Page 102 of Peaks and Promises

He shrugged. “Can’t complain, I guess. My wife spends all my money, but what are you gonna do?”

“You have kids, right?”

“Two of them. Teenagers. That’s been interesting.”

I chuckled. “I bet. Mine isn’t quite there yet. He’s ten.”

“How’s he doing?”

“I wish I knew. I’ve been trying to see him, but his mother keeps making it difficult.”

“She won’t let you see him?”

Glancing away, I shook my head. I didn’t want to look too sad—couldn’t oversell it. “No. She won’t even give me a chance.”

“That’s rough, man.”

“I get it. I did time. That freaks her out.”

He took a drink. “Yeah, you almost can’t blame her.”

“Almost.”

We lapsed into silence for a long moment, and I let Jesse stew on what I’d said. I had to play this right, or he might refuse to help. Even though we had history.

I’d known him for years. We’d grown up in the same neighborhood. We weren’t friends, exactly, but he’d helped me out of a jam a few times. And he did favors for Mayhem—always for a price.

Finally, I rested my forearm on the table and leaned closer.

“Can I be honest about something?”

“Sure.”

“She left town with my son, and I don’t know where they went. I’ve been trying to find them, but haven’t had any luck.”

His eyes narrowed. “Is that why we’re here? You think I can do something?”

“I know it’s a big ask. But I gotta try. He’s my son.”

“Who else knows you’re here?”

“No one.”

With his eyes still on mine, he took another drink. “You sure about that?”

“Absolutely. This is between you and me.” I reached into my vest and pulled out the envelope filled with cash so he could see it.

A flash of heat—almost looked like lust—crossed his face. Jesse had always loved money.

“You have no idea where she is?” he asked.

“No. She took off with some guy. I should have gotten his plates, but I didn’t. Guess I wasn’t thinking like a cop.”

“Shouldn’t matter. I can find her.”

“Is anyone going to ask why you’re looking into her?”

He rolled his eyes. “What am I, an amateur? I know how to do this shit without leaving a trail.”