"It was late August, the summer we graduated, but enough of your games."
Paige buried her head in her hands again. "We aren't playing a game, Daniel. Please believe me. We don't know what is going on any more than you do. Please just listen. Until a few days ago I..." She threw up her hands and then climbed to her feet, her legs wobbling. "I don't even know how or where to begin."
"Until a few days ago she'd didn't know any of this. Until a few days ago I thought I had buried Paige," Nathan said.
Daniel looked over at him and Nathan nodded his head.
"I was married to Paige. A Paige, not your Paige and apparently not this Paige."
"What?"
"I know, it makes no sense. I met, fell in love and married Paige Kendall a number of years ago. Last year she died. A few days ago I saw this Paige in the airport in Miami."
"That's impossible."
"I agree, but what is even more impossible is that she remembers almost everything my wife remembered. And as she just showed with you, she remembers stuff that your Paige remembered...experienced...whatever."
"I don't get it. What are you trying to tell me?"
"We don't know," Paige said. "We are trying to figure out what is going on. Who am I really? I am sorry Daniel, I did not come here to make you relive that horrible memory. Had I known..."
"Had we known, I still would have insisted we come," Nathan said. "We have so few clues. A picture from her supposed college friend led us back to the school. A yearbook and a memory brought us to you. I don't know what we were expecting to learn from you, but...but it was the only straw we had to grasp on to."
Daniel looked from Paige to Nathan. "So you didn't come here to get something out of me?"
Paige shook her head. "Only information, which unfortunately you don't seem to have any of."
"Sorry to disappoint you." He got up and stood next to Paige looking closely at her face. "You look exactly like she did bef...before."
"I'm sorry."
"No, no. Don't be. My final memory of her was...well less than pleasant. For so long I prayed for a chance to see her just once more as she was before the fire. I can't even begin to wrap my head around what you are telling me. I can't even say I even half believe you. But you look exactly like she did and for that I guess I am grateful, after all it is what I prayed for."
"So...umm your daughter?"
"Yeah, I named her Paige. I have a very understanding wife, who I love completely. But she knew what Paige meant to me. She was actually the one to suggest the name."
"She's lovely, so is Jenny."
"Thank you. I wish I had some answers for you or could help, but I haven't a clue how I actually could."
"I wish you could too," Nathan said. "I'm not exactly sure where we go from here."
Paige frowned.
Nathan walked over and stood behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. "We'll figure something out Paige. I'm sorry for putting you through all of this Mr. Perry."
"Call me Daniel, please. I'm sorry I can't help."
Nathan pulled out his wallet and removed one of his business cards and handed it to Daniel. "If you think of anything at all that might help."
Daniel took the card and nodded before slipping it into his pocket.
Nathan leaned in close to Paige and said, "I'll wait for you in the car."
She nodded and waited until he'd left the porch before saying, "This is so strange. I have so many memories of us and they feel so real."
"And they likely are real," he said, before adding, "for me."
She nodded.
"Well," he said.
"Well."
He smiled and it was genuine. A little sad, but still genuine.
"Do you mind?"
Paige knew what he was asking and shook her head. "Of course not."
Daniel's arms encircled her and drew her in tight.
"I loved you so much," he said, his voice barely a whisper and Paige knew he wasn't talking to her, not really. "Goodbye, Paige." He kissed her gently on the lips, a tear rolling down his cheek.
"Goodbye Danny."
CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
They were just crossing over into Portsmouth when Linda's phone began to ring. Cameron looked at the caller ID and instead of a name or number was simply the phrase 'answer me'. He felt a twisting deep in his stomach at the thought of who might be on the other end. On the next ring the phrase switched to 'NOW!' and he knew he was right.
"Cameron here," he said.
"I take it you are aware that a woman named Doris Flanders shot and killed another woman named Sarah Mathews at Ocean View Estates. This wouldn't be the same Ocean View Estates where you've been housing one of your former employees, would it?"