Page 13 of Silent Echo
CHAPTER TWELVE
C harlotte had just dropped Harper off at school when she got the call. “Hello?”
“Agent Preston here. I have some information.”
Her heart began to beat faster. “Yes.”
“I was able to get a warrant for Ms. Watson’s cell phone. The day the bus accident occurred, she called an Uber after she called you and your husband.”
“I knew it! Where did she go?”
“We don’t have that information yet. We’re working on obtaining that information from the company and getting the driver’s name. Her phone was active for two days after the accident.”
“So, she’s alive!”
“Well, we can’t know for certain yet. She might have lost her phone, and someone else picked it up and used it, although it’s unlikely since it would have been password-protected.
But if we find the Uber went to her address, or if the Uber driver can confirm that she was with your son, we’re in business. ”
“Even without either of those, you have enough to dig further, right?”
“Definitely. I’m working on getting a warrant to look into Ms. Watson’s financials. We can see if there’s activity in her bank accounts. And I’ll go to Florida to speak with the bookstore owner and the woman who hosted that party.”
“Great. I’ll book my ticket and meet you there.”
“Hold on. I need you to stay home. I’ll keep you updated every step of the way, but I can’t have you there.”
“But—”
“Charlotte. I get that this must be killing you. But the last thing we need is for you to jeopardize the investigation. I will do everything in my power to return your son to you. You have to trust me. Please.”
“Okay, when are you leaving?”
“I’m flying out this afternoon.”
She ended the call and drove home. She called Eli on the way and breathed a sigh of relief that it didn’t go to voicemail.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
She was momentarily remorseful, realizing she never took the time to call and check in with him during the day anymore.
“Yeah. I have to go meet with the clients in person. I’m flying to North Carolina today,” she lied.
“Can you pick up Harper? I’m sorry to drop this on you last minute, but they liked my proposal so much that they decided to increase the budget.
They want to meet in person first.” The truth was, she had called Patricia and told her she couldn’t take on the work right now, but Eli didn’t know that.
“Shoot. I’ve got a client meeting too. I can ask Madison if that’s okay with you.”
She couldn’t worry about Madison right now. “Yes, that’s fine. Tell her I said thank you.”
“When will you be back?” he asked.
“Not sure. In a day or two. I’ll call you from there.”
“All right. Safe travels. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
She pulled into the driveway, ran into the house, and went straight to her laptop.
Then she booked a flight to Orlando.