Page 89 of Tangled Trust

This is very odd. Her car is at a shopping mall near the beach. Why would she go there when we have a very good mall just around the corner from us?

Come on, Carter. Don’t get all bent out of shape. You know women. Maybe there’s a baby shop or a salon there.

I decide to take a drive out to the mall and look for her so that I can put my fears to rest. Rather safe than sorry.

I find her car parked in a lot on the farthest side of the main entrance. The mall is busy this time of day, with restaurants and convenience stores crowded with people. I spend at least an hour looking around, popping into just about every store to see if Ella is there. No luck. It’s like she’s fallen off the face of the planet.

Now I’m terrified. This doesn’t feel right. I’m not sure where to go next.

Where are you, Ella?

* * *

I spend the next few hours pacing the house. It’s 11 p.m. when I call the police.

"LAPD, how may we be of assistance?"

"Hello. My name is Carter Moore. I’m worried about my girlfriend. She’s missing."

"Hello, Mr. Moore. When was the last time you saw her?"

"I’ve just returned from a few days away, and she’s not home. She left the house this morning before noon."

"I see. I’m sorry, Mr. Moore, but we can’t do anything until she’s been missing for forty-eight hours."

"But, she’s pregnant. I know she wouldn’t just up and disappear like this. I’m telling you something is wrong."

"I’m sorry. Our hands are tied."

"This is crazy. I’m telling you, something is wrong."

"I’m sorry."

I end the call abruptly. This is ridiculous. Clearly, I’m not going to get anywhere with this police officer. I have no option but to wait this out.

It’s morning, and I haven’t slept a wink, so I grab a quick cup of coffee before I drive back to the mall parking lot. Ella’s car is still here in the same spot as it was last night. No! This time I’m going to drive to the police station instead of calling, and they’d better not give me the runaround.

I march straight to the front desk of the precinct and demand to speak to a detective. I explain to him that this is urgent and that I’m not leaving until they do something about finding Ella.

"She’s been missing since yesterday morning. I found her car abandoned in the mall parking lot. I’m telling you, something has happened to her."

"Please, Mr. Moore, come this way," the detective says, taking me to his office.

I spend the next hour explaining the situation to him in detail. I tell him about Ella’s ex and her reasons for moving to LA. I can kick myself for not getting the ex’s full details from Ella. What if he’s managed to find her? Is she in danger?

The detective makes notes and tells me to return home in case Ella contacts me there. I do so begrudgingly. I feel so useless. I should be out combing the city for her, but where the hell do I start looking?

As a last-ditch effort, I decide to call Amanda. I know it’s a long shot, but perhaps she knows where Ella is.

"Hello, Amanda. I know this is going to sound odd, but have you heard from Ella?"

"Hi, Carter. No, I haven’t. What’s wrong?"

"I got back from a trip yesterday, and she’s nowhere to be found. I’m worried."

"I’m just around the corner. I’ll be there in a few minutes."

"No..it’s okay…" I say, but she’s already hung up.

---