Chapter 9: Nick Bracco
Nick
nodded. “Emily Stone is searching for a
couple of California girls. I think
she’s out in the Midwest somewhere.”
“So how
does he know where they are?”
“The
better question is—What does he want for the information?”
“Good
point.”
They
were standing next to the scrubbed bus and trying to figure out their next move
when Nick’s phone buzzed. He looked at
the display and put the phone to his ear.
“What’s up Walt?”
“I have
someone on the line who wants to speak with you.”
“Let me
guess. Karl Saxon?”
“You
should be an investigator. I’ll patch
him through.”
The
next voice Nick heard was rich with sarcasm.
“You ever wonder why I’m taking you on a wild goose chase?’
“The
thought occurred to me.”
“Because
I’m offering you the deal of a lifetime.
The chance to save a couple of lives.”
“And
what would you like in return?”
“Release
Jackson Eckles from prison. He’s at the
state prison in Florence, Arizona.”
“Who
the heck is Jackson Eckles?”
“Exacty. He’s a nobody who happens to be a good
friend. An easy exchange. Should take you all of ten seconds to
approve.”
“I need
find out his details first.”
“Do
it. I’ll call back in then minutes.”
The
cell call terminated. “He wants a
prisoner released in exchange for the location of the missing teenagers,” Nick
told his partner.
Matt
was checking something on his phone. “Emily
Stone is in Mason City, Iowa.”
Nick
returned the cell to his ear and said, “I’ll get with Emily. You check the status of a prisoner named Jackson Eckles, in Florence, Arizona.”
“Jackson
Eckles?”
“You
know him?”
“No,”
Matt said. “But I will.”
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