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“I’m certain.”
I write out his statement before leaving the room to type it up. I haven’t decided if I like Viper’s new friend or not. Since he’s doing her a solid, I stifle my irritation with the man. “Review it and sign it if you agree the statement is accurate.”
He smirks at me but takes the items. After reading the text, he signs his name before pushing them both back across the table.
When we’re out of the building, he turns to say something to me. His eyes widen as he stares behind me. Turning, I see my lieutenant and two uniformed officers heading in my direction.
“Have you arrested the biker chick yet for murdering her father?” he demands.
“No, I haven’t,” I tell him. “I have a signed statement giving her an alibi for the time in question. She didn’t do it. I need to talk to the witness. He must have been mistaken.”
I watch in amazement as his face turns red with anger. “You’re covering for her. I have a warrant for her arrest.” He waves a piece of paper in front of my face before turning to the two officers. “Escort Detective Sterling to my office. Make sure he doesn’t call those fucking bikers and warn them. You’re off the case. When I get back, I’ll be taking your badge.”
As the two cops lead me back into the building, I lock eyes with Barry. He slowly removes his phone as the cops lead me away. I hope to hell he’s warning Viper.
CHAPTER NINETEEN: VIPER
I wake up alone. Sliding my hand over Rafe’s side, I find it cold. He’s been up and gone for a long time. After my shower, I head out to the common room and find Chill finishing her breakfast. Max slides a plate piled high with breakfast as I sit next to her. I smile my thanks as he hands me a cup of coffee.
“What do you have planned today?” I ask her.
“Going to the casino. I’m covering security today,” she replies as she scoops the last of her eggs onto her last bite of toast.
“Want me to come help?”
She shakes her head. “You’re under house arrest, remember?”
I frown at her words. I haven’t left the clubhouse since returning from my camping trip, except for the quick excursion to the Canyon to dump off the trash. “Barry’s going into the police station to give Rafe my alibi. I’ll call him later, and if he gives me the all-clear, I’ll head to the casino. How does that sound?”
“Sure. But while you’re stuck in here, why don’t you run inventory on our guns and ammo? See if any of the guns need cleaning. We haven’t done our regular check, what with everything we’ve been dealing with lately.”
“I can do that. Max can give me a hand.”
“Sounds good. If you hear from Rafe, let me and Puma know. It’d be nice if he could solve the case soon, but at least getting you cleared would be a good start.”
She finishes her food before carrying the plate into the kitchen. Hunter follows her out, a dishtowel slung over his shoulder. The goodbye kiss is passionate and long enough to earn a few wolf whistles from the rest of us. Chill flips us off before walking out the door. Chuckling, I return to my breakfast.
When Max picks up my plate, I stop him. “I have to do an inventory of the guns and ammo. Want to help me?”
“Sure,” he says, offering the dirty plate to Hunter. “I’d rather play with guns than do the dishes.”
I laugh at the sour expression on Hunter’s face.
We keep the bulk of our guns and ammo in a bunker on the property next to the clubhouse. However, we also keep a smaller arsenal in the basement below us. The basement is accessible by everyone, and it’s where we store inventory for the bar, dry goods, and the multiple sets of washers and dryers. Near the stairs leading back up to the main clubhouse is where we store the empty pallets. They do a good job of hiding the hidden door. Reaching down, I press down on the plate that unlocks it. Once we’re inside, I close the door and turn on the lights.
The armory is set up for easy access to the weapons. Each member has a locker where they store their weapon and ammo of choice. However, we also have racks that allow us to organize the additional weapons and ammo by type. Depending upon the battle, we might want to arm ourselves with more than one weapon. However, most of the time, we make do with just one gun and several knives.
I take out the iPad Spark keeps on the wall for easy access, and we get to work. Max calls out the description and count while I enter the data. We’re about three-quarters of the way through when the lights inside the room flash. Most of the time,this means someone has entered the basement, letting those of us inside the armory know not to exit until the room clears. But when the lights continue to flash, Max and I share a look. This is our warning system. Trouble’s here.
Max activates the security screens mounted on the wall. At the gate are several police vehicles. All marked but one, and it isn’t Rafe’s. It’s a bright red Mercedes convertible. The cars drive through the gates once Gears opens them. They park outside the clubhouse, spreading out to block our exit. The driver of the Mercedes opens his door and stares at the clubhouse doors with a frown. I glance at the camera feed of the common room and see everyone sitting around as if they don’t have cops outside. They’re chatting, laughing, and drinking. I do notice that the kids are missing, as is Hunter. He likely has them in the panic room. Not sure what game Puma is playing, but he would never endanger the kids. Puma sits at a table, drinking from a bottle of water with Alisa on his lap. She’s curled into him and looks extremely comfortable.
Switching my attention back outside, I focus on the lead cop and realize I know him. Lieutenant Steve Traynor. The asshole who interviewed me after my attack. He was a detective back then. But I know now he’s Rafe’s boss. He glances around the parking lot before striding up the steps. When he stands there as if unsure of his next move, I chuckle at his dilemma. Knock like a pussy or barge in and risk getting shot? Being a coward, he nods at an officer with him to go in first. The other cops share a look. They all file in, armed and ready.
However, inside they’re met with disinterest. The club members ignore their presence. I laugh at the look of disbelief on the cops’ faces.
“What is Puma doing?” Max asks with a grin. “That asshole looks ready to chew leather.”
“He’s showing them they don’t worry him. Look at him. He’s in complete control even though he hasn’t moved.”
