Chapter Fourteen
Saint parked his bike in the same spot as before, and took off his helmet. In his mind’s eye, he saw the four of them: he, Sinn, Cas, and Wrong Way. The only reason he brought the kid was because Cas talked him into it. Said the prospect needed to learn how to conduct himself during a trade.
Remembering Kira’s words, he glanced at the old gas station.
Rising, he placed the helmet on the seat, and then approached the abandoned building.
An old Coca-Cola sign slowly rusted into dust. Weeds grew in the concrete cracks.
All the windows were busted out. Saint stopped to study the area and a shell casing near one of the busted-out windows caught his eye.
He bent to pick it up—nine mil—and struggled to put the pieces together.
However, it was like trying to fit a circle through a square.
Something wasn’t adding up, but he couldn’t seem to figure it out.
Retracing his steps, he was halfway back to his bike when he looked over at the lone streetlight and stopped.
He looked at the gas station once again to gage the distance between the two.
Marching to the light, he pulled forth the memory of Cas when he went to take a leak, and moved into position, only to discover the two places didn’t align at all.
The building was angled, which made using that as a shield completely ineffective.
It’s possible Cas was shot as he was running, but the black-clad figure would have already sprinted for the duffel.
It had been the two clubs shooting each other that kept up the distraction, but it had only lasted a minute.
Not enough time for a person running for the duffel to not be seen.
Which meant ... goddamn it. There had to be another explanation, although he had trouble trying to give excuses.
Cas was shot low in the side, away from any important organs or bone.
If someone had to be shot, that would be the perfect place.
And he hadn’t emerged until after all the shooting had stopped.
There was no way that wound would’ve hindered Cas, who’d been shot multiple times throughout his life.
In fact, the gun Saint had ordered for him to holster, had still been strapped in.
He ran a hand down his face.
It wasn’t painting a good picture for Cas, but why would he betray the club? Knowing, if he was found out, he’d end up six feet under. Then Saint remembered. If Cas had gotten the money, he probably would’ve fled by now.
Except, there was a witness.
Kira had shown up that night to return the money. Anyone could’ve seen her. Anyone could’ve seen the uniform she wore that proclaimed she worked at the diner. She hadn’t been followed, she’d been identified.
He pulled out his cell phone and called Lucifer.
“Have you discovered anything?”
“There are two traitors.”
“Tell me you’re joking. It was bad enough to suspect one person, but two?”
“I’m at the meeting site right now, and it’s the only thing that makes sense. I couldn’t put the pieces together until I walked the line of sight. There’s too far a distance for one person to start the shoot-out, grab the money, and disappear. All without getting caught or seen.”
Lucifer was quiet for a moment. “What are you suggesting? Two of your men or someone from your side and someone from mine?”
“Unfortunately, the second,” Saint replied. “Sinn has been investigating, and was able to account for everyone left behind. And I’m pretty positive I know who my guy is. I guess it’s a good enough time to let you know, I have the money.”
“What? You said—”
“I wanted to see if one of my guys would hang himself. The only people who know about it is you, me, Sinn, and the witness, named Kira.”
“Wait. Did you just say Kira?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Holy fuck,” Lucifer cursed. “I know who my guy is. Or was.”
“How is this tied to Kira?”
“An unfortunate coincidence, but we have to meet up. Can you bring your traitor and her? I’ll bring my guy.”
“I still don’t trust you.”
“And I don’t trust you, but in this case, we both have to take a leap of faith.”
“We gotta stop the damn religious references.”
Lucifer chuckled. “I’ll text you where and when.”
“Fine.”
He hung up. Not five seconds later, it rang and Sinn’s name popped up.
“Yeah?” he grunted, expecting his brother’s airy greeting. Instead, everything came to a standstill.
“Kira was taken,” Sinn said harshly
Am I too late?