-washed, exterior. The elite gated community. It was the one place where Regina’s and Steven’s relationship was the closest to being married. Here, they were ‘Mr. and Mrs. O’Toole’.

When she bought the place ten years ago, the gated community was a work-in-progress. Then, Regina took control. The haphazard attempts of two neighbors to get a gated community organized blossomed into the most sought after, richest community within a hundred miles. Twenty owners, everyone with a net-worth of at least five million, all wanting a safe place. Behind closed doors, they all admitted what they really wanted: a place without common people. No one wanted to deal with screaming children, broken down cars in the driveway, drunken fights, fatherless children. But this truth couldn’t be said out loud. Only behind the iron-gates of the luxurious community could such truths be uttered.  

The late-morning Florida sun glistened and sparkled, a perfect day to be outside. Regina and Steven enjoyed the quiet morning. She swam laps in the pool, he read the news.   

The quiet summer peace was disturbed by a ringing phone. Steve stared toward the annoying sound. When the ringing persisted, he reached for it, checked the caller ID, and sighed.

           “Dr. Geist.” He acknowledged the caller, then listened for a moment before he put the phone on the table.  Steve got out of the chaise and slowly moved toward the pool. He waited for Regina to reach the edge. She stuck her head out of the water. 

“It’s Dr. Geist. He says it’s urgent.”  

She sighed, “Did he give you any details?” Without effort, she lifted her athletic body out of the water. The white, wet, bathing suit leaving nothing to the imagination.  

Steve shook his head. “We have a lunch engagement in an hour anyway. I'll get ready while you do the honors.” 

Regina reached for a large, white towel and moved toward the phone. With a sigh, she picked up the phone. “Dr. Geist. What’s the rush?”     

A man’s voice answered her question. “We found a previously undiscovered extension in the Badland caves. It’s huge.” 

Regina toweled her hair while listening. “And why couldn’t that have waited until I get there? I’ll be in South Dakota in three days.” Her voice crisp, clear, with a hint of annoyance. She hated people wasting her time with trivial information.

            Dr. Geist cleared his throat. “We found bodies.”