Page 108 of Paladin's Hell

“His,” Shooter taps the phone, “cousin just happens to own a ninety-nine Dyna Super Glide.”

“Bit of a coincidence, isn’t it?”

“So what’s the plan?”

“You and I go to the address Mouse gave you, check it out. If the parts are on the bike, then we’ve solved the garage break-in.”

“Have you considered that might be all you solve? That it was just coincidence that happened on the same night the body was left in the dumpster?”

Shooter’s got a point. I’d been worrying about that too. “Apart from the drive-by, it was mainly mischief. And even that was timed when there was no real chance of anyone getting hurt.”

“Except for the prospect.”

“Except for that. Yeah. But two people could have done everything. The timing fits.”

“Him and his cousin. But for what reason?” Shooter’s challenging me. I’m glad. It’s good to be able to talk it through with a trusted brother, while anyone here might think I’m nuts.

That’s also part of my problem. “I don’t know, Shooter. Perhaps he’s been slighted by the club? Passed over? Things aren’t happening fast enough? Got a personal beef with one of the brothers?”

Shooter rests his elbows on his knees. “You’re on lockdown. You’re chasing your asses trying to find an enemy outside the club who could be non-existent. You’re suggesting the mischief might have been done by someone inside. To sow seeds of discontent? We know what lockdowns can be like. People livin’ in too close proximity, tempers getting frayed.”

I’ve been going over and over in my head what the perpetrator could hope to get out of it. “If it’s someone in the club, that might be enough. A sort of fuck you. He could be standing laughing at us, getting his kick from seeing us chasing our tails. If that’s all it is, there might be nothing else happen at all.”

“Or you’re completely wrong. And it’s a gang who wants to take over territory. In that case the incidents will escalate and likely end with blood on both sides.”

He’s right. “That’s why I want to investigate this quietly. If those parts aren’t where I expect them to be, I can rest easy, and I won’t have distracted the club from searching for who’s really out to cause trouble. If they are, I’ll stay sleepin’ with one eye open.”

“I don’t blame you. Talkin’ about sleepin’…”

“On the couch downstairs, or in here with us.”

“Floor suits me fine.” His face splits into a grin. “I can enjoy the live porn.” He rears back out of reach of my punch, laughing his ass off.

“Not gonna be any show.” I inform him, seriously. Jay and I will just need to keep our hands to ourselves. Sucks, but it is what it is.

The next morning Shooter and I leave early. I’d cleared it with Demon we were going to check out some security shit, instead we rode well out of the city, heading to the address which Mouse had found for the cousin, Drayton. We found it easily, parking discreetly down a side road and walking the rest of the way.

“How d’ya want to play this?”

To be honest, I’ve no idea. Walk up to the door and ask to see his bike? Yeah, like that would work.

Shooter’s arm comes out to stop me mid-step. “Listen, it’s a Harley.”

As the unmistakable sound of the bike’s pipes reaches us, we pull back under cover of some shrubbery. As the rider rides it onto the driveway, I point at the Dyna Super Glide. “That’s him.” My eyes narrow as I spot the unmistakable new parts.

The front door opens. “How did it go? Any better?” A woman stands in the doorway, leaning with one hand on the doorframe. She’s grinning as though amused.

“Like the shit.” The man who resembles his cousin kicks down the stand and gets off. “Got some admiring looks too. Jealous assholes.”

“You and that damn bike.” The words are censoring, but his wife, or whoever it is, is smiling.

“Just look at it, Sylvie. See how the sun hits it? Makes it one of a kind.” Even from my vantage point I can see it is a beast of a machine, one already heavily customised.

“Well, there’s your proof,” Shooter whispers.

I need more. “Hold this.” I slide out of my cut and pass it to him. Now I’m just wearing a black leather jacket and jeans.

“What you doing?” He asks as I go to my bike.

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