Chapter 11
Brody
It takes me longer than I thought it would to hike out of the woods and make it back to the highway. I step out on the highway away from the woods and put the battery back in the phone and call Kaden. I wait for an answer.
Kaden answers, “Wood County Sheriff Kaden Samms. How can I help you?”
“You can tell me why no one has bothered to come find my ass.” I know Kaden can hear the irritation in my voice.
“Is this Brody? You are breaking up.” I walk further out in the road.
“Is that better?”
“Yeah, much. I thought Rebel would have picked you up. We were slammed with a fire, a plant explosion, and a murder. I am running on two hours of sleep here. Sorry man, if I had known Rebel wasn’t covering your ass, I would have been there. Where are you?” I take a deep breath and try to get a hold on my anger. I know if Kaden was able, he would be here. He doesn’t even know my location and I am annoyed at him. I am worried about Charity being at the camp by herself and I am taking my frustration out on Kaden.
“I didn’t mean to snap, it has been a long few days. I walked through the woods from our old hunting camp. I am on 515 right now. I need you to grab my four-wheelers so that we can go back and pick up a woman. I need to get her to the Demented Revengers clubhouse. I fueled them up before I put them in the shed behind my house. The extra keys are where they usually are. I need something to drink.” I don’t want to forget anything. “I will be under the shade of the trees, back out of the way. You won’t be able reach to me. I don’t want anyone tracking this phone.”
“Can you give me a clue where on 515? Any part of that highway can take you back to the camp.” Kaden is right. I look around. Then I see something that is useful. “Due south of here you can see the very top of Mr. Potter’s feed siloes and to the east is that pond we always snuck into to fish when we stayed out here. I think it is Mrs. Sadie that owns it now.”
“Are you sure about your directions?” I laugh at that.
“Yes, asshole. The same men taught me that taught you. I checked out the moss on the trees and the position of the sun. Going radio silent.” I know Kaden is trying to lessen the anxiety I am feeling but until we have Charity safe it is not happening.
“Lie low Brody, I have a feeling that all our activity in the county is all tied to the Hell Keeperz MC.” I have the same feeling.
“Roger that. I’m out.” I turn the phone off and take the battery out. I would destroy the phone, but it may be useful. I don’t think a prospect would have essential information, but there are some contact numbers that can be used. I walk back to the shade of the trees and stoop down, so it is harder for me to be seen. I hear the rumble of motorcycles and the thought that Kaden contacted Rebel but as the sounds get louder my gut tells me to move further into the woods. I look around at the trees and then I see a couple of trees down and that is going to be the best cover I am getting and still be able to see what is going on. I bend down and make sure my shot gun can’t be seen. I see the Hell Keeperz MC cuts on the bikers and they slow down but never stop. They were eyeing the woods closely, so I hope Kaden gets here sooner rather than later. I dig down and get comfortable. I hear when the bikes turn around and make their way back and they slow down again. If there wasn’t five of them I would confront them, but I am the only defense between them and Charity. The back bike is going slower than the others and I get a license number off his bike. I pick up a stick and write the number in the soft dirt, that way I don’t forget. They go further up the road in the opposite direction than before and again I get one tag number of another bike and I write it down. This time I hear the bikes rumble and they pick up speed. It sounds as if they are leaving but I don’t trust that at all. I stay put and wait. I didn’t remember to cover my tracks, but I am not moving to do it now. I don’t know how long I stay sitting this way until I hear the sirens. Before I can see the police cars I hear another motorcycle start and speed off in the opposite direction than the sirens are coming from. I will never ignore my gut feeling again. I stay where I am until I can’t hear the motorcycle and then I get up and I see that Kaden has brought company with him. When I step out of the woods I hear the rumble of bikes again. Kaden stops and backs his vehicle up. He leaves it in the middle of the road and exits his door with a bottle of water in his hand. “The Hell Keeperz riders where just here and they may be returning.” Kaden is shaking his head. One of the officers in another car gets out and there is another SUV behind it with my four-wheeler trailer hitched to the back of it. I hear the bikes getting closer. Kaden motions for the car behind him to pull up next to him and then he looks at me.
“Which direction did they go?” I pointed to the direction they went, and the patrol car speeds off in that direction. I finally see the bikes coming down the road and I can make out Rebel in the front. The bikes stop behind the trailer and Kaden makes his way over to me and hands me the water. He takes me in from head to toe. “Isn’t that my shirt?” I laugh.
“I got it at the hunt camp. I have some tag numbers written behind those fallen trees. Two of the motorcycle tags, so maybe me can find out some of the people in the Hell Keeperz MC.” Kaden walks over behind the trees and he bends down to write the numbers down. Rebel makes his way over to us.
“Why haven’t you text me? I was worrying my ass off before Kaden called. What the hell went on after I left and where is that woman?” Rebel is straight to the point.
“I did text you, but I received a text back from Cap saying to lay low for a while. When I noticed where I was I knew that the hunt camp we went to when we were kids was in walking distance, so I ditched the car, and Charity and I hoofed it through the woods. We spent the night at the camp and then I walked out this morning, so I could get help. I have checked for messages off and on, so I figured something was up with the phone. When I got to the highway I called Kaden and he brought the four-wheelers that way I can go back in and get Charity.” I take a drink of the water Kaden brought me.
“Something is going on with Cap’s phone. He said he didn’t even text us the night we were snatched out of the diner. Not only that but hell has broken loose. The diner we were taken from burnt to the ground and Neldan was found with his throat cut.” I stop and think about what Rebel has said. Kaden walks up behind me.
“Have you replaced your phone since you have been back?” I look at Rebel as I ask him. I see a car has pulled up beside Kaden’s cruiser. I see it is Mrs. Sadie’s. Kaden walks out to her car and she rolls her window down. I can’t hear them, so I go back to the conversation with Rebel. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before, but it sounds like someone has cloned some of our phones and they are spoofing Cap’s phone. He needs to get that phone to an IT person.” I look at Rebel “That isn’t cheap. Whoever is leading the Hell Keeperz MC has some deep pockets and they have someone that knows technology. The people involved with this, if they don’t have temporary burner phones, then the phones need to be checked and every phone needs to be checked for the latest apps uploaded to it. I’ll have Tyler get started on that when I get back to town. He is our IT guy and he has used the apps for doing the spyware. We use it sometime trying to track a fugitive.” Kaden walks over by where we are standing.
“This just keeps getting better. We need to pick up that woman from your camp and then we need everyone back to the clubhouse. Cap is meeting us there. Cap’s had to call in some backup. We have people coming in from out of town and hopefully with a fresh perspective they will see something we have overlooked.” More people brought into this could be more people hurt by it. I look at Kaden for his response to that.
“Rebel, anyone that is brought in from somewhere else still needs to follow the laws. We are not going to have a blood war in our small towns. This needs to be contained.” Kaden is firm with what he is saying. Rebel is not accepting what Kaden is saying. Rebel stiffens his stance and faces Kaden.
“Sheriff, we all have family in our small towns. How do you like your sons being able to buy drugs at school? Do you trust Laura to go to the grocery store with your sons without having someone watching out for them? What about Jilly when she is in town? How about Charlie and Mrs. Gladys? Do you lose sleep because you are worrying about your family? What about kidnapping, killing and arson going on in your county? We all need to work together and quit fighting against each other. This needs to stop now!” Rebel’s voice has raised since he started his tirade. I know Kaden’s hands are tied and he is in a tough situation. Kaden being the Sheriff, is used to doing things by the letter of the law, this time it is just not possible. He has a choice to make. He has said that he has made his choice but now he needs to prove it. Kaden looks at me.
“Let’s get this woman out of here and get the county vehicles out of the middle of the roads. Mrs. Sadie said old man Potter is going to have feed deliveries for his silos. I swear these people out here know everyone’s business.” Kaden says in a calm voice. I know Kaden and the Demented Revengers are going to butt heads many times while we are hunting the Hell Keeperz MC. Kaden looks at the deputy. “Get those four-wheelers unloaded.”
“Did Charity give you anything that you think we can use or give you a lead on a name?” Rebel asks me.
“No, she didn’t. By the time we arrived at the camp we had time to shower, eat and then I left before she was even up this morning. The longer it takes us to get back to her the more I become nervous. What if the Hell Keeperz went in from another direction?” I tell Rebel. I have a bad feeling and I know it has to do with Charity. I walk over and pick up my shot gun and walk back over by Rebel.
“Are you still believing what she told us? I think she was feeding us just enough truth to gain our trust. She knows more and as soon as we get her back to the clubhouse she is going to tell us.” Rebel has the same gut feeling I do.
“The only thing I can tell you is that her story did not change the entire time we were together, and I don’t think that she is going to willingly stay at your clubhouse.” I hear the four-wheelers start up and it is not long before the deputies have them to us. I mount the first one and put my shotgun in the rifle holder. “When we get there do not forget Charity has a shotgun.”
“Whose bright idea was it to give a woman a shotgun.” Rebel asks being a smartass. He laughs at his own words. “I won’t be asking if Charity wants to stay. We’re not running a bed and breakfast. It’s for her protection as much as anything else. She will stay.” Kaden walks over by the deputy that brought up one of the four-wheelers and addresses him.
“We have back up coming. I want the three of you out by the road. Keep the cruisers and the truck and trailer out of the middle of the road but be alert. Rebel, which of your guys is going to ride the other four-wheeler?” Rebel motions for Sin to get on the other four-wheeler. Rebel walks to the one the other deputy brought over for him. “Once we get into the woods there will not be good phone reception. I am taking some of the radios. Watch for the Hell Keeperz to come back. You are in charge, Stenson, until I get back and do not argue with the Demented Revengers. Just do your jobs.”
“I understand Sheriff.” The deputy walks back to the cruisers and Kaden turns to look at Rebel.
“Rebel, I already told you I was on board with getting the Hell Keeperz MC out of our county, but I will not put any of my deputies at risk. If this plan goes south, then I will lose my job, and I can afford that. My deputies are young and just starting their families. I will not jeopardize their jobs. I will not include a one of them to do anything outside the law. That means that you need to keep your voice down around them, so they do not overhear anything they shouldn’t. I cannot guarantee a one of their silences, and I will not ask them to lie. I have a lot to lose. One being my penchant and the other my medical insurance, which Laura needs right now, so get off my ass.” Kaden looks like he is trying to keep his temper in check. “My deputies are as loyal to me as your club is to you, but I will not ask a one to stand with me. Let’s drop it and get to the camp.” I start my four-wheeler and start back the direction I came from this morning. I hear the others behind me, but I don’t look back. I need to watch for hanging limbs and anything on the path I walked this morning. We travel carefully and slower than I like, but I am relieved when the camp is within seeing distance. I check out the cleared area around the cabin and I see nothing out of the ordinary. I park my ride and turn it off. The others with me do the same. I listen to the surrounding noises and it is too quiet. We don’t say anything between us, but I see Kaden walking around the outer perimeter of the camp site. It’s then I realize I don’t hear the hum of the well pump. It’s never a loud noise but early this morning I heard it when I was walking away from the camp site. Rebel signs to Sin to walk the opposite perimeter of the one Kaden took. I watch Kaden and Sin as they disappear from my sight. Rebel signs to me that we should approach the cabin. We do, and we try to quietly go up the steps to the front door. It creaks, and I hold my breath. I step up to the door with Rebel right behind me. I try to open the door and it is locked. I reach up above the door and find where I left the key this morning and take it and unlock the door. I throw the door open quickly and go into the room and to the left and Rebel does the same but going low and to the right. Charity is nowhere to be found. I rush to the back room and I hear Rebel opening the back door. I fling the room door open and still no Charity. I walk into the bathroom and it is empty. Charity has either run, or the Hell Keeperz have gotten to her. I walk back to the front room and I see Rebel is holding some papers and Kaden is reading over his shoulder. They must have heard me coming into the room. They both look up and neither look happy.
“What the hell happened here Brody? You were supposed to get Charity back to the clubhouse and protect her, not fuck her. Charity is on the run.” I grab the note from Rebel and I know I have fucked up, while I am reading the note. I have screwed something else up with another woman. I should come with a damn warning label. I read through quickly the first time, but I sit in one of the chairs and read it slowly again to take it all in.
-B-
I know what we had between us was only a physical attraction. I know I am not good enough for you in the light of day, in the real world. I will not contact you again, so please, don’t come after me for more answers. Message has been received loud and clear. I got what I asked for. Everything I told you was true. I didn’t lie, but I did omit some of the things that haunt my dreams at night. I will make sure all the things I borrowed from the cabin are returned as I said. I may be poor trash, but I am not a liar or thief. I will stand by the one thing I have left, my word. Have a good life. You deserve it. Thank you for the best night of my life. I will cherish it.
-C-
Damn, I feel like an ass. I look up at Rebel and Kaden and they are waiting for my response. I don’t give them one. Kaden is holding the other paper.
“What do you want to know? Just spit it out already. Did Charity and I have sex? Yes, we did, and we are both consenting adults and it was consensual, so keep your opinions to yourself. Anything else you want to know then just ask. What is that paper you are holding Kaden?” Kaden and Rebel cannot make me feel any worse than I already do. I never meant to make Charity feel beneath me. I don’t know where she even come up with something like that. I thought I was saving us both heartache in the future. I was just being honest. Isn’t that what women say they want. I don’t even know how a healthy relationship with a woman exist these days. No, I don’t mean that, Charity and I do not have a relationship. It was a one-night stand and I have done nothing wrong. Charity assured me she only wanted one night.
“Start where you thought it was alright to fuck a woman that we need information out of. You knew that she didn’t want to cooperate and come back to the clubhouse with us. Why couldn’t you just wait to fuck the woman when we got her back to the clubhouse? That way we get answers and you get pussy.” I stand to my feet and start at Rebel. Charity is not just pussy. I hate the thought of it. I want to pound Rebel’s face. Kaden grabs me.
“Rebel, watch yourself. Brody isn’t like that, he’s no biker. You know most men don’t fuck their way through a town. Never caring if the women are hurt in the process.” Rebel doesn’t like what Kaden has said and I can tell by Sin’s facial expression that he doesn’t either.
“The Demented Revengers members like to fuck, we’re men, but the women are always willing, and they come back for more. At least we don’t give the women false hope and lie to them to get them to drop their panties. Is there something wrong with that Sheriff?” Sin says with a smirk.
“I can remember a time when we all used to hit the town looking for a piece of pussy for the night. The difference here is that Charity may have had answers that helped find the location of the Hell Keeperz MC. That will save lives. What’s done is done. We need to get back to town and find another way to locate them.” Rebel says. Rebel and Sin walks out the front door. Kaden looks at me.
“Are you alright, Brody? Does this woman mean something to you?” Kaden is watching me closely.
“I don’t even know Charity, but there is something about her. I need to find her and apologize to her. I never meant to make her feel like less. Rebel is right, we need to get back to town and find us a lead and check those cell phones out. There may be a problem, we didn’t use a condom and Charity didn’t know if her contraception was still protecting her. I was supposed to get her one of those morning after pills for her to take. I guess I will have to cross one bridge at a time.” Kaden doesn’t argue with me. We walk together out the door together and Rebel and Sin are waiting for us. I lock the door and walk to my four-wheeler. I look back at the cabin. Somehow, I feel empty inside just walking away, but that is exactly what I am doing.