7. ANOTHER LEAD.
"Alexx?" Speedle called out from Metzger's office.
"Hmm?" Alexx had been turning everything in the Professor's living room upside down, but hadn't found anything yet. "You got something?"
"Look at this..." Speed was holding a bank transfer booklet.
Alexx stood next to him, looking at what Speed was showing her.
"Money transfers... to different kinds of stores, the rent, the mortgage... But," Speed pointed at one specific entry. "Look at this."
"Patrick's Outdoors Shop?" Alexx read out loud, frowning. "What about that?"
"Well," Speed explained. "I've found several transfers to this store during the past year."
"So our Professor shopped there. Is that uncommon?"
"No. But do you know where this store is located?" Speed pointed at the booklet in his hand. "Chekika."
"The Glades?" Alexx asked. "Isn't that area closed due to high water?"
Speed nodded, looking intently at the name of the store. "What do you think?"
She doubted. "It's a wild guess, Speed."
"I know. But at this moment we've got absolutely nothing. And this sounds just like him, Alexx. Think about it. An area without tourists... It's the perfect area for his mock lynches. I think we should check it out."
Alexx looked at him, thinking. He was right, it was the only thing they had, and by the looks of it they wouldn't find anything else.
"It's a big area," she objected slightly.
"We'll go to that store first and ask some questions. Who knows, huh?"
"Let's go, then, honey," Alexx agreed, and left the house with Speed close behind her.
XXX-XXX-XXX
It was a quarter to eleven when Alexx's phone rang. "Yeah?" she answered it.
"Alexx," Calleigh said. "I'm going crazy here. I've been looking at those students' background over and over again, but I have NO idea."
"How about Tripp, has he found anybody yet?" Alexx asked.
"No. It's like they have disappeared from the area. They are hiding somewhere, I swear. We're losing him, Alexx..." She sounded desperate. "What have you found?"
"Nothing much, actually," Alexx sighed. "We're following a long shot, though. Speed found money transfers from Metzger to an outdoor shop in the glades. Near Chekika area. You know, the camping site they closed down due to the high water?"
"Hmm," Cal said. "Chekika... Chekika... Let me get back to you."
"What, you know something?" Alexx demanded anxiously.
"Let me check something. I'll call right back," Calleigh said, then broke off.
"What was that?" Speed was driving but had been following the conversation.
"Cal has to check something out. She's gone over the students background but came up empty so far. Tripp has been unable to locate anybody of that class."
"Of course," muttered Speed. His hands turned a shade of white, with the way he was gripping the wheel. "What if we don't find him, Alexx?"
Alexx patted his arm. "We'll find him, Speed. We will find him. I just hope he's still alive."
They both fell silent, each lost in their own concerns. Then, the phone rang again. Alexx looked at the display and answered it. "What have you got, Cal?"
Calleigh's voice was filled with excitement. "Where are you now, are you getting close?"
"Uhm, yeah. We're on Krome Avenue. I think it's only a few miles until Richmond Drive," Alexx said.
"Look, remember Ned Sante, one of those students? His parents have a cabin. And you can guess where?"
"Chekika?"
"Exactly! This can't be just a coincidence. I've already called Frank Tripp. He's arranging an S&R by the rangers as we speak. I think he's also calling in some choppers. You're getting there first, though. "
"Do you know the location of that cabin?" asked Alexx.
"Yes. It's a few miles up north from the visitor's centre. Eric and I are coming as well. Our ETA is approx. half an hour. This has got to be it, Alexx."
Alexx nodded. "Let's hope so, Cal. We'll be in touch."
"Just find him, Alexx. Please."
