Sorry about the confusion! The message was just a regular ole letter Maria sent to Merle, telling Merle to meet her and that "they're coming back". I think I put it in her CS, but I realise now that if even I don't fully remember that one small detail, no one else will. I'll edit the post. I think I was trying to be cryptic and mysterious and withhold information. 

Oh, me...

Or I may also be misunderstanding the misunderstanding. It's early, and I've had five hours of sleep. I'm not humaning yet. 

No one else picked up the message. Merle (or other characters) will find everyone else still. That's to come. 

And I've found that confusion-causing line. It is fixed. All is good in the world again.