“Going somewhere?”

“Back to the mansion. Tomorrow.”

“Why now? There’s still two weeks before the portal’s opening.”

“I know but I feel miserable and I feel like we missed some clues. I’m going back to search again…until I find something or she comes back. Either way, I want to be there.”

Alice poured wine into two glasses and gave one to Tina’s. “Okay. I’m coming with you then.”

Tina began shaking her head in protest but Alice smiled, “Hey, I can be part of the search party. Besides, I miss her too. We can be miserable together.”

Tina nodded, secretly relieved that she didn’t have to go through this alone. She tasted the red liquid and sighed, “This is really good. Bette would love the aroma.”

“So, where are you planning to search?” Alice asked, sipping from her glass. “We looked pretty much everywhere.”

“I know but that was almost a month ago. Bette was probably too preoccupied with her family to have time to leave me any clues.” Tina looked pensively at the her glass and frowned, “Or, maybe there are no clues and I’m just deluding myself into thinking that she cares enough to send me a sign from the past.”

“Oh God, TK. Of course she cares. How do you have any doubts? Bette loves you. I have a good feeling that we will find something.”

Alice’s enthusiasm was hard to ignore and Tina laughed. “I’m glad you are coming with me, Al. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“I am the best, if I say so myself,” Alice bowed theatrically. “So, what do you think we missed?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been trying to think about all the places we’ve searched and just can’t imagine where she could’ve hidden anything…if she did.”

“Okay, here’s the plan. I’m going home to pack and I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll find the clues, don’t worry.”

Next morning they were both on their way back to the mansion. “Did you talk to any of the girls?” Tina asked, carefully navigating early morning traffic.

“I asked the gang but Dana has to train for her next tournament. Shane has been booked every day for the rest of the month. Apparently, one of her clients spread a word how good she is and now she has at least ten new clients. All rich, all cougars, all unhappy,’ Alice giggled.