Judge (Blackwings MC - Devil Springs Book 2)

by Teagan Brooks

  “Clubhouse,” was all he said before he climbed on his bike and took off.

  I hauled ass to the clubhouse and damn near laid my bike down when I recognized several bikes from Croftridge in the forecourt, particularly the bikes belonging to Dash and Phoenix.

  I pushed through the front door and was met with a fist to my face. Without conscious thought, I pulled my knife from its sheath and held it to the neck of the motherfucker I’d just slammed against the wall.

  In the blink of an eye, my blade was knocked from my hand and I was face down on the floor with a knee in my back. “Breathe, brother,” Batta heaved in my ear.

  “The fuck is going on?” I roared and tried to throw him off of me.

  “You said you’d take care of her! You swore you wouldn’t let anything happen to her!” Dash bellowed from across the room.

  “Copper, get your boy under control. Dash, shut the fuck up and don’t you dare move a muscle,” Phoenix ordered.

  I looked up to see Carbon’s arms wrapped around Dash’s upper torso holding him in place. I turned my eyes to my Prez. “What happened? I’m good. Just tell me what happened to her. Is she okay?” I spewed.

  Copper nodded and Batta released me, though Phoenix did not give Carbon the okay to release Dash who was still actively struggling to free himself from Carbon’s vice-like grip.

  “She tried to call you. We tried to call you,” Copper said and audibly swallowed. “River was arrested at the hospital this morning. She’s being charged with second-degree murder,” Copper said.

  “What?!” I shouted in utter disbelief. “Who do they think she murdered?”

  “Brett Owens,” Phoenix shared.

  “That’s not possible!” I insisted. “We’ve got to get her out of there! So help me, if something happens to her, I won’t stop until every person involved has suffered the consequences!”

  A familiar hand landed on my bicep. “Son, we’re going to do everything we can, but you need to pull your shit together so you can help her, too.”

  “Mom,” I croaked and choked back the sob that desperately wanted to escape.

  She engulfed me in a comforting hug like only a mother can. “It’s going to be okay, Jonah. Officer Dunk made sure she was placed in a cell by herself and I’ve already spoken with Judge Hinkley. He pulled some strings and will oversee her bond hearing first thing in the morning.”

  “She has to spend the night in jail?”

  “She does, but Officer Dunk was able to arrange for her to have a trusted guard assigned to watch over her private cell,” Mom reassured.

  “I want to see her.”

  “You can’t, baby. She can’t have any visitors right now.”

  “Bullshit! I’m going to see her and nobody is going to stop me!”

  Copper stepped in front of me and kept coming until his nose was touching my nose. “I’m stopping you.”

  “Step back, Prez,” I growled through my clenched jaw. I was barely holding it together and if Copper didn’t get the fuck out of my face, I was going to do something I was sure I’d later regret.

  Copper didn’t back down. “We’ve been friends for a long time, Jonah. You’ve always had faith in me. I’m speaking to you as your friend, not your President. Have faith in me now.”

  “She’s my Old Lady,” I declared.

  “I know,” he said and clasped my shoulder. “She’s got the full support of the club.”

  I took a step back and nodded. Carbon had since released Dash, but was still standing in front of him ready to intervene if necessary. I surveyed the room full of concerned faces and asked, “Can someone tell me how in the hell this even happened? How did they come to the conclusion that River murdered Brett?”

  Phoenix and Copper exchanged a look. At Phoenix’s nod, Copper started explaining. “There’s a lot of circumstantial evidence that links River to Brett. She dated him in high school and was recently involved in an altercation with him at Precious Metals. He was found dead in the house she was renting. She had two run-ins with Didi, who happens to be Brett’s sister. Spring was found dead in Brett’s trailer.”

  “And how did she supposedly kill him?” I asked.

  Copper sighed. “Preliminary toxicology reports revealed Brett had fentanyl in his system. They’re saying River stole the medication from the hospital and injected Brett with a large enough dose to kill him.”

  “She would never do something like that,” I shouted.

  “We all know that, brother. Not a single person in this room thinks she’s guilty.”

  I took in a deep breath and silently counted to ten. It didn’t do a damn thing to calm the rage burning inside me. My chest was violently rising and falling as I heaved in breath after breath. “You have got to be fucking kidding me! This is utter bullshit and we have to do something! Right fucking now!” I roared.

  Batta put his hands on my chest and forced me to take a few steps back. “We know she’s innocent and we’re going to do something. Now, get your shit together so we can figure out the best way to help her.”

  “I can’t believe this shit! Do we have a lawyer for her? And where the fuck is Kennedy? She should be able to help prove this isn’t true.”

  “Pop made some calls and has a lawyer on the way to the clubhouse as we speak,” Phoenix said.

  “Kennedy’s in Batta’s room sleeping since she worked—” Copper started but was cut off when the clubhouse doors burst open.

  Savior stepped inside and glanced around the room. “Uh, Prez, I need to speak with you outside.”

  “It’ll have to wait. We’re in the middle of—”

  “It can’t wait, Prez,” Savior interrupted. “No disrespect, but it’s urgent.”

  Copper’s brows furrowed in anger, but he nodded and followed Savior outside, as did the rest of the Devil Springs officers. Coal was leaning against Savior’s truck with his arms crossed over his chest, but he reached over to open the back door when Savior got closer. Savior reached into the truck and suddenly, Oliver Burgess was writhing on the ground in front of us.

  “Picked him up at the gas station. Where should I put him?” Savior asked.

  “You can’t do this to me!” Oliver screamed.

  Savior savagely kicked him in the ribs. “I already told you to shut your fucking mouth. If I have to say it again, I’ll sew that motherfucker shut.”

  “Get him to the farthest shed out back and keep his ass quiet. We’re expecting company,” Copper ordered. “And good work, brothers.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  River

  I couldn’t stop crying. As soon as I was led to my cell—MY CELL—I curled into a ball in the far corner of the room and sobbed. I was in such a state I couldn’t even fully process what was happening.

  I was walking out of the hospital with Kennedy when I was suddenly surrounded by police officers telling me I was under arrest for murder. Murder! I went to school to learn to save lives, not take them.

  I immediately went into survival mode. “Call Batta and go to the clubhouse,” I told her. When she continued to stare at me in horror, I yelled, “Now, Kennedy! He’ll know what to do.” She took off running to her car as they were leading me to the police cruiser.

  Being booked and processed was a complete blur. The only thing I could clearly remember was being able to make a phone call. I couldn’t remember any phone numbers. Like everyone else, I was reliant on my cell phone and had never bothered to memorize Jonah’s or anyone else’s phone number.

  “I don’t know the phone number,” I cried. “It’s in my cell phone, but you took it and I don’t know the phone number.”

  “It’s okay, honey. I’ve got your phone. Whose number do you need?” a kind voice asked.

  I looked up through my tear-filled eyes to see Officer Dunk with a sad smile on her face. “Jonah’s,” I croaked.

  She let me try to call him three times before she suggested I try someone else. She gave me my brother’s phone number, and thankfully, h
e answered on the second ring.

  “Reed,” I cried. “I need help.”

  “Raindrop? What’s wrong? Where’s Judge?” he asked in rapid-fire.

  “I tried to call him, but he didn’t answer. I’ve been arrested for murder, and I don’t know what to do,” I wailed.

  “What?!” he bellowed causing me to cry harder. “Okay, okay. Stay calm and do not say a fucking word to anybody. Do you hear me?”

  “Y-y-yes.”

  “I’m on my way. I might not be able to get you out today, but I will get you out. I’ll get a lawyer to you as soon as I can. Do not answer any questions or say anything to anyone until your lawyer arrives. If anybody tries to fuck with you, you tell them you’re with Blackwings MC. I’ll be there soon. I love you,” he said vehemently.

  “Thank you, Reed. I love you, too,” I whispered.

  Luckily, I was in a cell by myself, but hours had passed and I hadn’t heard from anyone. What was I going to do? It didn’t matter that I was innocent. I was going to lose my job and possibly have my nursing license put in jeopardy.

  I looked up when I heard my cell door slide open. Officer Dunk stood there with handcuffs dangling from one hand and an apologetic look on her face. “River, you have a visitor. I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I have to put these on you.”

  I wiped my nose with the back of my hand and nodded. She waited for me to hold my hands out and loosely closed the cuffs around my wrists. I remained silent as she led me to a small room just a few doors down from where the cells were located.

  “I’ll be right outside the door. Just keep in mind, these rooms are under video and audio surveillance,” she said and opened the door to the visitation room.

  I was not expecting to see a familiar face on the other side of the table. “Leigh,” I said and choked on a sob. “What are you doing here?”

  “Oh, please don’t cry. I’m not allowed to hug you and it’s breaking my heart,” she pleaded.

  I raised my cuffed hands and tried to wipe the tears away. “I’m sorry. I haven’t been able to stop crying.”

  “It may not seem like it right now, but everything’s going to be okay,” she said confidently.

  “How can you say that? They think I murdered someone.”

  “I can say it because I know it’s not true,” she said simply.

  I also knew it wasn’t true, but I certainly did not think everything was going to be okay. “Why didn’t Jonah come to visit?” I asked and hated how pathetic I sounded.

  “You’re not allowed to have regular visitors right now. Only your lawyer and your minister can see you.”

  My forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Which one are you?”

  Leigh laughed. “It’s an interesting story I’ll be happy to share with you some time, but I’m your minister.”

  “I tried to call Jonah,” I whispered.

  “He knows, honey. He left his phone at the office and was beyond upset when he heard what happened to you. Your brother and some of the Croftridge club are here, too, but I thought it would do you some good to see a friendly face.”

  “It has. I’m so glad you came. I don’t know what to do,” I confessed and started to cry again.

  “You’re going to dig deep and find the strength to get through the next few days. I called an old friend, who’s a judge, and he’s agreed to take your case. Hopefully, the lawyer can get a bond hearing scheduled in a day or two. As soon as that happens, we’ll post your bail and bring you home,” Leigh promised.

  “I’m going to lose my job.”

  “When are you scheduled to work again?”

  “Tonight. Then, Wednesday and Thursday.”

  “I’ll talk to Kennedy and see what we need to do. Maybe you’ll only have to miss tonight.”

  I was already shaking my head. “They won’t let me come back to work until I’m cleared of all charges. I will also have to be cleared by the nursing board. Not only do they think I killed someone, they think I did it with drugs I stole from the hospital.”

  “I know it seems like the end of the world right now, but I promise you it’s not. You’ve got a whole lot of people who love you and are doing everything in their power to make this right for you.”

  I nodded and sniffled. “I just can’t believe this is happening to me,” I blurted and then I was consumed with anger. “I knew coming back to Devil Springs was a bad idea. I knew it with every fiber of my being. But, I’ve always tried to do what was right, and that meant fulfilling the contract I signed with the nursing agency.” I shook my head and laughed derisively. “I didn’t want to risk my career by breaking the contract, so I took the high road. But, no one told me the high road ended with me in jail and my career in the toilet. I worked so hard to get out of this place and away from my mother only to end up rotting away here.”

  Leigh remained silent while I had my meltdown. Finally, she said, “A bit of anger’s good for you. It’ll help you get through the next few days. But, you will not rot away in here; that I can promise you.”

  “I hope you’re right,” I whispered.

  After that, Leigh stayed with me until my lawyer arrived. “You keep your head up, honey. I’ll come see you tomorrow if you’re not out.”

  “Thank you, Leigh. I can’t tell you how much your visit helped me,” I said honestly.

  “Anytime, honey. You’re family.” When I opened my mouth to correct her, she shushed me and winked. “You will be.”

  As soon as Leigh exited, a petite woman wearing a perfectly tailored business suit entered the room. She couldn’t possibly be my lawyer; she looked like she was a few years younger than me.

  She took a seat and introduced herself. “Hello, River. I’m Tina Rivera, your attorney,” she said and extended her hand.

  I awkwardly extended my cuffed hands and attempted to shake hers. “How old are you?” I blurted and then gasped. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

  She laughed. “It’s okay; I’m used to it. I’m thirty-two and have been practicing law for six years.”

  I shifted uncomfortably. “Well, you certainly do not look your age.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. Now, let’s get down to business so we can get you out of here. All video and audio recording devices for this room have been turned off, so you can speak freely. Having said that, it is extremely important for you to be completely honest with me. In other words, if you did do it, you need to tell me. Understood?”

  I quickly nodded and met her eyes, “Understood. I didn’t do it.”

  She held my gaze for several long moments, but I didn’t waiver or look away. I knew it was some sort of test, and I was not going to fail. With a curt nod, she said, “Good. Right now, our priority is getting you a bail hearing and convincing the judge that you’re not a flight risk. From what I’ve been told, you don’t have any prior convictions or arrests. Is that correct?”

  “That’s correct. I got a speeding ticket a few years ago, but that’s it.”

  “Okay, the only thing I see being an issue is that you don’t live in Devil Springs, because your trial is going to take longer than the few weeks left on your contract with the hospital. Now, I have no intentions of this case going to trial, but the judge isn’t going to take that into consideration,” she explained.

  I didn’t care if I had to move to Devil Springs and work at any job I could get, I would do whatever it took to get me out of jail as soon as possible, and I told her just that.

  “We need to convince the judge that you’re not a flight risk. Meaning, we need to show you have a future planned here—a long-term rental agreement, a serious romantic relationship, family in the area.”

  “That won’t be a problem. Copper can give you a copy of the rental agreement and Jonah will attest to the seriousness of our relationship,” I said knowingly. I didn’t want to lie to the court, but I would, if it got me out of jail.

  “All right, here’s what we’re going to do.”

  Chapter Thirty-Fou
r

  Judge

  Copper led the way to the shed containing Oliver. It was all I could do to contain myself. My girl had been arrested for a crime she didn’t commit, and I had a feeling the little motherfucker tied to a chair had all the answers we needed.

  “You two stay out here and keep watch,” Copper told Savior and Coal. They both nodded, but the disappointment on Savior’s face was clear.

  “Batta, remove his gag,” Copper said and moved to stand directly in front of Oliver. “Got some questions for you, boy.”

  “Fuck you, cunt,” Oliver said cockily and then spit in Copper’s face.

  Copper wiped his face with his hand and shook his head. “That was not a smart move, shitstain.” He reached into his pocket and turned as if he was going to walk away, but suddenly he turned back and slammed brass knuckles into the side of Oliver’s face.

  “Fuck, Prez,” Splint griped. “He can’t talk when he’s unconscious.”

  Copper removed his brass knuckles and wiped his face again. “He can’t talk if he’s dead either, and if he spits in my face again, I’ll fucking kill him.”

  I was off to the side bouncing on the balls of my feet. I needed whatever information he had and I needed it yesterday. Bronze nudged Copper and cocked his head in my direction. Copper grimaced, “Sorry, Judge. Splint, wake him up.”

  Splint snorted. “I’ll try,” he said and pulled a small packet from his cut.

  I waved him off. “I got this,” I said excitedly. I had a new technique I’d been wanting to try for a while and this was the perfect opportunity.

  “Batta, help me get his pants off.”

  “Say what now?”

  “Just fucking do it,” I snapped.

  Being the good friend that he was, he did as I asked, but quickly stepped away when we were finished.

  I ignored him and everyone else in the room while I put on a pair of disposable gloves and finished setting up.

  “What in the actual fuck, Judge?” Copper asked.

  “You know those videos where a man gets hooked up to a labor simulator?” I asked and held up the device in my hand. Then, I tapped the screen to send a jolt of electricity to the electrode attached to Oliver’s shriveled ball sack.