Whisper My Name

Chapter 23

February 11, 1992

Telluride Properties Office, Telluride, Colorado

And I am asking will you save a place for me

To rest beside your heart

And feel I'm free

Now what good does feeling strong do

When I am here without you?

~ Treat Me Well ~ Heart ~

Putting her hand out to shake the hand in front of her, Isabella said, "I'm so glad you could meet with me on such short notice Mr. Bower."

"Call me Bob. All my friends do," he said. "I must say, I was intrigued by your call. I'm not sure how I can help. You're looking for a missing brother, you say?"

"I am, and I believe he may possibly have memory loss. My family, especially my father, is gravely concerned. I've been able to find a name, possibly an alias, and trace it to this area, but sadly, I've hit a wall... and I was hoping you might be able to help me," she said. Isabella flashed her deep brown eyes at the man across the desk from her, and tried to be as convincing as possible. The lines of her face were lined with concern, "I was hoping to find out if maybe he'd purchased any property in this area under the name of Charles Wright?"

Bob sighed, leaning back in his chair. As much as he wanted to help her, he couldn't. "Company policy won't let me give you the information. At least not in the way you're asking me. I could look up an address and tell you who owns it, but I can't look up a name and give you the address. I can tell you that you might have more luck at city hall... property ownership is a matter of public record–"

"--I understand that, Bob, but you see, my situation is different. I only have a name," Isabella implored. "I guess I was hoping, if I went to a private realtor..."

"As much as I'd like to help, all I can do is refer you to city hall." He stood up as if the meeting was over, and Isabella knew she would get nothing more. "If you give them the name, you may be able to get them to search for properties under that name. I've never tried it. I won't guarantee it, but sometimes if you get a clerk that's willing..."

Isabella wanted to stomp her feet and demand the information, but she held back, instead placing a soft smile on her face. "I do appreciate you taking the time to meet with me."

"I wish I could have helped you, but I was under the impression that you already had a property address. We're not in the business of searching people up to be giving out addresses," he told her, walking Isabella to the door.

Outside the office, Isabella took a deep breath. Glancing at her watch, she realized that she would not be getting any information on that day. City Hall was already closed. She would go back to the inn and maybe see about scheduling a massage and a spa treatment. If she was going to spend money on lavishness, she might as well enjoy it. Adjusting her purse strap on her shoulder, she turned to walk towards her car and ran into a large warm mass that she could only assume was another human. Looking up, their face was in shadow because of the setting sun behind them, "I'm sorry. I didn't see you there."

"Not a problem, ma'am," Francis replied with a grin. "I wasn't watchin' where I was goin'." He followed her with his eyes as she headed back towards her car, and he turned and slipped into the passenger side of the Bronco Mike was driving. "She didn't get nothin'. The realtor said, he can't give her property information with just a name. She's gotta go to city hall, but I'm guessin' they're closed, cause she seemed mighty frustrated."