Page 16 of Flick

Beth stared at War until he motioned her to carry on.

“As I was saying, Rose and Della will be based in the computer control room of our Cider Creek Chapter with Cowboy. They’ll be there to identify individuals and help with any procedural things we might run into. If they are needed out in the field, I can make sure they aren’t recognized. Halligan and Quinton have agreed to come down when we call, along with Bear and Winnie being on backup too.

“We’re hoping to only rely on the Cider Creek Chapter, but Twist has offered to help, and Saint’s Outlaws MC has as well. Flick and I will be going in as a couple and will be living in the same community as this man,” she explained, referring to the man on the screen. “He is the father of Rose’s ex-partner and uncle to Deputy Kerwin. And I know we now know his real name, but Kerwin fits his personality so much better than Colby. We debated about our cover but decided that Flick is going to be former military who is currently writing a book. We needed a way for him to be around all the time and a novelist fits. Plus, authors are notoriously snoopy, so if he asks questions, he can always say it’s for research. I’m going to be the ditzy wife who just hangs out and lives off her husband’s money. Any questions?” Beth finished.

Beth listened to all the suggestions and questions, letting Flick handle some of them and answering the ones they could. She, along with Flick, Sarah, and Scoop, had gone over the info and planned for as much as they could. Rose had listened in and not offered much, but Beth believed that once they were back in Texas that Rose would have more to say. Della had been amazing at offering insight into the different possibilities and had given them information concerning the different police stations and officers she knew. Beth was thankful both were coming with them.

“All right, we’ve answered the questions we could. Everyone knows that we can’t plan for every eventuality. We’ve done the best we can, and we’ll adjust as it goes. War, do we need to vote on this, or are we going through with this?” Flick asked.

War nodded. “All in favor of the plan that Flick and Beth have laid out,” War said and raised his hand.

Beth glanced around the room. Every hand was raised, which was good because she wasn’t going to deal with anyone saying no.

“Looks like it’s unanimous. Do you all know when you plan on leaving?” War asked.

“We’re set to leave today. Flick and I have already rented the house as a long-term vacation rental, and we’ll arrive tomorrow. Rose and Della will be heading to Cider Creek tomorrow and arriving four days from now. They’ll head toward Kansas City, Missouri, then on to St. Louis. They’ll stay the night and take two days to get to Jackson, Mississippi, and then to Cider Creek the next day. They’ll be changing cars in St. Louis and in Jackson. Between Jackson and Dallas, they’ll be picked up by two of the members of our Cider Creek Chapter, and their car will be returned back to Jackson by a friend of the club. When they are driven into Cider Creek, they’ll look like women coming to partyfor the night at the Chapter. If there aren’t any more questions, Flick and I need to get on the road,” Beth said.

Goodbyes were said, and hugs were given. Her dad held her tightly for longer than normal. He was worried, but Beth was confident that they had a good plan.

Chapter Eleven

Beth and Flick had dropped the vehicle they’d driven to Texas in at the airport lot and rented a car at the airport as if they’d just flown in. One of the members of the Texas Chapter would retrieve the car in a couple weeks and drive it back to Kansas.

They’d stayed in a hotel last night and were ready for their undercover work to start. They were in disguise and were ready to start. Until further notice, Beth’s distinctive red hair was hidden by a blonde wig. She even had some special bras that enhanced her smaller bustline to give her larger cleavage. Her wardrobe had been picked to make sure the eyes were drawn to her breasts.

If they were looking at her breasts, they weren’t staring at her face.

Flick glanced over at her as they turned into the subdivision. He paused at the guard shack to the gated community.

“Mr. and Mrs. John Shelby,” Flick said in a bored tone.

“Oh, Mr. Shelby, we’re expecting you. The delivery truck with your belongings is already at the house, and the realtor met them to allow them to unload,” the guard said.

“Thank you,” Flick paused and leaned closer to see the man’s badge, “Smithson. I appreciate you taking care of that and knowing what was going on. My wife and I want a safe place while we house hunt and get to know the area,” Flick said.

“You’re welcome. Anything you need, you let me know. I can get you anything,” the guard said with a wink.

Flick nodded, rolling the window up and driving toward the house.

“Is it just me, or did it seem from his tone that he was offering more than the best burger joint to frequent?” Beth asked.

“Nope, not just you. He’s creepy as fuck,” Flick said, pulling onto their street.

A couple of the Cider Creek guys were disguised as delivery men. Flick pulled the car in the driveway, got out, and opened Beth’s door for her. He held his hand out to assist her out of the car. Flick and she had discussed that they wanted anyone meeting them to underestimate Beth.

The best way to do that was to give the impression she was window dressing for Flick’s life. She turned and lifted Lilly out and snapped her fingers to have Dolly and Moss join them. They’d gone back and forth on taking the dogs, but she and Flick had deemed it worth the risk.

Deputy Kerwin hadn’t ever met the dogs because Beth never let him come to her house on the property. She’d always met him for their dates.

Flick and Beth also wanted the added protection of having the dogs in the house with them. Flick held her hand as they walked into the house and met the realtor who managed the property.

“Mr. and Mrs. Shelby, it’s so nice to meet you in person. Your movers arrived and have been adding your items. Mrs. Shelby,you have so many clothes. I’d love to see them sometime. They’ve unloaded five rolling racks of clothes,” she said.

Beth nodded but didn’t say anything. They did bring a decent amount of clothes for surveillance and for events, but one of the racks had clothes on the ends while hiding guns and surveillance equipment for the house.

Flick chuckled, “My wife believes in being prepared. She has a large amount of clothing she left in storage that we might need to send for if we’re invited to too many things.”

Beth smiled and leaned up to kiss Flick’s cheek to sell theairheaded woman just thrilled with anything her husband saidpersona.

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