by Vera Quinn
“Sarge and Chief are running down leads. Her truck with her tr ailer loaded with her horse was found at a truck stop abandoned. Anyone that knows that woman knows she would not leave her horse standing in a trailer for hours. Sarge and Trigger are headed to Utah where the trailer was found.” Bourbon looks at Rye.
“There wa s blood found by the door of the trailer according to the police report. Micah had gone in the truck stop and bought food and water. The security cameras did not have a shot on the other side of the trailer. It did show an old white van approach the trailer and leave minutes later. The van had no tags on it. Chief should be getting in touch as soon as he knows anything for sure. He doesn’t want to upset Callie until he knows something more definite. He’s not sure that Maddie won’t call or Em won’t call Joy,” Rye finishes. I notice that Rye and Bourbon are only commenting on the things that pertain to the murders. They are old school and know that the two of them being able to be present during a Feral Steel meeting is not normal procedure and they are respecting the special situation. I also notice that Devil is not giving out any pertinent details on our everyday procedures and steered the conversation away from new plans. Devil trusts the two men but will not bring them into our inner circle.
“I think we need to shut down anything that is not necessary right now so our manpower can be utilized to find these fuckers. Right now, we are so stretched, that we have no extra eyes to help Oz and Tito sift through all the evidence from the PD, security feeds and now going back through old contacts,” Bowie points out what we have all known for the last few days.
“I think that may be what needs to happen. Let’s vote. I have Tex, Rome, Cowboy and Crockett’s proxy votes. Somebody take it to the floor for a vote.” Crockett and Tex have the protection detail on Callie, the children, Hanna and Felix, and Rome and a prospect are with Joy and Tara. Cowboy is on gate duty.
“I say we close the bar and restaurant ,” Edge speaks up.
“I second it,” Ridge says. Devil waits for me.
“I vote yes,” I speak up.
“Yes,” Slick votes.
“Yes,” Creole agrees.
“Yes,” Thrasher says.
“Since all the other votes have been yes then so is mine and the proxies I have. Vote carries. Hacksaw make sure everyone is notified and everything gets closed. If you need help pull someone away.” Devil brings the vote to an end. “I know everyone is tired but I cannot express enough how we need to be more vigilant than ever in security. No one is to be alone. We don’t want to give these assholes a way to get a shot at one of us.”
“Tara has a doctor appointment tomorrow and Joy will be going with her. Rome and a prospect are riding along but I think we may need at least one more. I know Rome said he can handle it, but we need a man in the parking area, one in the front of the office and then Rome will be with the women.” I want Joy safe and with Tara being pregnant, we don’t need to take chances.
“Tell Rome to take Gully, Jay, and Joey. I don’t want to take any chances. When Rome gets back he is going to be helping Oz. Tara and Joy will need to be at my house or the clubhouse for the day. I need Joey and Jay at the garage and Gully will be at the gym with Sal. I’m going to get Chief on the phone for an update on Micah. I think Chief was right when he said it would keep these assholes off balance if we keep our schedules varied. Oz, if you or Tito get anything on your searches then send out a text so we can all be kept up to date. Meeting adjourned.” Devil starts to walk to the bar but Tito stands up.
“Devil, can I have a word with you and Hacksaw in your office?” Tito asks. He looks from Devil to me. “Sure thing ,” Devil answers. I get up and follow Devil and Tito into Devil’s office. Gertie is sitting on Devil’s sofa looking at a magazine. “Thanks Gertie for waiting in here.” Gertie gets up and walks over by us. Devil sits in his chair behind his desk. Tito moves over in front of the desk and sits in the chair.
“Anytime,” Gertie says as she leaves. Devil gets right to it.
“What couldn’t you say in front of everyone?” Devil’s phone beeps. He looks at it and ignores it.
“A couple of things,” Tito says but then stops. “You ready to share or are we just going to shoot the shit here?” I know I am being an ass but it seems that is the only thing that gets through to Tito right now. Tito glares at me.
“I think that once we find whoever this is that I need to leave for a while. I don’t think I can stay here and be any good to anyone,” Tito says, and I can see the toll this has taken on him and how this is weighing on his mind.
“Tito, what are you saying? You want out of the club or do you just need some time?” Devil has a concerned look on his face. “I have been thinking on this idea and it is not anything we have ever discussed but it is the one thing that is keeping me from going off the deep end. I know myself and I cannot stay here and go about my life like Sarah and I didn’t exist and just pick up where I left off before we happened.” Tito is now pacing back and forth in front of Devil’s desk. “We have a working relationship between us and a few other clubs. Sarge and Chief’s clubs in Texas, the Oklahoma BlackPath club, and Krill of Dra’s club in Colorado, what if we formed a nomad group that traveled between the clubs? A couple of members from each club to form a nomad club that has ties to all the clubs. Devil, you have been talking about branching out and starting another chapter so we could find the perfect place while we are traveling.” I wasn’t expecting that and by the look on Devil’s face, he wasn’t either. Devil sits back in his chair and is studying Tito’s face.
“There’s a few thoughts I have on that matter.” Devil is almost hesitant in the way he talks. “First, I’ve never even heard of such a thing, nomads of different clubs banding together and I don’t know if it would work or even the logistics to make it work. What concerns me the most is that this is too quick for such a life changing decision for you. You are mourning Sarah’s death and you should not be making life changing decisions right now.” Tito looks at Devil for more than a few minutes and then sits in the chair next to me. He looks defeated but determined.
“I have thought this out and I will be the first one to say that there will need to be open lines of communication between the clubs for this to work and there will be a time of adjustment but I think it can work beneficially for everyone involved if the members are all chosen the right way.” Tito goes quiet for a minute. “I’m not sleeping but a couple of hours and this idea came to me.”
“An idea that came to you from sleep deprivation and mourning is not one I would put much confidence in,” I tell Tito and I am halfway joking to lighten the mood. Tito looks at me.
“Hacksaw, you are the one that inspired the damn idea. You kept saying you wanted more time on the road and that we were getting too domesticated. Too much time in regular jobs and family barbeques and not enough time on our bikes.” Tito is right that I was feeling this way. I still am, but Joy helps and I would be lying if I said that I didn’t miss the open road on my bike. “I could take time off but I wouldn’t be helping anyone and I don’t think this is something that will go away in a few months.”
“This is not something that we can call church for and just vote. We will need to take it to the other clubs and they will need to do their own vote and then we would need to iron out all the particulars and right now, we just have too much on our plates trying to keep our family safe.” Devil isn’t giving Tito a flat-out no. “I need your focus on the job at hand. The rest we will address when this is over. I know I keep saying that about most issues these day but I want these assholes to pay for what they have done.” Tito looks at me.
“I had you in mind to go with me Hacksaw. We’ll need a leader and you want road time,” Tito tells me and before I had Joy, if we could work it out the logistics I would jump at the idea. Now, I can’t imagine leaving Joy but how long will this last? I can’t imagine not wanting her close but is that even realistic?
“You said a couple of things what else did you n
eed to discuss?” Devil asks, bringing me out of my thoughts. “I have a gut feeling about this Lisa woman . I can’t kick it but as far as I have found she does not have one single connection to you or Callie, but Rye and Bourbon are right about the overkill being personal. I feel it. I need you to dig deep in your thoughts about everyone you have crossed that could also have it against Callie too.” Tito has known Devil every bit as long as I have and he knows the list of people Devil has gone up against is a long one. “You also need to have Callie do the same thing. Callie has good perception so maybe she can remember something that stands out that we missed. I know you don’t like including her in anything but in this she may can help and that’s the reason I wanted a private word so if it is a no-go you won’t have to worry about anyone else taking it upon themselves to question her.” Tito looks at me when he says the last part. Yes. He knows I would be the first one to do it. I know Devil’s woman is not a piece of glass that will break. The club comes first.
“I appreciate that Tito but I already had plans to talk to Callie.” Devil looks at me. “I will talk to her, not you Hacksaw.” “I should have news on those sealed records by tomorrow at the latest.” Tito stands. “I just ask you to keep an open mind about the nomad issue. I’m getting back to work.” Tito gets up and walks out the door. Devil relaxes in his chair.
“I think once Tito has time to deal with his grief and this is over he’ll come to his senses.” I know Devil is not going to like what I need to say. “I t hink it could work and it would be beneficial to all the clubs concerned if the right members are chosen or volunteered. Two members from each of the five clubs that ride between the clubs where needed. We could give each of the volunteers a specified time to be a nomad. The club they are helping, those members would be in charge when handling their business.” Devil looks surprised.
“Do you think it is even possible to work out?” I see the gears working in Devil’s brain trying to grasp the idea. “I think it is possible.” Devil shakes his head as his phone goes off again. “I need to take Chief’s call.” I get up and head to the door.
“I think Tito is right about the other too, it’s personal.” I open the door and leave Devil to his call.
I try to open my eyes but they are so heavy. I am cold, and my skin feels clammy. My mouth and throat are dry and it feels like I haven’t brushed my teeth for a few days. I can barely swallow. I hear voices but they sound a long distance away. I try to remember where I am or what might have happened. The last thing that I can remember feels like a dream because it is not clear. I remember I was on the rodeo circuit for months. I came further up north because rodeo season starts earlier here than in Texas. I’ve been sleeping in my trailer’s sleep compartment. Did I fall and hurt myself? No, I stopped at a truck stop to grab some quick snacks so I could keep driving to my next event. I paid for my stuff and decided to give my Blaze some apple flavored water to keep her well-hydrated. I open the trailer door and that is the last thing I can remember. I try to open my eyes but they just won’t open and then I feel the discomfort in my body. It feels like my hands are tied together. I move my hands around but there is something around my hands. The voices are getting to where I can understand them.
“She should be waking up soon. Do you want her to wake up or not? If not, then I need to give her another injection?” I hear a male ask. “It doesn’t matter if she wakes up and sees us it’s not like she’ll be walking out of here alive to tell anyone.” A different male voice. His words send a chill up my spine. I am in trouble and no one knows where I am except Aunt Deb and she doesn’t even know exactly where I am only where my next event is at. I try to stay as still as I can and keep my breathing evened out so they won’t know I am awake.
“The boss said to keep her knocked out and that is what we are going to do,” the first voice says. “Well she’s not awake yet. We don’t want her dying before the other two women get here. The boss said his partner is coming here to deal with the three women together. I sure hope his partner lets us have some fun with this one before he kills her, she is one hot bitch.” I realize I am in more trouble than I thought. I am cold because I have no clothes on. The realization almost makes me jump but I try to stay calm. Who are the other two women that these idiots are talking about? I hear footsteps approach where I am lying. I feel a finger run over my nipple. I am so close to screaming but I hold it in and the touch is gone as I hear a scuffle.
“The boss said not to touch her until he gets here with the others and you are going to listen. I don’t want the boss to shoot me because you can’t keep your dick in your pants. We are getting paid to keep her knocked out and tied up and that is exactly what we are going to do,” the first voice says.
“I don’t know why you are so damn ed determined to follow directions now. We have been trying to get our cuts for two years and the assholes haven’t voted us in yet. What makes you think they will now? I bet this one could be a tiger in the sack,” the second voice says. Cut means they must be in a motorcycle club.
“Because I am not going to let you screw this up in any way. Every time we get close to getting voted in you fuck it to hell with some shit you pull. Not happening this time if I have to shoot you myself,” the first voice says.
“I just know I am tired of doing all the shit jobs and never getting paid. I’ll get paid this time if it is only in ass from this pretty thing,” the second voice says. “I’m not going to kill this one by shooting her up with too much dope. When she starts coming around then I will give her more.”
“Then let’s go in the other room before I need to shoot your dick off. You will not screw this up for me this time.” I hear steps walking away from me and then a door open and close. I try to open my eyes again and my eyelids feel like they weigh a ton. I keep trying to flick them open and finally I see a bit of light. Then I try again. My eyes open but it is hard to focus and see anything. I open and close them one more time. Then I see I am in a small room on a half bed and my hands are tied in front of me. My hands are tied loosely in front but my feet are free. I’m not completely naked, I have my panties and bra on. My socks are on my feet but my boots are gone. I look around the room the best I can. The light seemed bright at first but now that my eyes are more focused it isn’t bright in here at all. The only light is a small lamp on a nightstand beside the bed. I look around the room and there are three doors in the small room. I know one goes out and I am guessing one is a closet since this looks like a small bedroom. There’s a window and it looks like it is dark outside. I pull on the ropes again and they aren’t tied tight at all. I keep wiggling my hands but no way are my hands coming out without a little help. I look at the nightstand and there is only the lamp, an empty chip bag, a half empty bottle of water and I think a small tube of something. It looks like maybe lip balm or chap stick. None of that can be useful to me. I keep moving my hands around. I turn on my side to look closer at the nightstand. I see a cigarette lighter too. I stop and listen to make sure there is still no one coming back. Maybe if I can move my body around and get the lighter I can do something with that. I think about it for a minute to make sure what I am trying to do. My mind still is not real clear. I move my hands around again. If my hands could move just a little bit more. It’s useless. Then I think about the situation. One-night Mason and I had been in a hotel and he handcuffed me. He had been trying to keep me from leaving but I got out of those handcuffs and I can get out of this rope. My body hurts and it feels like it weighs a ton but I roll off the bed catching myself before I hit the floor with a loud thud. I stand up and my legs feel like they are made of jelly. I try to shake them to get circulation back into them. I think about burning the ropes off with the lighter but another thought comes to me. I look down at the ropes and try to pull my hands out. Just a little more. I bend down and pick up the chap stick with my mouth. I pull the lid off with my hand and mouth. I bring my hands up to my mouth. I swipe the slick chap stick in as many spots as I can on my skin. I pull my hand
s from my mouth and try to slip my hands out. They move a little further. I bring my hands back up and apply more chap stick on my hands. This time when I try wiggling my hands out it works. Hell yeah! I know this is just the beginning if I am going to get away. I look for something to put up against the door but there is nothing and I am afraid to try and move the bed. If I make a noise it may bring the two men back in the room. I go to one of the other doors and open it slowly. It is a closet. I look in it and there is nothing but some hangers. I start to close the closet door but then reopen it. I stand on tiptoes and pull the bar down that is holding the hangers. I feel weak as a kitten but it finally gives way and I carefully pull it down. I know there is no way this will stop two men but it may slow them down. I walk over to the door I think the sound of the boots walking away went to. I open it as quiet as I can and I see the hall so I close it back and angle the rod under the door knob. At least this should give me a few seconds of knowing they are in here.
I walk to the last door and crack it open and it is a bathroom. Thank goodness, I need to pee. I take care of my business but don’t flush. I think how gross but I freaked out when I peed and it made a noise so I am not taking chances with flushing. I look around in the bathroom and realize this is a much older house like a farm house or something. The wall paper is old, and I see the window is a little bigger in here than the bedroom. What the hell sense does that make? I look in the medicine cabinet and it is empty. I pull the shower curtain back and nothing there. I stand on the side of the bathtub and look out the window. I am on the second floor but there is a big tree with limbs on it. With the lack of clothes, I have on it is going to hurt but being the tomboy, I have always been, it will not be that difficult. Now if I can just get this window open and pull myself up. I pry the window open with some difficulty but it is open. I look outside to see where we are and nothing looks familiar and I don’t see a road just some woods behind the house. There is a barn before I get to the woods. It looks like I am at the back of the house and I see an old van. I wish I knew how to hotwire a vehicle but that is something a girl just doesn’t learn growing up on a horse ranch in small town Texas. I go back in the bedroom and look around. I remember the hangers in the closet and I go and get a couple out. I start to go back to the window but I stop. If these two guys are alone I would have a good chance of getting down the tree and away before they would even know anything was up but what if they aren’t alone? I have the lighter and I could start a fire but that may alert them. I try to think. The only vehicle I see is the van and it is quiet downstairs and dark outside. I can do this without a diversion. I climb on the side of the tub and I start to go out head first but rethink the situation and then rethink it again. I put my head through sitting on the ledge backwards and slide back on the windowsill. Balance do not fail me now. I see the tree is close, so close I can almost touch it. I am going to need to jump and hope like hell I don’t fall. I stretch the wire hangers and put them around my neck so they don’t drop before I do. I know I am being reckless but I don’t have much of a choice and reckless is what I have always done best. Maddie is the safe twin and I am the one living on the edge. I just never thought I would be on the edge of a windowsill. Before I can think about it too long I just go for it and my body feels it when I am scratched up by the tree bark but at least when I took the small jump I didn’t miss and break my face or anything else. I move as slow as I dare to get down the tree and when I jump the last little ways, it hurts my ankle but I shake it out. I am not going to be running for a long distance, but I can still walk, fast. I duck down and get on the far side of the van away from the windows. I know not to open the doors because the interior lights may come on. I crouch down by the front tire and take one of the hangers off my neck and bend the wire top out so it is straight and poke it in the valve stem to let the air out. I move to the back one and do the same. I know the next part is all luck I still don’t trust my ankle so I walk as fast as I can, stealing glances at the back of the house as I go. I get inside the door of the barn and shut it and I bend down and catch my breath. It is dark in here. I flick the lighter on and try to find my way. My stomach is starting to burn where I scraped it against the tree. I’ve had worse and if this is the worst thing I get out of this situation then I consider myself lucky. I need to find a way to get to the highway or a road and find some help. Those two assholes were talking about two women being brought to this house and they are going to need help and it is up to me to find it. I flick the lighter again and I see a door and I walk to it. By the time I get to it the lighter is hot and I release it and the fire goes out. I blow on it and light it again and push the door open letting the lighter go out again so it will cool. I shut the door and let my eyes adjust to the dark. There is a wooden work table of sorts and I make my way over to it and there are hand tools there. I see a sickle like my aunt Deb keeps in the shed at home but this one is smaller. There are also some wire cutters and a machete. There are some other tools that I have no idea what they are used for. The sickle and machete are old and rusted but maybe I can use them. I flick my lighter again and I see a lantern hanging on a hook on the wall. I make my way over and shake it. It’s empty. At least I found some weapons. I pick up the machete and the sickle and make my way to the back of the barn and flick my light again and find a door that goes out the backside. I see the trees and the fields. I am going for the trees and hope like hell I can remember some of the things my aunt Deb taught Maddie and me about being stranded in the woods at night. I can do this. I will not let these assholes win.