Page 51 of Twisted Road

“Blythe is hoping to meet Lyric a little later. We’re still working on Jimmy’s teeth. She took him to the dentist. Ordinarily, I go with them, but I considered welcoming your woman very important.” Czar smiled down at Lyric, his eyes turning almost a glittery silver.

There was no way for Lyric to appear taller, and she didn’t try. She flashed her million-dollar smile right back at Czar. “That was kind of you, giving up taking your child to the dentist.”

Savage and Absinthe gave a little snort of derision. “No one wants to take Jimmy to the dentist,” Absinthe informed her. “Czar sounds like he’s being sweet and kind, but don’t let him fool you. He deliberately scheduled this visit for the exact time that kid was going to be seen by the dentist.”

Czar didn’t look in the least uncomfortable or remorseful at being called out. “Blythe let me know I owe her big-time.”

Lyric laughed. “I look forward to meeting Jimmy. He sounds like a handful.”

“Be nice if you could give the kid a haircut,” Czar said. “He kicked the last hairstylist. I had to do some fast talking to keep her from suing us for damages.”

Lyric raised an eyebrow. “Damages?”

“Her ego, mainly,” Czar explained. “She’d bragged to Blythe countless times she could cut Jimmy’s hair with no problem. We told her how he was. He doesn’t like being touched.”

“He wants to wear his hair long like Czar’s,” Steele explained. “It’s just that there’s no taming that boy’s wild hair.”

“Is that why I’m here?” Lyric asked, sounding innocent. “You’re going to set me up to take on the child from hell? My equipment is brand-new. I just had everything burn up in a fire. I’m not certain I want little Jimmy to smash my equipment.”

“Little Jimmy?” Absinthe echoed. “He’s nearly as tall as you. Kid’s growing like a weed.” He sent her an engaging grin. “You cut many kids’ hair?”

Lyric dropped her teasing and nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been lucky; most kids like me.”

“You cut hair for any of the members of Headed for Hell?” Absinthe asked. He nodded toward what Keys knew were the most comfortable chairs in the room.

Keys walked Lyric over to them while he contemplated the question. Absinthe was a human lie detector. There was no reason for Lyric to lie about anything, but just having Absinthe question her made Keys uneasy.

“Pretty much all of them eventually. And their women. The women came in first and the men followed.” She was matter-of-fact, sinking into the chair, looking perfectly at ease, but she didn’t pull her hand away from his.

Keys brushed his thumb over her inner wrist, a soothing caress, telling her she was doing great. He was proud of her. He wasn’t certain where this was heading, but Lyric was just as aware as he was that the conversation had a point.

“You actually spent time with club members and their women?” Absinthe persisted.

“Ask me what you want to know,” Lyric said.

“How would you describe the members? What were they like?” Absinthe asked.

“Some of them were young and silly, but their president was a decent man and he seemed to care about the club members. I liked most of them. A few strutted around trying to look tough, mostly the newer, younger ones. They just needed to be noticed.”

“Do you believe they’re involved in human trafficking?”

The room fell completely silent, all eyes on Lyric. She took her time, the way she always did when something was important. “I know Sid was very worried. I could tell whenever he came in, he was preoccupied. I don’t think he wanted a huge club. He wanted a smaller territory where they could live free. He said it more than once to his girlfriend when they came into the shop. He blew it with her because he kept finding new girls. It was too bad. She listened to him and gave him really good advice. I think she was genuinely in love with him.”

Which wasn’t exactly an answer, Keys realized. She’d given them information, but she hadn’t told them what they wanted to know.

“If there was a route in those mountains being used by traffickers, would Sid know about it?” Absinthe persisted.

“Sid knows the mountains like the back of his hand. No one would be able to use the tunnels without his knowledge.”

Keys met Czar’s eyes. They’d spent three months looking into Headed for Hell, and it seemed as if he could have asked Lyric.

“Why wouldn’t you tell me you thought he wasn’t involved?” Keys asked.

“I had no idea you were looking at Sid for human trafficking until you told me when we were up in the mountains. There wasn’t time, or a good reason, to give you my opinion. You were there three months, and you’re more in that world than I am. It didn’t occur to me you’d care what I thought one way or the other.”

“I always care what you think, Lyric,” Keys reminded her.

“I know that now. I didn’t then.” She was firm.