Page 178 of The Silent Appeal

Femi

I hate that expression.

Charlotte

Issy likes “tea” as much as she does iced coffee, especially when it’s about her latest obsession.

Femi

Issy’s former case lead calls it limerence. The psychological state of intense infatuation with someone out of reach. It was mentioned in a stalking case I reviewed recently.

Charlotte

Distinct from obsession?

Femi

More specific. Limerence is unrequited. In the past it might have been called a crush, but that underplays the intensity and intrusive nature of the feelings.

Femi

Limerence has a cycle: infatuation, intensification, and deterioration. Which chimes exactly with Issy’s journal when she observes that her feelings for Fran have subsided and those for Nicky-Rose are increasing.

Charlotte

What’s the worst thing a limerent will do?

Femi

From the case I reviewed: self-destructive behavior and self-harm.

Charlotte

Can it lead to murder?

Femi

Well, as we know, it can certainly lead to a false confession to murder.

To: Femi Hassan

From: Charlotte Holroyd

Date: September 10, 2025

Subject: Lockwood

Sorry to email so late. Can’t stop thinking about the Lockwood case. The disappearance of Tiffany Ramirez from the Voyager Eclipse: How does it tie in? There was some dark stuff going on there, but how can Nicky-Rose and Trina have been a part of it when as far as we can tell they weren’t on the ships themselves, just supplying entertainers?

On April 28, Lily Bielik says “more than one person” must have known Tiffany hadn’t returned to the ship. Was that just negligence on the part of whoever should have been keeping track of the crew as they came aboard, or is it a more sinister conspiracy?

Just what is this case really about? Let’s chat over the phone, tomorrow then draft an email to Mr. Tanner that examines the Bridgetown connection.

To: Roderick Tanner, KC

From: Charlotte Holroyd

Cc: Femi Hassan, Sharon Collins