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Bo returned to work on Monday morning tired after his weekend trip and another sleepless night. He had replayed Maggie’s story over and over in his mind comparing it to his own...the stories were very different, yet very much the same. He also spent a good deal of the night thinking about Nora. He wanted to find her and talk with her before losing his resolve. Sooner or later she would appear at his office door. Then he’d tell her he wanted to meet with her to talk sometime.
It was afternoon and he had still seen nothing of Nora. Bo went to her office. It was dark, the desk was clean...much too clean for Nora’s work habits.
He went to the receptionist’s desk. “I’m looking for Nora. Have you seen her today?” he asked.
“Uh...no. You haven’t heard?”
“Heard what?” Bo asked puzzled.
“That Nora resigned. She left town a few weeks ago. She didn’t tell anyone. Just left her letter of resignation….”
Bo felt a jolt to his stomach. “Where did she go?” he asked.
“Nobody knows. She just resigned and we haven’t seen her since. We have instructions to forward her final paychecks…”
“Where to? Do you have an address?”
“No, the postal service will forward them. She didn’t leave an address.”
“Hmm. Ok. Thanks,” Bo mumbled as he headed back to his office.
He slumped into his chair and started thinking. He had taken a few trips, but had only been gone for a few days at a time. Nora had been gone a few weeks. He had been trying to avoid seeing her, but how did he miss that? Where would she go? Chicago maybe? To be close to her parents? Or is Sam back in Chicago? He put his head in his hands. Rachel… Rachel would know. He would start by calling Rachel...
Bo knew he probably wouldn’t get a very good reception from Rachel. They hadn’t been on the best of terms since he and Nora had separated. But he had no choice. He dialed Rachel’s number.
“Hello…”
“Hello, Rachel...this is Bo.”
“Bo?”
“Yes…”
“So...Bo. Why would you be calling me?”
“Well, Rachel...I was wanting to talk to Nora and just found out that she left town. Figured you could tell me how to reach her.”
“If she wanted people to be able to reach her, she would have left that information.”
Bo sighed, “Rachel...I really need to talk with her.”
“Sorry. I am under strict instructions not to give out any information...to anyone. Mom wants to be left alone. Please let it go.”
“Rachel…”
“No. This conversation is over. “
“Rachel, if you just give me a chance…”
“Goodbye, Bo.”
The receiver clicked in his ear. She had hung up. He slowly did the same. The only other people who would know her whereabouts would be her parents. He really dreaded calling them, but he had to find Nora.
Surprisingly, her parents weren’t as antagonistic toward him as Rachel had been. In their brief conversation he found out that Nora had called them to say she was fine but had not given them her location...just said she would stay in touch. They were worried.
Bo was worried. He wracked his brain trying to remember names of friends or relatives she may have gone to see...or places that she had shown an interest in visiting…
Nothing came to mind.
The post office. He had a friend, Howard Jonas, that worked at the post office. He would ask Howard for the forwarding address.
* * * * * * *
Bo left the station a little early so that he could get the the post office before 5:00. Fortunately, Howard was there and greeted Bo as he came in.
“Bo Buchanan! Good to see you. How have you been?” he asked.
Bo put on a smile. “Not too bad, Howard. And you?”
“I couldn’t be better. What can I do for you today?” asked Howard.
Bo hesitated. “Well, Howard, I need you to help me locate someone.”
Howard’s interest was piqued. “Police business?” he asked.
“Well...not exactly,” Bo said slowly. “I’m trying to locate Nora...Nora Buchanan. I wondered if you could give me her forwarding address.”
“Well, let me see,” Howard said typing into his computer. “No. Not here. Guess this hasn’t been updated. Let me get the paperwork.”
Howard returned a few minutes later with a clipboard of papers. “I found the address,” he said, “but I can’t give it to you. It’s covered under the Privacy Act. Evidently Nora instructed that the address not be shared with anyone.”
Bo rubbed his chin. “Look, Howard, I…”
“You say you need a book of stamps?” asked Howard suddenly.
Bo looked and was confused. “Uh…”
“Well, let me go get you that book of stamps.” Howard laid the clipboard down on the counter and gave it an inconspicuous shove toward Bo. He looked Bo in the eye and went to the next room.
Bo took the opportunity given him and let his eyes run quickly over the page. There it was...Nora Buchanan. He jotted the address down quickly on a scrap of paper.
Howard returned bearing the book of stamps which Bo promptly purchased.
“Thanks, Howard, for the stamps...and everything.”
Howard gave him a knowing look. “Not a problem.”
Bo left the post office and pulled the scrap of paper from his pocket.
1672 Cresthaven Beach, Bristol, Rhode Island...
He only wished he could leave right now instead of waiting til the work week was over..
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