Hold Me Close

22. Following Breadcrumbs

CHLOE

I went back to new york and called up Jamie. I had to find her. I wouldn't stop until I did.

"Jamie Wellerstein," the guy on the other side of the phone said.

"Hi, Jamie. I'm calling to ask you about my friend. I was told that you were the one who sent the letter I received from her. I was wondering if you knew where she is now?"

"Sorry. I'm kind of busy at the moment. Can we like schedule a meeting or something? I'm not in Ohio right now. I'm in New York right now."

"That's fine. I'm in New York."

"Oh cool. Why don't we meet at like 2 tomorrow? We can meet at this one coffee shop. I'll send you the address."

"Okay. Tomorrow at 2."

"See you there."

"Wait. We've never met. How will I know who you are?"

"I'll be the one in the corner booth in the back. How will I know who you are?"

"I have bright red hair. You can miss me." I smiled. That was how Beca always located me. Or by yelling my name as loud as possible. I was one step closer to finding her. One step closer to how things were.

Alex: Hey Chloe. Are you still in Ohio? Or are you back?

Me: No. I'm back. Why?

Alex: Wanna go out tonight? Nothing fancy.

Me: Sure.

Alex: Awesome. See you later baby. Love you. 😘

Me: You too.

BECA

How is it this easy to disappear?

CHLOE

"So you met Beca in Ohio?" I asked Jamie. He was a nice looking guy. Chiseled features, dark hair, and green eyes. He wore a button up and a maroon zip-up hoodie.

"Yeah. She didn't seem like she belonged there ya know?"

"Did you like talk to her? Did she tell you anything?"

He was texting through the entire time we had been talking. He slid his phone into his pocket before responding. "Sorry. Girlfriend. Anyway. We talked briefly. She asked me to send the letters. Something about not being able to go into the city?"

"So you're just a stranger to her?"

"Not entirely. We had met before. Her family and my family are acquainted through a mutual family friend the Hyatts."

"Can you maybe put me in contact with them? They might know something."

"Sure. I'll give you Cathy's number." I handed him my phone. "I really hope you find her."

"Thanks. I do too." I went back to the apartment. Aubrey was at school so there was nobody else there. I called the number Jamie gave me. After a few rings, Cathy picked up.

"Hello?" she said.

"Hi. Is this Cathy Hyatt?"

"Yeah. WHo are you?"

"I'm Chloe Beale. I'm a friend of Beca Mitchell. She went to Ohio about 2 months ago and basically disappeared."

"My god. You're looking for her?"

"Yeah. I was wondering if you had any idea where she might be?"

"THere's a few places... are you sure she's still in Ohio?"

"I have no clue. I'll fly out in a few days?"

"Alright. I'll meet you at the airport and we can look for Beca."