Page 40 of The Perfect Obsession

While Hannah waited for news, she noted that the receptionist had stopped scrolling on her phone and was giving her a look of disdain.

“What’s wrong?”Hannah asked.

“Just wondering how much longer you’ll be with us?”the woman said.

“Why?”

“Because you’re loud.”

Hannah was debating whether to be polite or put the gal in her place when Kat came back on the line.

“Hannah?”

Yeah?”She could tell something was off.

“He’s not here.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s not in the store,” Kat repeated.“I showed the cashier his photo, and he said he’s not in the bathroom either.You have to get a key for that, and he didn’t take one.”

“Could he have snuck out the back?”

“Excuse me, sir,” she heard Kat say, “does this place have a back exit?’

“Yes,” the man answered.“It leads to the alley.”

“Thanks,” Kat said before speaking more quietly to Hannah.“I’m going out back to check.”

“Be careful,” Hannah warned.

“I will.”

Hannah stood up, too full of anxious energy to remain on the lumpy seat.A few seconds later, Kat came back on the line.

“He’s not out here either,” she said.“But I’m noticing that there’s a back entrance to Wren’s building here.There’s no guard.”

“Is it locked?”

“Yes, but there’s key card access, so theoretically, he could follow someone in if they were entering.”

Hannah’s nervous anxiety had jumped up an extra level.

“I’m going to check on Wren.”

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

Hannah burst through the restroom door.

“Wren?”she called out to the empty room.

There was no answer.She gulped hard, trying to catch her breath after having sprinted down the hall from the home health office.

“Wren,” she said again.“It’s Hannah.Are you in here?”

After what seemed like forever, she got a reply.

“Um, Hannah.Yes, I’m in here, but I’m a little busy right now.Is something wrong?”