“That’s what we’re trying to find out,” Alicia said. “Thanks for your help.”
Julia shook her head as the realization set in that something was terribly wrong.
Alicia wrapped her hand around Julia’s arm and led her down the hall to a waiting room. “Okay, this doesn’t look good. But maybe he took off. It’s still possible that he needed a break.”
“No,” Julia said, a torrent of worry rushing through her. “It’s not like him, Ally. Not at all. I wonder if…maybe there’s surveillance that shows him leaving or…”
Heat washed over her, and she snapped her gaze up to her sister, a smile forming. “Wait. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before.”
She tugged her phone from her pocket and scrolled through her contacts before she pressed the call icon.
“Who are you calling?”
Julia grinned at her sister. “Alex Stone. I’m going to ask him to track Kyle’s phone.”
The man’s voice filled her ear. “Hey, Sunshine, how’s it hanging?”
“Hey, Alex. I’m really sorry to call again, but I was wondering if I could tap your tech skills again for what I hope is a really simple task.”
“Tap away, kid. What can my legendary skills do for you?”
“I need to know the location of someone’s phone. Can you do that?”
“Kid, does your life have more drama than a soap opera?”
“Thanks, Alex. What do you need?” Julia gave her sister a thumbs up as hope shone on the horizon.
“What’s his number?”
Julia passed it along, her fingers tightening on the phone as she waited.
“Do you know what we’re working with here? Android, iPhone?”
“Uhh, Android, but I don’t know the kind?”
“Carrier?” The sound of keys clacking filled the airwaves between them.
“I’m not sure. I’m so sorry.”
“No worries, kid. The ace of cyberspace does not need all the deets, just the number will do. It’ll just take a second longer.”
Alicia perched on the chair next to her, leaning her head closer to the phone as they waited.
Julia chewed her lower lip, waiting for some word. She prayed he’d be able to find it and give them some clue as to Kyle’s location.
“Ooookay, just narrowing this down for you. And I’ve got it.”
“You do?” Her heart lifted as she shot a glance at Alicia. “Where is it?”
“Uh, just a second…and there. Sent a map to your phone. You should see his phone blinking in red. Just follow the trail ofbreadcrumbs. Say, what’s the skinny on the need to locate the little Grantling on the double?”
“We haven’t been able to get a hold of him. Just…making sure he’s okay,” Julia said as she pulled the phone away from her ear to find a map with a blinking red light. “This is perfect. Alex, thank you so much,again.”
“No prob, Sunshine. Call any time. Good luck with Grant’s sequel.”
She said her goodbyes and ended the call before she studied the map. Her heart dropped as she stared at it. “Wait…”
“That’s the hospital,” Alicia said. “His phone is showing up here.”