Page 8 of Creed

They were both shaking their heads at me. Sorry, but not sorry. I needed to find Callie and Addie, and I knew mentioning meth to the social worker would catch her attention. Hans and Franz in front of me were of no help so far.

My uncle spoke up. “CPS already had two reports on Addie this week. Being that its been over twenty four hours since she’s been seen, we have began the process of an Amber alert for her. Callie called in at the bar again today and states they are fine, but since Addie is a child and she hasn’t been seen, Ican start the search for her. The last time anyone saw her was yesterday afternoon at a store in Clarity. It was reported that she was with a woman fitting Callie’s description, but to be safe we are looking for them.”

I let out a breath of relief. “Thank God.”

Franz of the duo, otherwise known as my dad, gave me a disapproving look. “I think we need to have a little talk about how things work in these parts. This isn’t a Hollywood movie set, Morgan. This is the real world, and I told you to stay out of that trailer park. It’s not because of the other residents, it’s because of Shane and his new buddies. The people that live there aren’t all criminals or bad parents. Just because they are not of the same economic class you were raised in doesn’t mean they are breaking any laws…”

I interrupted him. “Those children were outside alone!”

Dad raised a brow. “Did you take a really good look?”

I shrugged. “Its not hard to spot children when they’re alone playing outside.”

He nodded. “Yet, Melissa Peter’s is their daycare provider. She watches the kids while the parents work.”

I cringed when he said those words. Melissa was a girl in my graduating class that just happened to be really short.

“Sorry.” I couldn’t look at either of them.

“People with dwarfism have to make a living too, Morgan. She’s state licensed and great with those kids. You could get her put out of business by making such reports.” Uncle Darren was obviously annoyed with me.

I was looking down at my big toe which was tracing circles in the carpet. “I’m sorry.”

My dad let out a frustrated breath. “Its not us you need to apologize to, you should call Melissa and apologize.”

My eyes darted up to his. “Really dad?”

“Yes really. You could have ruined her life. Things aren’t the same here as in Hollywood. You grew up here, you should know these things.”

He was right, but still, he freaked me out with all the meth talk. “Fine.” I groaned.

My uncle guided me into the dining room. “Your mom invited me for dinner, and you know how much I love Jenny’s cooking. Let’s eat dinner then I’ll go and look for Addie.”

“Fine.” I repeated myself. I didn’t understand how a missing child wasn’t more important than my mother’s lasagna, but I knew I wouldn’t be getting anywhere soon with my uncle or dad. “I’ll do one better and apologize to Melissa in person tomorrow.”

My dad paused while taking a seat. “Stay away from Callie’s place. Do not approach Shane.” He gave me another warning I’d just ignore.

“Okay, what do you know about Shane? You never warned me to stay away from him in the past. If you think Callie is fine, then why are you so worried about Shane?” He was making me worry even more.

Dad looked at Uncle Darren and he gave dad a nod. Dad looked at me and drew in a slow breath. “Shane has gotten mixed up with a bad crowd a few hours north. They’re a motorcycle gang that are suspected to run drugs from Texas to Chicago.”

“Like meth?” I asked.

Dad shook his head. “More like cocaine, fentanyl, and heroine.”

Uncle Darren caught my attention. “We believe their compound is where Callie and Addie are staying. We are hoping by putting out the Amber alert they’ll check in back here and give us a chance to talk with the girls. Shane is now a biker and he’s not with a good group for any of them.”

I thought of the motorcycles at the general store. “Like the men that live at the lake?”

They looked at each other then at me. “Creed’s men?”

I nodded as my mom walked in with the Lasagna then called for my sister to join us for dinner.

“No, they’re actually a good group of men. They can get rowdy at times, but they don’t mean any harm.” Uncle Darren answered.

My mom spoke up. “Oh Creed. Honey, you have to meet him. He’s a darling young man and he helps the veterans at the nursing home. He is throwing a fundraiser for Lance Smith and his family this Saturday night. The poor young man has cancer, and Creed is trying to raise money for his hospital bills. It’ll start with a poker ride in the early afternoon and end at the VFW hall in Clarity. There’s raffles, live music, and a fried chicken meal planned. We’re going and so should you.” Mom nearly cooed when she mentioned his name.

Indiana festival chicken? That was a hell yeah for me. There was no other fried chicken like the fried chicken sold at local festivals and fundraisers.

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