Page 97 of Ridin' True
He knew he’d be a jackass to let her go.
It was early afternoon when Lloyd Kendrick pulled up to the garage, riding solo. Bull, who had evidently been expecting the visit, made his way out of the office as the detective exited his vehicle. It was Maverick who noticed and nudged Wrangler, nodding in Bull’s direction as he went. Wrangler straightened and watched as the two men met in the middle and shook hands.
He didn’t have more patience than that.
Pulling the clean rag from his back pocket, Wrangler wiped his hands as he invited himself to join their two-man conversation. Maverick followed close behind.
“And he was alone?” Wrangler heard Bull ask.
Lloyd shifted his gaze from the Stallions’ president toward Wrangler and back again before he replied, “Footage from two sources indicates he was alone. APB has already been issued. We’ve tried tracking him down at any of his known addresses, and we’ve come up empty. He’s considered armed and dangerous. Press conference is in a couple hours.”
“‘Ppreciate the heads up,” muttered Bull.
Lloyd looked to Wrangler and Maverick again before he stated, “You find him, we want him.Alive.”
“I hear you,” said Bull with a nod.
Lloyd squinted skeptically. “Why do I get the feeling that’s not exactly a verbal confirmation of compliance?”
“We’re Stallions, not cops,” piped in Wrangler.
Bull raised a hand, signaling silence before he spoke next.
“We both want him found. We both want answers. You find him first, we’ll be obliged to do it your way.Wefind him first, we’ll get our answers and whatever happens after is on him. Not us.”
“Bull—”
“We’re not huntin’ to kill, Kendrick—but we will hunt. You want it done by the book, I suggest you find him first.”
He paused, staring at Bull as if he was debating whether or not he regretted his visit. Finally, he dipped his chin in a nod and replied, “We’ll be in touch.”
The three Stallions watched as the detective walked back to his car. As soon as he closed himself inside, Wrangler asked, “Who was it?”
Bull merely glanced back at him from over his shoulder as he replied, “Hoffman.”
Wrangler scowled and shook his head, honestly surprised. He wouldn’t have suspected Fred Hoffman to have the guts to do something so stupid all on his own, especially given his vast knowledge of the men who would be doling out the consequences.
“Desperate fuckin’ bastard,” muttered Maverick. “Only explanation is he was in with the cartel deeper than we thought.”
“I don’t give a shitwhyhe did it—we find him, we’re not turnin’ him in. Not ‘til I’m done with him.”
“Take a beat, cowboy,” warned Bull. “I know she’s yours, but Hoffman doesn’t. As far as he’s concerned, he was aimin’ for what’sours—andwhymatters. Maverick is right. If this is bigger than Hoffman bein’ a dumbass, if this is inany waytied to the cartel, war’s comin’. We need to play this smart.”
“We need to find Hoffman first,” added Maverick.
Bull nodded. “Round table. Fifteen minutes.”
It being the middle of a workday, it didn’t take long to gather the ranked Stallions to the clubhouse. The only men offsite were Shephard and Mustang, both of whom were quick to answer Bull’s call before dropping what they had going on to get to the compound. Twister and Slick were the last to enter the conference room, and Bull didn’t waste any time getting straight to the point.
“Man responsible for the bullets aimed at Torres last night was Hoffman. So far as the cops know, he acted alone. As of yet, they haven’t found him. His name will be released to the public during a press conference later today. Kendrick knows we’re goin’ after him. We get to Hoffman first, we’ve been instructed to bring him in. Alive.”
“Since when do we take orders from the police?” asked Twister.
Bull shook his head once. “Never. But the objective of this hunt is not to kill. I want answers. If Alvarez is behind this, we’ve got bigger problems than Hoffman.”
“So, what’s the plan? We find him and expect him to tell us the truth?” inquired Wrangler from where he stood, arms folded across his chest. “Even if it’s not true, he’d tell us it was the cartel to save his own ass.”
“His ass can’t be saved. He’ll get locked up for attempted murder either way,” said Twister.
