17
A week after “finding” the bodies, and after Tara had gone home for the night, I was settling in when I got a visit from Wilson again. Fortunately for me, they had been kind enough to not bring Cole along, and it was just Ricky and Wilson. When I let them in, Ricky gave my back a pat.
“We have got an easier thing to do than taking a long walk into the woods,” he said like it was a present for me.
“If we let this play out at their leisure, you will be stuck in our midst for longer than I want you to be,” Wilson said with a grimace. “I don’t want anyone else getting suspicious of you.”
“I got no problems with Chase,” Ricky said with a grin. “Have you heard anything about the bodies we found?”
I shook my head, “I wouldn’t hear anything about it. I don’t even hear what they’re looking for from you guys. I just guessed that they’re trying to take down clubs that deal and create violence.” I ran my hands through my hair, the day had caught up with me, and I was looking forward to getting some sleep. “There have been similar takedowns in other cities. They plant cops in the group and once there’s enough evidence to convict the majority of the members. I think the general idea is if they put the mass of the group in jail that the criminal activity that they brought around will stop.”
Wilson snorted. “For small groups maybe. If the group is big enough, they can still run while in prison.” He started to toy with his bread while he considered it. “For us, those not caught up in the cross hairs would go back to the regular lives they left behind in the beginning. It might hurt the ones still shell shocked.”
Ricky hummed in agreement. “I think Jefferies, for example, wouldn’t look forward to it. His old lady’s got a tight leash on him. If he didn’t work the shop, he’d probably get himself stuck in a stock room.” He shrugged then. “You might not realize it, but when people form motorcycle clubs like this, it's out of emotional and mental necessity. Not just for the sake of getting together to commit crimes.”
“You guys do illegal shit, though?” I asked because I couldn’t help myself.
“You’re on a need to know basis, buddy,” he patted my back and looked back at Wilson. “We got a plan we want to go over with you.”
“It’s not finding more bodies, is it?”
Ricky laughed a little before answering. “God no. Once was enough for me, thanks. But we’re going to go for a ride tomorrow night after dinner into enemy territory. We won’t have our cuts on.”
I looked to Wilson and couldn’t hide my confusion, I didn’t have my cut on now. But it felt like a second skin, knowing I was doing something for the club without it on felt unusual.
“Why?”
“I think if we put people through there on motorcycles they’ll probably attack blindly,” Wilson explained as he watched me. “I don’t think they’re smart enough to check first before they start shooting. I want to start doing a regular ride through with two guys to see if they’ll do anything. But,” he shrugged a little, “to be safe, I figured it’d be best to sacrifice you.”
I stood there watching him in return. My mouth had gone dry, and I wasn’t sure how to take this. If the old man wanted me dead why beat around the bush and wait until now to get the job done. Granted, having someone else do it was smarter than leading a trail back to the Boneyard.
“So I get shot, and they get taken down?” I half asked, half accused.
“That’s the idea,” Ricky said and cleared his throat as if he were trying to cut through the tension I felt building up between my shoulders. “But you won’t be alone,” he smiled at me. “I got your back, man. Plus we’ll be taking necessary precautions like we did the last time we went out that way. Now, if they’re pricks run us down with a car or something we’re fucked. But if they start shooting at us we’ll have all the important parts protected.” He gave me a wink. “The reason for our visit is just to be sure that you’re aware of it. The deal with the find in the woods went great, better than I expected. I just figured you’d need a bit more details for what’s to come this time. We’re gonna suit up like we’re going on a pleasure ride, but your people will only hear us talking shit. Ya feel me?”
“What happens if we do get shot at?”
“You’ll be followed at a safe length. I’m thinking ten miles back,” Wilson started. “I wouldn’t suggest you opening fire back. That’ll take away from what we’re trying to do. If they open fire, take cover, make sure your people know that you’re being fired at. If you’re lucky, neither one of you will be hit.”
I nodded, feeling a little bit better now. They weren’t going to send me out there to bait the enemy and accept a bullet. Ricky would be by my side, and we’d both be bait.
I turned to Wilson: “When are we doing this?”
“Tomorrow,” Wilson answered. “You work your regular shift at the garage. Come to the clubhouse for dinner and then Ricky will ask if you want to go for a ride. It’ll be played out like it’s not a planned thing. You’ll come to the office while you talk shit. Figure something to clog up his wire with,” he said to Ricky. “Make this shit seem natural.”
“Don’t worry,” he smirked. “I’ll have everything taken care of.”
“How long are we going to do this?” I asked because I felt tired now. How long would something like this go on?
“As long as it's necessary,” Wilson opened up the door. “We’ll figure out ways to draw the negative attention to them. We’ve played the part of a group of vets learning to cope for this long.” He paused to give me a long, measured look. “We play this so well because that’s what we are. Anything else we do, won’t take away from what we are.”
“I believe it,” I released a breath. “I believe you because I am one of you.”
Wilson didn’t argue, he just nodded like he understood what I said then he stepped out of my apartment. Ricky gave me a nod and went to follow. Then lingered at the door for a beat.
“No matter what happens, we’ll always be brothers,” he stated plainly before closing the door behind him.
I found myself hoping he was right.