Page 65 of Glamour and Grit

“Maybe, it’ll give me a place to start anyway. Hurry up.”

I focus on the tire tracks and snap a pic before sending it to her. Then I anxiously pace around in the road for about five minutes while she works her techno wizardry.

“Okay,” Harlowe says at last. “The good news is I identified the tire tracks. They belong to a domestic SUV model from about three different manufacturers. The bad news is that doesn’t narrow it down much, because there’s thousands in this area code alone.”

“So it’s useless,” I sputter.

“Calm down, I’m not finished. The further good news is that I cross-referenced the SUV brands with vehicles registered to Moreno. The further bad news is that he owns about a dozen.”

“Harlowe, you’re killing me here.”

“And,” she says as if I hadn’t spoken, “the further, further good news is that Moreno has his vehicles registered to Onstar. And the further, further, further good news is I just hacked his account and am tracking his vehicles as we speak…and there’s only one that’s close enough to your location to be the right one.”

“Oh my God, Harlowe, you’re the best. Whatever you want for Christmas, it’s yours.”

“I just want to rule the world. Go get your ride, and I’ll guide you right to them. But first, you’re going to need some backup.”

“I don’t need backup, Harlowe,” I growl, rushing back to my truck.

“I disagree, and so does our boss, Jax. So just deal with it.”

“I don’t have time to drive all the way back to LA, Harlowe.”

“You won’t have to,” she replies with a sigh. “I wish you’d trust me more. This help is in your area, more or less.”

“Who is it? Cole? Grayson?”

“No, neither of those august gentlemen. It’s a new guy we’re trying out. Axel Sawyer. He’s a friend of Cole’s.”

“Never heard of him. Is he former military?”

“Good guess. Army Ranger, Marksman level on every weapon you care to name. Comes highly recommended.”

“I guess beggars can’t be choosers,” I say. “Listen, I’m going to get on the road. We’ll figure things out from there.”

With Harlowe’s help, I coordinate the meet-up with Axel. I’m still on the phone when I first see him pull up.

“Oh Hell no, Harlowe. No way. Not this guy.”

“What’s wrong with him?” she sputters. “I told you, he comes highly recommended.”

“Yeah, well, the guy’s got huge 80s shades and is driving a Shelby Cobra…and he’s wearing a Hawaiian shirt. No way can I take him seriously.”

“Do you want to get Selene back or not?” she says.

“Fine. But if this guy gets me killed, I’m never speaking to you ever again.”

“That’s…true? Just deal with it and find Selene.”

I put away the phone and step out of the truck. As I approach thecobra, its driver pulls his shades down and gives me an appraising eye.

“Great ink, man. Who’s your stick?”

“People overseas whose names I never learned,” I say. “Are you Axel?”

“I am. I hear we’ve got an abduction scenario, with a possible second victim?”

At least he seems all business. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.

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