old. More modern houses are close by.
“Swift didn’t say she’d seen a woman.” Thor is shaking his head dismissively. “And the neighbours would be too close. Too many people to notice comings and goings.”
“Risky, I agree. Next one, Duty.” Pip waves his hand.
The next one is a farmhouse along a dirt track. A bit rundown, the sort of place that would be an ideal setting for a horror movie. Just the sight of it makes us all sit up straighter.
“That looks hopeful. Who rented it?”
“Father and son, a Max Haven Senior and Junior. Mind you, that’s a stretch.” Duty pulls up two pictures. “Here are their drivers’ license photos.” He puts up a photo showing a man in his sixties.
“Senior,” Bolt states.
Ignoring the comment, Duty puts up the next photo. It’s a man two decades older, and makes a comment of his own. “This is Max Haven Senior.”
While others sigh or shake their heads, Pip observes, “It could still be a front.”
“Worth sending the drone up,” Stormy suggests. “See who’s really there.”
I tap the table with my fingers. “We’re dealing with white supremacists. I hate to say it, but they’re just the type. Could be they’re providing cover for Kincaid.”
“Any links or connections?”
“Working on it, Prez.” Duty frowns.
“I still say the drone could get information. Numbers of cars for a start.”
“Drone won’t see fuck if they’re holed up with Swift. If they need supplies, one of the Havens could go get them. And look at the barns. If there are extra cars, they’ll be hidden away and hard to spot.”
“I think it’s worth paying a visit with the drone and then going inside if necessary.” Prez accepts Duty’s observations. “But let’s go through the others you got first.”
Instead of thinking we’re getting somewhere, I’m getting more frustrated. “They could be squatting. They might not have rented a place legally.”
“We know that, Road. But for now, this is all we’ve got. We could sit here playing with our dicks, ride around aimlessly not having a clue where we’re going, or get out searching possible locations.” Snatcher doesn’t look happy.
I stare at him for a moment, then have to admit he’s got a point. I suppose doing something is better than nothing.
“Next location,” Pip instructs.
That’s a bust, the next is a possible. After viewing them all, we end up with four where, if, and it’s a big if, if, they’ve actually rented a place where they might be holding Swift. Out of them all, I tend to think the Haven’s farmhouse is the most likely. It seems I’m not the only one.
“Let’s take a drone and get it sent up to see what’s going on at that farmhouse. Stormy, Preacher and Thor will go.”
“I’d rather go alone,” Stormy complains, at the same time as I raise my hand.
“I want in on this.”
“No, to you both!” Pip thunders. “Stormy, you’ll need back up. If she’s there, you can provide sniper cover and Preacher and Thor will approach. Outside look only.” He glares at Stormy and ignores me. “I want Snatcher and Piston at the second location, Rascal and Cowboy at the third. The fourth needs checking, but we’ve all agreed it’s unlikely. It’s also further away. Road and Bolt you can ride out there. You all look, listen and learn. If any of you think you’ve seen something, make contact damn fast, and we,” he indicates himself, Duty and Honor, “will be ready to ride. I’ll also get Grinch, Goofy and Mystic on standby. They won’t want to miss out on this.”
I think the one I’m supposed to head for is an absolute waste of time. The fact that Pip is sending me there suggests he too thinks there’ll be damn all to find. I get the feeling he doesn’t want me to be the one finding Swift.
“It’s an Airbnb, Prez,” I complain. “Look at it, it’s a cute country house by a lake. It’s got to be in high demand with vacation types. I’m certain we’re not going to find kidnappers there.”
“And you know this, how?” Pip challenges. “Look, Road, it has to be excluded. It was rented in the right time span. Just ride out, check it and see. That’s all we can do now. I’m not ready to dismiss it without giving it a look.”
Bolt’s meeting my eyes with a sympathetic look. Like me, he doesn’t seem hopeful.
“Until we’ve got a location, we’ll stay back in case of further communications with the kidnappers. Preach, everyone goes out without their cuts,