Page 82 of Devil's Dilemma

A friend? Sister?What is he to her, or she to him?

“Pyro,” Red’s stepped past me and is pointing to a photo display along one wall. Pictures of the kid from a newborn baby in the hospital to how she appeared today, about three years old. Three of the pictures show Skull holding the baby.

I notice two things immediately. One is the unmistakable paternal love and pride shining out of his eyes, and the other? That Skull looks nothing like a biker. Clean cut, wearing a button-down shirt in some, and in another, he’s wearing a suit.

“What the fuck’s going on?” I slam my fist into a wall.

“Something that fuckin’ smells,” Red replies, rifling through a desk. “What name did you know him by?”

“Kris Cox.”

“There are bills here all addressed to a Donavan Jordan. Presumably that’s who owns this house if he’s paying for the electric. Oh, and there’s a letter here addressed to Clare Jordan.”

“That sure looks like a father in those pictures,” Twister observes. “Christ, could Skull be this Jordan fella, or is that another fake name?”

Fuck only knows. I don’t.

I climb the stairs to the second floor. There’s a kid’s room, toys everywhere. Another room appears to be the master bed. As I open the wardrobe I see clothes I don’t recognise or would never have seen Skull wearing. There’s nothing here. Wrong house? Nah, those photos, they don’t lie. Something connects the people who own this house with Skull. But, what?

“I want to talk to this man Jordan, whether he’s Skull or not,” Red rasps as he comes into the bedroom. “Something stinks, Pyro.”

He doesn’t need to tell me.

He continues, “I’ll leave a prospect watching the house. Soon as anyone comes home, I want to know.”

His enforcer reappears behind him. “Whoever it is, they expected to return today. There’re the makings to prepare dinner and food obviously for the little one in the fridge.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Pyro

My lips press together as I think. After a second, I turn to the Vegas prez and his enforcer. “They could be taking a long route home making sure they haven’t got a tail. That could be why we’ve beaten them here. You’ve seen this place, Red. Everything they own is nice shit, expensive too. Not likely to leave that behind. I think they’ll be back, and soon. I’m gonna wait here. Give Skull the fuckin’ surprise of his life when he turns up.” Maybe it will be his last one.

Red considers for little more than a second. “I agree with you. But a few things for you to consider. One, Skull might have nothing to do with this Donavan Jordan—”

I interrupt. “Those pictures, Red, they tell a fuckin’ story. Why have family photos if you’re not a part of that family?”

“Could be his sister and nephew. He could have been driving her car.”

I shake my head. “Nah.” I wave my hand around. “No other fuckin’ pictures on display. Only ones have got Skull in them.”

Red’s own lips thin now. “Okay, say it is Skull. Chances are they might not intend to leave permanently, but that doesn’t mean he might not have taken off for a few days. You might have a long wait. I’ll get Keys looking into this Donavan and Clare Jordan’s details, see if there’re any parents or other relatives around and where they might hole up. The other thought you need to have, is that he might not be returning alone. I’m unhappy about the two cars that intercepted Cuff and Wills. He might simply be waiting to gather the troops, whoever they are, and return prepared to find us waiting. Best you don’t stay alone.” He regards me for a moment. “Don’t know if your woman would survive if she lost you as well.”

Christ. What a thing to think about. Could Mel cope with another loss? I don’t want to know the answer, but I’m not going to risk it.

“I’ll take Judge,” I tell him quickly, having come to respect the man who’s been patched in for less than a year. “Sparky too.” Not Wills, not because he’s not up to the job, he is, but Mel will need at least one face from home around. It’s possible Skull won’t return for hours, if he’s coming back at all. I’m prepared to stay all night, maybe reconsider tomorrow if there’s still no sign. Maybe, by then, Keys will have come up with some other leads.

“I’ll stay,” Twister offers, cracking his hands together. “I don’t mind getting my hands on this traitor.”

“Agreed,” Red concurs again.

“Tell Mel I’m following a lead,” I ask him, knowing she’ll be expecting me back.

Red grimaces slightly, but she’s an old lady, she won’t argue with him. We both know all he’ll need to say is club business even though, in this case, it’s also very much hers. “I’ll try to keep her from worrying too much,” he responds at last.

We organise getting the bikes of those of us staying onto the crash truck to be taken back to the compound, then we return to the house. Now there are no bikes or truck in the vicinity to give Skull advanced warning, even if he spends time driving around.

A short while after Red leaves, Judge comes in.

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