Chapter 6
Tyler continued following Jackson's car.
"It's been over an hour," Conner said. "We're not even in Santa Barbara County anymore."
"Where is he going?" Alexis asked.
"Welcome to California City," Conner read aloud.
"Does every state have a city with the name of the state and the word, city, after it?" Alexis asked.
"I know Alaska doesn't," Tyler said.
Jackson finally parked in front of a restaurant and got out of his car. A young woman with blonde hair greeted him, and they embraced and kissed.
"Are you kidding me?" Alexis asked. "We followed him and the whole time he was just meeting a secret girlfriend?"
"Well," Tyler said. "At least this part can be used for the comic relief in my book."
"I have an idea," Conner said.
As Alexis, Tyler, and Conner sat in the Taco Bell parking lot eating tacos, Conner looked at his friends.
"So Carl had another brother," Conner said. "What was their relationship like?"
"He didn't really talk about his other brother," Tyler said. "But he lives in Santa Monica."
After finishing their tacos, Alexis, Tyler, and Conner drove to the Santa Barbara Police Station. As they entered, Detective Tracey walked over to them.
"Ryan!" Tracey shouted. "Why didn't you answer the phone?"
"Sorry, Ma'am," Conner said. "We were on a stakeout."
"No!" Tracey shouted. "If you want to conduct a stakeout, you run it by me first!"
"Sorry, Detective," Alexis said.
"You two are fine," Tracey said. "But if Ryan wants to be a part of a stakeout, he has to run it by me."
"We got you a taco," Conner said, handing a bag to Tracey.
"There better be churros," Tracey said.
"You know it," Conner said.
"This stakeout better be worth it," Tracey said.
"We discovered Jackson has a girlfriend in California City," Alexis said.
"Ryan," Tracey said. "I need to speak with you in my office. Now! You two find me more leads."
Later that night, Alexis sat at her desk doing some research. Here concentration broke when her phone rang.
"Hello?" Alexis asked when she answered the phone.
"Hey, Alexis," a familiar voice said. "It's Kevin Ryan."
"Hey, Ryan," Alexis said.
"I wanted to call you because I heard you met my cousin, Conner," Ryan said.
"Yes," Alexis said. "I'm working with him on a case."
"I'm sorry if he's a little…" Ryan started to say.
"Like you?" Alexis asked.
"Hey," Ryan said.
Alexis laughed.
"Anyway, I wanted to wish you luck on your case," Ryan said. "Bye."
"Bye," Alexis said.
Alexis hung up and Tyler ran into the office.
"Alexis!" Tyler shouted.
"Tyler!" Alexis shouted.
"I know where I've seen Jackson's secret girlfriend before!" Tyler exclaimed.
"Where?" Alexis asked.
"Two years ago, I was at a book signing," Tyler said. "When I went to the restroom, I saw Carl sticking his tongue down her throat."
"So they were having an affair," Alexis said. "Jackson must've killed Carl because of the affair. "Let's tell Detective Tracey."