Stalker
My joy at coming home was tarnished by the revelation that Jess had gone to the cops and lied that we were holding his sisters hostage.
Anger burned in my gut. If he’d been standing in the room when I heard it, I would’ve beaten his ass off.
Although the way Daya reacted, it would’ve been a race to see who did it first.
We were at the clubhouse, waiting for the cops to arrive. I wondered who we’d get. I hoped it was Zev, but I wasn’t holding my breath. Knowing our luck, it would be Gonzalez, Talbot, or someone else of their ilk. Neither liked us for various reasons.
In preparation for their arrival, Ivan had been dispatched to the gate so there would be no delay in letting them inside.
He’d call Bull when they arrived, then he’d accompany them into the clubhouse.
No way would we allow them free access to go anywhere they wanted.
Inside, there would be nothing to warrant probable cause to search.
Our guns were all legally registered. We didn’t do drugs, and we weren’t dumb enough to leave bodies, blood, or other incriminating stuff lying around.
“I don’t know what has gotten into my cousin, but after we get rid of the police, I’ll be paying his stupid ass a visit,” Stryder muttered.
He was standing with Predator and me. Exchanging a speaking look with my best friend, I gestured for Stryder to come with us into a private corner. He went without a word.
“We were waiting until we found out if there was anything worth mentioning, but you should know. We’re not telling Daya and Breezy unless something is found. They have enough stress,” I told Stryder.
“Waiting on what?” our club brother asked.
“Outlaw called me into the office at Salvation today. His gut tells him there might be something behind Jess’s change of tune about Marshall and his doing shit like last night and now this.
He wanted to know if he should follow his hunch.
Stalker and I green-lighted him. We planned to wait and not say anything unless Outlaw finds something.
We’re hoping we’re all paranoid, but we can’t take a chance,” Predator told Stryder.
There were a couple of seconds of silence, then Stryder sighed and spoke.
“I hope like hell we’re all paranoid, but I’ve been wondering the same thing.
Jess can be hardheaded and an asshole, but he’s always been totally against Marshall and hated him for what he did to Breezy.
Finding out about Daya should’ve strengthened that hatred, not made him willing to give the bastard the benefit of doubt, or that he’s been rehabilitated.
I would’ve done the same thing. Thanks for letting me know. I won’t say anything.”
“Thanks,” we both replied.
We stayed there, just speculating on what was up with Jess. A whistle grabbed our attention. Bull was standing next to the bar. I knew what that meant.
“They’re here. Places,” Pres shouted.
The three of us headed toward the tables where Breezy and Daya sat.
As prearranged, Breezy stood and went over to sit with Aspen and Sage.
Brae went with her. Stryder broke off to join Breezy’s table.
Predator and I joined Jocelyn and Daya’s table.
Others milled around and took up spots at the pool tables, bar, dart boards, or at other places.
We didn’t want it to appear that we knew the cops were coming.
We’d all gotten ourselves situated moments before the door opened.
Two cops walked in, Ivan bringing up the rear.
I relaxed a tad when I saw one of them was Zev.
None of us would be overly apparent that he was a friend to us, but the cops at the station knew he was friendly with us.
Raina worked with them in dispatch. Some have given her the cold shoulder since she got with Joker four years ago. Raina said they could kiss her ass.
As prearranged, Bull and Tank moved forward to greet them. As president and VP, it was their job to do so. The rest of us cast curious glances at them, while continuing to talk or play.
“Evening officers, welcome. This is a surprise. What can we do for you?” Bull asked cordially, offering his hand.
Zev shook it and then Tank’s, which he’d offered.
The other officer was Talbot. He was running a suspicious eye around the room.
When Bull and Tank thrust their hands out to him, he hesitated a moment before giving them the briefest shake, then he dropped them.
I watched him wipe his hand on his pants.
What an asshole. I knew Bull and Tank did it to make him uncomfortable.
They knew Talbot disliked all of us. As this was playing out, the kids who were big enough were playing and running around the room.
The small ones were held in whichever arms had them at the moment.
“Good evening, Bull, Tank. Sorry for the disruption. We’re here on official business. We’re here to speak to Dayanara and Brighton Crane. Are they here?” Zev asked.
Bull gave them the perfect puzzled expression. “Yes, they are.”
“I’m Dayanara,” our old lady called out, raising her hand.
“I’m Brighton,” Breezy tacked on, raising hers.
“Is there a problem, officers?” Daya asked as the two officers made their way over to her first.
“We’re here at your brother’s request,” Talbot stated.
“Our brother? Jessup? Why would he ask you to come here to see us?” Breezy asked, sounding mystified.
“Is Jess okay?” Daya asked.
“Your brother is fine. He’s concerned about the two of you,” Zev explained.
“Concerned? Why?” Breezy asked.
“Let’s go somewhere private. In fact, it would be best if you came with us to the station. We can explain everything there,” Talbot suggested, making the first move to separate them from us.
“I don’t see why we need to do all that. We can speak here. Everyone is our friends and family. We don’t have secrets from them,” Daya said dismissively as she waved her hand in the air.
“I’m afraid, we insist,” Talbot stated. Zev rolled his eyes, where his partner wasn’t able to see it.
“Forgive me, but this sounds like more than a general discussion. Are they in trouble?” Jocelyn asked.
“No, they're not in trouble. Talbot, there’s no need to make them go all the way to town for this,” Zev told his fellow officer. Talbot scowled at him.
“I think there is. We can’t determine the truth while all these… people are around us. They’ll be too scared to tell us the truth,” Talbot hissed. But he said it loud enough for us to hear him.
“I’m afraid, unless you’re placing our clients under arrest, we can’t agree to them going anywhere.
State why you came. If you’d like to do so in a more private setting, we’ll provide that, but Braelyn and I will accompany Breezy and Daya,” Jocelyn told them.
She was polite, but the steel in her voice told the cops she wasn’t backing down.
“If you’re impeding our investigation, we can arrest you. Why do they need a lawyer? Did they do something wrong?” Talbot asked snidely.
“Of course, they haven’t done anything wrong.
But when two police officers show up at their home, demand they leave, and act all mysterious, it’s only smart to have their legal representatives present.
And as their friends, we’re more than willing to do that for them.
I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Braelyn Lane, attorney-at-law.
And I believe you know Jocelyn Williams, attorney-at-law,” Brae said casually.
“Ms. Williams, Ms. Lane, we can certainly talk here. Let’s go into a quieter room,” Zev chimed in.
“Zev, we need to take them into town,” Talbot muttered.
“We do it here,” Zev said, exerting his authority as the lead officer. Talbot’s face reddened.
“Right this way. Honey, we need to use church. Is that alright?” Jocelyn asked as she came to her feet.
The other three ladies stood. It was all I could do not to insist we accompany them, but Jocelyn and Brae had warned us to let them take the lead. They’d keep them safe.
“Sure, whatever you need, Duchess. Holler if you need us,” Bull replied.
Watching the four women and two officers leave the common room made me even more tense.
However, Zev would make sure it didn’t get out of hand as well.
He didn’t know that Daya was an old lady, but I had no doubt he’d soon find out.
And he knew how protective the club was of those they considered family and friends.
“And now we wait,” Predator muttered.