James sent over the address of where Brandon’s car was located. When I glanced at the address in the text, I quickly looked at the GPS on the dashboard. Brandon and Salem—or at least Brandon’s car—were at the L.A. Aquatic Complex.
“Holy fucking shit,” I murmured as I texted James back.
Garrett: His car is located in the parking lot of the aquatic complex where Elijah is at. Please try to get ahold of Brandon. Tell him NOT to go near Elijah.
Garrett: I swear to God, Salem, do not go near that man.
“What’s all the swearing and noise about over there?” Roz asked as we waited at the stoplight to turn in to the south parking lot.
“Salem is with Brandon, and his car’s GPS puts them here,” I said while I scanned the massive complex. “This place is fucking huge,” I stated the obvious.
“Okay, calm down, Garrett—”
“Calm down? Two people we rescued from this crazy, sick fuck came back for him.”
“Calm down, Garrett. I’m not letting your ass out of this car until you are focused.”
“I’m focused on finding Hamilton before Salem and Brandon do.”
My answer satisfied Roz enough to unlock the car doors. We got out and went to the trunk to put on our FBI-issued vests. I kept my lanyard with my badge visible so no one freaked out if they saw holstered guns. I pressed my earpiece to talk to Terrence and William.
“Terrence, William … both of you make sure you have your vests on. I doubt Hamilton rows with a gun handy, but who the fuck knows with this guy.”
“Got it. Our vests are on,” Terrence confirmed.
“Also, two that we rescued are here. Salem and the boy who had his mouth pierced shut, Brandon. Be on the lookout for them,” Roz advised.
“Ten-four,” William replied.
“There are two paths that lead to the south lot where you guys are. Instead of splitting up, Terrence and I are going to take the eastern path that goes along where the boats are docked.”
“Got it. Roz and I are walking up the south embankment now,” I said.
I stood on top of the grassy hill and looked at the lake. There were lots of rowers out on the lake. The paths, benches, and dock were swarming with people.
“Looks like the instructors are all wearing red t-shirts.” Roz’s observation came through the earpieces.
My eyes immediately counted the lanes at the dock. There was a boat sitting in lane four, but no one in it. From where we stood, I could see Terrence and William slowly working their way down the dock toward lane four. While my eyes scanned the faces of the people wearing the red t-shirts close to lane four, Roz put her hand on my forearm. Without a word, I looked in the direction she was pointing. On the opposite side of the dock, a man wearing a red shirt was running toward the north parking lot.
And Salem was running after him.
Brandon was running behind her.
I took off in a sprint to catch up to them while Roz immediately began calling out information.
“Listen up, boys. Elijah is running northbound on the western dock. Giving chase is Salem, Brandon, and Garrett. Terrence, William, head toward the north lot.”
As soon as Terrence and William acknowledged Roz’s instructions, Roz got on her cell and notified the police to seal off the north parking lot. Elijah stopped running, and when Salem caught up to him, he shoved her into the lake.
“Salem!” I yelled, followed by, “Elijah Hamilton, freeze! FBI!”
For a brief moment, he stared at me before he took off running for the parking lot. Brandon had stopped to pull Salem to the edge of the dock.
“He’s heading for the lot still,” I said, hoping Terrence and William would pick me up.
“We see him!” William panted. I glanced across the lake to see Terrence and William still had a way to go before they reached the parking lot.
As I came upon Salem, Brandon had taken off running again.Goddammit.
