by Ana Stone
“Theoretically that should restore the original data through the recall process.”
West looked at Roxy with raised eyebrows and an unspoken question on his face. She hesitated, considering things. She didn’t like the idea of having her mind screwed with, but she also didn’t like the idea that maybe she wasn’t playing with a full deck.
“Fine.” In for a penny, in for a pound, as the old saying went. They needed to know everything if they were going to navigate the mess they were in and this might be their best chance.
Turner gestured toward the chair West had vacated only minutes ago and she took a seat. West moved to her side and took her hand as Turner placed the devices on her. Turner keyed in a command sequence then looked over his shoulder at her. “Ready?”
“As I’ll get.”
She saw his hand move on the keyboard, toward the enter key. And then her mind exploded. At least that’s what it felt like. She was buffeted by a storm of light and sound and pain. There was nothing else. Just pain and light and sound.
And suddenly it was over. Her pulse hammered in her ears and her breath was fast like she’d just run a mad dash. Her eyes took a moment to focus and when they did, she saw West bending over her, his hands gripping her shoulders and his eyes full of fear.
“I’m okay.” She assured him even though she had no clue if that was the truth. Nothing seemed different. She searched mentally for something that would indicate a change in her memory but nothing jumped out.
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
West turned his head to look at Turner and Turned raised both hands, palms up in a confused shrug. “I don’t know.”
“Then find out.” West barked. “I don’t care how long it takes or what you have to do, but find out.”
“I will.” Turner agreed. “But I can’t do it during the normal hours of operation. It will be detected. In fact, what we’ve just done has to be covered up.”
“Can you do that.”
“Yes, but it will take time.”
“Then do it.” West straightened and offered Roxy his hand. She took it and stood. West released her hand and looked at Turner. “Call me the moment you know anything. And no one knows about any of this but the three of us, understand?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Okay, we’ll leave you to it.”
“I’ll see you out.” Turner said and got to his feet.
“No need. Just cover our tracks. Make sure there’s no evidence we were here.”
“I will alter the entry data, surveillance and system logs.” Turner assured him.
West nodded and made for the door. Once they were back in the car, he turned to her. “Are you sure you don’t remember anything new?”
“Positive.”
“That doesn’t make sense.” He leaned his head back against the seat. “If the data patterns didn’t match then either something was added or deleted in the version used for your recall. If Turner activated the recall again with the original data then there should be some difference.”
“Maybe there is and we’re just not aware of it yet.. If there are differences they should become apparent.”
“But maybe not to you.”
Roxy thought about that. “Maybe not. But to you – at least so far as things we’ve talked about. If my perception has changed then maybe that’s a flag. Hell, I don’t know. This is such a mess. And hey, why did Turner ask you about the architecture of the neural net?”
“Beats the shit out of me,” West answered. “Kind of like you being listed as giving authorization for the alteration in my data patterns.”
“I swear I don’t know the first thing about that,” Roxy assured him. “Hell, I don’t remember ever being here before, the process or even Turner.”
West straightened and reached out to take her hand. “What the hell are we into Roxy?”
“I don’t know. I wish I did. We came looking for answers to what’s happening with Zeke and leaving with no answers and more questions.”
West nodded then went still. She recognized the look on his face. He was deep in thought. She remained silent and waited and after a couple of minutes his expression changed. “What if that’s the problem?”
“Huh?”
“What if we’re going about this the wrong way. Looking for answers. Maybe what we should be doing is trying to understand the questions.”
Roxy barked a laugh. “Well, that’s about as clear as mud.”
“Yeah, maybe, but still…”
She knew he was already back inside his head, so she let it drop. “We need to get back.”
His response was more of a hum than a word, but he started the car. Roxy watched him as he drove. He didn’t speak a single word the entire way. She didn’t intrude. She didn’t have much to say anyway. At this point she didn’t have a clue what to do next. All she could do was hope either he came up with a plan or something came to her.
Chapter Twenty One
“Just get the name of his supplier and find out how he gets in contact.” Dillon barked.
“I can’t just come out and ask for no reason,” Carrie argued. “He’ll get suspicious.”
“Then fuck him blind or get him drunk or whatever the hell you have to do,” Dillon argued. “Just get me the information.”
“You don’t have to get pissy.”
His voice softened to a croon. “Sorry babe, I’m just ready to get this shit taken care of. The sooner it’s done, the sooner we can be together. I’ve waited a long fucking time for this.”
That mollified her. She still had the power to bend a man to her will. “I’ll get it,” she promised then added quickly as she heard the bathroom door open. “Gotta go.”
She dashed into the kitchen and was pouring a cup of coffee when Reese walked in. “Breakfast?” She asked as she turned with the cup in hand.
“Naw, got some shit to take care of.” He accepted the cup and leaned against the counter.
“What kind of shit?”
Reese grinned. “Looks like we’ve got our boy back mama.”
“What?” This was an unexpected turn of events.
“Me and Zeke, we had a talk. Got square.”
Carrie was at a loss for words. What in the world could have happened to cause Zeke to make peace with Reese?
“You’re shitting me.”
Reese laughed. “Yeah, I am.”
“Dickhead!” She spit at him, picked up her cup and walked over to take a seat at the table.
He chuckled again and took a seat beside her. “He’s jerking my chain. Gotta be. Promised to do a deal with me. One more gun deal, we pocket the money and split.”
Carrie shook her head. “I don’t understand. Why would he agree to something like that? He knows good and damn well you’ll never abandon the club.”
“I think he’s trying to set me up.”
“With who?”
“That fucking fed, West Franklin.
“You think Zeke’s in bed with West?”
“Honey, I’ve known he was in bed with that fucker since he was fifteen.”
“That’s bullshit.” Carrie had never believed Reese’s theory about Zeke and West. Zeke was a lot of things, but not a fag.
“A man knows,” Reese argued. “Why else do you think Franklin would have lied to the cops when they picked Zeke up for shooting that banger?”
“Because he was Zeke’s best friend and didn’t want Zeke to go to jail.”
“Whatever. I still say they’re butt buddies.”
“You’re wrong. A mother knows this shit about her kid. Besides, Zeke’s banged more of the club whores than you have.”
“Doesn’t mean he doesn’t swing both ways.”
She shook her head. “Bull.”
“Whatever. I still think he’s up to something.”
“So why’d you agree to do the deal with him?”
Reese sipped his coffee and regarded her with narrowed eyes. “So he could prove his loyalty.”
; “And if he doesn’t?”
“If the feds show up we’ll be ready for them. They’ll disappear.”
“And Zeke?”
“And Zeke with them.”
That should have upset her. Zeke was her son. But it’d been so long since he’d treated her with anything but disdain that whatever maternal feelings she’d harbored had long since faded. Now he was just a liability. And right now she needed to be on Reese’s side to get what she wanted. Which meant it was every man for himself. Zeke was on his own.
“So be it,” she said and at the surprised look from Reese added. “Don’t look so shocked. I’m yours. Always have been. I think I’ve proven that. If you say he’s expendable then so be it. Do what you gotta do.”
Reese reached over to take her hand. “I fucking love you.”
“And I love you, baby.” She waited a beat. “So, how’s it gonna go down?”
“Gotta call my supplier and set things up. It’ll go down tomorrow night.”
“Can your supplier make it happen that fast? Is he in the area?”
“He’ll make it happen.” Reese bragged and pulled out his phone.
Carrie listened as he made the call, telling whoever it was on the other end of the line that they needed to meet later in the day. When he said two pm at the usual place her ears perked up.
Reese ended the call, put his phone on the table and swallowed the rest of his coffee. “You want another cup?” She asked.
He pushed up from the table, paused and smile. “Yeah, and some eggs. Gotta take a shit. Make ‘em scrambled with some onions and peppers.”
“You got it.” She replied.
She waited until she heard the bathroom door close down the hall then grabbed his phone. It only took a few seconds to get the last number he’d called. She scribbled it on a paper napkin and shoved the napkin in the drawer with the dish towels.
By the time he returned, the eggs were almost done and she had what she wanted. Now all she had to do was get him out of the house so she could call Dillon. Things were working out perfectly.
*****
Zeke pulled up behind his aunt’s house and sat on the bike, staring at the back door. He’d wrestled with the decision to come to her. There was no doubt in his mind that Reese’s offer to do a deal would result in him getting shot in the back. He didn’t trust Reese as far as he could spit him and there was no way in hell a lifetime of animosity was going to be set aside with one conversation.
He could have just gone to West with the information, but it still gnawed at him that West and Roxy had hooked up. His aunt seemed to have plenty of clout and taking it to her would demonstrate his loyalty. He didn’t plan on sticking to the deal he had with her, but he wasn’t ready for her to know that.
So in the end, he decided to take what he had to her and see if she’d run with it. He got off the bike and went to the door. A few minutes passed before she opened it.
“Ezekiel. I didn’t expect you.”
“Something I need to tell you.”
“Then come in.”
Zeke entered and, as usual, took a seat at the table. Today Maybelle didn’t offer tea, but simply took a seat across from him. “What do you need to tell me?”
“I think Reese is going to have me killed.”
He saw the expression of concern flicker across her face before she got control of the surprise his words had delivered. “Clarify.”
Zeke told her about the deal Reese had proposed and ended with, “and I’m pretty sure he’s going to have me killed.”
Maybelle was silent for a long time and Zeke did not interrupt the silence. He waited. It was nearly five minutes before she spoke.
“Do it.”
“Excuse me? Did you just hear what I said?’
“I may be old but I’m not deaf, Ezekiel. Go along with him. I’ll make some calls and ensure that this deal is recorded. You officially work for me, so you’re ̶ in essence ̶ undercover, assisting the authorities. At least that’s the way it will play out.
“I will ensure your safety and this will be the final nail in Reese’s coffin.”
Zeke thought about it for a few seconds then nodded. “Okay. But I’m going in hot.”
“I would expect no less. Just make sure that you do nothing that will implicate you as anything other than what we claim you to be. An informant, working undercover to make sure Reese and the supply of weapons is stopped.”
“I got it,” he said and stood. “Just make sure you hold up your end or someone will end up dead and it damn sure won’t be me.”
“I always live up to my promises,” she assured him.
“Same here. Okay, I’m going to go.”
“Come here after it is done.”
“Why?”
“To assure me that you are indeed unharmed.”
“A phone call would work just as well.”
“There are some things I need to see for myself.”
He shrugged. “You’re the boss. See you soon.”
He didn’t wait for her to rise, but showed himself out. He didn’t doubt that she’d pull West and his task force in to record the deal and take Reese and his supplier into custody. Zeke wasn’t sure how he felt about that. West would do his job, of that Zeke was certain. But it kind of rankled to have West show up and be his supposed savior.
Maybe that was just his ego screwing with him. God knows it’d had its share of slaps lately, with Roxy choosing West over him.
That thought brought a frown to his face and the warmth of anger creeping over his skin. He had to get a handle on the jealousy and resentment. They would interfere with his focus and judgment and right now he couldn’t afford that. This was his chance to get himself and those he cared about free of Reese and the mess he created. That was what was important. His personal life would just have to wait.
*****
The moment Maybelle heard Zeke’s bike start she rose from the table and went upstairs. Raymond was where she expected to find him, in the small control room. He swiveled his chair from where he sat facing the security monitors and faced her.
“You want me to notify West?” he asked.
“Yes, but that is not all. I don’t want Reese walking away from that deal. Do whatever is necessary, but make sure he and his suppliers do not survive.”
He regarded her thoughtfully. “If he does this deal and the task force gets it on tape, it will put him behind bars for a long time. A life in prison can be much worse than a quick death.”
“Perhaps. At least for some. But some men were made to flourish in such an environment and Reese is such a man. I want him eliminated.”
Raymond inclined his head. “As you wish. What do I report to West?”
“Contact him ̶ and Roxy. Have them come here. Today.”
“Consider it done.”
Maybelle gave him a smile, turned and made her way downstairs. She was ready to wind up this operation. Once all of the loose ends were tied up here, she could move forward and that was something she was very much looking forward to.
*****
Roxy saw West’s car behind her as she turned on the road leading to Maybelle’s. She wasn’t surprised that she had not noticed him earlier. Her thoughts had been occupied on the call she got from Raymond, telling her to get to Maybelle’s immediately.
She’d told the Chief a lie to get away from work, that she had a doctor’s appointment, a follow up. He had given her the time without question but she got the feeling that he knew it was a lie. Had West clued him in?
She turned into Maybelle’s driveway, parked and got out of the car to wait for West. A few seconds later he parked beside her and got out of the car.
“What’s up?” She asked as he rounded the car to her.
He shrugged. “Beats me, but we might as well find out.”
They walked to the door and it opened before West could knock. Raymond stepped aside for them to enter. “She is in the parlor.”
Maybelle was sitting
in a chair by the fireplace, a book lying open in her lap. But her eyes were on the flames in the fireplace rather than the book. She looked up as Roxy and West entered.
“You’re here. Good. We have new developments.”
Neither Roxy nor West commented. They simply took seats and listened as Maybelle told them about the deal Reese had proposed to Reese.
“Zeke believes that West’s task force will be there to capture the event as evidence against Reese, but have other plans.” She added at the end of her disclosure.
“Such as?” West asked.
“My security force will eliminate Reese and his supplier. You, West, will be there to insure that happens. Take as many of the task force as you need. I want it fully documented and clear that Reese initiates the conflict that will end his life.”
Roxy felt the rise of a red flag in her head. What Maybelle was suggesting was essentially that they set Reese up for an execution. What the hell was going on?
West spoke up and interrupted her train of though. “Just for the sake of argument, how are we going to insure he does initiate things?”
“I trust you will come up with way,” Maybelle said with a cold smile, then turned her attention to Roxy.
“Now, your part in this is as follows. You are to pay a visit to the esteemed Mayor of Harmony, Dillon Morris. You’ll tell him that you know he’s double crossing the MC with the meth operation and trying to take over the gun trade. You’ll ̶”
“Hold on, back up the truck,” Roxy interrupted. “Morris is doing an end run around the MC?”
“Yes. I’ve had him under surveillance for some time. Zeke’s mother as well. She’s working with Morris. He plans on taking over both operations and seeing the MC go down.”
“Which is what you want,” Roxy pointed out. “So why not let him do it and then bust him?”
“Because she wants Reese dead,” West said. “And his wife behind bars.”
Roxy cut a look at him then turned her attention back to Maybelle. “Obviously, but why?”
“What I want is irrelevant. This is our mission and we will see it through. Is that understood?”
Warning bells went off in Roxy’s mind. It didn’t make sense to kill Reese. With what they had on him now it was a sure bet he’d go to prison. Add another gun deal to the mix and it was unlikely he’d ever been a free man again. This was personal with Maybelle, very up close and personal. She wanted her brother dead and was using the mission as a way of making that happen.