by Debra Kayn
Raelyn slowly shook her head at the sight of her mom and Grandma June. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Your Mel is a keeper." Sharon squeezed into the room. "Isn't this wonderful? We can help out with Dukie, and I've served drinks for years. For once, we can help you, Raelyn."
Raelyn fell back onto the chair and turned her gaze to Mel. Her lips thinned, and she raised her brows. He couldn't look away because her frustration rolled off her and slammed into him.
He should've called and warned her he was bringing her family back to her.
Chapter Four
Two customers walked away from the counter at the bar. Raelyn shut the cash register with an extra hard push. Right now, Grandma June and her mom were up with Allison watching Dukie, and she was stuck working. She had no idea where Carl went off to, and Mel kept eyeing her from the Ronacks table in the back of the room.
There was absolutely nothing she could do at the moment to ease the stress of everything going straight to hell. Her family was here to stay until she could find them somewhere else to go. That meant she'd have to put up with their daily influence in Dukie's life. If she was lucky, she could undo the damage they'd cause by spoiling him and letting him run wild.
Chester Neil lifted his empty glass at the bar. Raelyn grabbed the whiskey bottle and filled his drink again.
"How's work going, Chester?" Raelyn set the bottle back on the shelf.
"Better than expected." Chester leaned heavily against the counter. "I sold a car this morning. First one in two weeks. I think the economy is turning around."
"Congratulations." Raelyn smiled. "I hope you're right. This town could use more business this summer."
Heather, who belonged to Rod — the vice president of Ronacks MC, strode toward Raelyn rubbing a five-month-old baby bump above her waitress apron. Even pregnant, Heather continued to possess the energy of someone not carrying a bundle of kicking arms and legs inside her.
"What's wrong with Peggy?" asked Heather, pulling the hem of her tight shirt down over her maternity shorts.
Peggy, Pine Bar & Grill's cook, had come out to the room and announced she was shutting down the kitchen early without no explanation. While Raelyn allowed Peggy to set her own hours, mainly because in the last five years, Peggy had only missed one day of work when her mother passed away, she'd never cut off orders before eleven o'clock. Raelyn groaned. "I'm an awful person. I got busy and haven't gone back to the kitchen to check on her."
"Gia's with her now." Heather lowered her voice. "I've never seen Peggy look upset before."
"Watch the register for me, and I'll go back and find out what is going on." Raelyn hurried into the kitchen.
Peggy sat in a chair with her hand pressed to her chest. Gia kneeled beside the cook. Raelyn approached the two, and the conversation stopped.
"I'm sorry for not coming back here sooner." Raelyn studied Peggy. "What happened? Are you not feeling well?"
"Someone broke into my apartment." Peggy's mouth tightened. "The police called me. They're there now, and the place is a mess."
Gia stood. "I told her not to go home until the police finish their business. Swiss and I can take her home after work and help her clean everything up and make sure it's safe."
"That's a good idea." Raelyn rubbed Peggy's back, knowing Swiss, who also belonged to Ronacks and claimed Gia as his woman, would make sure everything was okay. "Has there been break-ins at the apartment complex lately?"
Peggy ran her fingers under the net covering her short hair. "No."
"If you're unsure about returning to your apartment tonight, you can always take one of the spare rooms upstairs. It'll be easier to face the damage in the daylight, and I can come with you and help once Dukie goes to day camp tomorrow," said Raelyn.
"No, I want to go home tonight." Peggy tilted her head and gazed at Raelyn. "Besides, your family is living upstairs. My bed is more inviting."
Raelyn planted her hand flat on her forehead. She'd forgotten. "Okay. How about a room at the motel for the night?"
"Nonsense. I'll be fine." Peggy sighed and snapped off her hairnet.
"Well, let me get some of the bikers to take you home and make sure everything is safe for you to stay there." Raelyn stepped toward the door. "They need to know about the break-in, anyway. Gia...stay with her."
"Raelyn," called Peggy.
She stopped and turned around. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry about closing the kitchen early." Peggy's chin trembled. "The shock...I didn't know what to do, and I couldn't even think of how to boil a potato when I got the phone call."
Raelyn smiled softly. "Don't think another moment about it. You did the right thing. In fact, we'll talk tomorrow about you taking some time off. You deserve it."
"I can't." Peggy blew out her breath. "I'm the only cook you have."
Raelyn smiled. "You're the best cook I have, but as you've reminded me, my mom can fill in while you get everything situated. It'll give her something to do and keep her out of my hair."
Not letting Peggy stress anymore about the awful situation, Raelyn pushed through the swinging door and walked straight across the room to the Ronacks table where Swiss, Rod, LeWorth, JayJay, and Mel sat talking. She pulled up an extra chair and planted her elbows in front of her on the table. All conversation stopped.
"Peggy's apartment was broken into tonight. The police are there. She's shaken, and I told her I'd have a few members take her home and make sure it's safe for her to stay there." She looked to Mel, pushing her irritation toward him over her family living at the bar away for the moment. "I have a feeling she's worried about what was taken from her apartment. She hasn't said anything, but when it's payday, she always asks for cash instead of a check."
"She keeps her money at home?" Mel reached over and rubbed Raelyn's back.
She leaned toward him. "I've never asked, but I'm assuming she doesn't use a bank."
"I'll talk to her about better safety measures once we clear her place." Mel removed his cell phone out of his pocket. "I'll text Battery and have him come over and stay with you while you close."
She refrained from telling him she'd be okay closing the bar without the club assisting. Since Ronacks Motorcycle Club owned the bar, they set the rules. Considering all the employees were women, who belonged to club members, it made them all feel safer when money was taken out of the building every night by an armed member, and the waitresses had an escort home.
Mel lived at the bar, and though they weren't romantically involved, she never took his friendship for granted. She swallowed and leaned closer to Mel, so the others couldn't hear. "I'm sorry about getting mad over you bringing my family back to the bar earlier," she whispered.
His hand stilled on her back, and he brought her closer, kissing the side of her head. "We'll talk later."
Swiss stood from the table. "Let's get Peggy home."
LeWorth finished his beer. "I'll run over to the clubhouse and use my connections with the police department to find out what they discovered at the apartment. I'll swing by Peggy's place later if I hear anything."
"You better stay in the clubhouse. If Battery is coming here, Bree will be by herself, and Prez will want her safe," said Rod.
"Will do. I'll call you instead." LeWorth put an unlit cigarette in his mouth and walked toward the front door.
Mel remained at the table, his hand on Raelyn. She stayed while the others migrated to the kitchen.
"Besides your family and this shit going on with Peggy, are you okay?" asked Mel.
"I don't know." She lowered her voice, aware of the customers nearby. Her hand went to her necklace, and she ran the two silver hearts hanging from the chain back and forth. "I'm upset for Peggy. I can't imagine how she's feeling. She lives by herself."
"We'll make sure she's protected tonight."
"I know you will." She inhaled and looked at her watch. "I need to get back to work."
He laid his hand on her wrist. "Hey."
"Wha
t?"
"About your family..." he said.
"It's okay." She inhaled swiftly and smiled to ease his mind. "I'll figure out what I'm going to do with them tomorrow."
Mel let her go. Relieved to be back on communicating terms, she kissed his cheek before returning to her spot behind the counter, filled drinks, and along with Gia and Heather working the tables, she made everyone's time at Pine Bar & Grill a good experience.
A half hour later, the men walked through the room with Peggy in the middle of them. Raelyn stopped wiping off the counter and ogled Mel's broad shoulders until he turned around. She snapped her gaze to his face.
He tilted his head looking at her intensely. She inhaled a shuddering breath. What was wrong with her?
She waved to hide her reaction. He gave her a lopsided grin and winked. She reached out and grabbed the counter. That wink touched her in a place that hadn't seen any action for nearly six years.
"God, I'm losing it," she muttered, dipping below the counter and out of view of the customers.
Her body overheated and she fanned her face. She only needed a good night's rest, and then in the right frame of mind, she'd go about fixing all the problems thrust upon her with the arrival of her mom, Grandma June, and Carl. In the morning, she'd double check on Peggy. Then, she could get a grip on herself and her wayward thoughts playing havoc on her body.
Chapter Five
Gerald Hampton, deputy for the Haugan Police Department, stood in front of Peggy's opened front door to her apartment. Yellow police tape barred anyone from going inside. Mel looked at Rod, knowing they were working with Haugan's finest who enjoyed turning a speeding ticket into attempted murder.
"Last I heard, police tape wasn't needed if there wasn't a dead body at the crime scene." Mel lifted his chin. "How about letting us in?"
"This apartment belongs to a woman named Peggy Buckson," said Deputy Hampton.
Mel turned and motioned Peggy forward.
"It's my apartment," said Peggy. "I want to go inside."
"Can you show me some identification?" asked Deputy Hampton.
"You've lost your mind," muttered Peggy. "Gerald Dwayne Hampton, I changed your diaper when you were a baby. Move your ass out of my way before I call your momma and tell her about the ego trip you're smoking."
Deputy Hampton stepped away from the doorway. Mel tore the police tape apart and walked inside.
The drawers in the hutch laid on the floor, the contents scattered. Cushions from the couch were tossed to the side of the room. Mel bent at the waist and picked up a chair, tucking it back under the table, and walked into the kitchen. The intruders even went through the cabinets and drawers.
"Television and iPad are still here," said Swiss from the living area.
Rod picked up a broken fruit bowl and set the pieces of glass on the table. "Peggy, take a look around and see if they've taken anything."
Peggy stood in the doorway and stared at the floor. Mel walked over to her. Unable to read her emotions, he put his hand on her back and guided her through the mess to her bedroom.
The top mattress lay cockeyed on the box spring. Mel shoved the bed back together. The trespassers hadn't missed any room.
He picked up a coat laying on the floor and set it on the bed. "Try not to concentrate on the mess, but look for things that would interest a burglar. Jewelry, credit cards, cash, electronics, cameras, phones."
When Peggy remained quiet, he turned around and found her staring at the dresser. He slowed down his rush to find out what was missing and approached her.
"I know it's hard, but we can learn a lot by the items that are missing and the intruder's motive," he said.
Peggy gave him a sharp nod. "I'd like to look in here by myself."
He rubbed her upper arm. "I'll be in the other room. Yell if you need me."
Leaving her alone, he joined Rod and Swiss in the living room. There was no use picking up and straightening the apartment until Peggy went through each room.
"Has she noticed anything missing yet?" asked Swiss.
Mel peered around the room. Peggy lived simply. Only a few knickknacks graced the surface of the end tables and television stand. Every time he'd been at her place, her belongings were placed in an orderly fashion with little clutter.
"No." Mel looked out the door at the two uniformed officers waiting for them to finish the search. "Is it me or does this look like a burglary gone wrong?"
"The mess?" asked Rod.
Mel shook his head. "Her iPad was on the couch. Her flat screen is still here. She's got a jewelry box on the dresser in her room, and it was closed. Unless Peggy finds anything gone in her room, why would someone looking to rip her off not take the easiest items to pawn or sell?"
"Good point." Swiss lowered his voice. "If you look at the door, there's no damage to the frame or to the handle. They wouldn't be able to get past the deadbolt picking the lock. There should be some sign of force."
Mel stepped over to the door to talk to the officers. "Who called the police?"
"There was a 911 call from the neighbor in apartment seven who noticed the door ajar." Deputy Hampton hooked his thumbs in his belt. "We arrived, secured the area, and called Ms. Buckson at the number we obtained from her neighbor."
Mel rocked back on the heels of his boots. "Have there been any break-ins lately at the complex?"
"None that have been reported to police," said Deputy Hampton. "Usually during the summer, the motel is the only place that keeps us busy with petty crimes from the tourists in town."
"Thanks." Mel went back in and relayed the information to the others.
Swiss stepped away to call Battery. Rod picked up the rest of the chairs and tucked them under the table. Mel checked his phone in case Raelyn had sent a text. She hadn't.
Peggy walked out of the bedroom holding a purse. "Nothing is gone. My money is still here."
"You keep money in your purse?" Rod crossed his arms. "Don't you know that's the first place someone would look?"
"Not when I have nine empty purses at the bottom of my closet." She held up a purple handbag with short straps. "By the time they get through looking at three or four of them and find the bags empty, they wouldn't look at the ones in the back of the closet. Of course, now I'll have to find a new hiding spot, the assholes."
"You need to put your money in the bank where it's safe," said Mel.
"I'm not putting my money in any bank. I don't trust the government." Peggy pursed her lips.
"Jesus Christ, woman," muttered Swiss. "You need to do something with the cash. Let Ronacks keep your money. It'll be safe, and you can withdraw whatever you need at any time."
"Fine." Peggy thrust the purse out in front of her.
Swiss shook his head. "I'm not riding through town with a purse."
Peggy huffed. "I'll put the money in a Ziploc bag if I can find one in this mess. My Lord, who would do such a thing? I don't have anything worth stealing."
"Except the cash that you keep in the bag," said Mel. "Who else knows you keep money at home?"
"No one." Peggy set the purse on the table and picked up a throw pillow off the floor.
"Raelyn knew," stated Mel.
Peggy waved her hand. "Of course, she does. She's not just anyone. She's my boss."
"Who else?" asked Rod. "Usually any kind of break-in is done by someone who knows your habits and what you have inside your apartment. Have you let anyone else inside lately? A new neighbor? A friend of a friend?"
"I'm not an idiot." Peggy's gaze zeroed in behind Rod, and she groaned. "Look at that. They knocked over my Anthurium."
"Your...what?" asked Mel.
Peggy hurried over to the other side of the living room and picked up a plant, pushing the roots back inside the planter. "I'm going to kill whoever is responsible."
"About that..." Mel scratched the back of his neck, trying to keep Peggy on track. "Who has been over here in the last two weeks?"
"Sue from next door." Peg
gy brushed her hands together. "The boy who delivers pizza to me every Sunday afternoon. I'm not going to cook on my day off. I have to feed everyone at the bar, the last thing I want to do is feed myself. Henry, the manager. I had him over two days ago to fix the drip in the tub. Bree came over with a pie. Allison brought Dukie over to deliver the work schedule on Monday, even though my schedule never changes."
"Is that all?" asked Swiss.
"I'm not a social person." Peggy sighed. "Can I clean now?"
Swiss nodded and went over to talk to the police. Mel helped straighten up the room and the fact that the door wasn't damaged kept bothering him. "Hey, Peggy? Do you have your keys on you?"
"Yes," she answered.
"Can I see them for a minute?" He ripped the rest of the police tape off the door and pocketed the plastic ribbon.
Once Peggy brought him her keyring, he tried the key in the deadbolt. The mechanism turned perfectly. "You do lock the upper bolt when you leave, right?"
"Always." Peggy studied the door. "The lock still works?"
"Yeah." Mel straightened walking toward the bedroom. "I'm going to check the sliding door in your room."
He pulled back the curtain in her bedroom and found the glass door locked and a stick in the bottom runner. Peggy lived on ground level with apartments above her. The front door open to anyone walking by and her sliding door went out to an enclosed porch surrounded by a six-foot privacy fence. Not impossible to scale, but considering the door was locked and secured, that left only the front door as a possible entry point. Something wasn't adding up.
He returned to the living room and found his MC brother, JayJay, had joined the others. Most of the room was picked up and organized, and only the kitchen needed to be straightened and gone through.
JayJay held up a sack. "I brought over a deadbolt."
"Go ahead and put the new one in." Mel turned around and faced Peggy. "The new lock will keep anyone from coming back tonight. If you hear someone at the door call Battery's number and he'll put a text out to everyone. I'm five minutes away."