Chapter 14
UNWANTED VISITORS
Rebel Pierce
What the hell am I involved in?
Before J.D. left yesterday, he was tight-lipped on Earl Daniels’ missing brother. I could tell he knew more about the situation than he was telling me. All he would say was when Spike left his clubhouse that day, he didn’t know where he went.
I didn’t call him on it, but it was a bunch of bullshit. He was hiding something. So, if he wouldn’t tell me the backstory, all I could do was dig to see what I could find out on my own.
Cody was a member of Demons United’s Georgia chapter and was reported missing after coming to North Carolina with his chapter. I didn’t know why the chapter from Georgia came to Charlotte and J.D. wasn’t saying other than the chapters were having a get together which he said was something they did all the time.
Even though I didn’t say anything to that either, that was bullshit too. He was lying. Being nosey was the reason I was so good at my job. I didn’t take no for an answer. You had to explain to me when things just didn’t add up. And none of this shit added up.
This connection with the missing man, his dead brother, Dani’s death, and J.D. shutting me out only made me want to dig more.
Why would Dani be killed because of these two men? Did it have anything to do with her death at all? None of this made any fucking sense to me.
When Cody Daniels vanished, his face became a fixture on the front pages of every Charlotte newspaper and local news channel for at least a week, all due to his association with Demons United. I spent hours pulling article after article and news story after news story about the incident, trying to piece together the full story. None of it gave me any new information. The FBI also offered a hefty reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Mr. Daniels. A reward that was way above the norm offered for some random person. Despite having a contact within the FBI, I debated whether it was the right time to make that call. The situation might attract unwanted attention to J.D., his club, and me, which could be problematic. But if I didn’t, I might not get the answers I was looking for.
I pushed away from my laptop and closed my eyes. “What the fuck should I do? I need answers.”
But at what costs?
“Why the hell was the reward so high? Why was Cody Daniels so important? Was it just his connection to Demons United or something more?”
Banging on my front door interrupted my quest to find out who the hell Cody Daniels really was.
I stood and grabbed my phone from the desk. It was three in the afternoon, and I hadn’t been expecting anybody today. And it wasn’t my sister because she would just let herself in. Thank God it wasn’t her because I had enough of her questions to last me a lifetime.
The banging continued, and it was pissing me off. “Hold on! I’m fucking coming!”
As I reached the door, J.D.’s lecture about safety echoed in my mind, reminding me to identify who was at the door before opening it. So, I looked through the peephole seeing a nicely dressed woman and man both carrying firearms. More than likely government issued firearms.
Fuck
“Who is it?”
“FBI, Ms. Pierce. Open the door. We have some questions.”
“Questions concerning what?”
“Once you open the door, we can discuss it,” the man said.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I didn’t have anything against cops but I sure as hell hated dealing with them. My job had led to countless encounters with law enforcement, ranging from the local police to the FBI, ATF, and various other agencies. Snooping for the government didn’t go over well with people when they thought you were stepping on their territory.
“Badges?”
The male agent held his badge up to the peephole, then the female agent did the same. Both had badge numbers, the FBI emblem, and their names. They looked real, but it wasn’t like I could tell through the peephole.
“You’ve seen our badges, Ms. Pierce,” the female agent said. “Open the door.”
I took a deep breath and released it, then opened the door. “How can I help you?”
“I’m Agent Revels, and this is my partner, Agent Monroe,” the male agent said. “Can we please step in? We don’t want your neighbors to hear our conversation.”
If I didn’t let them in, they’d find a way to get into my apartment to question me, anyway. And I didn’t want any of my neighbors to ask questions. So, I stepped to the side and let them inside then closed the door behind them.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No,” Agent Monroe said. “We just need to ask you a few questions then we’ll get out of your hair.”
“Of course. Have a seat.”
I motioned to my couch. They both sat, and I took the armchair across from them.
“What’s this about?”
“Do you know anyone by the name of Cody Daniels?”
Fuck! I knew this had something to do with J.D. Trying to find information on his wife’s murder had alerted someone to what we’d been doing.
“The name sounds familiar. But I’m not sure why.”
Agent Monroe nodded and scribbled notes in a small notebook. “He’s missing,” she said. “He was connected to the motorcycle club Demons United.”
I nodded. “Yes. That’s how I know the name. His picture was plastered in the newspaper and news for a longtime, right?”
“Yes,” Agent Revels said. “And you’re sure that’s the only way you know him Ms. Pierce?”
I leaned back in my chair. “Ask me what you really want to know agent.”
I didn’t have time for the bullshit. I had more important things to do.
“How do you know, J.D. Stevens, Ms. Pierce?” Agent Revels asked.
“I met him through my ex-brother-in-law.”
“And what was the purpose of him being at your apartment yesterday?” he asked.
My brows furrowed. “And how do you know he was at my apartment, Agent Revels?”
“We’re asking the questions, Ms. Pierce,” the female agent said.
I arched my brow at her. “And I’ve been nothing but cooperative, Agent Monroe when I don’t have to be. So, I’ll ask again. How do you know he was at my apartment?”
“Only someone looking to hide something, wouldn’t answer our questions, Ms. Pierce,” Agent Revels said. “What are you hiding? And what’s your connection to J.D. Stevens?”
“I’m allowed to have people in my home agents. And who steps foot in here is no concern of yours.”
“Criminals? Is that the company you keep?” Agent Revels asked. “What would your bosses think about your association with the president of a known criminal organization?”
“Are you threatening, me?”
“Not a threat, Ms. Pierce.” He smirked. “Just a friendly warning. Be careful of the company you keep. It can come back and bite you in the ass.”
As I grinned, I got to my feet and retrieved my phone from my pocket. I dialed my contact at the FBI, the sound of the dial tone echoing in my ear. I hated using my family connections but since this prick wanted to warn me, how about I send him his own fucking warning.
“Who are you calling, Ms. Pierce?” Agent Monroe asked. “Hang up the phone.”
I wasn’t hanging up the damn phone so, I held up my finger to her. On the third ring, my contact finally answered.
“I have two agents in my home,” I said before he even had the chance to say anything. “I would appreciate it, if you could speak with them.”
“Why do you have two agents in your home, Rebel?” he asked, annoyance lacing his voice.
Donald Williams, my godfather, and my father’s best friend was the Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte FBI Field Office. He was the one who helped me land my contract with the government. I didn’t ask him for much and he knew if I called it was because I needed his help.
“Work.”
He sighed. “Put one of them on the phone.”
I turned to the agents with a smile on my face. “He wants to talk to one of you.”
Confusion crossed both their faces. Agent Revels grabbed my phone from my hand. Agent Monroe stared at Agent Revels whose jaw was clenched. I didn’t know what my godfather was saying but whatever it was pissed him off.
“Yes, sir,” he said, then handed me my phone back.
“All good?” I asked my godfather.
“For now. But whatever you’re involved in Rebel make sure you don’t have to call me again about it. You hear me?”
“Loud and clear. Thanks.”
I ended the call the turned my attention back to the agents. “If there’s nothing else...”
“We’re good,” Agent Revels said. “For now.”
I smiled. “Agent Revels, can I give you a little advice?” I didn’t give him time to answer. “Don’t fuck with me.” My eyes flicked down to his left hand then focused back on his face. “I’m sure your wife loves the life you provide for her with this job. Don’t screw it up because you want to be a bad ass.”
I walked to my door, then opened it.
“Have a great day.”
The agents looked at each other, then left without saying a word. I knew it wasn’t the last time I would see Agent Monroe and Agent Revels, but I knew my ass was going to be prepared when they showed back up.
I closed the door, then dialed J.D. After a few rings his phone went to voicemail.
“You have eyes on you,” I said after the beep then ended the call.
Now with the FBI involved we’d have to tread more carefully.