Page 12 of Petty's Crime

I put the missing bodyguard out of my mind as I go about my normal routine. I don’t give much thought to either him or his replacement, other than to notice he’s just as competent and vigilant as Petty as he drives me to the casino. There’s nothing different until I walk into my dressing room where Kylie is waiting.

“You’re not swearing,” is her greeting, her brow creasing. She walks to the door I’ve just closed, opens it, glances out into the corridor, and then comes back in beaming. “You’ve upgraded, I notice.”

For a second, I wonder what she’s talking about, then chuckle as I realise. “Looks like I have.” Personally, I still think Petty’s got him beat for looks, but Cobra’s personality is a huge improvement.

Unabashed, Kylie opens the door and takes another peek out. She nods with approval as she again closes it. “Is it permanent? Has Petty been sacked for being an asshole?”

I don’t know much about motorcycle clubs, but I doubt they’re something you get booted from, or not for personality traits at least. “According to Cobra, he’s dealing with a personal situation.”

She fist pumps the air. “Long may it continue.”

For some inexplicable reason, my feelings are mixed. “That’s not fair, Ky. He’s good at his job.” I justify myself with the thought as yet, Cobra’s untried. Maybe he won’t turn out to be so vigilant. Something about Petty had made me feel safe.

Giving an unapologetic shrug, she imparts her views, “And as unpleasant as shit to deal with.”

Not understanding my strange desire to defend him, I let the subject drop. Why should it matter to me which of the Satan’s Devils are providing protection? As long as my stalker doesn’t get close, it shouldn’t matter one iota. They can swap them around to their hearts’ content.

Having put Petty to the back of my mind, the night proceeds exactly the same as numerous others before. Kylie gets me ready, I go on stage and perform my set, talk with a couple of fans and sign my autograph, then return to my dressing room and change from singer to normal girl once again. With the last traces of makeup removed, and the hairspray brushed out of my hair, I open the door and Cobra gets into step beside me as he escorts me to the parking lot.

“Seemed to be a good night,” he comments.

“Pretty standard,” I agree. I notice him looking at me oddly. “What?”

He chuckles. “Just can’t get over how different you seem. Up on the stage, you’re someone else, unattainable. Here, walking along next to me, you’re as down to earth as anyone could be.”

I presume it’s a compliment so I grin and take it that way. I know my stage persona is different. I’m another person when I’m in front of an audience. It allows me to be freer than I otherwise would be, as I can pretend to be someone other than my usual boring self. Performing has allowed me to have an identify far removed from the victim Saul had made me.

As performing takes it out of me both mentally and physically, when we reach the SUV, I yawn widely as I get inside. Taking the hint, Cobra lets me rest my eyes and doesn’t initiate small talk. When we arrive back at my house, Sarge is already there, having let himself in with a key.

Cobra and he exchange a few words, a couple of grunts and nods of their heads, presumably confirming Sarge has already checked the place out, and then the changeover is complete. Cobra leaves, his duties performed to my satisfaction. He might not be Petty, but he still gives the assurance he knows what he’s about.

I’m left in the care of the man who when I’d first met him, thought to be taciturn and reserved, but over the weeks, I’ve come to learn more about Sarge. I’d go so far as to say we’ve become friends. He’s quite open about his PTSD and the effects that it has on him, not asking for sympathy, but just sharing the facts so that people can understand.

“How d’you find Cobra?” Sarge asks as I place my jacket on the hook.

“A bit different to Petty.” I chuckle as I respond. I’m tired but I could do with a nightcap before bed. As I walk through to the kitchen, I continue to speak. “I’ve kind of got used to Petty not talking to me.”

Sarge follows me in, shakes his head to a beer, and watches as I top off a glass of wine. “Don’t take it personally. Petty’s an acquired taste.”

“Did someone say something?” I’m worried that Petty might have been kicked off the job because of me.

Sarge creases his eyes. “What do you mean?”

I shrug. “As you say, Petty’s not the easiest to get along with, but I don’t need someone to be friendly if they’re going to protect me. I just wondered whether he was off the job permanently.”

Sarge rubs his hand over his short hair. “Not as far as I know. Not that I know much. Petty’s wife’s unexpectedly came back into town, and he’s getting her settled. Shouldn’t affect the work he does for the club.” Having shared the information, he gives a small frown.

“He’s married?” I swing around. My jaw drops and I quickly pick it up off the floor. “I’m so sorry, that was rude.” I just can’t imagine any woman tying their wagon to his. How would you begin to handle such a misogynistic brute?

Sarge chuckles and gives one of his easy grins. “No matter. I was surprised myself. None of us knew he had a woman.”

I know these men like to play their cards close to their chests and I’m honestly surprised he’s said that much. As I sip my wine, I wonder if he’ll gossip more. My innocent questions are more normally curtailed with just two words,club business.But I decide to push as the reason for Petty’s absence has sparked my interest. Not that I have any designs on the man myself, Sarge’s wording just sounds odd.

Casually I reach for the bottle and top off my glass. “What do you mean, you didn’t know?”

“We didn’t know,” he repeats. “She’s been….” His eyes flick to mine, then he shakes his head and lamely completes his sentence with one word. “Away.”

Away?Now my interest is really piqued. Over the weeks I’ve discovered that to become a full member of the Satan’s Devils you have to prospect for a year, and so Petty must have been with them far longer than that. If they didn’t know he was married, then where the hell has she been?

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