Page 117 of Paladin's Hell

Four sets of eyes find me. “It’s not linked.”

“Are you sure?” I hold my hands up in a submissive gesture. “Look, I know I’ve not been here long. I’m lookin’ at this objectively.” Thinking I look like Drummer—well, perhaps I learned from the best—I start pulling at my fingers. “One, the enforcer was killed, two, Taser wanted to become an officer, he didn’t get the position. Three, someone wants to cause trouble for the club. Four, you don’t know of anyone on the outside with a grudge, so are looking inwards. Five, we’ve got Taser linked to at least one incident, and in my mind two as Taser wasn’t particularly happy I’d found the body.”

“Someone else would have,” Thunder breaks in.

“With rubbish being thrown on top of it? We’ve gone through this before. It was lucky I found it when I did, and before the dumpster was taken away and emptied.”

The VP’s looking at me carefully. “You don’t like Taser. He accused you.”

“Six,” I pull on another finger while watching Demon, “Taser accused me. Which he would if he was responsible, to get attention away from him.”

“Runt?” Hellfire tosses the name out, it seems hopefully.

“I don’t particularly like the fucker, but that’s personal. Remember, he got shot. I heard the gunshots from the drive-by. It was an automatic rifle on rapid fire. The shooter couldn’t have aimed accurately. Only answer is that he shot himself, and I don’t think he’s got the guts to do that. I wouldn’t have.”

“Pal’s got a point, Prez. Not sure I’d do that myself. You’d need to be pretty desperate.” Mace looks concerned.

“Or angry with the club.” Demon’s rubbing his temples. “You heard him in the cellar, he was scared, worried, but not angry. He got a beef with us? I reckon it would have shown up.”

Hell sighs deeply. “Pal, I tend to believe you. We were questioning Runt with less to go on. VP. What d’you reckon? Question Taser downstairs, or bring it up in church?”

Mace is frowning. “Didn’t mention this, thought it might just be shoddy workmanship. Had a quiet word with Pyro instead. But when my bike was in the shop a couple of weeks back, the brake pipe hadn’t been attached properly. Luckily I noticed the fluid was leaking before I rode it.”

“Taser?”

The enforcer shrugs. “Now I’d like to know if Taser was around in the shop that day. Possible he might want the enforcer position more than he let on.”

“If you’re right,” Prez says, his face going dark, “Taser’s murdered one brother and has attempted to kill another. Where is he now?”

“At the bar when I came in.” I tell them helpfully.

Hellfire leans over the desk. “Right. VP. Lock Runt in his room. Get a prospect to guard him. If he’s innocent, we’ll need to make it up to him. Don’t want him running without giving me a chance to explain.”

“If he’s a right fit for us, Prez, he’ll put the club first and know we were only protecting it.”

“If he leaves, then he’s not right.”

My eyes flick between Thunder and Mace, wondering what I’d do in Runt’s position.

“Mace?” Hellfire continues. “I want you out of it until we’ve got Taser secured. We’ll get him downstairs on some pretext. He’s heavily armed, he always is. Any sniff that we’re onto him and you’re around? He might start shooting and if this crazy story is right, you’re likely to be the target.” He pauses, then looks at me. “You, too, Pal. Make yourself scarce. The dislike between the two of you is mutual.”

I’m only pleased that they’ve believed me. Or at least I’ve put enough doubt in their minds for them to release Runt and question Taser instead.

“Sure Prez. I’ll go and check on my girl. Just let me know if you need me.”

---