The Things We Don't Say

CHAPTER THREE

Dear Lord, I know I'm not perfect and I wanted to say sorry for all the bad things I've done. Despite all my weaknesses, you have forgiven me and continue to love me. Please, make me a better person today so that I can forgive myself and stop thinking that I don't deserve love and a second shot in life. Amen."
I have been lacking faith lately, I was knee deep in pain that I forgot how to pray. Sure, I've been attending mass every Sunday with Nana, but it was more like fulfilling an obligation with the Lord rather than truly praying. What the Rev said yesterday was true. I did feel a little better today. I stayed in bed enjoying this moment of peace that I know won't last long because later today, I know I'd find out more about Elaine's murder case. I can hear the pots and pans clanging in the kitchen. Nana is up and cooking. I remembered about Adam and how he might not be truthful about why he was looking for Amy. After breakfast, when Nana was out of earshot, I told Adam to meet me at lunch at Alba's diner. I'm sure he knows where it is because he already lounge by the lake yesterday. It was a good fifteen minute walk from here. Alba's diner, apartments, and my organic shop are just in one place. The diner is located just before the apartments, the bed and breakfast turned apartments in the center, and my organic shop at the other end of the apartments.
There's not much to do at the shop today, there are only five disinterested tourists who milled the shop just to cool off. From here, I can see that the diner does not have its usual large crowd. I stared at Andy and wondered how she still lives in Elaine's house knowing that the owner just died of murder. Noreen looks at where I'm looking. We both stare at Andy how her smile charms customers and the way she gracefully walk towards the diner's counter to give the orders. "Noreen, if you were Andy can you still live in a dead girl's house?"
"I think no. I would be too scared that her ghost might haunt me."Noreen shivers.
"Can you please, take care of the shop. If I don't come back before five please close it for me. I have some errands to do." Noreen nods at me and told me to be careful, if there's one thing I like about her, she's not nosy. Though, I know that she knows what I'm going to do. It's still early for lunch at ten in the morning, Adam won't be here until 12. I'm not sure if I'll have the appetite once we start talking so I'll think and go ahead and eat my anxieties in the form of carrot cake and coffee. The lone booth is empty I plop down on the couch and scan the people inside the restaurant, Detective Merill is here eating and reading God knows what mystery he's trying to solve.
"Carrot cake and black coffee please." I glanced at Andy, she smiled at me.
After a minute she puts down my orders "Enjoy" she said, the necklace dropped again from her neck.
"Hey Andy" I said a little louder "You drop this again, better have this repaired or you'll lose it soon."
She gets the necklace from me "Thanks."
I can see Detective Merill watching us from his table as if two girls talking is something that can spark up a case.
I fish out my phone and search for Amy Gilbert, Wanted sign. Several pages comes up. I read again hoping to get some clues from the wanted poster.

Wanted: Amy Gilbert
Eye Color: Hazel
Height: 5'5

Amy Gilbert is diagnosed with Schizophrenia and paranoia. She has also been under rehabilitation for addiction to anti psychotics. She has recently escaped the Castlewood Rehabilitation Center.
If you have seen or have any information about the whereabouts of this dangerous woman, please contact the Castlewood Rehabilitation Center at 4555-8976633

I remember Adam mentioned about Amy's mother, how the mother's gone haywire and was admitted to a mental institution. Maybe Amy had inherited her mom's condition and there's only one way to find out. I dialed the number in the ad.
"Castlewood Rehab, How may I help you?"
I'm not sure what to say to get the information I need, so I carelessly blurt out nonsense "Ahhm, What time is your visiting hours?"
"10:30 - 1 pm and in the afternoon 3-5pm. Anything else I can help you with?"
"That would be all, thank you." It's 10:20 already, I can't make it to Castlewood in 10:30, If I leave now I'll be there at 1 pm, visiting hours would be over. But, answers can't wait. I stood up anyway leaving my cake and coffee to grow cold, I have two and a half hours to come up with a plan. Before I got out of the door, I didn't know why, but I look at Detective Merill and he was looking at me, looking suspicious as ever. He watched me go back to my shop, and I can still feel his eyes on me when I climb up to my car and speed off to Castlewood.