The next day at work I found a local private investigative
firm and arranged for a meeting the next day to begin my search for Bette
Porter, ex life partner, who I had not seen in ten years. I wasn’t sure she
would agree to help me especially after cutting her out of Angie’s life, but at
this point she was my last hope. I would sleep with the devil, as they say, if
it gave me back my child.

I arrived at the café 10 minutes early. Taking the folder out
of my briefcase I laid it on the table, inside it was the last known contact
information I had on Bette along with a few pictures taken years ago. Listed on
a piece of paper was the address of the home we had shared in LA along with the
last cell number I had for her. On another paper was information where she had
graduated from school and her employment history while we were together.

Lastly, was a spreadsheet containing personal friend’s names,
numbers, and addresses along with family information such as, mother and father
deceased, and a sister who at the time of our split owned The Planet Café, in
West Hollywood.

As the young, slim man’s eyes scanned the café I knew he was
who I was waiting on. Signaling him over to my table with a hand motion I stood
up to introduce my self. “Hello I’m Tina Youn…ah Kennard. Mr. Polson, I’m glad
to meet you. Have a seat.” I said easing back down into my chair.

Shoving the folder on the table in his direction, I explained
the information inside as he leafed through it. After asking me a few questions
he assured me that with the information I had provided him he would find her,
if she was in the United States. He went on to explain that his base hourly
rate was $85.00 and if he had to do any traveling I would reimburse him for all
expenses. We exchanged business cards and he said he would call me when he had
some more information on her location.

As the weeks went by and I still had not heard from Mr.
Polson my hope of finding Bette again began to fade. Then one afternoon out of
the blue my phone rang and it was Mr. Polson requesting that we meet in person
that evening, the same place as before.