Page 19 of Being Lost

Dan again thinks hard. “I gave them everything I had. I gave away his name, where he lived, the people who worked for him, and the routes I know he used.”

“Enough to fuck up his business as we surmised,” Lost states. His clasped hands rock up and down. “Any warehouse locations?”

“I didn’t know one. But if they picked up the people I named, one of them may have talked.”

“One of them may be out gunning for you,” Lost reminds him.

Dan nods and agrees. “Could be, I suppose.”

“Get me the list of names you gave the feds, I’ll get Token, our computer guy, to check them out. See if they’re in the pen or walking free men.” He gets out his phone and makes a note. “Once we trace them, I can find some connections if they’re inside and start asking questions.”

“Satan’s Devils have men inside?” I ask.

Lost turns and gives me a sad smile. “Not right now. We did, he got sent down a long time back, but he died. We are friendly with other clubs who take more risks than we do, though.” He looks back at Dan. “Let’s get back to Alder. What’s he likely to do? He’s still got his contacts over the border and customers this side. Is he able to continue his trade?”

“I fucked it up, but it doesn’t mean he can’t start over. His supply chain in Mexico is still there. I’d expect that’s what he’d do.”

Lost makes another note on his phone. “I’ll get Token to try and estimate just how much damage was done to Alder, and what the feds did. A warrant is out for his arrest, and they may have been able to freeze any assets in his name, though I suspect he’ll have multiple accounts, maybe even untraceable offshore ones.”

“I fucked up the entry point he used,” Dan points out. “He might find it hard to bring drugs over the border.”

“The border is long. He’ll find a new way across.”

Lost is probably right. But are they forgetting something? “You’re talking about the drug trade. What about the girls?” I remember only too well the broken women brought to the clubhouse in Pueblo. I’d been horrified that the same fate—to sell her off as a sex slave—had been planned for Beth as well.

Lost raises an eyebrow at Dan who leans back in the chair. “Phil had trafficked girls. I’m pretty certain he was doing that on his own. A sideline which Alder didn’t know about. The feds never questioned me about that in relation to Alder.”

“Were Alder and Phil close?”

I huff. “They were brothers-in-law. Thick as thieves from what I remember. Can’t see that changing.”

“The dynamics had.” Dan stares at me. “Phil became more of a junior partner. I think that’s why he wanted something for himself.”

“It’s worth looking into.” Lost makes another note. “We’ll start digging in that area too. See if we turn anything up.” He looks across at Dan. “I agree with you. If Alder came across you, he’d waste no time taking you out of the picture. But I can’t see it’s worth him putting himself at risk. As for where he is, could he set himself up south of the border?”

“He does have links with the cartel,” Dan confirms. “Has to have, that’s how the drugs reach him in the first place.”

“Okay,” Lost stands, getting his car keys out of his pocket, “I’ll get back and get Token digging through this shit, see if we can find out more information. I came to warn you, not worry you, okay?”

“Are we safe?” I ask him quickly. “Can I go out for groceries, and can Dan go to work? Should we go on as we are, or keep our heads down low?”

Lost takes a moment, then tells me, “For now, carry on as usual, but we’ll see how this goes. I would suggest I leave a prospect with you, but the reason why I came in the car and without my cut is to hide that the Satan’s Devils are interested in whoever lives in this house. You’ve got links to our chapter in Colorado, so there’s a chance they could be watching the club too.” His eyes sharpen. “Stay vigilant. I’ll leave you my number, and those of my officers. If you see anything suspicious, or think you’re being watched or followed, then get somewhere safe, somewhere crowded, and call us. We’ll come to you.”

It’s good advice. I just hope we don’t need to take it, I muse as Lost goes to the door.

“You’ll tell us if you find anything out?” Dan asks.

“Of course.” Lost raises his chin with his reply.

I see Lost out, part of me wishing he wasn’t going, part of me wishing he really was what he appeared to be, a man visiting a friend. As I close the door to prevent myself from watching his handsome and shapely for his age figure walk down my driveway, I wished he’d come for something, anything, other than to give me this worrying news.

“Mom, I’m sorry,” Dan says contritely when I reappear in the living room. “If I had listened to what you told me about my father, we wouldn’t be here now.”

He’s not too old for a hug it would seem as he opens his arms and I settle into them. “Any apology is on me, Dan. I shouldn’t have made that call.”

His arms tighten. “Best we accept that we can’t change the past or what happened. We just have to deal and move on.”

Chapter Seven

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