Chapter Seven

 

 

In the morning Gus called to say the meet had been set for nine o’clock. Kelly grabbed a coffee to go, kissed Gillian goodbye and headed for Dallas County, where Ajax was serving his time in the Hutchins State Jail.

When his cell buzzed, Kelly touched the hands free.

“Everything’s all set.” Gus’ voice boomed through the speaker. “Warden’s expecting you. He’ll have Ajax waiting. The rest is up to you.”

“What did they tell him?”

“Nothing. He hasn’t a clue who or what to expect. He’s just been put in a room and told to wait.”

Kelly chuckled. “God only knows what kind of scenarios he’ll have dreamed up in his head by the time I walk in the door.”

“That’s the idea. Tighten him up, get him expecting the worst, and you’ll come in looking like saint and savior.”

Kelly laughed. “Yeah sure. I’ll report later.” He pushed the button and checked the GPS, which showed another five miles to his turn off.

 

* * *

 

Kelly passed through the security gates and followed the guard to a room with a small barred window. Inside a metal table had been bolted to the floor with two straight backed chairs set on either side. In one of the chairs, leaning forward with his elbows propped on the table, sat the biker known as Ajax.

The big man had aged since the last time Kelly had seen him. Gone was his full head of wavy brown hair. In its place a prison crew cut and evidence of a high forehead where the hair would never grow again.

“Been a long time.” Kelly approached the table and held out his hand.

Ajax studied Kelly’s face for several moments without raising his hand. “I’ll hear you out before I return that handshake.”

“Fair enough.” Kelly pulled out the other chair and sat at the table. “I’m sure you’ve an ear to the outside so you probably know I’ve been asking around about you.”

Ajax tilted his chair back and remained silent.

“I’d guess you’ve been wondering what I want so I won’t keep you in suspense. I want you to help me catch a murderer.”

“What the fuck?” Ajax let his chair bang down on four legs and glared at Kelly.

“Nothing to do with the Brothers.” Kelly held up his hand. “Hear me out. If you don’t like my proposition that’s all there is to it. I’ll go on about my business and you’ll go back to serving your time.” Kelly flattened his hands on the table. “You willing to listen?”

Ajax gave a brief nod. “I’m listening.”

“Okay. First of all. The murderer isn’t a local. He’s a Yankee and we have reason to believe one the Brothers is helping him hide.”

Kelly stopped, waited a moment, and when there was no outburst from his listener, he continued.

“We don’t think your guy knows he’s helping a killer. Matter of fact, we figure this bastard has conned one of the young bucks in your organization into helping him out in exchange for an introduction to a certain West Coast drug lord.”

Ajax’s eyes flared, and Kelly held up his hand to stay comment. “I know the Brothers have never been into drugs, but we both know that’s history. Rumor has it some of the younger Brothers are pushing for a change in leadership”

“Bull shit.”

“No, it’s not bull shit, and you know it isn’t. But we’re not interested in drug dealings and we’re not after anyone inside your organization. It’s like I told you, we’re after a killer.”

“We? You turned into a cop or something?”

Kelly shrugged. “Or something. Let’s just say, the man you knew as Jake has two roles in life.”

“Snitch.” Ajax spat the word.

Kelly slammed his fist down on the table. “I ain’t a Goddamn snitch.”

Ajax snorted and slid his chair back.

Kelly pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket and put it on the table. “You’ve got a couple of grandkids don’t you? Boys if I remember correctly.”

“Yeah. So what.”

“So take a look in that envelope and tell me if you want that son-of-a-bitch living in your neighborhood.”

 

* * *

 

Minutes ticked by. The biker looked at the first picture, scowled, and dumped the batch onto the table.

“Are you saying the fucker who took these is staying with one of my Brothers?”

Kelly shook his head. “We don’t know where he’s staying. If we did he’d have been arrested. The cops have observed Sam Taylor in company with an individual known to be one of your Brothers.”

“Which one?”

“They don’t know. They’re not even positive of their information, it’s just rumor at this point. That’s why they need you—to find out whether or not there’s any truth in the rumor.”

“So you wouldn’t be able to tell me who I’m looking for even if I did decide to go along with this.”

“That’s about it. We’re counting on you to work from the inside—it’s possible one of your guys is working a private deal. He may not realize anyone’s made the connection, and he may be hiding his arrangement.”

“That’s not how we operate.”

“That’s not how the old Brotherhood operated, but we both know things are changing. Maybe there’s nothing to it. If that’s the case you’ll have gotten yourself a free pass for nothing.”

“Yeah. Thanks. Something for nothing from the cops stinks to hell and back.”

“I bet it would stink a helluva lot more if that piece of shit came in contact with your grandkids.”

Ajax’s eyes flared and his mouth twisted into a nasty scowl. “I catch the bastard near them kids, it’ll be the undertaker attending him, not the cops.”

“How do you figure you’re going to make sure that isn’t happening while you’re locked up in here?”

“I have my ways. But let’s get back on track. Say I’m willing to go along with you. Just how are we supposed to find out which Brother is hooked up with this creep? If, as you say, he’s trying to undermine our organization, then it stands to reason he’s keeping his association with this Sam character on the quiet.”

“That’s true. But the cops are betting, and I’m inclined to go along with them, that it won’t take you too long to sniff out the rat.”

“Okay. So exactly what’s the deal?”

“Simple. As soon as I leave here and make a phone call, the wheels will be set in motion. You should be turned loose by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Will I have to deal directly with the cops?”

“Nope. Your release will be handled as a standard release of a non-violent, model prisoner necessitated by overcrowding. There won’t be any chance of a leak because no one will know it’s anything out of the ordinary.”

“And I’ll get in touch with you directly if I have information to pass along?”

“That’s correct. I’m giving you my cell number. By the way, my name is Kelly McWinter. No reason for you to blab that around, but if you need to get in touch with me at Central, that’s who you ask for. It’s not commonly known that I’m in any way involved with the cops. Which I’d like to keep that way. Agreed?”

“Hell yeah. No way I’m saying anything about working with a snitch.”

Kelly shoved back his chair. “Let’s be straightening this out right now. I told you I ain’t a snitch. I used to be in the narcotic business. That’s personal and it’s been over for half a decade. Now I’m private, and I’m helping out a friend. I don’t think helping the cops nail that perverted piece of crap is going to damage your reputation any, and it might just earn you some points that’ll come in handy on down the line. Let’s face it, we aren’t none of us getting any younger.”

“Okay.” Ajax lifted his hands. “Can’t say I wouldn’t be on board even if it did require working one-on-one with the cops, but this is a helluva lot more to my liking.”

 

* * *

 

After making sure everyone had their jobs sorted out for the day, Gillian left Mike in charge while she went to check on Angelina. The girl had been released from hospital and Mrs. Morales had called with an update the evening before. According to her mother Angelina was feeling fine and wanted to return to work. Gillian had her doubts about that, but she promised to stop by in the morning and talk with the girl.

The Morales’ lived in a small frame house in Haltom City. The neighborhood had a large Mexican American community and it was evident from the array of get well cards covering the hall table that the family was well liked and being given lots of support.

“She’s in the family room, if you want to go right back,” said Mrs. Morales

“Thanks.” Gillian smiled at Mrs. Morales and then headed down the hall to find Angelina.

“You’re looking a lot better than the last time I saw you.” Gillian bent to give the girl a hug.

“I’m feeling good.” Angelina hugged Gillian back and her smile supported her words.

“So what’s this I hear about you wanting to come back to work already?”

“Oh, please.” Angelina put her finger to her lips and whispered. “You’ve got to let me come back to work. Mama is driving me crazy. She won’t let me out of her sight for five minutes.”

Gillian chuckled and lowered her voice. “She’s still frightened. It was very scary for her—for all of us, but especially for your mother.”

“I know, and I love her to death, but please, she’s suffocating me, I really, really need to come back to work.”

“Okay. Let’s give it the weekend. Let you get your full strength back, and you can come back to work on Monday. Is that a deal?”

“Oh yes. Thank you so much.” Angelina’s face lit up in a brilliant smile. “I’m missing everyone. It’s bad enough thinking about Larry, but not being able to see my friends is so hard. I’ve talked to Mike and Robin on the phone, but it’s not the same. I need to be back there working with them. We all need each other right now.”

“I understand. We’ll get it worked out. I’ll talk to your mom before I leave. I do have a couple more questions. Maybe now that you’ve had time to think about things, and you’re feeling better you could help me recreate what happened that day. Between the two of us we might be able to come up with something that doesn’t quite fit.”

“I have thought about it—a lot. I’ve gone over and over things trying to remember anything that Sam or Larry might have said that could have resulted in something like this. I don’t know. I didn’t like Sam. There was something creepy about him, but I never thought of him as a criminal, never mind a murderer.”

Angelina’s face crumpled and, suspecting imminent tears, Gillian squeezed her hand and spoke softly. “We know that honey. No one expected this. I saw him around the property, and like you, I didn’t like him, but I certainly didn’t think of anything like what happened. Are you okay? Would you rather I waited until you come back to work to ask you anymore questions?”

“No. Please, I’m okay. I want to help and I’m not going to break down. I promise. It’s just every once in a while I think about Larry and wonder if I could have done anything to stop what happened.”

Gillian shook her head. “You had no way of knowing. None of us did. We all feel the same way. If we’d have known we’d have done something, but we didn’t, so now we have to concentrate on helping Detective Graham and Kelly find the killer.”

“Are they sure it’s Sam then?”

“No, they’re not sure at all. Right now they just want him for questioning. It’s not just because of Larry’s murder. We found something in one of the lockers—the one Larry gave to Sam.”

“He gave Sam a locker? I never let him do that. Honest Gillian, I’d never have given Larry permission to let Sam keep anything at the stables.”

“I know you didn’t. It’s one of the things about Larry that none of us knew about. Apparently Sam was giving him money. At least that’s what we’ve figured, and it looks like Larry might have been selling drugs for him.”

Angelina dropped her head. “I wanted to believe Larry when he said it was all innocent, but deep down I think I knew better. I guess he lied when he said he was going to come clean when you came back.”

“Not necessarily. I do believe that Larry cared a lot for you. It’s very possible that he intended to keep his word, and that could be why he was killed. Even though he lied to you about his own part in selling the drugs, he could have told the supplier that you knew and that he was getting out of the operation and that they needed to shut it down and get out before I returned from vacation.”

“Do you really think so?”

“I think it’s possible. Larry probably didn’t realize he was dealing with killers. He probably thought if he told them you knew and he was going to come clean, that they’d skip town and you’d never find out about his involvement.”

“I guess I got him killed.” Angelina swiped at her eyes.

“No, you did not get him killed. His decision to get involved in an illegal drug operation probably got him killed. You cared about him, and you didn’t want to see him going to prison like his brother. Obviously Larry respected you and cared about you too. He wanted to change and make a difference, but that’s what happens when we choose the wrong path. We mean to make things better but too often it’s too late.”

“I hope what I’m telling you helps catch the killer. That way at least I’ll know I helped Larry get justice.”

“That’s the way to think. We can’t undo what’s been done, but we can do everything in our power to help Gus and Kelly catch these people.”

“What about the locker? Did you find anything in there?”

Gillian nodded. “There were pictures in there and they aren’t very nice.”

“The pictures weren’t of Larry were they?”

“No. They were of several young boys. I’m afraid it’s pretty ugly. The pictures make it clear that Sam was involved in child pornography.”

Angelina shook her head. “Larry would never have had anything to do with that. He loved kids. He was always talking about his nephews and how he intended to see that they had a better life than he and his brothers.”

Gillian nodded. “We don’t think Larry was involved. In fact, we’re sure none of the boys at the stable were aware that Sam was involved in anything as sick as child pornography.”

“There was one thing that happened. I never thought about it at the time, but maybe it’s connected.”

“What’s that?”

“It was the week before this happened. Sam came to the stables one day and he had this biker looking guy with him. I was in the office and I saw them making their way to the stables. I didn’t like it, but I wasn’t sure what to do. You weren’t here and I was waiting for you to come back to see if we could ban them from coming onto the property. I should have gone ahead and done it myself, but it didn’t seem like my place, and I knew you’d be back in a few days.”

Gillian smiled. “You did what you thought was right. Don’t second guess yourself. Do you know what Sam and this biker wanted?”

“To see Larry. I saw them go around the back towards the tack room, and I went across to see what they were up to. I was going to tell Larry to get rid of them, but they weren’t talking to Larry, they were talking to Dr. Morgan.”

“The vet?” Gillian frowned. “What would he have to do with the likes of Sam?”

I don’t know, but I overheard part of their conversation, and it wasn’t nice. Sam was talking I didn’t really listen but I heard some of it, they were talking about making videos of old guys doing young chicks, it was ugly, and they were all laughing—even the doctor. Larry showed up and they changed the subject. I didn’t want to look at them anymore, and since Larry was there I went ahead and left.”

“Could you tell if the doctor was part of the conversation or was he just listening?”

“I think he was just listening, but he laughed—just like the other guy. I thought they were all pigs.”

“So you left them in the tack room.”

“Yes. I’m sorry, that wasn’t very responsible of me. I never dreamed they were murderers or I’d never have left Larry alone with them.”

“You did fine. Thank you for telling me about this incident. I’ll pass it on to Kelly. I hope our vet isn’t connected, but I’d like to know what they were talking about that day, and who that biker was. Did Larry seem to know him?”

“I don’t think so, but I didn’t stick around. Once Larry came I figured it was up to him to deal with them and I just wanted to get out of there.”

“That’s fine. He was probably just someone along with Sam, but I’ll tell Kelly about it and he and Gus can decide if they need to follow up, or maybe they even know who it was.”

“I hate all this. It’s so ugly. Do you need me to look at the pictures?”

“Not the bad ones. Just a couple of shots of the boys—to see if you recognize any of them.”

Angelina griped the sides of her face with her hands and squeezed. “I hope I don’t. It would be too horrible.”

“Okay. Take your time. I’ll get them out and you tell me when you’re ready to look.”

“I’ll just go to the bathroom, okay?”

“Of course. I’ll wait for you.”

“Thanks. I want to stop and make sure Mama’s still busy in the kitchen. I don’t want her to know about any of this.”

Gillian smiled encouragement. “We’ll try very hard to keep her from finding out. Believe me I don’t want anything like this connected with the stables. But I have to be honest with you, Angelina. If the media gets wind of this none of us are going to be safe from prying eyes and ugly speculation.”

Angelina stood, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “I’ll be right back.” The girl slipped out of the room.

She’ll be okay. Gillian observed as she watched Angelina leave. Then, resolved to finish what she’d started, she reached into her purse and removed the two photograph copies that Gus had given her to see if any of her workers recognized the boys. “God I hope not,” she said aloud.

“Is everything okay?” Mrs. Morales had entered the room so silently that Gillian jumped at the sound of her voice.

“Oh. Sorry, you startled me.” Gillian put her hand to her chest.

“I’m sorry. I wondered if you were finished with Angelina. Did she go somewhere?”

Gillian smiled. “She just went to the bathroom. We’re nearly done. Thank you for giving us some time to talk.”

The woman nodded. “I am glad. She needs to talk about what happened. She’s too quiet. To me she says nothing.”

Gillian rose and approached the woman. “I’m sure it’s very hard on you, worrying about your daughter. She’s going to be fine. It’s not that she doesn’t want to share with you, it’s that she worries. You’re her mother and she wants to protect you.”

“I know,” Mrs. Morales nodded. “That’s why I’m glad you came. She thinks I don’t know how she feels, but I do. Mothers and daughters. Some things can’t be shared. Thank you for being there. Will she return to work?”

“Yes. I think so. I’ll make sure she doesn’t over do. I’ll make her stop and take a rest in the afternoon. She’ll get back to normal faster if she returns to her routine. Don’t you think?”

“Yes. I am afraid, but I agree she needs to work. I’ll go now, before she comes back. If you need anything you’ll call me.”

“That’s a promise. Please don’t worry. We’ll take care of her.”

“Thank you.”

The older woman left the room and Gillian sat back down on the sofa. She placed the pictures face up on the coffee table and waited.

Minutes later Angelina returned and stood next to Gillian, bent over the table.

“I don’t know them.” Her voice was nothing more than a whispered sigh. “I would have hated it if I had, but I’d tell you for sure.”

“I know you would. I’m glad you don’t know them either. I don’t really think they’re from around here. No one that has been interviewed so far has any idea who the boys are, or why we’re asking about them.”

“Do the others know?”

“At the stable? No, I’ve shown them the pictures, but I haven’t told them why we’re looking. I’d like to keep it that way.”

“I won’t say a word. I hope we never have to talk about it. I know that might be impossible. If it has to come out in order to catch Larry’s killer and the people making those horrible pictures, then I’ll do whatever you ask.”

“Good. The sooner Kelly and Gus get rid of these monsters the sooner we can all get back to our lives.”

Gillian picked up the pictures, put them back in her purse and Angelina followed her to the door.

“Thank you for everything.” Angelina looked up with her bright eyes, and Gillian pulled her into a quick hug.

“Of course, and thank you. Now you take care of yourself. Get lots of rest this weekend and I’ll see you Monday morning.”

Once back in her car, Gillian checked the time and decided that if she hurried she just might get back to Lake Country in time to catch the vet before he finished making rounds. His routine was to stop by twice a week for a general checkup and if there were any horses needing special attention, he’d discuss their ongoing care with Gillian. Normally he’d take a break about two in the afternoon and whenever she had the time, Gillian would join him for coffee in the tack room. If she hurried she might get back in time for that ritual.

 

* * *

 

As hoped, Dr. Morgan had finished in the stables and was helping himself to a cup of coffee when Gillian entered the lunch room.

“Nice to see you Ms. Gillian. I hope you have time to join me for a cup.” The doctor lifted his cup in a salute and then sat down at one of the tables by the window.

“Good to see you as well Dr. Morgan. I was hoping we’d have a chance to chat.” Gillian filled her cup and took the seat across the table from the vet.

“This nasty business with Larry has upset everyone. I’m sure you’ve noticed that the horses are out of sorts.”

“Yes,” Gillian nodded. “That’s why I'd like to get things back to normal as quickly as possible. You don’t mind if I ask you a few questions?”

“Of course not. Matter of fact if you hadn’t come down here today I was planning on calling at the house to see if you could carve out a bit of time for an old sawbones.”

Gillian laughed. “I haven’t heard that saying in a long time.”

“A little poetic license. I believe the writer was referring to a people doctor. Still, as you know the animal members of this planet are every bit as entitled to good care as our humans.”

“You won’t get an argument out of me on that point.” Gillian nodded to acknowledge his comment and then switched the subject. “I’ve heard that you had some conversations with this Sam character that the police are looking for, and I’m hoping you can tell me something about him. Angelina can’t quite remember—she still hasn’t completely recovered from the attack last week—but she thinks you had a conversation with him and a biker that was hanging around here.”

The vet shook his head and set his coffee cup down a little harder than necessary. “I was not having a conversation with that moron. I was making it quite clear to him and his stupid friend that veterinarians do not dispense drugs to treat an animal they’ve never seen.”

“That’s what they wanted?”

“Exactly. Just like I’ve told the police. Because Larry was one of your workers, and prior to this incident he had always seemed reliable, I had previously agreed to give his friend some general advice regarding a horse that was apparently suffering from an unexplained stomach problem.”

“By his friend, you mean Sam?”

“That’s who I thought it was, but it turned out that it wasn’t for Sam at all, it was for this biker friend that he brought along.” Dr. Morgan slapped the table. “This idiot didn’t want advice about his horse. He wanted me to write him a prescription for Oxycontin, which he claimed he needed for the horse. I told him I didn’t take private clients and he should get his ass to a proper veterinarian with his horse, and then I told Sam not to bother me with any more of his bullshit ideas. That was the last I saw of any of them.”

Gillian frowned. “It looks like Angelina must have been mistaken. She was sure that you and the boys were discussing watching someone make a video that showed several old guys ‘getting it on’ with young chicks. She couldn’t remember the name of the place, but she thought she heard all of you discussing a nightclub where you could find a lot more of that action.”

Dr. Morgan’s eyes flashed. “I do not know what those young men were doing after I went back to tending the horses, but I certainly was not involved in any lurid discussion with those morons and I know nothing about a nightclub.”

Dr. Morgan shook his head and huffed out a breath. “I don’t mean to be unkind, but it sounds like the bump on that young woman’s head has screwed up more than her memory functions.”

Gillian nodded. “The doctors said it may be weeks—or never—before her full memory returns. But you didn’t overhear any of this supposed conversation Angelina is talking about. I wouldn’t keep on about it, but if we could identify the nightclub Angelina believes they were talking about it might give us a lead to Larry’s killer.”

“I’m afraid not. I was worried about one of the horses and I wasn’t thinking about the stable boys’ conversations. I don’t usually listen to them anyhow. They talk the same crap, all ignorant youth talk. I can’t even say what they were talking about when I arrived. I didn’t pay attention. All I can say is that when I was with them, they talked about horses and getting some drugs to treat some mythical horse and nothing more. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to finish up here because I’ve several patients to see today and already I’m behind schedule.”

“Of course, Dr. Morgan.” Gillian stood up and offered her hand. “Please don’t take offense at these questions. We all just want to clear this up and get back to our normal lives again.”

“Understood. Why don’t you ask this Sam some of these questions? Sounds to me like he’s the one you want to be talking to.”

“That’s true. Unfortunately no one has been able to find him since the murder. To tell you the truth the police think he’s the killer.”

“They do.” The vet shook his head and rose to leave. “He’s stupid enough, but I can’t say I had pegged him as a murderer. Well, better go take another look at that bay, she’s been off her feed for a week—which, as you mentioned, could be related to all the turmoil going on around here. Let’s hope it settles down soon.”

The vet left to take care of the horse and Gillian returned to the house where she sat down at her desk, took out a notepad and proceeded to write up a summary of the information she’d learned today so that she could turn it over to Kelly.

 

* * *

 

Kelly left the prison. On the highway, he called Gus.

“It’s all set. Ajax is in. If you set your stuff in motion right away, he could be home by morning. Maybe we’ll tie this thing up over the weekend.”

“Sure as hell make my life easier. The media’s having a field day—two college students dead and no suspect. It’s an election year and not the kind of stuff the sheriff wants to see on the evening news.”

“Of course it’s all your fault.”

“You got it. Can you make the White Bull for lunch?”

“My mouth’s watering. See you there.”

 

* * *

 

The White Bull on 28th Street had been one of Gus and Kelly's pit stops back in the days when they were a team. Kelly got a rush of memory every time he entered the brightly lit café with the 50s style décor and lip-smacking aromas emanating from the kitchen. Texas favorites like chicken-fried steak, biscuits and gravy, honest to God Texas chili without beans, and brisket so tender it made a knife redundant.

Inside Kelly strolled to the back of the Café, and sliding across the cracked red plastic of the same old booth he and Gus have always chosen, he signaled the waitress for coffee.

“Gus’ll be along in a minute. Mind filling me up and coming back for his. You know how he likes it, hot enough to burn the lips off anyone else.”

“I got you covered.” Margaret had been running the lunch crowd at the White Bull for as long as Kelly could remember, and if she didn’t know a person's preferences then they definitely weren’t a regular.

"Like old times," Gus slid in across from Kelly and held up his cup for Margaret, who’d seen him enter and followed him down the aisle.

“The usual?” she asked them both.

“Good here,” Gus said, “You?”

“I’ll take a bowl of that chili. Gillian’s grilling tonight so better go light for lunch.”

After they’d both had a couple of sips, Kelly put down his cup and brought Gus up to date on his conversation with Ajax.

“Do you think he was on the level about not knowing who might be involved with Sam?”

“He probably didn’t know then, but he’ll damn well know everything within an hour of getting back on the outside. That’s why I’d like to have the clubhouse staked out, as well as Texas B’s. I’m not sure where he’ll go first, but I’m damn certain one of those locations is a best bet.”

“So will it make it better or worse that once you gave me the word I set the wheels in motion. They’re processing him while we’re having lunch, and if all goes as planned he’ll be out before dinner.”

“Plays hell with my barbecue plans.” Kelly chuckled and waved his hand to indicate that he was joking. “I’ll call Gillian. You want me to hang out at Texas B’s? My cover’s good there. I’ll get in on a few pool games and keep my ears open. Fred still considers himself in my debt. He knows I’m looking for Ajax—for personal reasons. He’ll give me a sign if anything starts to go down.”

“Good. I’ll leave a unit in the area, just in case you need backup, and take the rest out to Rhome. You get an alert you get me on my cell. We don’t know what we’re up against—or how many are involved. Don’t take chances.”

“Got you. I won’t.

The men finished their lunch, and then left separately. Kelly headed for Lake Country, to explain the change in plans to Gillian, and Gus returned to the Station where he would set in motion a full scale stakeout of the Texas Brothers clubhouse in Rhome.

 

* * *

 

Kelly counted ten bikes in front of Texas B’s when he pulled Old Blue around back and backed the truck in alongside Fred’s Marquis.

That ought to keep my fenders safe. He locked the truck and headed around to the front of the building.

Inside, Bob Seger’s acoustic mourned the loss of youth and self as he raced ‘Against the Wind’. A group of men, some Kelly recognized, some he didn’t, gathered around the pool table and watched Gene Robins clear the table in a single round.

“Anybody else with money to burn?” The tall hawk-faced biker lifted his head to scan the audience, and stopped when his eyes lit on Kelly.

“Jake Perkins. What the hell are you doing back in town? I thought you’d cleared out of Texas for good.”

Kelly grinned, approached the table and stuck out his hand. “Still fleecing the faithful I see.”

“Fools and their money.” Gene hailed the bartender. “What’ll you have?” he asked, taking a seat at a booth facing the pool tables and inviting Kelly to slide in across.

“So what you been up to these past seven years?” Kelly jumped in first with the questions in hopes of deflecting the attention off of himself.

“Hell, you been gone that long?” Gene shook his head at the idea that many years had passed.

“Seven years last month. So what’s gone on with you in that time?”

“Keeping my nose clean. Got my certification five years back, been with City Electric since that time. Donna and I made it legal after the second boy came along.”

“So you’ve got two boys?”

“Actually we’ve got two boys and a girl. Little princess.” Gene grinned and Kelly liked the proud papa look on his face.

“You still ride?”

“Not much. Family keeps me pretty busy. I come down here maybe once or twice a month, play some pool and touch base with the Brothers, but I’m not active anymore. What about you? Must have been something pretty drastic the way you disappeared. Wasn’t the cops was it?”

“No nothing like that. Personal stuff. Lost someone who mattered. Decided I was getting too old for the lifestyle. Got an opportunity to go digging for gold and decided it was one hell of a good excuse to drop out.”

“No shit. Did you find any?”

“Enough to buy myself a place off the beaten track, and not have the man breathing down my neck.”

“Can’t ask for more than that. Wonder what’s going on over there?”

They turned towards the front door where a crowd had gathered, blocking the way of a newcomer trying to enter.

“Hey, give a man room,” Ajax’s unmistakable roar cleared the entrance as men stepped back to let the giant into the room.

The big man’s eyes scanned the room, rested momentarily on Kelly, and then moved away.

“The shit’ll hit the fan now,” Gene commented.

“How’s that?”

“You haven’t been around for a while, so you probably don’t know about the unrest that’s been brewing in the club. Ajax, he and Tragg and Dixie, and several of the old guard, they’re trying to run the club along the same lines it’s always run. It ain’t lily white, mind you, but there’s no hard drugs, no serious illegals, nothing more than petty shit—hot car parts—that kind of stuff. All that changed when Ajax went down. I thought he had another year but they must have spring him early.”

“I heard he was inside, but didn’t know any details.”

“Well, scuttlebutt is that someone inside the club set him up. It’s a real sore spot. Touchy as hell and now that Ajax is on the outside again, things are probably going to blow wide open. There’s a bunch of young blood been recruited over the past few years. They’ve got their own ideas about how the club should be doing business, and I can tell you, some of those ideas are going to come in over Ajax and Tragg’s dead bodies.”

“Tragg still the Pres?”

“Yep for now. But that’s another thing. I heard rumors that a surprise election was being planned, and apparently Tragg hadn’t been invited.”

Kelly watched as Ajax and the small entourage that surrounded him moved to the back of the room and gathered into a tight circle.

“Whoa.” He turned back to Gene. “Sounds like a full scale revolution.”

“Very damn likely. Anyway, time for me to head back to the house. I’m getting too old for this stuff. How about you? Need a ride?”

“I’m parked out back. I figure I’d better say hi to Ajax, then I’ll follow your lead. The atmosphere in here is pretty thick all right.”

“Good seeing you Jake.” Gene shook his hand and headed for the door. Kelly sauntered over to the bar and caught Fred’s eye.

“Seems a bit tense in here,” Kelly observed when Fred moved down the bar to stand beside him.

“I’ll be honest, Jake. I owe you one, so here’s the payback. Why don’t you take it in mind to head on out and get yourself a bite to eat. Nothing good on the menu here tonight.”

Kelly grinned. “Thanks Fred. He reached out to shake the bartender’s hand. "Nice talking to you. I’ll probably be back in a day or two.”

Fred nodded. “I’ll look for you.”

Moving quietly, keeping away from the far side of the room and the ever-growing crowd gathering around Ajax, Kelly let himself out the front door.

Back at Old Blue, he pulled out his cell and pressed the button for Gus.

“Something’s going down right now,” Kelly said. “Fred, the barkeep I told you about gave me a warning and suggested I get the hell out of there. You might want to be heading back into town—and don’t spare the sirens. I’ll pull around the block and wait. Don’t dawdle.”

“Dawdle my ass. We’ll be there in twenty.”

The phone went dead and Kelly started the engine.

He’d started to back out when the sharp crack of a gunshot had him slamming the brakes and reversing direction.

“Sons of bitches better not have killed Ajax.”