Chapter 23
All The King’s Horses
Meanwhile Alina had dropped off Bull Dog, Copperhead and Twinkie at Bull Dog’s house. Though his mother had been surprised, she agreed for them to stay for a few days. She’d kept Non with her, hoping his brother would be released soon. The teen was clearly to terrified to lose it. He didn’t talk and refused to eat. Alina reassured him several times that she was working on getting Jaden released to her care. That was the light at the end of the tunnel for Non and they both knew it.
A few carefully chosen phone calls garnered her information on Jaden. He’d been placed in state’s custody. That was definitely not acceptable. It hadn’t taken much convincing for CPS to agree for him to stay with her. She was a well-respected teacher with no criminal record in a small city with limited resources. CPS made a house visit the same day and she’d been able to pick him up from the children’s shelter the following morning.
“I still don’t understand why they gave me to you?” Jaden sounded genuinely confused.
“You don’t have any family to take responsibility for you.”
“That doesn’t explain why they chose you.” He sounded miffed.
Alina flipped on her blinker and attempted to switch lands as she struggled to come up with an explanation.
Non who was buckled safely into the backseat beside Jaden answered for her. “The state doesn’t like to spend money on undesirables, like you and me. People like us cost the state a lot of money if they keep us in a shelter. A lot of times, we get into fights and it costs them even more money in medical bills and building repairs. If they can get a family member or friend of the family to take us in for free, then they don’t have to pay anything.”
“Oh, that’s okay.”
Alina was curious. “Why did you think they allowed you to come home with me?”
“I thought it was because they thought you were with my dad.”
“I am with your dad. Remember, he told you all about that.”
“Well not anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“I spoke to him on the phone last night and he said he wishes he never met you.”
“I think you might have misunderstood him.”
“He thinks you called the cops on us.”
Alina almost swerved off the road. Glancing nervously into the rear view mirror, she denied the accusation. “I would never do anything to hurt your father or break up your family.”
“Whatever.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get it straightened out.”
“When can we visit him?”
“I don’t think he’d want you to visit him in jail. He’ll probably be out soon anyway.”
“He said since so many of the crew all got arrested at the same time, it’s slowing his lawyer down. He doesn’t know when they’ll be getting out.”
“I’m sure this all some kind of mistake.”
Though she said the words, she was slowly shriveling up on the inside. Why it hadn’t occurred to her to wonder who called Child Protective Services before now. Since the moment Jaden had thrown his father’s suspicious in her face, it was all she could think about.
None of Kingsmen or their women would have called the authorities. They were all pulling together to help find Jaden. She was also reasonable certain that none of Jaden’s friends would have even known to do something like that. She’d never told Dianne about the situation with Jaden, so she wouldn’t have even been aware that he was milling unless Marlow had spilled the beans. She couldn’t see Marlow doing that. That left Brian.
White hot anger flared through her at the thought of him promising he would be confidential then going behind her back to call CPS. If he really felt that was necessary, why hadn’t he at least given her a heads up?
She’d known better than to call CPS, because the last time the police had come. She sickened at the thought of what they would have found at the clubhouse. There would have been bloody clothing, the brother’s hadn’t had a chance to dispose of and weapons. God, she couldn’t begin to imagine what they might have found. The police raid could not come at a worse time. It was conceivable that they all might end up with jail time.
The thought of them all sitting behind bars seemed so wrong to her. Granted they certainly weren’t boy scouts. The Kinsmen had killed during the attempts to rescue Jaden but the killing hadn’t been indiscriminate. It was necessary to save a child’s life and the Kingsmen hadn’t started what had turned out to be a full on gang war. Miguel Sandoval had made that choice all on his own. To the best of her understanding, he was still smarting from Jaden’s mother choosing Hammer of himself. That grudge had been at the heart of the whole matter. Jaden grabbing Twinkie had just been the catalyst to begin another round in his never ending grudge war.
The thought of Hammer jumping to the conclusion that she’d been the one to turn them all in made her blood boil. Why would Hammer assume it was her instead of one of his club whores? None of them had risked their lives standing by his side on the front lines of this little skirmish, yet she was somehow the one to be suspicious of. The reason was obvious. She was the outsider. The one who wasn’t from their world. A sense of hopelessness set in as she realized, there was absolutely no way for her as a woman to earn their trust. She’d done her best and when push came to shove, they’d thrown her under the bus.
“I want to see him.” Jaden’s voice broke into her own skewed thoughts as he repeated his earlier request.
“I see if I can work that out. We should probably call the clubhouse on the off chance that the police let anyone slip through the booking process.”
Grabbing her cell, she hit her contact list and scrolled down to the Kingsmen icon. Seeing the modified skull design staring back at her was like rubbing salt into an open wound for her, but she hit it none the less.
Shelby answered. “Kingsmen Automotive Repair. How may I help you?”
“Shelby, it’s me. I managed to get Jaden released to my custody. Did any of the guys get released?”
“Nope. As far as we can tell they kept the lot of them. That’s never happened in the club’s history, you know.”
“I can’t imagine what they found during the raid.”
“Me and Tiffany had already burned the bloody clothes and the brothers are pretty persnickety about cleaning the blood from their cuts. They would have found the weapons and small amounts of weed locked in the armory. Don’t know if it will be enough for them to get real time but it might be.”
“Are you there alone?”
“Yep, it’s just me and the girls. We’ve got the front gate locked down tight and haven’t seen any of the Grim Crew. Maybe this whole thing is over.”
“Why would the Grims still be after the club if all the brothers are in jail?”
“You’re right. They’re probably having the celebration of their lives.”
“Do you need anything?”
“We’re running low on provisions. Today is normally shopping day and they guys don’t leave us with much cash. We’ll try to get by somehow.”
Since they were on speaker phone so she could drive and talk, the boys were listening in. Jaden spoke up.
“Grab the company van and meet us on Trow Chow Boulevard. We’ll break open a cache. That’s why my father made them.”
Alina nodded to the boy. “We’ll head that way right now. There’s a coffee shop on
Trow Chow. We’ll meet you there in an hour.”
“Roger that and thanks.”
Jaden answered. “No problem.”
After disconnecting, Alina looked at Jaden in her rear view mirror. “Tell me what to do and I’ll retrieve the cracked Buddha.”
“How the hell do you know about that?”
“I know you father doesn’t approve of the language, Jaden.”
“His judgment hasn’t been the best lately.”
Alina eye flashed to his briefly before she spoke. “Do I actually need to keep telling you that I didn’t call CPS?”
“You mean this time?”
“You and father must have had a nice long talk.”
“He’d never leave me in the dark. Especially about someone who could get me killed.”
“Jesus, your both intelligent, meticulous, suspicious bad boys, know that.”
There was a ghost of smile from Jaden. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
Sighing her frustration, Alina explained. “When you first went missing, I did go to your father and he wouldn’t give me any information so I did call CPS. I was worried about you. But after I got to know him and found out what was going on, I tried to help. I got shot at twice trying to find you. Each time your father used his body to shield me. I’d never turn on someone who saved my life or someone who had to do dark deeds to save his only son. I don’t know what kind of person you think I am give me some credit for being a decent human being.”
Jaden glanced at Non for a brief moment before the other boy leaned over to whisper something in his ear. “You just go in and asked the old man behind the counter for the crackled Buddha. Don’t say cracked Buddha, say crackled Buddha. It will on the top shelf, behind the counter where no one else can touch it.”
“It’s that simple?”
“Yep. Only speak to the old man though. And if they give you any grief or ask you any questions ignore the question and repeat that part of the nursery rhyme about the King’s men in humpty dumpty.”
“All the king’s horses and the all the king’s men.”
“Yes. Exactly that. They’ll probably give you grief cause there’re expecting a brother not a bitch.”
Alina rolled her eyes at how casually Jaden and his father used the term bitch in reference to a woman. She felt she should call him on it but then again if his father didn’t see the wrong in it who was she to rock the boat. Her heart ached as she realized she had no right to parent Hammer’s son like he was her own. Fighting back the tears she headed towards Trow Chow.
The boys sat in the back quietly whispering back and forth to each other. Glancing at the boys in her rear view mirror, she realized how fond of them she’d become. Forget about that bastard, Hammer. She was going to miss seeing everyone else associated with the club. She had been growing close to Shelby, Mal and Marlow.
She could easily see why Dianne had warned her off from getting involved with a Kingsmen. The men were rough, aloof, and difficult to get close to. Yet they were also men who’d been thrown away by society and somehow managed to find each other, band together, and make the best of a bad situation. They’d carved out a life for themselves and lived life on their own terms. It was the same kind of mentality that build America in the beginning.
Hammer had been right about one thing. There was no way to straddle the line, keeping one foot planted firmly in each world. That’s what she’d been trying to do this whole time and look what it had gotten her. She’d probably be ostracized at work for her association with the Kingsmen and they’d never accept her either because they’d never completely trust her.
At this point, it wasn’t even a question of where she wanted to be. She wanted to be with Hammer, no matter the cost. The real challenge was stepping completely into their world and never looking back. That mean she’d be having a little talk with Brian.
Pulling into the only Asian antiques shop on the Boulevard, she parked her vehicle. Turning to Jaden she cautioned. “I’m locking the doors. Don’t open them for anyone. I’ll be able to see you through the huge display window in the front. I’m leaving you my cell phone. Call 911 if I get into trouble or if I don’t return but do not get out of the vehicle. Understood?”
Jaden took the phone from her and tossed it effortlessly to Non before nodding his understanding.
Alina stepped into the shop and was immediately assaulted with a variety of scents and sights. There were brightly colored paper parasols, cat statues with one continuously waving paw, as well as tons of Buddha statues staring out from every corner of the room. The air with thickly scented with the smell of incense. When the one remaining customer besides herself left the shop, she heard the tinkling of dozens little bells, which hung in long strands near the door. The whole atmosphere was designed to be exotic and relaxing.
As she walked to the counter, her eyes searched around for an old man. Instead, she found only a younger female. She was clearly of Asian descent and had long black hair and was wearing an eastern style silk blouse. She stopped writing on a long sheet of paper and looked up Alina with a smile.
“May I help you?”
Alina bit her bottom lip as she thought about what to say.
“I am looking for an older man. I was told he owns this establishment.”
“Yes. My grandfather. He is ill. Mercy Medical is where you will find him. If it is business you wish to conduct. I am familiar with all his suppliers and customers. Feel free to ask of me anything that you would have my esteemed grandfather, for he will not be returning to this place.”
Alina went with her gut. “I am here to obtain the crackled Buddha.”
Her eyes got big. “You are not who we were expecting.” Glancing nervously up at the statue, she asked. “Why do you wish to have it?”
“Much like your father, Humpty Dumpty is in trouble and all the king’s horses and all the king’s men can’t seem to put him together again.”
Her eyes shown with amusement. “One moment please.” Stepping onto a ladder she climbed up and then used the shelving along the wall to propel herself over to the statue she wanted. Grabbing a green one that looked like it had a crackled ceramic glaze, she stuffed it under her arm and nimbly climbed back down. Placing the foot high statue on the counter, she spoke softly.
“My grandfather will be pleased to know that his life debt has been cleared. My family’s association with your organization has been agreeable. Please consider us open to providing similar services.”
“I will certainly let the brother’s know. Thank you and your venerated grandfather.”
Pulling a brown paper bag over the Buddha’s head, she slid the statue forward towards Alina. “Go in peace and may your troubles be swiftly resolved.”
“Thank you. May peace be with you and yours as well. I wish your venerated grandfather a speedy recovery.”
“I will let him know.”
Alina took the statue and listened to the tinkling of the little musical bells as she opened the door. Fresh air hit her in the face and it felt like being pulled back into the modern world from some ancient point in time. Swallowing hard, she opened the door to her Prius and slid into the driver’s seat, reaching the statue back to Jaden.
“God that was strange.”
“What’s strange about old man, Chow? He’s a neat old man.”
“He’s in the hospital. His granddaughter was running the shop. Nice lady but…”
“I’ve met the honorable Lady Chow before. She’s very old school. I like to hear her talk.”
“She mentioned a life debt her grandfather owed the Kingsmen.”
Jaden laughed. “Not much of a life debt. I was with my father when it happened. Some thugs were beating him up in alley and my dad laid them all out. The old man insisted he owed my dad a life debt and made us drink green tea with him from old clay pot. When we began trying to figure out where to put caches, my dad made arrangements with him to hold one for us.”
“What do we do, just bust it open?”
“The statue ain’t worth nothin’. It’s what’s inside that matters. I helped my dad make this one. There is ten grand, an identical packet, a handgun and an ammo clip. Don’t worry, the gun’s not loaded.”
“There are emergency hammers in each side pocket. Grab one and we’ll find an out of the way place to crack it open.”
Non and Jaden both slid their hands into the side pocket attached to each door and pulled out a little metal hammer with a pointed tip. Alina could see they were confused.
“I always had this irrational fear of being trapped in a car as it sank into a river. Having an emergency hammer at each door makes me feel safe. You can just grab one and crack the window open.”
Non quipped, “You sound like a boy scout.”
“Try a girl scout, for five years. Got a badge in everything they had to offer.”
The boys chuckled as she pulled behind a mini-mart. It was relatively isolated and she flipped the passenger side seat forward and turned to the boys. Jaden held the statue which was still upside down in the brown bad. Non handed her one of the emergency hammers. Alina snatched a plastic bag from her glove box and laid it over the flat bottom of the statue, hoping to keep chips from flying when she cracked it.
“Here goes.”
She gently tapped it with the pointed end of the hammer and nothing happened. She tapped it again, harder and then once more with even more force. The next attempt fractured it down the side. Opening the bag, she found that about a third of the statue had fallen away. Turning it slightly they saw a tight roll of cash, a gun, an ammo clip and a small tin about the size of a passport. Each item was carefully wrapped in clear plastic. Alina took out the gun and clip and stashed it in her glove box, locking it securely. She opened the tin and discovered a blank passport and a small passport photo of each individual Kingsmen.
“Hammer had been serious when he told me about what was in a cache.”
“He shouldn’t have told you about that all.”
“Well, you can talk that over with him when you see him. Right now we need to get his money to Shelby and…”
Jaden’s head jerked to look at her. “We ain’t giving the whores ten grand. The brothers might need supplies while they’re on the inside. We need to give them whatever amount they normally shop with and a little bit for unexpected expenses.”
Alina mused out loud. “You’re probably right. We’ll need to pay attention to the bills for the clubhouse and make sure nothing gets missed. Hammer won’t be too happy if the water or electricity got turned off while they’re all in the can. Who was assigned to handle this if they got arrested?”
Jaden spoke without hesitation. “It was supposed to be whatever brother was still on the outside.”
“Great. Guess it falls to us.”
“It will have to fall to us. No one else is allowed in his office.”
Taking out the wad of cash, she peeled off grand. “This ought to keep the girls in food and incidentals for a couple of weeks. We can use my smart phone to access the county website. They should have a list of what kinds of things we are allowed to bring for the brothers. We’ll get ahold of that then place a pick and pay order at the local warehouse club. That way, we just need to pick up the goods and separate them into packages for the guys.”
“Makes sense to me.” Jaden looked at her with a strange expression on his face. “You know something? I don’t think you did call the cops on us.”
“Sometimes the truth gets lost amongst all the opinions flying back and forth. Let’s get to the coffee house. I’ll get you two some hot chocolate and muffins. How about that?”
“It’ll be nice. I feel like we’re doing something at least. It’s better than setting at that shelter they had me at worrying myself sick.”
“We just have to believe we’re going to get through this.”
Non spoke up. “My brother wouldn’t be in jail, if I hadn’t gotten him involved with the club.”
Jaden smiled. “You should be happy that you did. They’ll probably beat this wrap and guess what? Every prospect who serves time for the club gets and automatic patch. He’ll probably be thrilled.”
Non still looked worried. “I just need him out.”
Alina responded soothingly. “Your brother is going to be fine, Non. The prospects aren’t real club members, so they probably have the best chance of getting out. Shelby said your brother doesn’t even have any ink on him. The police will see him as the least threatening of all.”
The boy’s hopeful expression just about broke her heart. She wanted to reach out to him but knew he abhorred physical contact.
Sitting at the coffee shop nursing their drinks and half eaten muffins, the conversation stalled as they took care of business on Non’s ever present lap top. First they went to the county jail website and pulled up the list of approved items.
INMATE ITEMS ALLOWED
Beverages including dried beverage mix (no plastic containers)
Bread-in sealed packages no twist ties)
Candy- no alcohol filled must be hermetically sealed
Coffee.
Dried coffee Creamer
Magazines
Paperbacked books
Deck of Cards (new and sealed)
Dominos
Honestly, the list went on and on. They pulled the website for the local warehouse club and ordered a couple of dozen hygiene bags and small duffel bags. They began picking items based on their knowledge of what the men would like.
Alina murmured, “With any luck, they’ll be out before they get to use this stuff.”
Non whispered. “Head’s up. Shelby’s here and she looks like she’s been crying.”
Jaden stood up, “I’ll get her a drink. I know what she likes.”
Alina frowned, unsure if he opted out because he didn’t like her or because he didn’t know how to handle her overly emotional state. Waving Shelby over, she quickly hit the Buy Now button on their order.
Shelby slid into the chair beside her and burst into tears. Alina grabbed her hand.
“Hey there, no crying. I know this sounds like the end of the world but it’s just a moment in time. We’ll all get through this. We just need to stay strong and stick together.”
Between sobs and sniffles the woman choked out her worries. “I know. I really do but I just can’t stand to think of our guys all sitting in jail cells. Mal’s claustrophobic. Can you even imagine what he’s going through right now?”
Jaden slid a coffee in front of her and sat back noncommittally as the women continued to talk.
Alina was totally at a loss, yet somehow her mouth was moving. Whether it was her speaking or Hammer’s words being channeled through her, she didn’t know. “He’s busy conquering a weakness. When he comes out, he’ll be stronger for having endured it.”
The other woman looked at her and blinked once before wiping at her eyes with her sleeve. “You’re probably right. I didn’t think of that. He’s strong. He’ll get through this and when he does, he’ll find me waiting for him.”
“Oh, he’ll find a helluva lot more than that. He’ll find that you stayed strong for him, helped keep the clubhouse safe, and that you worried over him. Trust me, these are the kind of guys that appreciate strong women, especially ones who are devoted to them.”
“God, you’re so right. I really needed to hear that.”
“That’s why we women need to keep the dialogue open. How are the others doing?”
“They’re torn up pretty bad. This just really caught us all off guard. We never expected them all to disappear on us at the same time.”
“Well the way I see it, it’s a chance to prove that we’re more than just pretty little dolls they take off the shelf to play with every night. We need to keep the balls in the air.”
“Hell, no one knows what kind of shit they’re into.”
“I’m not suggesting we run their club business. I’m talking about keep the clubhouse safe, the utilities turned on, the garage running and making sure the men have what they need while there’re on the inside.”
Shelby seemed to come alive. “You’re absolutely right. We need to pull on our big girl panties and get our asses in gear. I have some cousins that we can trust to keep the garage going.”
“That would help. Don’t let him have the run of the clubhouse though.”
“Oh, I won’t. I’ll have them come and work their shift and leave. We’ll keep the place locked up tight after they leave.”
“We’re making care packages for the guys today. I plan to visit with that attorney…what’s his name?”
“Cavanaugh…George Cavanaugh. You be careful with him, Alina. He’s got claws and fangs.”
Alina laughed. “Don’t worry about me. When it comes to protecting Hammer, he’s the one who should look out. I’m not taking any shit from him. If he tries anything, I’ll rock his fucking world.”
Shelby huffed out a relieved breath. “Wow. You’re beginning to sound more like Hammer every day. Okay, I’m beginning to think we can really do this.”
Alina bumped shoulders with her and slipped her a wad of cash under the table. “You better believe it, sister.”