Chapter 30
Carlita didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until Elvira, smiling smugly and seated atop the chopper motorcycle, roared down the alley and coasted to a stop.
“Piece of cake,” she bragged. “I don’t know why you were all making such a big deal about riding this mighty fine piece of machinery. ”
“I’m glad you’re handling it,” Luigi said. “However, pride goeth before the fall or, in your case, bragging before your butt ends up in the middle of the road.”
“Pride-schmide,” she scoffed. “I know how to ride better than you and my sister put together. In fact, I might join the bike club myself.”
A flicker of panic flitted across Dernice’s face. “I don’t think our club is for you.”
Elvira’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why not?”
“Because it’s not very exciting and…uh…we go for long rides, sometimes all afternoon.”
“Sounds like it’s right up my alley.”
“I should point out there is an annual fee to be part of the group,” Dernice said.
“They charge a fee to be a member? Th-that’s ridiculous,” Elvira sputtered. “How much is it?”
Her sister threw out a number that sounded reasonable to Carlita. Not so much to Elvira.
“There’s no way I’m forking over my hard-earned money to ride around on a motorcycle I own, filling the tank with my gas. What are you paying for?”
“Rallies, our annual holiday party, stuff like that.”
“I’m not interested anymore, but I will ride today seeing how I’ve already paid for a full day’s rental.”
“Who is riding with me?” Luigi asked.
“I was thinkin’ Mercedes could ride with Dernice and I’ll ride with you,” Carlita said.
“Sounds good. Let’s roll.”
Making quick work of putting on the biker gear—helmets, gloves, and leather jackets, per Dernice’s suggestion, the group of five was soon on the road.
Luigi left first. Dernice followed behind while Elvira brought up the rear. They made a straight shot through downtown before hitting the main road leading all the way out to the highway.
Not far from the interstate, they turned into the fairgrounds. A small group of bikers stood talking near a cluster of motorcycles. Circling the group, Luigi parked off to the side. Dernice and Elvira followed suit.
“Right on time.” A guy wearing black leather chaps and an orange bandana grasped Luigi’s right hand and gave him a side hug. “I see you and Dernice brought some friends for the charity ride.”
“Paul, you might remember Mrs. Taylor, who owns Ravello’s Italian Eatery.”
“It’s nice to see you again, Paul.” She gave him a friendly wave.
“Same.” Paul’s attention turned to Mercedes, who was dressed in skinny jeans and a leather jacket. “Hello.”
Mercedes slid her helmet off, tossing her jet-black hair over her shoulder. “Hello.”
Carlita immediately sensed someone staring. She shifted to the side. The woman she recognized as Cyclone Courtney gave her daughter the once-over, her eyes narrowing.
“I believe we met as well, although you were dressed differently. Mercedes.” Paul rolled her name off his tongue. “What a pretty name for a pretty woman.”
Courtney slugged him in the arm. “Knock it off. You’re drooling.”
“And you’re jealous,” he shot back.
A petite woman touched her shoulder. “Paul is just trying to get under your skin.”
Rocky Skidz stepped forward and shook Mercedes’ hand. “You look familiar. Have we met before?”
“If you’ve eaten at Ravello’s, it’s possible.” Mercedes explained that she was a server. “Carlita is my mother.”
Rocky waved hello. “Hey, again, Mrs. Taylor. You feeling any better?”
“Feeling better,” she repeated. “Oh…yes. The spicy food I ate before Dernice and I met with you. I’m fine now. Thank you for asking.”
“What about me?” Elvira muscled her way between Dernice and Carlita.
“This is my sister, Elvira. Many of you may have met her when she was chasing after Sonny.” Dernice finished making the introductions.
“Speaking of Sonny, have you picked a date for his memorial service?” Carlita asked.
“Not yet. We’re waiting for the police to wrap up their investigation,” Rocky said.
“We’re gonna miss Old Sonny,” Hot Rod said. “He was the life of the party.”
“How did he get the nickname Sonny the Enforcer?” Carlita knew as soon as the question slipped from her lips that she’d made a mistake. A big one.
Rocky clenched his fists, his face turning bright red. “Who told you Sonny’s nickname was Sonny the Enforcer?”
“I…uh. I thought I heard someone mention it.”
“The only people who called him Sonny the Enforcer were his co-workers,” Rocky said.
“Stealing people’s property when they’re down on their luck and short on cash,” Reyna uttered under her breath.
“Let’s not badmouth my brother, who isn’t here to defend himself.”
“Rocky is right. Poor Sonny.”
“Elvira,” Paul repeated. “You own the building on the other side of the block opposite Ravello’s restaurant.”
“I do. I own an investigative and security services company.”
“Sweet Chopper.” Rocky ran a light hand across the chrome frame. “I've always wanted one of these. What’s her name?”
“Name?”
“Every motorcycle has a name.”
“It’s…a…loaner. I’m, um, testing it out so I haven’t picked out a name.”
Creed, the biker Carlita recognized from the party, the man who had been injured and initially blamed Rocky for his wreck, sauntered over. “Stop making goofy faces at the hot chick and let’s go.”
Paul nodded toward Cyclone Courtney. “Are you going to ride or pout for the rest of the day?”
“Ride.” She slid her helmet on, muttering something unintelligible that sounded like “jerk” as she swung her leg over the side.
Creed pointed his index finger and middle finger down.
Carlita tugged on Luigi’s arm and whispered in his ear. “What’s he signaling? He hopes Paul crashes his bike?”
“It means keep two wheels on the ground.”
“So, it’s a good thing.”
“Good, if you plan to ride and not roll,” Luigi quipped.
Dernice shifted to the side, checking with Mercedes.
“I’m ready.” Mercedes tucked her long ponytail under her collar and gripped the back of Dernice’s jacket.
Meanwhile, Elvira appeared to be having difficulty steering her chopper away from the others. She clipped the back of Luigi’s tire and leaned sideways, nearly losing her balance.
Carlita started to ask her if she was sure she could handle the bike, but it was too late. She was already starting to roll forward, following Creed and the others.
A feeling of impending doom seeped into her bones. She wasn’t sure if it was because she had serious doubts about Elvira and her ability to control her chosen ride or the friction she sensed within the group of riders. Paul, Creed and Cyclone Courtney.
Either way, it was shaping up to be an enlightening outing.