28. “I need you to take me to Portugal

and you can speak with mother yourself.” He quickly agreed. He would make all the necessary arrangements and this Saturday in three days from now he said, they would fly out together to St. John’s for a scheduled air service to Faro. He was excited at the prospect and she smiled playfully now that all her instincts told her that things were moving in the direction she wanted.
They walked part of the way back together until about a mile or so away from the Town they went in on separate paths. They had arranged to meet and finalise their joint plan tomorrow.
Richard returned for breakfast of ham, eggs and hash browns with toast and tea. He reflected about what must have been a warning shot from somebody who knew how to move around unseen and about what Shanolla and his research work had told him. He felt convinced that there was more to the tombstone than met the eye. He spent the next thirty minutes or so in his hotel bedroom on his training exercises. It helped him stay focussed. He showered, rubbed himself down and crossed the dusty, gravelled, graded car park to Oscar’s. His daughter Mishka opened the door and showed him in with the traditional “You’re most welcome!”
Oscar Dridle Staunton was sitting bolt upright at the table reading the weekly “Labradorian” that made him feel in touch with elsewhere on the coast at least. “Come in, sit down. I’m sorry that I can’t get up but both my hips are playing me up. I’m due to go in to Corner Brook next week to have them both replaced. I am so sorry about what happened. It’s not a regular occurrence around here you know.”
“Would you like a drink?” said Mishka.
“Tea will be fine, thank you.”
“Did you find out who took a shot at you?” said Oscar.