Page 148 of Hard Rain

THE HUNT

Two days later…

Six fucking locations.

Axel drummed his fingers against the passenger door as the tactical SUV rolled north on Highway 97.

“Six,” he muttered. “Who the hell needs six contingency sites?”

Whip kept his eyes on the rain-slick highway. “A billionaire running a trafficking network.”

“One would’ve been plenty.”

“Not if you expect some of them to get burned.”

Axel grunted.

“Charleston wasn’t hiding,” Whip continued. “He was building options. Cutter said Washington, Oregon, and California all had places waiting. If one fell, he moved to the next before anyone knew he’d left.”

Axel shook his head.

“Still an asshole.”

“No argument there.”

Two days earlier, they’d been sitting in a Seattle interrogation room, listening as Clay Cutter finally decided staying alive mattered more than staying loyal.

Everything after that had happened fast.

Boone took over from there.

Davis stayed in Seattle to coordinate the Washington warrants while California’s Marshals moved on the single address inside their district. Boone brought his own team home.

Axel shifted in his seat. “Soon as this is over, we’re going bed shopping.”

Whip glanced over. “Thinking about moving back into the spare room?”

“Hell no.” Axel barked a laugh. “That’s where my bag goes.”

“No trash bags.”

Axel groaned. “I’m never living that down, am I?”

“Not a chance.”

Boone’s voice crackled over the radio. “Washington’s clear. California’s clear. Nothing at any of the locations.”

Axel looked out through the rain. “Charleston planned ahead.”

“Yeah,” Whip said from behind the wheel. “He just didn’t plan on Cutter talking.”

Axel grunted. “Which means if he’s anywhere. He’s probably in Oregon.”

A beat passed.

“What’s wrong with my bed?” Whip asked.

Axel shrugged. “Nothing. I just figured a California king might fit us better.”