Page 66 of Phoenix Rising

“Hey, Audria. Are the others with you?”

“Yes.”

They called out greetings, and he returned them. “We’ve been looking into the background of Spiritual Beginnings and its owner, Josiah Porter, and I’ve got some juicy info for you. Porter owned what was once called The Church of the People for thirty-five years. He bought it after coming into a sizable inheritance. I’m talking millions and millions. He used some of the money to purchase and renovate the rundown resort, and he’s kept it updated through the years. He was the pastor until he retired and moved to Montana five years ago.”

“Did you talk to him?” Talia asked.

“I’m getting there, Mrs. Impatient,” he scolded playfully. “Josiah Porter became a recluse. He doesn’t have a phone, and his house is off the grid, making it impossible to contact him. He doesn’t get out at all, which is interesting, so Luke and Logan called the authorities in his area to conduct a welfare check. Signs posted on his property warned trespassers would be shot, so they broke through the gate with their lights and sirens blaring.”

“Don’t tell me he shot a cop,” Christian groaned.

“No, he didn’t. There was no sign of him.”

“Do they have any idea where he might’ve gone?” Audria wondered.

“None. But I’ve been digging into him. Anyone with that much money is ripe for targeting by unsavory individuals.”

“Like Elijah,” Reese guessed.

“Exactly. I learned Josiah Porter recently changed his will and left everything to Ariel Porter.”

“We think Tilly changed her name to Ariel,” Talia said.

“I’m pretty sure it’s her,” Tyler agreed. “I looked into the residents of Sunshine Residence, and there is an Ariel Porter on the roster. Her guardian’s name is Xander Porter.”

“A hundred bucks says Xander is also Guru Phoenix,” Hunter said.

Tyler scoffed. “I wouldn’t take that bet. I’m rather fond of my money.”

“He murdered Josiah Porter.” Audria was sure of it. “He killed him and stole his fortune.”

“I think you’re probably right,” Tyler agreed. “When you talk to Tilly today, ask her about Josiah Porter. We may need the authorities in Montana to search his property.”

After disconnecting, they piled into Christian’s replacement SUV. BeBe had arranged for both damaged vehicles to be towed away. When they arrived at Sunshine Residence, Audria removed her wig and contacts and followed Talia up the sidewalk. The building looked like it might’ve been a school at one time. A sign proclaimed it to be a residential group home housing people with special needs, including cerebral palsy, Autism Spectrum and Disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and Down syndrome.

Talia opened the door into a vestibule with a woman sitting behind a glass window. It smelled like lemon industrial cleaner and chocolate chip cookies.

“Welcome to Sunshine Residence. I’m Ruth. How can I help you today?”

“We were driving through town and discovered one of my friends was here. We were hoping we could say hello to her.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, as I said, we were in the area. I did not think to call. I was too excited to see her.”

“If you let me know who it is, I’ll talk to her care provider to see if you can say hello.”

“Ariel Porter.”

“Why don’t you have a seat over there and I—”

“Tina!”

The name was screamed in a high-pitched wail. Audria turned to see the woman she’d spoken with the other day rolling her walker toward Talia. She held out her arms, and Talia leaned over and hugged the woman as she sobbed.

Talia stood and clasped Tilly’s head between her hands, wiping her tears. “Tilly, it is so good to see you.”

“I missed you, Tina.” She clasped Talia again in a fierce hug.

---