“Yes, ma’am. We have a schedule full of rowers today. Today is our free first lesson. So we have a full lake with coaches and students. Would you like me to put your name down for our next available day?”
“No, thank you. I’ll call back another time.”
I hung up and thought for a few minutes. There was no confirmation that Elijah would be there today. That was even going out on a limb and assuming that he still went rowing. And really, what would be my plan if I got there and saw him? I guessed I’d call Garrett. He’d be pissed that I’d gone out purposely looking for Elijah, but in the long run he’d be happy. We’d be happy for the closure, knowing he was off the street.
I sent Brandon a text, hoping that I could enlist his help. Without Brandon, I wouldn’t be able to do this.
Salem: Hey, Brandon, are you busy today?
I got up from the chair and made my way over to the dishwasher. I decided to try to make myself useful while I waited for a reply from Brandon. I had hoped I wouldn’t be intruding on his and James’s day. I picked my phone up and smiled when I saw Brandon’s text.
Brandon: Nope. I’m not doing much. James went into the hospital to work today.
Salem: Can I call you?
Brandon: Yeah.
“Hey, Salem,” Brandon said as soon as he picked up my call.
“Hi. I’m sorry to seem so cryptic with the texts.”
“It’s okay. What’s up?”
“This is going to sound really strange, and if you say no, I’ll understand.”
“Uh-oh. This doesn’t sound good,” he began.
“No, it’s okay. I mean, don’t worry or anything; nothing is wrong. You know how the FBI and Garrett have been trying to find Elijah?”
“Yeah.”
“I thought maybe there was something we, or something that I, could do to help.”
“I’m not following you.”
“Didn’t you tell Garrett that Elijah would go to the rowing complex on Saturdays? I remember seeing him there. In fact, I went there just to find him. That was the day he took me to Sebastian. I went to him for help, and he took me to that hellhole.”
“I’m sorry, Salem. Eli fucked over a lot of people.”
“I know. Doesn’t it make you angry?”
“Yeah, it makes me sick to think about.”
“Brandon, I was thinking that we could go to the aquatic complex—”
“And what?”
“I don’t know. Maybe just see if we spot him and then call Garrett.”
“Salem, I don’t know if this is a good idea.”
Time for me to pull out the only possible card that I had to play.
“Brandon, Garrett’s been trying so hard for so long. You know he was undercover at Sebastian’s, and I know he took you into a private room on occasion. He never hurt you, did he, Brandon?”
Brandon exhaled a loud sigh.
“He never hurt me. He gave me some time to just be and relax.”
