Page 20 of Next Level
This explains why I didn’t see anything. It’s not like I ransacked the place.
“Is Jared his roommate?!” I practically yell through the phone.
“No, the police said that Garrett Jones lives there with Bo. They found Bo, and he still says he doesn’t know anything about Sam, but that Garrett has been using his Tahoe. He’s cooperating with the police.” Brooke’s voice cracks again.
Fuck!
There’s no sense in going to Vacaville now. At least the police are taking this shit seriously now.
My phone flashes again. This time, a private number appears on the screen.
“Brooke, I need to get this call,” I say softly, not wanting to upset her any more than she already is.
In a low voice, she replies, “Okay. Call me back.”
I end the call and switch it over. “Hello?”
Silence.
“Samantha? Hello?” My heart starts racing.
I hear the sound of a voice clearing. “Um. Hello?”
It’s a woman’s voice.
Reining in my anxiety, I ask calmly, “Hello. Can I help you?”
“Um. I just saw the news coverage and have information for you.” Her voice sounds unsure, as if she shouldn’t be doing this.
“Thank you so much. Anything to help bring my girl home,” I plead.
“The Pontiac belongs to my boyfriend, Garrett Jones.”
What the fuck? Holy shit!I’m shocked.
“Your boyfriend?” I ask, making sure I heard her correctly.
“Yes, we’re kind of on a break right now, but I know him,” she says with more confidence.
“Can you get a hold of him? Does he have my daughter?” My voice is more urgent now.
“He left five months ago, looking for his real brother. I haven’t been in touch with him since we got into our fight, and he left. He isn’t answering me now either.”
“What’s your name?” I ask.
“Judith. Judith Williams.” She sounds sweet.
I try to sound normal when all I want to do is scream at her to tell me everything. “Hi, Judith, where do you live?”
“I…I um—” she stutters.
I interrupt her. “It’s okay. I mean, what city do you live in? Do you live in Vacaville, where Garrett is currently living?
“Oh, um, no. I live in Medford, OR, up north. He moved to Vacaville when we broke up. He also has a place in Arizona and Washington.”
Christ. This is the ultimate tip.
“How did you see the footage again?” I asked, wondering how she saw the news from Oregon.
