Page 11 of Devil's Marker

Arnold nodded at Car Lot then looked at Win. “Brant wants to see you in his office when you’re done.” Win looked quizzical. “No. He’s not usually here on a Sunday morning. Came in special just to see you.”

Win didn’t know why, but he got a flutter in his stomach. He nodded at Arnold, but started rethinking everything he’d done since he’d arrived at the SSMC. He’d just been feeling good about the way things were turning out.

That brunette didn’t belong to anybody. He’d checked that out just to be sure. Unless Scrape had been punking him.

With that news breakfast fell way short of expectation. His appetite was compromised by the uncertainty of not knowing what Brant might make a special trip on a Sunday morning to talk to him about. He more or less wolfed down the food without tasting it. Set the dishes in the sink and headed back to Brant’s clubhouse office. The door was standing open.

He knocked lightly as a formality. “You wanted to see me.”

Brant looked up over his glasses. “Come on in here and shut the door behind you.” Win did exactly that. “Have a seat.”

There was no mistaking the fact that Brant did not look or sound happy. Win sat slowly and waited. “Just gonna get right to it. Here’s the thing. The club owes a marker to a longtime acquaintance of mine who just happens to be in law enforcement. Texas Ranger to be exact.” Win couldn’t imagine where things were headed, but the conversation certainly wasn’t starting out in any way he could have anticipated. “He’s givin’ the club a chance to clear our debt in exchange for a service. Happens to be a service that you could provide should you be of such mind.

“Upside is that it would fast track you right into full patch. Downside is that it would put you right back in the middle of the kind of risk you wanted to leave behind.”

Win was too surprised to respond immediately. When he got his thoughts together, he said, “What are we talking about?”

“Before I lay out the details, I want you to know up front that this is your decision. No one will fault you or hold it against you in any way if you decline.”

“Okay.” Win sounded cautious and Brant didn't blame him.

“Marauders up in Waco. I think they’re a sister club to your old bunch.” Win nodded. “Well, somethin’s brewin’. Rival club tryin’ to move in. Stars and Bars.”

“Jesus.” Win slid down on his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Rangers would be mighty grateful if you decided to throw in with Marauders for a bit.”

“And spy.”

Brant nodded. “Wait for a certain event and give a warning signal. You’d have the same kind of immunity cops have. Meanin’, no matter what you do, you’re not guilty and not subject to squat.”

Win dragged a hand through his hair and leaned his elbows on his knees. As if he couldn't get comfortable, he abruptly sat up straight. With his right thigh bouncing up and down of its own accord he said, “How long are we talkin’?”

“I told him one month. No more. Also told him that, if you start feelin’ antsy for any reason, you’re out before and the debt’s paid. He agreed.”

After scraping a hand over his mouth, Win reviewed the terms. “Full patch and privilege.”

“That’s right.”

“I could be marked by the Marauders. Clubs have a way of figurin’ things out.”

“That’s why it’s gotta be up to you. Full patch comes with full backin’. Of course.” Win looked out the window, seemingly working through all the pros and cons. “You left your old club in good standing. Right?”

“Yeah.”

“So they’d speak for you if asked.”

“I suppose. The leadership had become kind of… unpredictable.”

“That happens. If you were asked, just explain it like that.”

“You sound like you think I’m sayin’ yes.”

“Got a feelin’ you’re leanin’ that way. Am I wrong?”

Win shook his head. “No. You’re not wrong. Kinda wish you were. I was just gettin’ the accounts set up and…”

“When you get back you’ll have that plus a lot more. You do this for us, you got our trust with our backs and our money.” Brant took a sip of coffee and then said, “But not our women.”

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