CHAPTER 50
Kaya
For the last three days I have basically lived in the control room.
I’ve looked into Frederick Compton, aka Flip, nonstop.
I’ve checked into his past, his family, jobs, arrests, his jail time, who he talked to while he was incarcerated, who he got in touch with when he was released, past friends, schoolmates, and not a damn thing stands out as a reason he would turn on the club.
Maverick has been my shadow, constantly checking in, bringing me food and drinks, and forcing me to go outside to get some sun.
There’s been no sign of Bishop or his two friends, Daryl and Viper, so the lockdown continues.
Brewster and the twins are giving everyone a run for their money.
In the meantime, Lexi, and all the other women are preparing for Alex and Arianna’s graduation party.
They graduate in less than a month and from the sounds of it, they are planning a huge bash.
Ace and Deuce are working overtime figuring out security to the point of other chapters coming in from out of state.
Wait. No. That has to be a coincidence. Joseph Michaels. Murdered. I bring up the article.
Dogwood Creek Man Found Dead; Police Investigating Homicide
Authorities are investigating the death of 44-year-old Joseph Michaels after his body was discovered shortly after midnight, Monday evening on Hilltop Road, about three miles east of Briar Pike Bowling.
According to investigators, Michaels suffered injuries consistent with an assault.
The death has been ruled a homicide by the county medical examiner.
No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Dogwood Creek Police Department.
Fuck. I stare at the screen. This can’t be related. Chills run through my body as I pull Joseph’s autopsy report. Blunt force trauma. Jesus. He wasn’t just beaten. He was pulverized. My mind flashes to Maverick beating Reese after my attack. I wince. “Poor Joe.”
My phone rings with an incoming call. I pick it up. Gretchen. Shit. I send her to voicemail, but send a quick text.
Me: Hi! I will call you back in a few hours. Really busy working right now.
Gretchen: K
K? I know I shouldn’t read more into it, but K seems short.
She would normally type a sentence or two, tell me not to work so hard, or I don’t know, say something else.
When was the last time I talked to her? A few days ago?
We text every day though. Yesterday she said she was going to a music festival with her mom this weekend, so she’s good.
Focus. Back to Flip. I pull his financial records from July. As I scan over them one payment jumps out at me. Colton Collision Center. July 20th. I jump to DMV records. Blue Mazda Miata. He got the car fixed and then apparently sold it less than a month later.
Was there an accident the night of Joe’s death?
Another hour. More research. No accidents on file.
No social media updates. Hmm. I search through Carnage’s photo gallery.
If I know these guys there are probably pictures of Joe’s bike.
I scroll back five years. Sure enough there is a folder titled Joe’s bike with a skull and crossbones. “That’s pretty morbid, guys.”
I scroll through the photos, zooming in.
There was definitely an accident. There’s a broken mirror, scuffs, scratches, and dings.
All consistent with a wreck. I scroll some more.
My heart stops when I see it. I zoom all the way in to be sure.
On his black gas tank, there’s a dent and blue paint transfer. Oh my God.
This is insane. I mean it’s not a smoking gun, but holy shit.
The timing. The blue paint. The fact that he sold the car less than a month later?
There’s nothing else that makes sense. He definitely wouldn’t want anyone in Carnage finding out about this.
Blackmail maybe. Maybe someone else knew.
It’s not my job to form conclusions, but I need to tell Ace. Now.