It's this kind of contrived BS that has ruined this character.
If he really wanted to see Liam he'd have his butt back in Llanview appealing to everyone he knows for help. He'd be showing Natalie that he wanted to he his son and wasn't going anywhere. He had a great rep as Chief of Detectives and a small business owner (OK, it is a bar) in that town - showing his plan to stay in the community would only help his case. Staying away, not working for months on end -- all that makes him look like someone who never wanted to be in his kid's life.
