Chapter 15 #2
Without incident, much to Rafe’s relief, they reached the small town of Stetson, Georgia, a couple of hours later, the town hosting the Teddy Bear Run. The hotel rooms Rafe had reserved wouldn’t be ready until four, so they decided to have lunch at a sports bar overlooking the river.
Diana and Allison agreed to wait to go to their parents’ cabin, where they were staying, and join them for lunch.
With a cool breeze wafting off the river, the brilliant blue sky and temperatures in the seventies, eating outside settled his nerves.
Red umbrellas shaded wrought iron tables from the sun.
Round containers of pink and purple flowers adorned the patio, and the servers were dressed in red-and-yellow costumes reminiscent of a Bavarian mountain town.
He ordered a lager, indulging for once, as they sat together. The soothing gurgle of the river, laughter of people floating downstream in tubes as they kicked and splashed, and the chatter of others on the patio made everything seem normal.
Still, he couldn’t shake that feeling they were being watched.
Allison removed her denim jacket and hung it on the chair.
With her wind-tossed braid, snapping brown eyes and cheeks pink from their ride, she looked vibrant.
Such a far cry from the pristine, proper women in his family, who would no more think of climbing on a motorcycle than they would drink a beer in the middle of the day.
His cell pinged, reminding him to check in with his family. Excusing himself, Rafe walked away from the table.
After calling his mother and being reassured Elena was home and recovering fine, he checked in with Jase. Though Rafe’s superior warned him to enjoy his time away and avoid work, he knew Jase would update him.
The news wasn’t good.
“We put eyes on Hernandez and got nothing, Rafe, until yesterday. Get this—the DEA has an agent working undercover at the estate next to Hernandez who saw he had a special guest. Guy had his head turned away, and the agent couldn’t get facial recognition, but the visitor was riding a motorcycle with saddlebags.
No helmet. Shoulder-length dark hair. We put better surveillance on him and finally got an ID.
Guess where he ended up? With a group headed to the same place you’re at. ”
Rafe glanced around the patio bar. “Who is he?”
“Name’s Marty Kingman. Ex-military, dishonorably discharged two years ago, did time for possession and petty theft, released from prison about four months ago. We contacted local LEOs and got him pulled over for a traffic violation. He had four grams of marijuana on him and was carrying, so...”
“Having a firearm on him is violation of probation.”
“That’s not all. Confiscated his cell, and he had a photo of Allison with her name and the kind of bike she is riding. And there is a list of names as well.”
Rafe’s blood ran cold. He quietly swore in Spanish. “Where is this Marty now?”
“Jail. But these guys are like roaches.”
“Where there’s one, there’s certain to be others. What was the list for and who else is on it?”
“He wouldn’t say. There were initials by Allison’s name. CF. The others were Diana, her sister, photo of her and her bike, but the initials FF, and you with the name Rafael Lopez, a picture of you, looks like from a security camera, and a question mark by your name.”
“What’s Lincoln’s take on this?” Lincoln was the FBI assistant special agent in charge, Rafe’s boss. Jase reported to him when he was appointed as Rafe’s temporary replacement on the task force investigation.
“You know him. He thinks Kingman is getting weed from Hernandez in exchange for security work and checking you and the women out since you’re both on the same motorcycle run.”
Rafe frowned. “Lincoln knows I’m with Allison and Diana?”
Jase sighed. “Rafe, it’s not exactly top secret. We’ve been monitoring Diana’s social media, and she posted a photo of all of you.”
Damn social media. If Lincoln knew, others did as well. Others who didn’t have good intentions.
Rafe snorted. Lincoln was excellent at managing groups of agents, but he’d been gone from the field a long time. “Right. Four grams of weed in exchange for favors from a guy like Hernandez who deals in millions of illegal drugs.”
“I know. That’s like going to the Miami ballet to see the shoes.”
“Interesting analogy,” he said dryly.
“Kara’s got season tickets and she got me hooked.”
Rafe studied Allison, so carefree and seemingly happy, unaware her and her sister’s names were on a list. Ignorance could be bliss, but it was also dangerous.
“Find out what you can and report back to me.”
“Copy that.” Jase hung up.
When he returned, Allison and Sam were engaged in animated banter.
“This is my first run here. Seems like the town’s been taken over by bikers,” Sam said, digging into his lasagna.
Allison nodded. “It’s a typical small town, but friendly to bikers, as long as they’re law-abiding. Since this is a charity run, it’s a smaller event, but they still have all the fun activities, and vendors hawking the latest bikes and accessories, motorcycle skills competition...”
“Competition?” Sam winked at Rafe. “You plan on entering, Allison?”
“Please call me Ally. I already registered in the offset cone race.”
Rafe paused in picking up his beer. He set the frosty glass down and stared at her. “Since when?”
“Since a long time ago when I signed up for this rally.”
“Not sure that’s a good idea.” He locked gazes with her. “You’ll be out front with everyone watching.”
“You think I can’t do it?”
“I know you can, and that’s what worries me. Anyone can be out there, watching you and waiting to attack.”
There, it was out. His full-fledged worry, accelerated by the news Jase had delivered. He didn’t know why Allison was on a list or what the initials next to her name were, or Diana’s, but he was more concerned about them than himself.
Scowling, she braced her hands on the table. “Listen, Rodriguez, you can’t tell me what to do.”
“I can. I’m leading your group.”
Here we go. Keith and Debbie paused in feeding bits of hamburger to Comet and looked on with interest.
“I’ve been riding in competitions in my oh-so-limited spare time for years. I’ve trained with motorcycle cops, for crying out loud. They’re the best and I know some will be here at this rally, probably all armed, so who’s going to attack me? Nothing to worry about.”
Sam looked interested. “What kind of competitions do you prefer?”
“?Maldita sea, Sam, collate,” he muttered under his breath.
Shut up now, Sam. She doesn’t need encouragement.
“I can do the speed run, you know, where you have to navigate your hog through the cones and you get timed on speed and accuracy. But since I have a big bike and I like to test my own abilities, I opted for the slow ride this time.”
Sam looked surprised. “The one where you navigate through the cones at your own pace? Why that one?”
Fuming, Rafe wished Sam would stop acting so damn interested. His friend was making things worse.
“Because I like challenging myself with balance and control of Phoenix, without my boots touching the ground. That’s the course I’ve been training on, when I can.”
“That’s a big bike you have for a little lady.” Sam sipped his beer and grinned.
Allison’s friendly smile slipped. Rafe almost laughed. Little lady?
“Your bagger weighs about eight hundred pounds. What happens if it falls?” Sam asked.
“I get back on, like you do with a horse. Except my Phoenix doesn’t kick or demand a treat later.”
“I’m signed up for that slow ride competition. First time.” The look Sam gave her screamed challenge.
Allison’s smile returned, with a hint of slyness. “Wanna take a bet on who has the better score?”
Sam stuck out a palm. “One hundred dollars.”
She shook his hand. “You’re on.” Allison glanced at Rafe. “You in on this bet? You think Sam can beat me?”
Drawing in a deep sigh, he slid his plate aside, his appetite faded. “I know you can beat him, Ally. I’ve seen you ride. That’s not my concern. My concern is putting you on display where you become a target.”
Rafe looked at Diana. “That goes for you as well. I think both of you should lie low for a while.”
Diana paled and set down her cheeseburger.
“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
* * *
Watching her leave for the restaurant, he knew Diana wasn’t the problem. Diana would cooperate. But Allison on the other hand...
Expecting an argument, he was surprised to see her slowly nod. “I think you and I need to talk. Sam, can you keep an eye on Diana when she returns? We’ll be right back.”
Allison walked to the edge of the patio onto the parking lot. Gripping the railing preventing curious bystanders from slipping down the hill into the river, she spoke over her shoulder.
“What gives, Rafe? Why is Diana in trouble?”
Ah, so you don’t care about your own welfare, just your sister’s.
He hesitated in telling her. “That’s classified.”
“If it’s classified, then I shouldn’t worry about it and go about my business. Either level with me, Rafe, or zip it.”
Saying nothing, he crossed his arms.
She fingered the edge of her braid. “Listen, Rafe, we need to trust each other. I’m not a drug dealer.
You know me. You wouldn’t have hired me as your CI last year if you didn’t think I could handle the job or if you didn’t trust me.
So tell me why suddenly you’re launching into overprotective he-male mode. ”
His mouth quirked. “He-male?”
“Yeah, the kind of guy who bangs his chest and insists that a woman can’t defend herself, but she needs a big strong guy to do it. Like your friend Sam is.”
“Sam’s not a chauvinist. He’s not accustomed to women like you who ride huge bikes and compete. He was trying to get under your skin.”
“Well, he’s nothing like you. You’re far from the kind of guy who would call a woman ‘little lady’ and insult her. You know I can handle myself. That’s one thing I like about you.”