Can't Let You Go

Chapter 56

On the phone, but getting no answer, Liam's voice is rushed and tight when he leaves a message. "Tally, this is the seventh day you've been gone and I haven't heard from you in the last four days. I'm on the verge of filing a missing persons report with Interpol or flying over to search the town of Evolene myself. Call me."

He makes another call, speaking as soon as it connects. "Zayan, it's Liam."

"I know Jaanu. What do you need help with?"

"Nothing, but have you talked to Tally since she left?"

"No, I haven't and I take it neither have you."

"Not for several days anyway. Do you know where she was staying in Evolene?"

"I only knew the broad strokes, no details. You don't think something has happened to her do you? You're not getting, like, cosmic vibes or something?"

"No, I just haven't heard from her. If she calls or texts you, remind her to check in with me please."

"No problem. Anything else? You seem stressed."

"I'm just worried about her, that's all. I'll let you get back to your day. Bye."

Having left the hotel at dawn, Liam eventually made his way to Avonia Grove Senior Living, waiting until after breakfast to make his unannounced visit.

"Good morning," he replies to the woman who greets him from behind the reception desk. "I was hoping to visit Ms. Miller, Patricia Miller. Can you tell me where her room is?"

"I can't do that, but Ms. Miller is in an exercise class right now anyway. Would you like me to get her?"

"I can wait until the class is over."

Thirty minutes later a grey haired woman approaches Liam in the lobby. "I'm Patty Miller, I heard you were looking for me."

Liam stands and offers his hand. "I'm Liam, the fiance of Honey Cohen. Is there somewhere quiet we can talk?"

"Honey Cohen? Goodness. " she responds in surprise. "Let's go to a bench outside."

"What is it the fiance of Honey Cohen wants from me?" she asks pleasantly.

"Well, it's a long story and I need you to promise me this stays between us."

"Of course, I know many secrets of that house and they'll stay with me to the grave."

"I'm sure you do and I know one of the secrets is the departure of Athena. That's what I want to talk to you about."

"What about it?" she asks skeptically, her guard coming up.

"Patty, Honey hasn't heard from her mother since the day she left. The letter you passed along included an address in Korea telling Honey to go there to meet her mother. She went only to find that Athena had never shown up."

"Goodness." She slouches.

"Have you heard from Athena at all since she left that December?"

"Not a peep." She holds her hand over her heart.

"Are you sure there wasn't a return address on the envelope with the letters inside?"

"Positive."

"And you really didn't look at the post mark?"

"That would have been impossible. There wasn't one. Ms. Moreno asked to meet me for lunch the day she left the city. She gave me the envelope in person and asked me to hold it for a month before distributing the contents. She wanted them to think she'd mailed it."