They watched Street dial the number on the monitor, wait a moment, and then introduce himself. He asked his interlocutor for a video call.
A few moments later, they saw the tired face of a woman in her fifties.
"Mrs. East, these are my colleagues Chris Alonso, Dominique Luca and my boss, Sergeant Harrelson. As I said, we have a few questions about your son."
"I would really like to help you. However, I don't know how I could. We haven't had any contact for almost nine years. What is this about?"
"Ma'am, this is probably a shock to you. Your son is suspected of having kidnapped a woman. And not for the first time. We're looking for him and were hoping you could give us some pointers."
The woman on the monitor put her hands over her face and shook her head. Then she squared her shoulders. "What do you want to know?"
"According to our information, everything was normal for your son until he was sixteen. What caused the break in his life? "
"At that time, his sister and her friend had an accident. He was very attached to Julia, that was a disaster for him. "
Street stretched. "The photo behind you on the shelf, is that your daughter?"
Mrs. East turned.
"Yes, this is Julia, a few months before her death."
She held the picture of a happy young woman with blond bob hair at the camera.
"It's not that," Chris muttered.
Hondo nodded. "Mrs. East, my colleague is just sending you a photo. We would like to know whether the picture arouses any associations in you. "
"Okay."
He saw Street sending a picture of Christina Brown.
"Please take a close look at it."
"Is that the woman he kidnapped?"
"Currently yes. Does the face mean something to you?"
"Yes and no. I don't know the woman. But she looks like Colleen."
"Colleen?" Hondo asked.
"Julia's girlfriend. She was at the wheel of the car. She died straight at the impact. Julia was strangled from the belt and died in the emergency room."
"Mrs. East, did Orlando know Colleen? "
"Yes, sure."
"After the accident he showed aggression, we read that in his school record. Did he blame her for the events? "
The woman took a deep breath. "I don't remember him ever doing that directly. He was devastated by the loss of Julia. He was aggressive towards classmates, apathetic in class. It went so far that he was expelled in his last year. Six weeks later, after work, I found a note from him on the kitchen table. I've never heard from him since. I can't tell you what has become of him since then. Even if I hope that it is not what you are suggesting here."
"Thanks anyway, Mrs. East. You still helped us. Would you like us to inform you when ... "
Mrs. East cut Street hard. "I think better not. My life has calmed down in the last few years. I have made peace with the death of my daughter and a life without my son."
Hondo nodded. "We understand that. Thank you."
At his gesture, Street cut the connection. Without him having to say more, the file from the accident lit up after a short time. The date caught his eye immediately, only a few days had passed since the anniversary.
Chris cleared his throat. "So he avenges his sister's death. Even if we don't know what triggered this madness after years. And why he abuses women in addition to strangulation. But that doesn't bring us one step closer to his whereabouts. Twenty-seven hours. It makes me wanna puke. Street, has your miracle program reported any new sightings? "
The addressee shook his head. "Negative. Nothing for four days. "
"Show me the last points," Hondo ordered.
A city map with several colored dots lit up on the monitor.
"Gear up, we're going out."
They entered their cars and drove around the last points where the Orlando East's SUV was last scanned.
After four hours of unsuccessful search, they met in front of Luca's house.
"Do you have anything edible in the house?" Asked Tan. "I'm starving."
Luca gave him a questioning look and at his nod he got inside. A moment later he was back with a large plate of sandwiches.
"Help yourself."
"Thank you."
After they finished their meal, they drove back to the headquarters. Halfway to Hicks to report, his cell phone sounded an alarm. In the hallway, he met Deac and the others.
"Gunfight in Canoga Park, officer injured. Mumford is in Lakewood, "his partner hastily summed up. In a few moments they were on their way with the Black Betty.
On scene, they found a call for a noise complaint having went sideways completely. The party people had had plenty of alcohol and other substances and had welcomed the cops with gunshots. Using tasers, smoke grenades and a few flash bangs, they ended both the party and the shooting.
On the balance sheet of the operation in the end there were two officers with grazing shots, various scratches and bruises, but at least no deaths. When they drove back it was already getting dark.