CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Taking Care of Business
Rio—
Zig and I stand in Saint’s Garage, sipping coffee and waiting.
After our visit to the sheriff the other night, we expect a visit from him. If he doesn’t keep his end of the deal, we should know in the next few minutes, because he’s supposed to be here by 10am.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, the man has fifteen minutes left.
“You think he’s coming?” Zig asks, his eyes on the parking lot.
The overhead doors are open, and Mauler and Bandit are bent over the engine of a car.
“Yep,” I reply, not worried in the least. “Were you able to get any info on the Devil Kings from the Evil Dead in Cali?”
“They reached out to their chapter in Birmingham. Apparently, they have a close relationship with the DKs in Georgia. Some kind of truce. Birmingham was going to reach out to them and see what they can find out about their plans for expansion out here. Haven’t got a response yet.”
“Keep on that.”
A squad car rolls into the lot, and Sheriff Torres climbs out, setting his cowboy hat on his head, then grabbing a briefcase.
I toss my coffee cup as he approaches.
He eyes the place. “You’ve set up a business, huh?”
Ignoring his obvious question, I jerk my chin. “Let’s talk in the office.”
Zig follows, leaning to tell Bandit something in a whisper.
“On it,” Bandit replies.
I lead us to the tiny office in the back corner and move behind the desk. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Torres sets his briefcase on the desk and pops it open, removing a single file folder and dropping it in front of me. “There are nine of them, going back almost a decade. These are only the ones who came forward. There were probably a lot more. He thinks I destroyed them all, but I kept copies. It was my ace in the hole if he ever tried to turn on me.”
I pick up the file and scan through the pages, Zig looking over my shoulder. There’s not a lot of information. No investigation was done, but they have copies of the hospital reports attached. “You have the rape kits?”
“He thinks I had them destroyed, but I’ve got them. Never sent them in for testing, though.”
“And you’ve still got them all?”
“Yep.”
There are some victims as young as sixteen. “How the hell did you let this fucking animal do this?”
“He had just as much on me. He knew about the payoffs. He could have hung me out to dry. He still could.”
I come across Shelby’s report and remove it.
“What the hell?” Torres barks.
“Shut the fuck up,” I snap, then take photos of each remaining report, wanting the names and addresses of the victim.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Insurance.” I drill him with a look, and he shuts up, easing back.
There’s a tap on the door.
“Come in.”
Bandit opens it, and the DA walks in.
The sheriff’s face goes slack, shock in his eyes, but he doesn’t say a word.
The DA glances at the file. “That it?”
I pass it over. “There are eight reports,” I tell him, leaving out Shelby’s. Then nod to the sheriff. “Says he’s still got the rape kits. They were never processed.”
The DA scans them, shakes his head, then pins Sheriff Torres with a disgusted look. “And you sat on these?”
Torres doesn’t reply, but tightens his jaw.
“I’ll need the kits,” the DA instructs him, then looks at me. “I’ll need to interview all these victims, but if he has the kits and if the lab finds Carson’s DNA, then we’ve got a case.”
“Do you have enough to arrest him?”
“Give me a week.”
“I’ll give you a day. You’ve got plenty of probable cause.”
He scowls and huffs, but tosses the reports in his own briefcase. “Fine.”
“And you’ll want to get a search warrant for his place. He’s got some interesting photos on his computer. May have some of the victims.”
He glares at Torres. “You’re a fucking scumbag, letting this shit go on under your watch.”
“Fuck you,” Torres snaps. “You’re no fucking boy scout.”
The DA snaps his briefcase shut and flicks his gaze toward me. “We done here?”
“I expect something tomorrow.”
He jerks the door open and stalks out.
The sheriff’s face is mottled red when he turns his rage on me. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me he was showing up?”
“Where the hell did you think this was going, dumbass?” I growl in his face, grabbing his shirt and jerking him forward. When he makes no reply, I shove him away. “Keep your head down, and maybe the DA will do what he promised and cover your ass, otherwise you’ll go down with your slimy deputy. Get the fuck out of my face.”
He grabs his briefcase and leaves.
Zig closes the door behind me and crosses his arms. “You think the DA will get it done?”
“He’s too afraid to go down with all the corruption he was involved in. He’ll appease us, if not just to make all the attention go away.”
“You think that motherfucker’s still at it?”
“You mean the assaults?”
“Yeah.”
“If he is, it ends tomorrow. Come on. I want to see how many of these victims we can track down.”
“What for?”
“I want to make sure they know how important it is they talk to the DA.”
Zig follows me out, and we visit every address. Some don’t live at the locations on the files anymore, but we’re able to find five and convince them their case will finally be prosecuted if they agree to talk to the DA and testify against Carson.
Some are reluctant, but when told there is an entire group, it seems to give them the courage to stand together.
The next evening, the DA gives me a tip the FBI will be raiding Carson’s house at 9pm.
Zig and I get in my pickup and ride over.
We hide in the bushes across the street and watch their team surround the house.
Carson comes to the door, looking surprised as hell. Once the initial shock is over, he gets furious, fighting them and screaming they’ve got the wrong guy.
I smile, and take a few pictures of him being handcuffs and put in the back of a black, unmarked car.
The team carries his computer out along with several boxes.
“Come on,” I nudge Zig and we retreat to my truck and follow the car that takes Carson away. “You make that call?”
“To Channel Five, Channel Nine, and Channel Twelve.”
“Good. I hope he’s got a welcoming committee waiting for him.” I drive across town, following until they reach the police station. Sure enough, the media is everywhere, cameras rolling as Carson is taken from the car and led inside.
Once he’s in, I drive away.
“Well, that’s done,” Zig says. “This gonna satisfy you?”
“It’s not as sweet as putting him in a grave, but it’ll have to do.”
“You’re not getting soft on me, are you, Prez?”
“I did this for little Bella.”
“I get that. Hopefully, they put him away for a long, long time.”
“They better. I want Shelby to feel safe.”
Zig puts his elbow out the window. “Then we’re gonna have to take care of the DK problem.”
“I know, VP. That’s next on the list.”
By the time I drop Zig off at the clubhouse, it’s after eleven. When I put it in park but don’t shut off the engine, he pauses half out the door.
“You’re not stayin’?”
“Want to give Shelby the news.”
Fifteen minutes later, I turn in her drive, having already sent her a text to let her know I was coming. I’ve got the code for the gate, so I let myself through. By the time I park and climb out of the truck, she’s standing on the covered terrace wrapped in a shawl.
She questions me the moment I reach her.
“What is it? You said it was important.” Worry lines mar her forehead.
I cup her face and kiss her, easing back to study her eyes. “I missed you. Let’s go inside and talk.”
Stepping through the door, I drop my arm around her shoulders and guide her to the sofa. It’s quiet, but there’s a fire burning. A pile of empty boxes sits against the far wall.
“All unpacked?” I ask.
“Almost.”
“Good. Is Bella asleep?”
She nods. “For hours now. It’s late.”
“I know. I’m sorry, but I wanted you to hear this from me.” Taking out my phone, I pull up a photo and show her. “Carson was arrested tonight.”
She studies the shot, noticing the logo on one of the jackets. “The FBI? They arrested him? On what charges?”
“Eight rapes. Don’t worry, your name is not involved. I made sure of that. I know that because of Bella, you wouldn’t want to come forward or testify.”
“Eight?” Her mouth drops open. “Oh, my God.”
“I know. He’s a sick motherfucker.”
“Wait. You said you made sure my name wasn’t involved. How?”
“It’s not important.”
“It is to me, Rio. How?”
“Let’s just say the sheriff turned all the reports over to me. I removed yours before giving them to the DA. You’ve got nothing to worry about, Shelby.”
She stares at the photo of Carson handcuffed. “You’re sure? He won’t get out on bail?”
“The DA assured me with this many charges, he’s a serial rapist and a danger to society. His bail will be denied.” I take her chin in my hand and turn her face to mine. “It’s done.”
“You didn’t kill him, but you found a way to make me safe.” Shelby bursts into tears, and I take her in my arms.
Stroking her hair, I bring my mouth to her ear. “I will always keep you safe, Shelby. You and Bella. You’ve got my oath on that.”
“I love you, Rio,” she murmurs against my chest.
It’s the first time she’s said the words, and I have to study her face, be sure I didn’t mishear her. “What did you say, baby?”
“I said I love you, Rio.”
“Seems like I’ve waited a lifetime to hear you say that. But it was worth the wait. I’m going to make this town safe for you, Shelby. You’re never going to have to worry again.”
“The day your club robbed the bank, I saw the guns you had, how your club operates. Promise me you won’t use violence anymore, Rio. Promise me that’s done. I can’t bear the thought of it. I can’t bear the thought of worrying about something happening to you.”
“I know you hate us running this town—my MC. But if it’s not us, it’ll be someone else—another club. One that won’t give a damn about this town or any of you.”
“Rio—”
I cup her face. “Shelby, look at me. You’ve got to trust me. I swear to God I’m going to make your life happy. I’m going to take care of you. You’ll never have to worry about anything again. Your life is going to be golden.”