“I figured as much, which is why I asked for a manager.”
“All of our managers are out at the lake. We have a free class today for people to learn the basics of rowing and for them to try it out with an instructor.”
I raised my eyebrow, wondering how easy it would be to obtain info this route.
“Are all of the instructors employees, or are some of them volunteers?” I casually asked, hoping the kid would bite.
“We don’t have that many rowing instructors on staff. Many are members who volunteer,” he offered up.
What else would he tell me?
“They’re all fully certified in CPR and first aid, though,” he added.
Well, that’s good to know. Human trafficking as well, possibly.
“Is there an Elijah Hamilton teaching today?” I came right out and asked.
“One sec, let me get the roster and schedule.”
Seriously? It was this easy?
“Yes, he’s assigned to lane four today.”
“Great, thank you,” I said and hung up. “Drive a little faster, Roz. My masked doctor friend is acting as a rowing instructor today,” I said while I dialed Terrence.
“Garrett—”
I cut Terrence off.
“Are you driving or is William?”
“William is,” he responded.
“Tell him to step on it. Elijah Hamilton is volunteering as a rowing instructor at the L.A. Aquatic Complex today.”
“We’re on our way. I think we’re about fifteen minutes from there. Where are you guys?”
“We’re also on our way and about the same ETA. GPS shows there’s a north and south parking lot. You guys park in the north lot, and Roz and I will take the south. As soon as we get off the phone, call our contact with the local police. Keep your earpieces in and on so we can roam around and find him without holding phones up to our ears,” I instructed.
“Will do. We’ll see you in about fifteen,” Terrence said before our call ended.
“I’m going to give Salem a quick call and let her know we know of a confirmed location for Elijah. I’ll let her know that I’ll be late,” I told Roz as we exited the freeway.
I dialed Salem’s number, but she didn’t answer. Probably in the bathroom or with Ali still. I waited a few minutes and tried again with no luck, and I started to worry. Salem was the girl who took her phone into the bathroom with her and would text constantly with Ali. She wouldn’t avoid my call. I decided to call Sam to let him know that I was going to be late tonight and to see if he wouldn’t mind letting Salem hang out there until I’d finished.
“Hey, Sam, is Salem with Ali still?” I asked.
“No. Ali said they had coffee at one of Andrew’s places today, and that was it. Ali was home by noon and has been with Josh and me ever since.”
Shit. Now the agent in me was more concerned than pissed. I hung up and called James next.
“Brandon sent me a text a little while ago saying that he was going to pick Salem up and they were going to go have coffee. I suspect to Andrew’s place. I can give him a call and find out where they’re at, and I can also find out where his car is.”
“Okay, thank you. I found out moments ago where Elijah Hamilton is, so I’m on my way to deal with that. If you hear from Brandon, would you mind if Salem stayed with you guys until I wrap this up?”
“Of course. I’ll text you the location of his car as soon as we get off the phone,” James advised. As soon as I got off the phone with him, I sent Salem a text.
Garrett: Where are you and Brandon?
