AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“First of all, wewanted to update you on the connections between Clarissa Langley’s marketingfirm and Naomi Hackett’s tech startup. There was definitely regular interactionbetween the two. It appears that they even met once at Hackett’s Pacific Palisadeshome. But we can’t find any evidence that either woman had a professionalconnection to Tabitha Reynolds. That trail just dries up.”
“I feel likeyou’re holding something back,” Jessie said expectantly.
“He is,” Bethchimed in. “While that lead may not have panned out, we did find others thatcould. At various points over the last six months, each woman employed theservices of both the same personal trainer and the same private tutor for theirchildren. We have receipts and online calendar appointments that show that bothof those providers were in all their homes at least once.”
“That’spromising,” Ryan said. “Who are we talking about?”
“The personaltrainer in Landon Powers,” Jamil said. “Thirty-eight. Specializes in in-homesessions for extremely wealthy clients. But he’s also affiliated with a fancyhealth club in Santa Monica. We did some online sleuthing and found that he’sworking from there this morning. If his interactive calendar is to be believed,he’s in the middle of a training session right now and has other ones booked upthrough ten.”
“And the tutor?”Jessie asked.
“Her name isDanielle Robertson, twenty-six,” Beth said. “She’s working toward getting herteaching credential, but for now, she does in-home tutoring. Just like Powers,her clients are mostly uber-wealthy. From her website, it looks like shefocuses on elementary-school-aged kids. Her website calendar isn’t astransparent as the trainer’s. It just shows blocks of time when she’s availableor unavailable. No locations listed of course, considering that she works withchildren.”
“So there’s no wayto know where she is now?” Ryan asked.
“Not based on thecalendar,” Beth conceded. “But considering that most tutoring takes place inthe afternoon or evening when kids are out of school, it’s possible that she’sat home. Her address is in Westchester. Should we send it to you, or would yourather reach out directly?”
“Maybe send it,”Jessie suggested. “I’d rather not call either of these people ahead of time. Idon’t want to give them a heads up. I’m thinking we go visit Landon Powersright now, since we know where he is. Depending on how that goes, we can makean impromptu stop by Danielle Robertson’s place. Thoughts?”
“Sounds good tome,” Ryan agreed. “Personally, I’d rather chat with this trainer at the gymanyway. If he’s our guy, he’s probably less likely to do something foolish ifhe’s around a lot of other people, including a client.”
“Ok then, let’s gopump some iron.” Jessie said. When her crack got total silence in response, shefelt obligated to defend herself. “I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”
She silently hopedthat her sleep deprivation wouldn’t impact them at their next stop. After all,they were about to visit a murder suspect. She needed to be sharp.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Jessie didn’t lovethis situation.
She had hoped tocatch Landon Powers in between training sessions. But with all the traffic,they didn’t make it to the Pier & Harbor Club in Santa Monica’s fancy AquaCommons complex until 8:30. Powers would likely be right in the middle of hissession, and less amenable to chatting. Not that they had to accommodate him,but she preferred that they start off friendly and see where things went fromthere. Their arrival time might make that difficult.
There was noparking allowed on the street outside the Aqua Commons, a sprawling campus thatincluded everything from an artisanal bakery to two plastic surgery practicesto a dog spa. Landon Powers’s health club was on the first floor, but they hadto park underground to access it. As they pulled in, a valet immediatelyapproached them, but Ryan rolled down his window and held out his badge.
“We’re going toself-park today,” he informed the young man. “Where’s your loading zone?”
The valet pointedto an area near the elevators.
“Perfect,” Ryantold him. “I’ll put on my hazards when we park. Please make sure that no onetries to tow us.”
He pulled in andthey headed up, where the elevator opened on a giant atrium with glassceilings. The entrance to the Pier & Harbor Club was just off to the side.Once they stepped inside, Jessie noted that the place was essentially a large“D,” curling around from the entry doors, with a hallway near the front thatallowed access to either side of the facility. They were greeted by areceptionist who offered them some bottled water before asking for their proofof membership. Ryan again displayed his badge.
“We’re looking forLandon Powers,” he said quietly. “Can you point him out to me?”
The young woman'seyes widened, but she nodded and pointed at the far end of the gym, where itbegan to curve around.
“He’s the blondguy in the black sleeveless muscle t-shirt,” she said, “working with Mrs.Fortenbras, the woman in the purple leggings.”
“Thanks,” “Ryansaid before turning to Jessie. “Do you want to come along or hold back, in casehe gets feisty?”
Jessie thoughtabout it.
“Normally I’d liketo be there to get his initial reaction to being confronted by a cop,” sheacknowledged, “but in this case, with so many free weights lying around, maybeI’ll let you make the initial contact, just to protect my noggin if he getsfeisty.”
"I like theway you're thinking, Hunt," Ryan said, smiling.
Jessie was happyto oblige on these small issues. She knew he was still concerned about herbeing in the field mere months after her brain surgery, and if a concessionlike this set him more at ease, she was cool with them.
Ryan started inthe direction of Landon Powers and Mrs. Fortenbras. As he approached, Jessietook particular notice of the nature of the training session. Powers wasstanding behind the woman, who looked to be in her mid-forties, helping tobrace her as she did bicep curls using an EZ bar.
