She found out about Route 9 properly on a Saturday, from a newspaper archive.
Bree had told her the shape of it, but shapes are different from facts, and Ellie had always preferred facts. She sat in the Hollow Creek public library — which still kept physical newspaper binders going back thirty years — and she read the coverage from two years ago.
A confrontation on Route 9 between members of two motorcycle clubs. One Road Kings member hospitalized with serious injuries. Two Iron Saints arrested, later released when the witness recanted. No charges filed. The investigation closed.
She read it twice. She sat with it.
Then she drove to the garage and found Rafe in the lot, working on an engine with his sleeves up and grease on his hands. He looked up when she pulled in. He read her face i
