Page 102 of Rigid

“Yes, this will ring the trauma desk.”

“What. What happened?”

“She was assaulted and beaten severely. She’s got a few broken fingers, her forearm is fractured, and several lacerations. I’ll forewarn you. You won’t recognize her.”

My blood was boiling, and I was shaking so bad I could barely hold my phone.

“What. What about her uhhm. Her mother?”

“Sir, I’m not at liberty to give out…”

“Is she okay?”

“Sir. You’ll have to speak to the police to obtain that information.”

I swallowed hard. “Do you have a wife?”

“I do.”

“I’ll ask again. Is her mother okay?”

He sighed. “She’s been taken into custody.”

“What?”

“That’s all I’m comfortably saying at this time.”

“She wasn’t. She wasn’t at. It wasn’t her fault? Was it?”

“Mr. Wallace, the only reason your daughter is alive and in good hands is because of your wife. I suggest you hurry, Mr. Wallace.”

“Thank you.”

I was an emotional wreck. I turned toward Pee bee and Bama, but couldn’t speak. I needed to get to Scripps Mercy ASAP, but my bike was a turd, and had no top speed to speak of. If I was forced to ride it, I might not make it in time.

We were fifty miles away, and getting anyone to give up their sled wasn’t going to happen, and I knew it.

“What is it, Brother?” Bama asked.

I swallowed hard, and gathered every ounce of courage I could muster. “Daughter’s been assaulted, and she’s knocking on death’s door. They’re uhhm. They’re going to cut into her brain. And, I don’t know what’s going on, but they got my Ol’ Lady in custody, but it sounds like she might have saved my daughter’s life.”

I looked away and shook my head. After regaining my composure, I turned to face him. “I need to get to Scripps Mercy in SD quick.”

“Angels!” Bama shouted at the top of his lungs. “Saddle up.”

He looked at me. “We’ve got your back, brother.”

“Might have to ride bitch,” I said. “My shit’s slow as fuck, Brother.”

Pee Bee grabbed my shoulder. “Crip’s bike is the fastest motherfucker in the club. Hold on.”

I nodded, and he took off through the crowd.

Hells Angels came out of every crack and crevice, and then rushed out the building behind Bama.

Prepared to ride on the back of one of HA’s bikes, I stood like a complete idiot, feeling helpless and incapable. Worry for Eddie, and for Sandy filled me until I was sure I would burst.

Crip rushed to my side. “Something happen to Eddie?”