Page 66 of Johnny Gun

“Do you like to read, Gomez?” Blade spoke softly behind him.

He jerked. “Um. No. Not really. But these sure are pretty.” Feeling silly and sensing a sudden rush of heat on his face, he moved to Trent’s side. Blade didn’t follow him.

Viper nodded as he scanned the room. “Nice office.”

“I hear a but coming,” Breaker said.

“Not much space for a meeting with the crew.”

Breaker laughed. “We don’t hold church here. Technically, we can hold church anywhere. We use the conference room for that.”

“I brought you into the office because y’all seemedcurious,” Blade said. “But Deacon and I were going to discuss MC finances with Breaker.”

“You mean after the matter of Isolde and Johnny Gun,” Deacon said.

Blade squinted. “I told you before you rode down that I don’t know where they are. But you insisted on coming, and since you won’t drop the issue, you’ll have a chance to talk to Barron later. He’s Johnny’s best friend and will join us at the restaurant. He could have information for you, though don’t count on it.”

“If anyone knows Johnny’s whereabouts, it’s Barron,” Breaker said.

“There’s no guarantee.” Blade glared at his vice president. “For all we know, outside sources might’ve helped him. What do you say, Viper?”

All faces turned to Viper.

“Are you hiding something, Viper?” Deacon thundered. “You seemed pretty chummy with him.”

“Me?” The guy lost all color. “Fuck, I don’t know a damned thing. Least of all wherever they’re hiding.”

Blade shrugged. “Don’t worry, dude. I wasn’t pointing fingers, only thinking out loud.”

“Yeah, well. Think aloud someplace else,” Viper grumbled.

Trent moved close to Gomez. “Do you believe Blade’s innocent act?” he whispered.

“That he doesn’t know?”

Trent nodded. “Uh-huh.”

“He’s trying too hard,” Gomez whispered back. “But this guy Barron is interesting. We’ll watch him tonight.”

“Like a hawk,” Trent said, then turned to the group. “Guys, I love your office and all, but if you’re going to discuss numbers, I’d rather take a nap.”

“Me too,” Gomez said.

“Sure. We’ll call you for dinner,” Blade said.

“Thanks. See ya.” Gomez walked out of the office with Trent right behind.

“So, Barron,” Trent said, going to his left.

“He’s our guy,” Gomez agreed, heading to the right and his room. Dinner would be interesting tonight.

Unable to fall asleep, Gomez stared at the ceiling in his room with his arms folded behind his head. Counting the cracks on the plaster, he revisited the evening’s developments.

Shit, the Italian restaurant had been a fiasco.

The curveballs began with Trent. His friend excused himself, claiming a stomach bug. Gomez wasn’t entirely sold on that story and wondered what kind of mischief his friend was working on. Trent ate everything, including the spiciest, hottest food in their local Mexican restaurant. The guy had a cast-iron stomach.

They were munching on appetizers when Barron, the person of interest, joined the group. But the guy showed up with his wife. Complicating matters, the couple sat at the opposite end of the table from Deacon. The separation and the presence of Barron’s wifesquashed Deacon’s opportunity to question the guy about Isolde and Johnny and for Gomez to eavesdrop.

---