"I did as you asked. I shook the trees." The voice said.

"Thank you, Dr. Pennicut!" Dr. Austine Bromley replied into her phone while sitting in the back of one of the three black Audi A10s that made up her convoy. She hung up the phone and looked out the window and surveyed the beautiful countryside as they raced though it towards Albert Cove. Austine had to admit Dr. Lewis had great taste in vacation locations. Albert Cove was quite beautiful. It was as if it went untouched in its natural beauty while the rest of earth spun its course.

The convoy pulled in the middle of town and stopped at the local store. One of her investigative associates opened the rear door for Austine who stepped out dressed not in business professional but in a simple sleeveless, white low, v-neck shirt, blue capris and matching soft-heeled shoes. Austine didn't want to appear too out of place concerned enough with her personal convoy. But once she stepped out of her car and surveyed the town she realized that she need not be concerned in that arena. There was a healthy mix of people walking, on their bikes, and then there were expensive cars and from what she could see off in far distance large, private boats.

"This place is like Nantucket." Austine commented to her associate then looked around. "Let's have the team spread out and survey the town. Let's meet back here, say in an hour."

"One of us should go with you."

"I think I will do much better on my own."

"Gotcha boss!" The associate replied then he and the remaining eleven investigators spread out across the town. Austine put on her glasses, surveyed the town once more and then stepped off on a leisurely stroll down the town boardwalk. Austine surveyed the quaint town and decided that if there was any place a newcomer would hit would be the bars. What always astounded Austine that no matter how quaint the town it always seemed to have a number of bars.

Austine visited two of them before she hit upon Tucker's Tavern. When she entered there was music playing and the place had garage walls that opened the back of the restaurant to the patio so the breeze off the ocean would flow through the bar. Austine walked up the bar and ordered a lemonade. When the bartender handed Austine her lemonade she pulled out a picture.

"Hey! I'm new in town and looking for an old friend of mine." Austine said as she handed the bartender the picture. The bartender looked at it.

"They aren't in trouble, are they?" The bartender asked when he looked up from it.

"Goodness, no. Just trying to see if she lives here that's all." The bartender gave Austine a knowing look.

"That's Ellie Saen. She has a house up in the mountains. A really nice one in fact, but she comes and goes."

"And what about this lady?" Austine asked as she pulled out another picture and handed to the bartender. The bartender squinted his eyes.

"Nope. Don't recognize her." The bartender replied and then handed the photo back.

"Really?" Austine questioned.

"Really. Never seen her." The bartender replied and then walked away. Austine looked at the photo again. It was an old one of Lauren. Austine tried to research online any references of her with a photo but the web was wiped clean. Austine tried another approach and called the bartender back.

"My friend Ellie had a woman friend."

"Ms. Saen has several."

"Beg your pardon?"

"I thought she was your friend?"

"She is. Your statement just took me aback a bit."

"Thinking your friend is of the monogamous sort?"

"Well…"

"Well, your friend is quite the ladies woman." The bartender said. Austine smiled. "It's been a while since she was last here, but the last time she was here she had a brunette with her."

"This lady?" Austine asked as she pulled out a photo of Calla.

"Yes. That one."

"But not this one?" Austine asked again while tapping on Lauren's photo.

"Nope. All the ladies she was here with were long-haired. This one has short, dark hair."

"How long have you worked here?"

"About 15 years. I'm part owner."

"Lots of business?"

"Tons! Year-round which I find amazing considering it's a seaside joint."

"Me too. It's gorgeous. Reminds me of Nantucket."

"Agreed.

"The visitors seem to be well-to-do."

"That and we have a bunch who visit on their bikes, backpacks, and fifteen year-old cars their parents gave them."

"Again, Nantucket." Austine replied. The bartender chuckled.

"Were there any ladies before Calla you may recall?"

"You're not an ex of Mrs. Saen's seeking dirt or revenge are you?"

"No. I am not one of her paramours, trust me. Although that would not be a bad thing." Austine replied. The bartender smiled.

"Well, she's had some lookers aside from her ex-wife."

"Opheila."

"That's right. Then's there Calla, or course. There was a Vanya. A Lucca. A Nataline. A Simi. A Lauren."

"Lauren?"

"Yeah. She was a doctor."

"Dr. Lauren Lewis?"

"Yep. That's it. She was a looker."

"Can you describe her?"

"I can do one better." The bartender stepped away for a few minutes then returned with a photo album.

"Who still has a photo album?"

"I'm old-fashioned, I guess." The bartender replied as he opened the photo album up and flipped a few pages before he reached the picture he wanted then turned the album so it faced Austine.

"This was karaoke night, and Lauren was really good at it. I always like to take pictures of people who are very good a karaoke. You just have no idea where they will turn up later."

"Really?"

"Yep!" The bartender turned the book back to him and flipped a few more pages then turned it back to Austine again. "See this?"

"That's Lynn's Trinity!"

"Back then, they were unknown. Young kids biking through."

"What are the odds?"

"Tell me about it."

"Can I see the picture of Lauren again?"

"Sure." The bartender flipped back to the picture where Lauren was singing.

"How long ago was this?"

"About 10-11 years ago."

"She is beautiful." Then Austine took out the photo she showed the bartender.

"Is that supposed to be her?" The bartender asked.

"Yep."

"That's a difference!"

"I can see why you didn't readily recognize her."

"It's also been over ten years."

"Can I take a shot of this?"

"Why not." Austine took a shot with her phone. "I might be pressing your knowledge, but do you know where Lauren might have stayed while she was here?"

"At the cottages along the seaside. The Ballorby's run it. I do remember Lauren had raved about the place. Thought it was heaven."

"Is it?"

"People who stay up there have said nothing less."

"How long have the Ballorby's been running the place?"

"Since they were young. It's inherited property, and they made a success of it."

"I take it they're still there."

"Year-round."

"Just like you."

"Like I said we are fortunate in Albert Cove."

"Thank you for the information." Austine said then pulled out a $50 dollar bill. "For your trouble."

The bartender pushed it back to her. "Keep it. It was no trouble at all."

Austine stepped out side and made a call. One of her investigators picked up on the other end.

"Rally everyone. I know where we need to head next." And then Austine hung up the phone.

Austine and her convoy arrived at the cottages and she walked in into the Front Cottage offices with two of her investigators while the rest remained outside. There they found Mrs. Ballorby at the front desk. There was no sign of Mr. Ballorby.

"Hello!" Austine greeted.

"Well, hello!" Mrs. Ballorby returned.

"I'm looking for some information."

"Oh? On whom?"

"A Dr. Lauren Lewis."

"Oh yes. What about her?"

"You don't need to look that up?"

"I have a great memory of our guests. She had long, blonde hair, svelte, very beautiful, calming disposition, and a bit witty."

"Yes."

"She was here."

"How long ago?"

"About 11 years ago."

"Did she say why she was here?"

"She was struggling, emotional-wise."

"Oh. Do you recall how long she was here?"

"Close to a month."

"Did she ever take up with anyone here?"

"Mrs. Ellie Saen."

"You're very forthcoming."

"We have nothing to hide here. Besides it's been years."

"Is there a Mr. Ballorby? Or Mrs?" Austine asked. Mrs. Ballorby smiled.

"Mr. Ballorby is in town gathering supplies for the cottages."

"Can you tell me which cottage Dr. Lewis stayed at?"

"Of course! It was one of the ones over-looking the coast. It's currently occupied though."

"Can you recall where she said she came from? Or where she was heading back to?"

"Of course, I can!"

"You don't need to look that up?"

"Of course not."

"That's quite the memory."

"I make it a point to be genuinely interested in our guests."

"But still, it's been over ten years."

"Even still. She said she worked at Ash Pharmaceuticals."

"Oh yes. Their offices and lab facilities are in Delaware. Any place else?"

"Nothing I can recall."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, Mrs. Ballorby for the information."

"My pleasure! Dr. Lewis was such a pleasure. I hope to see her again."

"You just might. Can I make a donation? For your time?"

"No need. It was my pleasure."

Austine and her entourage returned to their cars.

"We need to book a flight to Delaware. We're heading to Ash Pharmaceuticals."

"Yes, Ma'am!"