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“He never does,” the white guy mentioned, sitting down and handing me a coffee. “Waitress said it was yours, so I brought it over. Detective Benjamin. Call me Ben.”
“What is this? A shakedown? I get outside, and you arrest me because I’m a black man on a bike? Put some drugs on me so you can lock me up?” I demanded, on guard.
Ben and Ramirez both exchanged startled looks before turning to me.
“No, this was a social visit. Noticed you were new, spotted the Harley, and wondered if you were up to trouble. You answered, and I’m happy. Now it’s just coffee,” Ramirez said, surprised.
“Oh, because a black man on a bike is naturally trouble,” I snapped. Anger flashed in my eyes, and Ramirez narrowed his own.
“Seems to me, friend, you’ve been on the wrong side of some corrupt cops. A black guy on a motorbike isn’t a crime. A stranger with a Harley and no cut, yeah, possibly. So we checked in. The city has had some aggravation with renegade bikers trying to take what’s not theirs. RCPD work closely with the city’s MC, Rage MC, so we thought we’d head any shit off. Weren’t no racist crap meant, fuck I’m Mexican, dude, hardly likely to be throwing bullshit around,” Ramirez said calmly. As he spoke, the door opened again, and Gunner entered. Gunner stared at me and nodded.
“You called him?” I asked, surprised.
“Yeah, told you. We’ve had some issues with renegade bikers, and man, no offence, but shitkickers, jeans, Henley tee and a leather jacket plus the Harley. My spine tingled. Phoned Gunner to make sure you weren’t on a list somewhere,” Ramirez replied.
“And if I had been?”
“Ben and I would have politely asked you to move along. I’m getting the impression you’ve met some real bad police, and that sucks. But we play above board here. In fact, if you get any shit from other cops, call Ben or me,” Ramirez answered and shoved a card at me.
I stared at it for a while.
“Take it. Ramirez isn’t lying when he says he’s a good cop. Someone hassles you, then phone him and keep your mouth shut until he arrives,” Gunner grunted, sitting down.
“Okay,” I replied and slipped the card into my pocket.
“You eating?” a waitress asked, appearing.
“I am. I’d like fries, two burgers with onion rings, and a side salad with four slices of wholemeal bread, please,” I said, and she smiled at my manners.
The other three men placed their orders.
“Drake wants you in the clubhouse at three for a meeting,” Gunner stated abruptly.
“I’ll be there,” I replied, “but I ain’t sure I want to join an MC. It’s not something I’ve considered.”
“Rage is good if you’re looking. Sounds fuckin’ funny coming from a cop. But yeah, I can tell you Rage is legal and greatly helps RCPD and the community. Don’t turn them down outright if you are searching for a home,” Ramirez said, and Ben snorted.
“That true?” I asked him.
Ben studied me and then Gunner. “Yes.”
“But you’ve got something against them?” I pressed.
“I’m working to overcome my prejudice. Which is my problem, but Rage is clean. Hell, they even helped save Ramirez’s life,” Ben replied.
Ramirez scowled, and I laughed at the look on the cop’s face. He didn’t appreciate that at all.
“So Rage works closely with the cops?” I asked.
“To keep crime low, yes. We’re not snitches, but we don’t want criminals rioting through the city. There’s one guy we’re attempting to take out, but he’s as slippery as an eel. But that’s Rage’s business, and I can’t discuss it unless we know you’re on board,” Gunner said firmly.
“Fair enough,” I murmured as my food arrived.
The conversation turned to more mundane matters as we ate.
???
Back at the hotel, after I met with Drake and Ace, my head was whirling. I’d been given a lot of information, some of which gave me pause for thought. Drake had made no bones that, as a candidate, I’d receive the shit jobs. Cleaning up puke and stuff, for example. But I’d done that as a trainee doctor, so that wouldn’t bother me. What made me think a little harder was that Drake fully expected me to do what was necessary to protect the club, its women, and its children.
