Page 76 of Barron

“Get moving.”

She squealed with delight on her way to the shower.

Barron drove his truck to drop off Yoanni at work. His soul itched to ride his bike, but for the sake of her business appearance, taking the covered vehicle was the right choice. On his way to meet Blade and the captain, he stopped at home and switched to his beloved Softail.

Several blocks later, he merged onto the highway, twisted the accelerator, and the powerful bike roared between his legs, swallowing the miles like a ravenous beast. God, he’d missed this feeling. This was biker heaven, rushing into the wind and being as one with its force. This sensation, close to soaring the skies, released his spirit and cleared his mind.

As he zoomed down the road, Yoanni’s sweet face appeared superimposed over the asphalt’s speeding white lines.Difficulties, fears, and instability had plagued her recent life. No wonder she was testy.

Suddenly, the solution to her doubts and concerns came to him with rare clarity. The way was so simple and easy, it amazed him the idea hadn’t occurred to him yet. Maybe because, in his view, their future was already set. But Yoanni couldn’t see the path forward through his eyes. He had to show her. A declaration or a statement of intent was necessary. After the morning meeting, he would put things in motion.

Up ahead, the Pooler sign appeared. He took the next off-ramp, rode in and around neighborhood blocks, then entered the coffee shop’s parking lot. This quaint spot was practically new and had been built during the residents’ campaign to remodel the more rundown areas of Pooler, the town right next to Garden City.

Barron walked in, and a server approached with a menu in hand, but he shook his head, gesturing toward the two men sitting in the last booth. She nodded and returned to her station behind the counter.

Blade saw him right away and waved him over.

“Am I late?” He slid into Blade’s side of the booth.

“No,” Weaver replied. “We got here moments ago. This is my second cup of coffee. The first one at home didn’t work. The old system woke up sluggish. I need more caffeine.”

“Bad night?” Blade asked.

“Not bad. Busy,” Weaver said. “First, I had to bring my contacts at the agency and the bureau up-to-date. Turns out my guy at the DEA has a boner for Los Emes. These guys have left a bloody trail on their way north. My report both made his night and pissed him off. Shows their surveillance sucks. Someone in the task force dropped the ball or else is getting paid. I lean toward the latter. My friend in the bureau had a similar reaction.”

“Are you staying involved?” Blade asked.

“I haven’t been invited,” Weaver scoffed and settled back into his seat.

“Last time, I led the Main Street bust because we had solid intel, and Emily, my junior detective, spearheaded the investigation. Today, I have an evening of fun at a kink club for evidence. Hardly enough grounds for an arrest. The feds will have to squeeze their informers.” He gulped his coffee down. “But I want Analise’s ass. She snaked her way into the station, lied to us, and frightened the best assistant I’ve had in years.”

“Pilot got to her place before sun up,” Blade said. “Chains will relieve him at noon.”

Weaver shook his head. “She isn’t there. Last night, I drove by her place on my way home. No one’s there.”

“That doesn’t mean she won’t come back,” Barron threw in.

“Agreed. She left in a hurry, so I think she will.” Weaver smiled. “I’m not getting a search warrant to check her place just yet because I want to catch her in the act, and your guys’ surveillance is key. Someone as sneaky as her could have her accomplice. Remember him, the guy who wacked you in the head, Barron?”

“Don’t remind me,” he growled. “Thanks to me, we don’t know who he is.”

Weaver nodded. “This guy could be watching her place too. If she smells cops, she’ll be gone. Criminals are a strange bunch. Analise is right up there with the weirdest of them. Her focus on Miss Sanz mystifies me. We hired Analise before Miss Sanz returned from Miami. There’s no basis for personal animosity.”

“Didn’t you say Betty, sorry I should use her real name, Analise, swore revenge against the Spawn?” Blade asked.

“I did,” Barron replied. “Why?”

Blade shrugged. “A thought I’m having. I’m sure it’s a coincidence.”

“Can you elaborate?” Weaver asked.

Blade eyed Barron directly. “Analise is after you.”

“How does that track?” Barron asked.

“Think about it. You and Johnny Gun were present at both the trial and sentencing,” Blade said. “Both of you are members of the Spawn, the hated MC responsible for the arrest of Nails and the Sons of Chaos.”

“Nails saw me with Yoanni at the Dirt Road Saloon,” Barron said. “But that’s a huge stretch. Nails didn’t see us together again. For the sake of the investigation and at Emily’s request, I took Yoanni to Savannah on dates. We didn’t know if the Chaos followed us around, so we were careful. Besides, when the fuck did Analise research Yoanni’s background? The trial ended when? Like, six or seven months ago? That shows a scary level of determination.”

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