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“What are you working on?” I ask.
“Putting together the evidence on Lieutenant Traynor,” Spark replies. “I’m looking through his purchases. I found a suspicious payment he made, which we can use to expose him for taking bribes. The information we’ve uncovered so far required some inventive searching, but he made a mistake with this purchase. He bought an antique knife from a pawnshop. The knife is part of a collection stolen from a collector in Los Angeles. He used the credit card from Michelson Trucking, but he used his name. It could be enough to raise an interest in his finances.”
I nod as I consider how I can pass along the information to the authorities.
“I’m looking through the personnel records for the trucking company and the pawnshop,” Juliet says, distracting me from my thoughts. “I’m hoping we can find someone we can persuade to rat him out.”
I frown at her as several questions arise from her statement. Before opening my mouth to ask them, I take a minute toconsider whether I want the answers. Of course, this hesitation has me wondering just what the hell is happening to me.
Spark’s snicker draws my attention to him. “You look like you’re in pain.”
I roll my eyes at him but can’t deny the observation. Anyone who’s experienced that one moment in time that altered their path completely can appreciate what I’m going through right now. Never would I have imagined that I’d willingly look the other way when faced with a potential crime. But I’m standing here ignoring the implications of Spark and Juliet’s actions because strict adherence to the law has taken a back seat to justice.
“You need to relax, man,” Spark says. “We aren’t blackmailing anyone or threatening them. Juliet is looking for someone who either has ties to the police or other legal parties. If she can’t find someone who would want to help take down a dirty cop, then we’ll look for someone who would jump at the chance to take down a cop using his own laws against him. Do you know how many citizens are out there with a grudge against dirty cops? Cops who use their position to harass others?”
I nod as I consider his comment. I’m not unaware of the problems we have in the police force. The LAPD created the motto “protect and serve.” It’s a motto many cops live by, but there are some who don’t. Those who think the badge gives them the right to harass rather than protect.
“Got one,” Juliet says. “Amanda Bennett. She works for Michelson Trucking in their finance department. Her father and brother are both in law enforcement. They each have clean records. Well respected in their communities. Her father works in Henderson, while her brother is a member of Nevada’s State Police. Pretty certain she’ll work with us to take down a dirty cop.”
“You’re going to contact her?” I ask in some surprise. “Think she’ll trust the word of a motorcycle club?”
“Not going to tell her about the club,” Juliet says, shaking her head at me. “I’m contacting her as an officer of the court. You forget, Avery is a registered bail enforcement agent. This isn’t the first time I’ve solicited help from a civilian when taking down a target. I’ll contact her and let her know what I’ve found, see if she’ll take the information to the proper authorities.”
“If she doesn’t?” I ask.
“Then we’ll find another path. I’m focused on Michelson Trucking because they’re the ones allowing the fraud, so they have the most to lose. Let me contact her and get a feed on her reaction to the information.”
“We’ll give you the room. Let me know when you’re done,” Spark says, guiding me out of the room and closing the door.
“She’s a smart woman,” I comment as we enter the common room.
“She’s fucking brilliant,” Spark agrees. “I thought I was a good hacker, but she makes me look like a kid playing on his daddy’s laptop. What you’ll appreciate is how much she can accomplish working inside the law. She has access to some pretty useful data.” He slaps me on the back. “We all know this is hard for you to step into the gray area. So, we’re doing our best not to compromise you. We have respect for you, and not just because you’re with Viper. Although the only reason you’re here is because of Viper.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, that’s probably true. Although I have to admit, I enjoy being here. Even though you guys will probably give me gray hairs, I can’t think of a better group of people to call friends.”
“Spark, we got a problem,” says Gears, who is on the phone behind the bar. “Smooth’s working the gate. He has about six bikers wanting inside. They say we have one of their men.”
Yep, I can feel the gray hairs coming in.
“Okay, tell Smooth to hold on. I’m calling Puma.” Spark steps away to make the call. I help by moving closer to the bar and out of hearing range.
“What can I get you?” Gears asks me.
“Fuck it, I’ll take a beer,” I say as I slide onto a stool. “Is Smooth okay? I can go out and give him some backup.”
“He’s good. They can’t get in.”
I nod as I take a sip. I hear the back door open, accompanied by several voices.
“Give this man a beer,” Puma calls out as he guides a stranger wearing a kutte into an empty seat. Once the man sits down and has his beer, Puma moves to the front door and steps out.
I stand to follow him but see Chill and Dice join him. Viper sits down at the table with the stranger, and I do a double take. Whoever this guy is, he could almost pass as Viper’s twin. His hair is similar in color and about the same length. He’s thin, like Viper. But that’s where the similarities end. Besides, her real twin takes a seat on her other side. He places a terrarium on the table, and I see the stranger inching backward and away from it. Stepping over, I join them and get a good look at the snake inside.
“What the fuck is that?” I ask as I mimic the other guy and scoot several inches back.
“This is Milo. One of my pet snakes,” Max says. “Milo’s a Great Basin gopher snake.”
“He looks like a rattlesnake,” I protest.
