"The plate search brought results, but not what we suspected. Both cars have been moved in the past few weeks, but there was only one capture in South LA."
"Really? But where is he then? "
"In addition to San Pedro, where he presumably spied on Christina Brown, he always drove the same vehicle to East Hollywood. Street and Chris are working on something they want to show you."
"We'll be there immediately," explained Deac, whose coffee level now seemed to have reached 'usable'.
They folded up their camp beds, then followed Cortez into the operations center. It was pretty quiet here, only a few seats were occupied. He spotted Jim Street in front of a screen at the back of the room. The officer had dark circles under his eyes, but was busy with the computer. Chris came through the back door with a juice bottle. "Fresh coffee is running right now, there was only tar in the pot."
"When Street has explained to us what you've got, he'll get some sleep first. He can drink coffee again later. "
"I'll show you," Street said, yawning behind his hand.
He slid a file and a map of LA on the big screen next to him. Street tapped and yellow markers lit up in San Pedro and South LA, each with a date stamp. "This is six to one day before the kidnapping, in a black Chevy. He was there twice. Do you notice something?"
Hondo took a closer look. "I know the area. There are several houses declared uninhabitable after the earthquake. I suppose he wants to put Christina there when he's finished with her."
"Probably. The other places are all within a few blocks. "He lit more markers.
"Okay. What else?"
"He's been hanging around East Hollywood for a long time with a silver SUV. We can go back three months, he keeps popping up."
Street emptied the card and added a new set of markers. They saw a cobweb of red dots and lines. "We have a program running to try to narrow down the area. The car was last tracked days ago, that gives us a headache."
Hondo studied the markings.
"Luca?"
"Boss?"
"Street urgently needs to sleep. Take Chris with you, dress in civvies and drive to your home. Take a walk in the neighborhood and do some talk."
"That's okay. Chris ", Luca called for his colleague and left.
Cortez crossed his arms. "What are you up to?"
"Use the eyes of the neighborhood. East has had Christina for nearly twenty-four hours. If he sticks to his pattern, she'll be dead at eight tomorrow morning, he'll put her down somewhere and be up and away again. I use every opportunity to find her alive. "
"Tell me if you need anything."
"Thank you."
Jess raised her head and looked behind him. He turned to see an uniformed officer. Next to him was a man in a beige Navy uniform. Hondo nodded in the direction of the officer and walked towards the soldier. "Can I help you? You're out early."
"Lieutenant Evan Cooper, US Navy. Are you Daniel Harrelson?"
"Yes."
"I was sent here as your liaison. This morning I was ordered here from Coronado. My superiors want to know what you have about the abduction of Christina Brown and whether there is any evidence of a connection with her husband's mission."
Hondo struggled to suppress his resentment. "There's no connection," he replied coldly. "We know who the perpetrator is and are currently looking for him at full speed. Sean Brown's job has nothing to do with it. However, it would be good if we could contact him soon."
"As soon as it's possible. His team is currently on a mission and it will not be possible to contact him before the weekend. But as soon as the mission is completed."
"Mhm. If you have any helpful information, you are welcome, otherwise we would continue here."
"'course."
Cortez, who had followed the scene in silence, beckoned an officer to take Cooper out.
"Douchebag," Hondo muttered. "He could at least have offered his help out of courtesy."
Jess studied him for a moment.
"He's just doing his job. Not as good as you're doing yours, though. Mumford's team primarily takes care of any calls, you are on standby."
"Thank you. Street, go to sleep. Camp beds are behind the workshop. We'll pick you up when there's news."
"Okay, boss." Street typed again briefly, then left the room.
"Have you eaten yet?" Jess asked.
"No. But I still have a sandwich in the fridge. I'm okay."
She raised her eyebrows, but said no more, then left too. Hondo scarfed a protein bar, then went to work out.
Around ten he saw Luca and Chris come back. Tan and Deac had been recruited by Mumford and were on their way to a bank robbery. Hondo put the dumbbells down and picked up his towel.
Luca leaned against the wall next to him. "Marcos wasn't out yet, not his time of day. But I asked a few other people to keep their eyes open. I'll talk to him later. Anything new at your end?"
"Not really. Visit by the Navy, but they just wanted to know if their mission was in danger."
"Great," growled Chris.
He saw Rubina come out of the operations center and giving him signs. He hurried to her with a quick step.
"Do you have something?"
"Street had followed other leads to East. Among other things to Medford, Oregon. That is where the man was born and raised. Information just came from there."
"We're almost there. Chris, Street should have set up camp in the hallway behind the workshop."
"On my way."
Minutes later the four of them were standing in front of the monitor.
Street was disheveled and still yawning, but looked fitter than four hours earlier. He scanned the screen. "East's mother still lives in Medford. Here are their contact details. We should ... "He broke off and threw a short, uncertain look at Hondo.
"Keep talking, I totally agree with you."
"... call Mrs. East," finished Jim. "Maybe she can tell us something that will help us with the motive or the search for her son."
Anybody out there? I would love to read your reviews on this story. I know, it's not a 'classic' Chris-Street-romance, but it might be a welcome change. So let's go! :)