CHAPTER 2 #2
After a few deep breaths, I do the only thing I can do in this situation. I call Tallulah. Because her man is an enforcer for a motorcycle club and, if I’m driving to New Orleans, I want to get on the road sooner rather than later. They’re going to chew my ass out for this.
“Oh, it’s Addy,” Tal coos when she answers which tells me that she has Joplin in her arms or is doing something with my adorable niece.
My adorable niece who I can’t expose to danger. My heart sinks and my stomach knots because I won’t be able to go to New Orleans. I couldn’t live with myself if Joplin were put in danger because of me.
“Tal,” I choke out her name, and I can feel the way she goes still even though I can’t see her, “I fucked up and did something really stupid. I didn’t know it was going to be stupid when I came up with the plan.
There was one variable I didn’t, and frankly,” I babble because I’m freaking the fuck out, “couldn’t have accounted for. ”
“Addyson,” Tallulah barks and my mouth snaps closed, “I need you to slow down and tell me what is going on.”
“I haven’t heard anything for two days. Two days.
Can you believe it? I read all the news reports I could and searched for videos as well.
There isn’t nearly enough, but I also got more information than I had.
Like her husband is a cop, but not at the precinct who is handling the case.
I thought to check that out, you know? Because it would be relevant, I would think. ”
“Addy,” Tal prods me gently and I take a breath.
“Right.” I clear my throat and then fill in the last of it, the part that is going to make her blow a gasket, “Since no one contacted me and I couldn’t take it anymore, I drove to Charleston and went to the police station with the thumb drive.
” Tal sucks in a sharp breath, but I’m on a roll and don’t give her a chance to say anything.
“While I was waiting for the detectives, a man came in and the moment I heard his voice, I knew it was the man who killed Kendra.”
“No,” Tal breathes out and I know she’s on the edge of her seat.
My best friend loves a good story. Normally, I’m right there with her, but this is a little bit beyond what I’m okay with.
Considering it’s my fucking life and all.
“It was the cop husband, the soon to be ex, Geoffrey Wagner. When he came in, the cop behind the desk knew him and started to tell him I was there as a witness, because I just blurted out most of my life story from nervousness, but I was already walking out. I think he tried to follow me, but I drove away and I never looked back.”
“Shit,” Tallulah breathes the word, holding it out as she does.
I would have to agree. Big time.
“You’re in Charleston, right?”
I make a sound of agreement in the back of my throat. I’m really trying to hold it all together.
“Okay,” her voice takes on a note of something I’ve never heard there before.
It’s as if giving birth to Joplin, even though she’s still a newborn, has given her a ‘mom voice’.
It’s just what I need and I’ve never been prouder.
“This is what we’re going to do. I’m going to send you the address of the clubhouse in Charleston.
I told you about the party I went to there, remember? ”
She doesn’t give me a chance to answer, thankfully, and just keeps laying it out there, “You’re going to go there.
Mayhem is the President of the chapter. He’ll keep you safe while assessing the threat.
The plan will be for you to come to New Orleans, the distance will probably be a good idea, but only if it is safe to travel.
Jensen will clear the way and get everything sorted. ”
I take a few breaths as I let the plan form a path in my head. Having a next step, shaky as it is, helps me to push away enough of the fear.
“Addy,” my best friend’s voice tugs at me and the world comes back into focus fully. “This is the part where you save yourself. You’ve come this far, just a little bit more to get to safe ground. Then you’ll have people at your back, but this part is on you.”
“I got it, Tal,” I tell her my voice a little shaky, but it’s there. “I still have to meet my niece.” Tallulah chuckles, but it’s strained. She’s afraid for me, but if she can pretend to be brave then so can I. “Okay, give Joplin a kiss for me and send me the address.”
The moment she does, I’m on the road. I don’t know how this is all going to play out, but I know that if Wagner thinks I’m a witness and have evidence, he’ll want to find me. I’d rather not have that conversation.
And if he can find out even more about me or what I know? Then I really want to have some protection.
Having a biker clubhouse as a destination was not part of my plan, especially not today considering it’s Valentine’s Day, but here we are. It’s just another day to me at this point, but hopefully Cupid is out there helping someone along.
Okay, maybe not just another day. I am driving to a motorcycle club to ask for refuge from a cop who murdered his estranged wife after all. So, maybe not quite normal.
I should have gotten a new job years ago.