Page 61 of Not that Impressed
The woman pinches her lips together. Ellie’s still smilingwhen she speaks again, but it’s a smile I recognize—a polite smile but with a glint in her eyes that shows she’s ready to fight. I catch the word policía. The woman’s lips tighten even more, but she turns to her co-worker and taps her on the shoulder. They speak in rapid Spanish to each other, Ellie still intent on them. The second woman shakes her head.
“I was working last night,” she tells Ellie in accented English. “I didn’t check them in.”
Ellie’s shoulders fall. “Bien. Gracias.”
We don’t leave the hotel. Instead we walk around the lobby and show Libby’s picture to any employees we see, and we stop at the bar to ask the employees there, since it seems a likely place Hollis and Libby would’ve come into if they were staying at this hotel, especially with the heavy rains today.
“Let’s go.” She sighs. “We can try the next place.”
I take her hand as we walk out. She had her hopes up about the Winscott. As we exit through the front doors, and head down the drive to where our car is waiting, my phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s a text to the group chat.
Law
Caleb wants to know if Hollis might answer the phone for any of you. He thinks he has a way in.
I stop, pulling Ellie back with me.
“What?” she asks. I show her the text.
A guy from the offense that I don’t know well answers.
Younge
I’ve seen him a few times since he was cut. He might answer for me.
I decide not to judge Bodie Younge for keeping in contact with Hollis considering it might mean we can locate him.
Law
Call him now.
Younge sends a thumbs up, and Ellie and I both hold our breath, watching the text group. A few minutes later my phone rings with an unfamiliar number. I answer immediately and put it on speaker.
“Hi, Will? This is Caleb Gallagher, Carlie’s brother?” His voice raises on a question, asking me if I know who he is.
“Caleb!” Ellie almost shouts the name with relief. “Did you find them?”
“I’ve got him,” Caleb says. I smirk at the triumph in his voice. “He didn’t talk to Younge very long, but it still got me enough time to track his location.”
“Where?” I ask. Ellie is practically bouncing beside me.
“A hotel on the Playa San Miguelito, the Winscott. Can you get there?”
Ellie gasps. “We’re here.” She whips her gaze up and scans the surrounding area, as though Hollis and Libby will appear any moment. “Caleb, the front desk already told us they didn’t recognize them. Is there any way you can tell us what floor they’re on or a room number?”
“Give me a second.”
Fingers tap on the keyboard. Caleb issues a fewhmms, but almost a minute goes by without him speaking. Ellie chews on her lip, which is distracting. Luckily, I’m practiced at keeping my head in the game with distractions all around me.
“I can only get within about ten feet in an area in the hotel, but I couldn’t tell you if they’re on the first floor or the tenth.”
“Okay.” Ellie’s forcing lightness into her voice.
“They’re not checked in under either of their names.” Caleb sounds frustrated.
“This is better than anything we’ve had so far. You’re a miracle worker, Caleb.” Ellie sounds much more genuine withthis statement. And there’s a bit of relief in her tone. I look over at her, and she smiles tentatively. We can make a plan with this.
“Just don’t sing my praises too loud,” Caleb chuckles. “Um, don’t sing them to anyone, actually, if you don’t mind.”
