Halley #2
Not taking time to think, I climbed on the back and wrapped my arms around his middle.
We sped to the daycare center, and Snakebite stopped only long enough for one of his boys to tell him which way we needed to go.
Soon, we were cutting out of lanes of traffic.
Speeding faster, chasing a black car. I had no idea what was going on, but I held on for dear life.
On the freeway, more bikes showed up. I spotted Cowboy and his hat and some other Gods even though no one wore their vests.
Circling the black car, we had it surrounded.
Before I could blink, the bikers run the car off the road.
It hit the guardrail, smashing the front end.
Smoke billowed. All I could think of was my baby.
He’d just been in a wreck. When Snakebite squealed to a stop, I flew from the bike.
I ran faster than my legs could carry me, picturing explosions.
When I reached the wreckage, Hiss pulled a baby out of the car and placed him in my arms. Tears of joy fell down my face.
I hugged him tight. Smelled him. He smelled okay like I remembered a mix of milk and baby powder.
However, when I looked down, I could tell right away, the little bundle wasn’t mine. Big blue eyes stared up at me.
Quickly, I gave the baby back to the woman who Cowboy just heaved out of the vehicle.
“What are you doing,” he asked in a panic.
“It’s not him,” I told him, falling into his arms, crying.
Snakebite had a man, the driver I presumed on the ground.
He pushed a blade to his throat but looked up at my wails.
Before we could figure out how we could’ve made this mistake, blue lights flashed.
The cops showed up. They’d gotten a tip there was a bunch of bikers on the freeway.
Vests or not, we’d stopped traffic. Cowboy and I tried to explain about the missing baby, as they were handcuffing him and some of the other Gods.
Glancing around I couldn’t find Snakebite.
Looked like him and most of his crew had fled the scene.
Being hysterical, I’d not been arrested, but dropped off at the motel by a squad car.
Snakebite waited for me at the door to my room.
“You just bailed on us?”
“Yeah, I’m a wanted man, Halley. My boys all are. Now that the fuzz are involved, they’ll be heading back to Cali, but I’m staying put. It’s just a risk I have to take.”
When I made it past him, I shut the door and locked the deadbolt.
Since it was still early, I called the jail.
Apparently, although Cowboy had to wait and go in front of a judge and probably pay a fine, he wasn’t a wanted man like Snakebite.
The woman on the line thought he’d walk in a day or two.
Next, I called Scar about the other members who had gotten arrested.
He said he’d send Harlot to take care of things, which I assumed meant get them out of jail.
I didn’t want to tell him that it was pretty much Snakebite and I left, and I was probably in danger here.
Instead, I kept myself locked in the room.
Two days passed until Harlot showed up. I spent the time moping and ordering takeout.
Snakebite still guarded my door, but thankfully, he’d let pizza through.
Every once in a while, he’d suggest we go out on our own and go look for the baby.
I wasn’t falling for it, thinking he’d kidnap me and take me back to California. I’d stay put until Cowboy returned.
When Harlot finally arrived, she’d already been to the courthouse and had some of our members with her. They were packing their shit.
“Does this asswipe need to be here?” She asked about Snakebite guarding the door. I’d stepped outside to talk to her and to have another of Snakebite’s cigarettes.
“He’s cool,” I said, just so she’d get on with it.
She’d got wind the Feds were getting involved in this case on account of a missing baby. Although the Gods could bribe the local authorities, she said Scar feared that the FBI could bring unwanted attention to the club.
“What about finding my baby?”
Harlot explained, “Scar agrees we have to do anything to find him. But for right now, we is you, Cowboy and the Feds.”
“What the hell is this? Now, you are speaking for my brother who should be calling me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Scar also said no phones. That you should have quit using that damned phone by now. Get rid of it asap. He plans to cut it off anyhow.” She went on to explain again about how the rest of our gang would be going back with her.
Everyone except Cowboy and I. She was no help at all.
“I’m staying, too,” Snakebite cut in.
That only left us and Snakebite to work with the agents that according to her, would be showing up anytime now.
“And we are just supposed to be cooperating, not going to another motel or something?”
“Yes, shits got real. You are cooperating.” Harlot emphasized the word you. Then she about bowled me over. “Word is someone tipped them off that you probably killed your baby.”
In so much shock, I about collapsed again. I caught myself and hung on Snakebite’s neck. He held me up by grabbing my waist.
Harlot went on, “No matter where you go, they’ll be looking for you now. If you come back to Arizona, you’ll be bringing trouble with you. Scar says you stay put and prove your innocence. He thinks that since you have no priors maybe the government can help find your baby. Simple as that.”
That’s when Cowboy showed up.
It hit me like a roller derby elbow in the face that I was still in Snakebite’s arms. I was quick enough to tear away before Cowboy punched him in the eye. Snakebite fought back, wrapping his hands around Cowboy’s throat. The men tumbled down the metal stairs, popped up and continued their fight.
Harlot and I watched them fight until Root and Blackjack got between them.
I crossed my arms, watching them trying to get back at each other as the other guys held them back.
Harlot’s hand on her gun, she asked me, “Which one do I shoot?”
“Neither until I find my baby.”
“You’re no fun. Alright. I’m getting out of here. Good luck.”
Good luck was right. Cowboy came toward me with a sick look on his face.