Page 42 of Bring Them Home

To Traci, Amanda said, “Tell us where, and we’ll be right there.”

TWENTY

Amanda got out of the car the moment it stopped in the lot for a gym named Iron Dominion Fitness. Officer Cochran was standing in uniform next to a blue Kia Rio. Officer Wyatt was beside it dressed in shorts and a T-shirt.

“A little underdressed, Officer?” Trent said to Wyatt.

“Funny man. This is my gym.” He nudged his head toward the building. “I came for a workout, spotted the Kia, remembered the BOLO, and called it in.”

“I spoke with the gym’s manager,” Traci stepped in, giving her colleague a side-glance. “Members need to swipe a keycard. It showed Paul Archer clocking in this past Saturday at two fifteen and out at three twenty.”

“He checked out not long after Valerie’s and Brooke’s abductions,” Trent said.

“It would seem their abductors came here for him afterward,” Amanda began. “No one noticed the car was just sitting here all this time?”

Traci shook her head. “They don’t track that because parking’s never been a problem for their clients. The gym’s also open twenty-four hours, with people coming and going, so it’s not standing out. The only reason we’re here now is because of Officer Wyatt.”

“Right, and going back to that, it’s Wednesday, and you’re just making it here for the first time this week?” Trent teased Wyatt.

“Who says it’s my first time? But the rest of us don’t have cushy hours like you detectives.” Wyatt smiled and waved. “I’m heading out. Ciao.” He pushed a button on a key fob, and a Volvo came to life.

“What? You’re leaving? You just got here?” Trent pushed.

“I’m not in the mood to lift weights now. Heading home. Night.”

“Any excuse,” Trent said at a lower volume and shook his head, a subtle smile resting on his lips.

“All right, then.” Amanda wasn’t sure what was up with her partner, but she understood the need to let off some steam. Running behind the clock was wearing on her too. “What about video surveillance? The gym have any?”

“They don’t, but I thought we might get lucky with footage from doorbell cameras.” Traci pointed at the line of houses across from the lot.

Amanda nodded. “It’s worth a shot.”

“I’ll go knock on some doors.”

“Thanks, Traci,” Amanda told her.

“Don’t mention it. Anything else, or should I get a move on?” Traci jacked a thumb over her shoulder.

“All good.” Amanda watched Traci walk away before turning to Trent. “I say we chat with the people in the gym.”

“Lead the way.”

Inside, Amanda and Trent were greeted by a twenty-something with blond hair and tattoos laced up her arms. Her biceps were larger than Amanda’s calves.

“Welcome to Iron Dominion Fitness.” She smiled, and the expression read as genuine. “Looking to sign up? I don’t remember seeing you here before.” Her eyes trailed over Trent.

Amanda cleared her throat and pulled back her light jacket to disclose the badge clipped to her waist. “Detectives Steele and Stenson. You are?”

“Kimberly.”

“You might be aware of the situation in the parking lot,” Amanda began.

“About Paul’s car being left here? Yeah, I heard.”

Several people were working out, and from all appearances, business was doing well. Enough that it could have afforded surveillance. The management must not have seen the need. Among those sweating were staff wearing the gym’s branded T-shirts. One of these people, a man in his thirties, good-looking, lean, and about six-foot-three, headed toward them.

“I’m Cody Black, the manager,” he told them.