Page 157 of Peaks and Promises

“Not for sure.”

“Okay, but where are the search parties looking? Do you know?”

She hesitated. “I don’t think I should tell you.”

“Why not?” I snapped.

“Because if you call the cops, they’ll interfere.”

I lowered my voice. “I won’t call the cops. Please, just tell me. Where do they think he went?”

No reply.

“Mom, please. Help me get my son. He’s just a kid. He’s your grandson.”

She stayed silent. I was about to scream into the phone when she spoke, her voice almost a whisper.

“Tilikum, obviously. Also, Mesquite. It’s outside Vegas. His old cellmate lives there and they kept in touch.”

“Where else?”

“Reno, in case he’s stupid enough to go there.”

“I doubt it, but I guess you never know. Is that it?”

“No. Somewhere up in Montana.”

“Where?”

“Big Timber. He has an uncle or something who lives out there.”

“Is that all?”

“As far as I know. But don’t let the cops interfere, baby girl. That won’t end well.”

“I know. I won’t. Thank you.”

She ended the call without saying goodbye.

Reese raised his eyebrows.

I pocketed my phone. “Axel went rogue. Defied the club. He took Nate against orders, so now they’re looking for him. They sent search parties to a few places. Reno, Mesquite, and Big Timber. He wouldn’t go to Reno. He’s not that stupid.”

“What’s in Mesquite?”

“She said an old cellmate.”

He shook his head. “No way. That’s only eighty miles outside Vegas. Too close to Mayhem. He wouldn’t go there.”

“She also said Big Timber. The club knows about his uncle.”

His jaw tightened as he looked away for a moment. When he met my eyes, it was clear he’d come to a decision. “We’ll go to Montana. It’s our best option.” He tapped on his phone again. “I’m calling Gunnar. He can do some research on his end. Did you say you know Axel’s birth name?”

“Aaron Gunderson.”

“Any idea if the uncle is on his dad’s side or his mom’s?”

I shook my head.