“That’s everything we’ve got, financials, jobs, people in his life. Amounts to nothing, and we’ve been finger combing it for five hours now. My office is tracking any piece of information that might give us a lead, but we’re as stumped as you, Lio,” Willow said as she sank into a chair.
“Maybe you’re missing the obvious,” Jesse repeated, suddenly sitting up and making Nana jump.
“What’s that, Jesse?” Chance asked.
“The first two times, Higgins wasn’t alone. He was with Tobias. Because I didn’t see Tobias, no one has run any information on him. But what if Tobias was there? Higgins chased me. So how did Mom become unconscious? Was she drugged?” Jesse questioned them. They exchanged glances, and Lio slapped a hand on his head.
“So fuckin’ obvious,” Lio snarled, grabbing his phone. “Stop tracking Higgins, start prying into Tobias’s life. Yes, the other fuckwit Gold. They were working together, and us, like dumb motherfuckers, didn’t pick up on that. The kid did,” Lio replied, sending an approving glance at Jesse.
“Was just a thought. Higgins may be the… what do you call it… misdirection?” Jesse commented, his brow wrinkling.
“Yeah, let’s see what Tobias has to hide,” Chance agreed, nodding at Rooster, who got on his phone.
“I’ll redirect my search,” Willow suggested, rising from the table and leaving the room. That was a good start. The FBI had access to files that local police didn’t. Celt felt hope surge through him. Hold on, Chey, we’re coming, he thought.
???
“Found something. Tobias’s grandfather owned a cabin here, Hulett in Wyoming,” Willow exclaimed a couple of hours later. She raced into the room and placed the information on the table.
“It was hidden under a layer of misdirection, but we kept digging and discovered this. Cabin’s in a different name, but there’s no doubt that this is Tobias’s grandfather, and he still owns it,” Grey added.
“That’s across state lines,” Lio said.
“Yeah, and we can cross. Grey’s contacted the locals and let them know we’ll be coming. They’ve agreed you and Gold can accompany us, Lio. I’ve called into the office, and they’re letting the nearest branch know that we’re moving too. Cabin’s an hour and a half from here, so we better get moving,” Willow replied. Lio sent Willow a grateful glance as he climbed to his feet. Celt was already on his and faced his son.
“Jesse, you’re stopping here,” Celt said as Jesse rose to join them. Jesse shot him the foulest gaze Celt had ever received and shook his head.
“That’s my mom,” Jesse argued, his shoulders squaring up to Celt.
“Yeah, and we don’t know what we’re walking into. You, the band, Nana and Jed are staying here safe. What if Higgins has made a move and returns to snatch you, Jesse? We need you safely behind these four walls with as much firepower as we can gather. It’s no good, Jesse if we save your mom and then lose you because then we’ll be straight back in the same situation,” Celt reasoned. But Jesse was beyond reasoning. Chey being missing for sixteen hours, had done a number on the kid.
“I’m fucking going,” Jesse growled. Nana reached out and turned Jesse to her. Celt could see the boy didn’t want to face her, but ingrained respect for Nana forced him to.
“Jesse, I need you here. I can’t handle this for much longer. Cheyenne would expect me to keep you protected even while she was in danger. Jesse, you running off to confront these madmen would kill her. You will stay safe with Grandpa and me,” Nana said softly. Celt saw Jesse wanted to argue but couldn’t against the pain in Nana’s face.
“You better bring Mom back,” Jesse glowered and pointed the finger at Celt.
“One way or another, your mom is coming home, even if I have to burn Hulett to the ground,” Celt promised.
“Call Hellfire and Rage here, Shee, Bear and I will go with Celt. Make sure everyone comes armed and ready to defend the kid. No one gets in or out, including the media,” Chance ordered Rooster.
“Uncle Chance,” Willow called and received a glare.
“Willow, don’t tell me we ain’t coming. You know full well, girl, Hellfire are riding, that’s a Hellfire woman being held, and Hellfire is going to ride and get her back,” Chance said firmly.
“Uncle Chance, I was going to say, keep it small. I won’t be able to cover your asses if local PD or feds are present,” Willow warned. Chance nodded and looked at Jesse.
“We’re bringing your mom home kid, hang tight.” Chance left the room with the others on his heels. Jesse stared at Celt, and Celt felt the look in his son’s eyes. Jesse trusted him to reach Chey in time and bring her back alive. Celt just prayed that Chey had kept her temper long enough for them to get to her.
???
They killed the bikes a mile away from the target. Willow and Lio parked behind them. The ride had taken an hour and a half despite them flooring it with sirens running. They’d hit every conceivable roadblock, traffic light and diversion going. None of them were in a good temper when they crowded around Willow’s car.
“The cabin has one entrance and exit. The door at the front. It has five windows and no other escape route. The trees are overgrown, so they should hide our path. The easiest is down this dirt track. If we keep close to the edge and hear a vehicle, we can dive into the cover and not be seen. Once we approach, we’ll need to spread out. Lio and I will take the frontal approach. Grey and Gold will check this window here. It’s the biggest, and they may be able to break-in at the back. Bear, I want you to cover this one and Shee here. Chance you have to see if you can break through this one, it’s the second largest. Celt, you’re with me upfront. No! I can’t trust you not to go kamikaze,” Willow summed up. Celt sent Willow a warning glance.
“Willow…”
“Celt, you may be an uncle and someone I’ve been brought up to respect and listen to. But here I’m the expert and the fed, and I’m in control. If you can’t obey my commands, then you can wait here, and Grey will cuff you to the cars until we return,” Willow said firmly. Celt lifted an eyebrow at Willow before inclining his head in agreement. Damn, Axel’s girl had balls. Then again, Willow was Axel’s daughter. What did anyone expect?