“He’s in his room,” Bronze told me before I had a chance to ask.
“Thanks,” I said and quickly made my way down the hall to knock on his door.
“Come in,” he called out.
I pushed the door open, not surprised to find Landon in his room as well.
“You need something?” Spazz asked without looking up from his laptop.
“Yeah, I wanted to get the contact info for Ben’s parents.”
His forehead wrinkled in confusion. “I gave it to Blakely, but—”
“I have it,” Landon interrupted and pulled the folded paper from his pocket. “She wasn’t sure about making the call, and I offered to hang on to the numbers until she was ready,” he explained.
“I’m going to make the call for her,” I said and held my hand out for the paper.
Landon seemed visibly relieved at my words. “I know she’d call if she had to, but I really don’t think it’s in her best interest.”
Even though I didn’t know her as well as he did, I had to agree with him. “Do you mind if I make the calls in here?” I asked and pointed toward the common room. “It’s too noisy out there, and Blakely’s in my room.”
“Sure, go right ahead,” Spazz said while Landon beamed.
“Any chance you’ll put it on speaker so I can listen in?” Landon asked.
“Sure,” I said and dialed the first number.
After several rings, a woman finally answered. “Hello?”
“Hi, is this Tracy Peterson?” I asked.
She was silent for a few seconds. “Who wants to know?”
So, I was speaking with Tracy. If it wasn’t her, she would’ve said no right away. I’m not sure who she thought she was fooling, but it certainly wasn’t me.
“My name’s Grant, and I’m trying to get in touch with your son, Ben. It’s rather urgent. Do you know how I can get in contact with him?”
“What’d you say your name was?”
“Grant,” I repeated.
“Well, Grant, I don’t know what he’s gotten himself into, but you're the second person who’s called here today looking for him,” she said, not bothering to answer my question.
“So, do you know how I can reach him?” I asked again.
“No, I don’t,” she insisted. “He’s not here. I haven’t seen him or heard from him in weeks. I don’t know where he is or when he’ll be back. So, you can tell Jordan to stop sending people to me.”
“Sorry, but I don’t know who Jordan is,” I told her.
“What?” she asked. “Then, who the hell are you?”
“Like I said, my name’s Grant—”
“I don’t care. I can’t help you. Don’t call me again,” she said and ended the call before I had a chance to say anything else.
I looked at Spazz and then Landon. “That wasn’t very helpful. Should I try the father next?”
When they both nodded in unison, I dialed the next number.
