Page 5 of Barron

“Who?”

Captain Weaver laughed. “Miss Sanz, you’re as transparent as my own daughter. Fine. We’ll leave that conversation alone for now. I still have a slew of emails to answer. Make sure the dictated letters, especially the one going to the Atlanta Metro Police Superintendent, is on official stationary. They’re hung up on procedure and protocol up there. Per our phone conversation…”

As Captain Weaver spoke, Yoanni’s fingers flew over her pad. She hoped he’d get distracted enough with his work and stop bugging her about a man who was buried and forgotten.

Yeah, right.

Barron led his bike into his slot under the overhang. Odd, it was already past eleven in the morning, and his was the only bike. By now, one or two of his brothers should be up and about even aftera long night of shenanigans. He crossed the yard and bounded up the porch steps to the clubhouse.

“Hellooo. Blade, got the info you wanted,” he shouted as he swung the door open. It was even weirder to find the club’s hangout room quiet and empty. And someone, most likely Cel, had vacuumed and dusted. He snickered to himself, thinking of a couple of guys who were allergic to neatness. She’d also rearranged the recliners in a tight half circle in front of the flatscreen TV. Smart move. Ice hockey, the Spawn’s preferred sport, would be televised in a few hours. Every one of his brothers would pile up in front of the TV, hooting and hollering, beer in hand.

That was a reminder…he was in charge of having enough beers for everyone tonight. Shifting directions, he strode around the bar’s countertop and looked inside the fridge.

“Shit,” he grunted. A six-pack of light beer wasn’t going to make the first round, and he hated going shopping on his bike.

“Barron?” Cel’s soft voice and a little boy’s squeal startled him.

“Hey, Cel,” he replied.

“Whatcha doing?” She shifted her five-year-old from one hip to the other. Little Jerrod, Cel and Blade’s son, was growing so fast, soon she wouldn’t be able to carry him this way, not even with her height. Cel was a tall woman.

“I came to see Blade, then I remembered I’m in charge of beers tonight. Do you know of a store that delivers? I’m on the bike.”

Cel slid the boy to his feet. Little Jerrod whimpered, throwing his arms up to be lifted again, but she magically produced a rubber dinosaur from an unseen spot, and he stopped fussing.

“Go sit on the sofa with your beebee dino. Go on.” She pointed at the sofa, and he scampered away.

“He’s getting so big. I bet he’s a handful.”

Cel sighed, rolling her eyes. “You can’t even imagine. Whydon’t you take my truck to the store?” She picked up her keychain hanging from a wall hook next to the bar. “I won’t need it right away. I’m pretty sure the supermarket doesn’t deliver. The convenience store is way pricier, and the selection is limited.”

“That’s mighty nice of you, but I don’t want to be an inconvenience.”

“It’s all right.” She shrugged. “Blade isn’t here yet and I have more chores to do.”

Barron scratched his forehead. “Speaking of which, where’s your husband?”

“He went to meet Captain Weaver for coffee. Don’t know how long he’ll be.”

A queasy sensation struck him. He wasn’t ready to go undercover again. The last mission hadn’t been fun.

“Do you know why Weaver wanted him?”

Cel shook her head. “Sorry, I don’t.” She held up her key chain. “Well, are you going to borrow my truck or not?”

Frowning, Barron took the keys. “Thanks, Cel. The truck will make my life easier. Can I get you anything while I’m out?”

“Nope.” She smiled. “I’m all squared away. I made a dip for chips, and I’ll leave the snacks on the bar. If you see anything else you want for tonight, get it. Self-service, my dear. You guys are on your own.”

“I would never ask you to wait on us,” he protested.

“Not you, but some of your brethren forget I already have a child and a husband to—” The rumbling sound of a bike’s engine stopped her. Cel looked out one of the windows. “You’re not going shopping just yet. I saw Blade pull in.”

“Oh.” As he turned, Blade’s tall form crossed the yard toward the porch steps. “Beer will have to wait.”

“It’s early enough,” she murmured. “I’ll leave you to talk with Blade.” Cel picked up her boy from the sofa and moved forward, waiting for Blade to come in.

As Blade opened the door, he went straight for his family. “Hey, baby girl.” He kissed Cel first, then Jerrod’s forehead. The boy waved the toy at his father. Blade chuckled, “I see, beebee dino to the rescue.”

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