Chapter 67
JESSI
Jack and I pull up to the club right as Mike arrives.
Mike unclasps his helmet as he walks over to us. “What are you two doing here so early?”
“Someone had to make sure this mess is taken care of properly.” Jack drags Mike into a hug and chuckles. “Nah, I didn’t want you to have to deal with the insurance company and the restoration guy alone. I know you can multitask, but we want to help.”
I wrap my arm around Jack’s neck to bring him closer. “I’m going to pick up where we left off cleaning and taking inventory. You two have a lot to deal with.” I press a kiss into Jack’s jaw before walking toward the wreckage.
In the light of day, the damage to the club is much worse.
The walls that were littered with old posters and written notes are charred.
The barstools and pool table are splintered beyond repair, and with it go all the memories they once held.
I wonder why the police aren’t here investigating again, but Mike assures me that they’ve done everything they can.
“It’s up to us to pick up the pieces,” he says.
After an hour of scrubbing, I glance up from the bar and spy a police car rolling into the parking lot. I motion Mike to the window, and we watch as two officers pick their way to the front entrance.
“Act busy,” Mike commands, which isn’t hard to do. We’ve all been cleaning and salvaging what we can since we got here.
“You got a minute, Mike?” an officer says.
Mike slides his glance to Jack and me. “What’s this about?”
“The vandalization, but also another incident. It would be helpful if Jack and Jessi discussed it as well.”
Mike’s eyes find Jack then me. “After you,” he says.
Jack threads his fingers through mine and guides us both out the door.
My heart sinks. Austin and David got out of it, didn’t they? Austin probably called Shannon, who is likely coercing Dad into hiring some hotshot attorney. This cannot be happening. I should have come clean about my “brother” earlier. But how could I have foreseen it ever going this far?
“We arrested Austin and David late last night. We are going to charge them to the fullest extent possible. Both are over eighteen, so they’re being tried as adults.”
“Okay,” Jack says.
I could hug the officer.
“They’ve been implicated in several other matters and always find ways to weasel out of them, due to their affiliation with your sister club.
Drug possession and distribution to minors.
David has a series of sexual assault accusations too.
We haven’t dug into his computer fraud yet, but once we do, I imagine some federal charges will follow.
It seems Tim’s protection has been lifted, though, and they’ve been hung out to dry.
They are trouble, and their acts are getting more and more violent.
They seem to have zero regard for who their actions impact. They need to be off the streets.”
Mike says with a smirk, “I’m glad you could accommodate them.”
“We appreciate your fast work,” Jack adds.
I step forward. “Can I talk with the officers alone, please?”
Jack and Mike send me questioning expressions, but both eventually make for the door. Jack doesn’t take his eyes off me until the door closes.
“I’d like to report something,” I say. “I’ve been scared to since it happened, but now I feel a bit safer knowing they are locked up.” I go over everything that has happened during the last few months—Austin’s bullying, David’s attempt to rape me, their harassment.
When I finish, one officer stops taking notes and looks up, a grave expression on his face.
“Thank you for reporting these things. It was brave of you to come forward. This is what’s needed to get people locked away for a long, long time.
Unfortunately, you aren’t the only one who’s mentioned this sort of thing with them.
I think your testimony and the others’ will be enough to add additional charges.
We have zero tolerance for targeting the innocent. ”
I cry tears of relief. Is this nightmare finally over?