Chapter 48 Janie

CHAPTER 48 JANIE

February 2007

Charleston to New York

On my way to the Charleston airport, I read the note that Ryan had written to Cass. I had a ticket booked to Los Angeles, for a meeting about a film I wanted for Ryan. I unfolded her small note, out of curiosity mostly, and after reading it, I knew I needed to actually deliver it. I flew to New York and tried to fix what I’d done by calling the paparazzi. I didn’t know how big Ryan’s feelings for Cass actually were. Not often, but occasionally, I put Ryan’s quality of life above all else.

I rerouted myself to LaGuardia and took a cab to the law firm at which Sidney Collins worked. The woman kept me waiting for three hours, then ushered me into a conference room, where we sat unusually far apart from each other. I tried every angle I could, but she was adamant: Cass had left the city and didn’t want to be found.

For a moment, I thought about leaving Ryan’s note with Sidney—no doubt she’d have more opportunity to reach Cass than I would. But I sensed that Sidney wasn’t a neutral party, and at the last second, I tucked it away to give back to Ryan.