6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Torrent followed Maverick and Dragon through the doors to the crematorium where they were meeting Ashe, their club’s cleaner. He ensured that when they disposed of bodies, whether for themselves or for others, nothing could be traced back to the club.
For the funeral home, Ashe was their crematory technician.
Because Sally, who was the mortician, had an agreement with cities in the surrounding counties, their crematory ran daily.
The daily schedule allowed them to slip in any additional cremations needed without arousing suspicion.
The surrounding counties were willing to work with Sally even though she was a Grave Prowlers Ol’ Lady because she offered them the cheapest rate in four counties.
She could do that because the not-so-legal cremations were what supported the mortuary.
Once they’d filed into the room, Dragon cocked his eyebrow, and at Ashe’s nod that he’d swept the room for listening devices, Dragon spoke.
“This will take care of his body, but how are we going to handle the Chief and the car?”
“Crushing it would be best and sending the cube somewhere far away,” Maverick suggested.
“Who do we know that has a salvage yard?” Dragon asked.
Ashe nodded at the body and, at Dragon’s nod, slid it into the crematory.
Torrent stared at the body sliding in. This wasn’t enough for what he’d done to Cecilia and how scared he must have made Calliope.
He deserved to be dumped somewhere and let the animals chew and gnaw on him, but it wouldn’t be as safe for the club.
“I might know a couple. I’ll reach out and let you know.
The Chief isn’t going to just stop looking for his brother.
We can come up with the best story, and even if he believes it, he won’t stop looking.
He’s been able to stay in his position because he has so much dirt on so many people.
Since he planned on selling that little girl, who only deserves stuffed animals and ice cream, I vote for in the crematory while he’s still alive,” Ashe offered, his voice turning ice-cold.
Dragon’s gaze darkened. “He’s going to be a problem, but two law enforcement officers going missing in a short amount of time is going to point the finger at us.”
Torrent agreed and was thinking through some options. He had nothing he wanted to share yet, but he had a couple possibilities.
“If you’ve got this, I need to discuss something with Sally. I’ll see you all at the wedding, and let’s figure out how to protect everyone,” Dragon said, heading up the stairs.
Torrent said his goodbyes and headed out to his bike.
“Hey, where are you going?” Maverick asked.
“Running an errand,” Torrent said.
“Okay, I’ll come with,” Maverick replied.
Torrent nodded. Having a couple more saddlebags to stuff items into wouldn’t be a bad thing. He started his motor and pulled out. Maverick followed. Torrent went to the store where he’d bought the butterfly yesterday.
Maverick followed him in. Torrent went to the stuffed animal area, looking through the ones available and picking three out.
He headed to the book area. He’d overheard Calliope asking Cecilia if they could get her two new books that had come out.
He’d made note of the names so he could get them for her.
She deserved something special for what she’d been through.
He picked up a couple new ones from the authors he followed.
He’d started reading more in prison. Now, he enjoyed reading right before bed.
He wondered if Cecilia enjoyed reading and, if so, what she read.
He texted Cecilia and asked her. He was pleasantly surprised when she replied because the two authors he’d picked up for himself, she enjoyed too.
She also named a romance author. He found that one, then headed to the blanket area.
By the time he’d finished in that area, he’d had to send Maverick to the front for a shopping cart and had called a Prospect to meet them outside.
He’d found a comforter set for the bedroom that he thought Calliope might like, with a matching lamp and rug.
He decided Cecilia and Calliope needed robes and slippers to relax in.
Once he started, he kept throwing in something else because he wanted his suite to feel like home for them.
He and Maverick finished up by adding things from the food section of the store. He bought more premade cookie dough since Calliope had liked it, along with other kid food he hoped she would enjoy. He bought some chocolate and other things he thought Cecilia might appreciate.
Once he checked out, the Prospect loaded it into his vehicle, and Torrent headed to the next store. Maverick grinned when Torrent pulled into the parking space, knocking the kickstand out and shutting off his motor.
“So, a ring, huh?” Maverick asked with a smirk.
Torrent ignored Maverick and walked in.
“How may I help you?” the salesman asked.
“I need a ring,” Torrent stated.
“Yes sir, what type of occasion?” the salesman inquired.
“Wedding, today,” Torrent said.
The man standing in front of him paused, then directed Torrent to an area with shiny rings. Torrent didn’t want to get something she hated. He’d hoped to keep it a surprise, but he didn’t know enough about her tastes. He wasn’t dropping a whack of money on something she’d hate.
Torrent: Ring size and what type of metal?
He hoped that Cecilia had her phone with her.
Cecilia: Size 7 and platinum or silver
“Need a wedding ring, size 7 in platinum,” Torrent directed.
The man showed him some different ones, and then he saw it. A sturdy band with diamonds embedded in it. It came with an engagement ring with a 2-carat diamond.
“Take that if it’s the right size. You have a man’s band that matches?” Torrent asked.
“Yes sir. This is…”
“Don’t care. Just find the ring,” Torrent growled.
Maverick chuckled. “Man, I love shopping with you. Quick, efficient, and the clerks always look like you’re going to make them piss their pants.
” Then he turned to the salesman and said, “What he means is money isn’t a concern as long as he gets what he wants in the sizes he needs to take with him today. ”
While the man looked, Torrent’s eye was caught by a necklace and bracelet with a butterfly on it. It was in silver, which would make Calliope’s set a close match to his and Cecilia’s rings. The man brought over a platinum band. Torrent tried it on and nodded at the man.
“Take that too,” he said, pointing at the necklace and bracelet.
The salesman hurried to get the items, almost tripping as he came back to Torrent. Torrent nodded and pulled out his wallet.
“Torrent’s getting married today, and he wants it perfect,” Maverick said with a grin.
Torrent ignored him and paid for the items, taking the bag and walking out the door. He settled on his bike and waited until Maverick got on his before he started up the motor.
“Flappy lips, Mav, flappy lips,” Torrent dryly noted, his mouth tilting a little at Maverick’s outraged face.
Torrent started the bike and headed back to the clubhouse. He couldn’t wait to see their faces when they saw their gifts.