“Did you find her?” she asked.
“Not yet.”
“Oh, God. Maybe something really did happen to her.”
“I’m not willing to say that just yet, but I do have a question or two, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure. Whatever I can do to help.”
“I get the impression you and Elyse are friends. Is that right?”
“Yeah, I guess. I mean, we don’t go and do a lot of things together. But when we’re both here, we’ll hang out, watch some TV, talk.”
“Other than this boyfriend, Aaron, who—”
“I gotta tell you, I don’t think she
“Well, I was wondering if you knew of any other friends she might hang out with?”
“Her best friend’s a girl named Lara. And then there’s this guy. What’s his name?” She was silent for a few seconds. “Anthony, I think.”
“Last names?”
“I think Lara’s is Mendonca. Anthony’s, I have no idea. You can check at the school. They’re both in the motion graphics program with Elyse.”
“Thanks,” Logan said.
“If you find her, will you please call me? I want to know she’s ok.”
“I will.”
One more thing for his to do list: contact Otis administration.
He checked his watch. 7:15. Too early for anyone to be at the school yet. He could go pay that visit to Angie, but if she was sleeping, she’d hold for a little while. There was one other thing he could do first.
He started his car and headed back to Venice Beach so he could take another look at Aaron Hughes’ place in the daylight, and see if there was anything he might have missed.
On the way over, he’d started thinking about the guy who’d come after Tooney the day before. Sure, his father had said it had nothing to do with Elyse, but just like how Logan was skeptical about the coincidence between her disappearance and Aaron’s sudden move, he was equally skeptical about there being no connection here.
There was one way he could find out a little more information, but it meant making a call he wasn’t sure he was ready to make. He debated with himself for a full five minutes before he pulled out his phone, and punched in the number. It was already mid-morning in Washington, D.C., so he knew there was a good chance she’d be there.
“Forbus Systems International. How may I direct your call?”
Hearing the words, he hesitated.
“How may I direct your call?” the voice said again.
“Uh, Ruth Bobick, please.”
“One moment.”
He was put on hold, and subjected to fifteen seconds worth of Forbus promotional propaganda, complete with patriotic music and what sounded like the crackling of fireworks.
“Ruth Bobick.”
He hesitated again hearing the voice of his old friend, knowing he could still hang up if he wanted to, but, instead, he said, “Hi, Ruth.”
“Who is this?”
“It’s Logan.”
There was a long pause. “Oh, Christ. Are you trying to get me into trouble or something?”
When Logan had worked with Carl at Forbus, Ruth had been their main contact whenever they were out in the field leading training sessions. She and Logan had always gotten along well. When the powers-that-be took him down after Carl was killed, it would have been easy for him to drag Ruth along with him, but he hadn’t.
“I don’t want to get you into any trouble.”
“Well, you know you’re not exactly on the top ten most popular list around here.”
“It’s been more than two years. I would think everyone would have moved on.”
“You’d think, wouldn’t you? Unfortunately, some people have long memories.” She paused. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. You?”
“Fine.” Another pause. “Are you still in…”
“Cambria? Yeah.”
“Working at the garage?” she asked as if the question itself was ridiculous.
“Yep.”
