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“Don’t even know Chey’s still in Spearfish. Higgins could have transported her anywhere,” Celt growled. Celt stood near his son, who was as white as a ghost, offering quiet support but not getting into Jesse’s space.
“I’ve called in allies; they’re searching remote areas. Magic is watching his road but says nothing has been passed,” Chance replied. He quietly studied Celt. The man was keeping it together for now, but unless they found Chey soon, Celt would explode. Tati, Thalia and Clio had descended on the house, Clio shoving her daughter into Celt’s arms to keep him from exploding. It was a good plan of action, and Chance acknowledged Celt would keep his temper reined while holding Louisa Mae.
“The police say they’ve got nothing. They’ve put a state-wide alert out, and, of course, Chey’s kidnapping is playing on every channel. Spearfish PD is being rammed by tips which they’re chasing, but it’s false leads,” Lio said, approaching. The chief had nominated Lio to stay with the band and Hellfire, recognising the MC and his detective’s bond.
“I don’t believe Higgins will travel far. The scumbag is either around Spearfish or in Spearfish,” Chance replied.
“No, can’t kick in every door either. Too many hiding places. Need to whittle this down,” Lio agreed.
“Nothing showing in Higgin’s past?” Johnno asked.
“Nope, he doesn’t own property. We’ve tracked family, and they’re dead. Higgins has an aunt in Montana, and we’ve spoken to her. Aunt didn’t rate her nephew and washed her hands of Higgins years ago,” Lio summarised.
“But what if she hasn’t?” Bridge offered.
“The woman called the police on him and prosecuted Higgins for theft. She’s not hiding the asshole. She’s even told us to hang Higgins if we catch him,” Lio replied.
“We must imagine ourselves in his shoes; where would Higgins flee with a paralysed captive?” Kye suggested, entering the conversation. Nana hovered around him, Kye looked as sick as a dog.
“Fuck, man, sit down!” Chance said, lending Kye a shoulder and helping him into a chair.
“You coping?” Celt asked, searching Kye’s face.
“The fuck, I’m managing. A fanatical asshole has my girl. Ain’t going to rest until Chey’s here safe and sound,” Kye retorted.
“You think Mom’s coming home? I don’t. He’s had Mom six hours now. Who even knows if she’s alive?” Jesse mumbled. All eyes were drawn to the boy, and Celt saw Jesse was saying goodbye to Cheyenne.
“Chey’s going to fight,” Kye said firmly.
“Yeah, but she’s crippled. Mom can’t protect herself with her legs fucked up,” Jesse retorted.
“Cheyenne will fight with everything she has,” Jed said, trying to offer hope to Jesse. Jesse snorted.
“You’re all so clever, ain’t ya? None of you has worked it out. Mom told me to run because if Higgins had me, she’d do everything to defend me. What do you think will happen when Higgins realises he’s no power over Mom? He’ll come for me. And when Mom figures out Higgins’s plan, what’s Mom gonna do?” Jesse’s words hammered into them, and slowly they paled. Chey would push Higgins’ buttons until he killed her. Anything to protect her child.
“Shit, we need to find something,” Celt cried, frantic as he turned to Lio.
“Don’t forget what that FBI woman reported, too. Willow said Higgins’ needs vindication for his actions. Higgins’ wants Mom to justify what he’s done. The accident, murders, and everything can rest because Mom will agree he was right to take that course. And Mom won’t give Higgins that. She’ll never admit he was correct because Higgins wasn’t!” Jesse continued.
“How did you hear what Willow said?” Jed asked and then shook his head.
“Never mind. But Willow explained Higgins would unravel, one strand at a time, as Mom digs her heels in. The report stated he was a sociopath with narcissistic tendencies. For now, he’s blaming Mom, but what happens when Mom forces Higgins to realise what he has done, and Mom will. Mom won’t back down against him.”
“Find me something,” Lio growled down the phone at his partner. Gold mumbled an agreement as Lio stared at the fifteen-year-old boy, living the worse nightmare possible.
???
“Chey’s been gone thirteen hours. We have nothing. Roadblocks haven’t stopped Higgins, so I’m guessing he’s still in Spearfish somewhere. The tip line is so hot it crashed, but ten more floods in as quickly as we follow them up, and they’re all false. We’ve drafted officers from local towns, and even with the extra manpower, we’re no closer,” Lio replied, rubbing his forehead tiredly. How does a paralysed woman disappear without a single fucking trace?
“The clubs are finding nothing too,” Chance added. It was well into the night now. People napped around in chairs; Chance, Lio, Ken, Celt and Saint sat at a table away from everyone.
“Magic has tapped every resource available and come up empty,” Celt murmured. His eyes drifted to Jesse, asleep on Nana’s lap. Nana stared off into nothing, and Celt could see the pain written across her face.
Nana had buried her daughter- and son-in-law. Would she be burying her granddaughter? Jed had tried to keep their spirits up, but he was as miserable as them, and it showed. Celt couldn’t form words to soothe them now. Thirteen hours Chey had been in a madman’s hands. What was her condition? Was Chey alive? Every minute that ticked by meant Chey could be dead.
“FBI has given us Willow and her partner, but even tapping their resources, we’ve still discovered shit on Higgins. Harrisburg police raided his place and just found it crammed full of pictures of Chey, all defaced. Other than that rented apartment, there’s nothing else to search for. The aunt let the locals check her home and outbuildings, and again there’s not even a hint he existed there. She really has cut Higgins off,” Lio said.
They glanced up as Willow strolled in, looking as tired as they all did. Celt still found it amazing that Axel’s daughter was a fed. Grey, her partner, stood by Willow’s side as they dumped a folder onto the table.
