“What a surprise.” Crazy Bitch turned the air conditioner on higher. She was sweltering. “So, who was the one who planted the drugs if the sheriff had his camera on?”
“We don’t know. The sheriff may not have planted the drugs, but he knew they were there. The video showed he went directly under the mat.”
“Stupid bastard.”
“Not as stupid as the deputy. He might have remembered to turn off his body camera, but he forgot there’s a camera on the ceiling of the cruiser, showing the back seat. His confession that he knew you had stopped at the stop sign was caught on tape.”
“Why didn’t the sheriff erase it?”
“He planned to, but Diamond had asked the state police to seize the tapes the night you were arrested. He didn’t have time.”
“If you don’t have Sam, then why is the task force going to make some arrests tomorrow?”
“We’re hoping Sam is at one of the houses we’re going to hit.”
She narrowed her eyes at Lucky. “That’s not all, is it?”
“I want you out of this mess. I want you to talk to Calder tonight so he can be on guard. When we go back, I want you to drop me off at the Destructors’ clubhouse. Stud should be back by then. He can make sure the brothers have your back.”
“Aren’t you worried about losing some arrests?”
“No. They’re already staked out. I came out of retirement to help you. I’ve done that, and now I will finally be able to get the sheriff. Once we find Sam, most of the danger will be off you. The paperwork leads back to him. Once he’s arrested, the town will believe he’s the informant, not you.”
“He’ll know.”
“I’m going to offer him a sweet deal.”
“Which is?” She hated that the rat bastard would get any kind of deal.
“I’m going to let him live.”
33
Crazy Bitch lazily blew on her fingernails, admiring the job she had just finished.
Looking at the clock, she reached for her phone. Calder should have been home by now.
She had come home right after dropping Lucky off, and she had actually expected Calder to be there. When he hadn’t been, she had texted him. So far, he hadn’t returned it.
Pressing his phone number, she stared down at her toenails critically, thinking on working on them. When Calder didn’t answer, she called Stud.
She didn’t give him time to say hello. “Calder at the clubhouse?”
“No, I haven’t seen him since I left him at the ceremony. He’s not there?”
Her feet went to her carpeted floor. “Did Sex Piston give him my message that I was going home?”
“Yes. He said that’s where he was going.”
“Could he have gone to the Blue Horsemen clubhouse?”
“Not without telling you.”
“Is Lucky still there?” she asked.
“I haven’t seen Lucky.”
Terror filled her. “Stud, is Sex Piston with you?”
“No, she’s at the house with the kids.”
“Where are you in the club?”
“At the bar.”
“Go to the office and lock yourself in. Now. Don’t say anything until you’re there.”
Silence met her ear, though she could hear Stud’s boots on the floor.
“I’m here. What in the fuck is going on?”
“You alone?”
“Yes.”
“You got a gun in there?”
“Yes.”
“Get it. I’ll talk while you’re getting it.”
Hysteria had her wanting to scream, but Calder and Lucky were in danger. She couldn’t let the crazy out until she found them.
“I dropped Lucky off at the club before I came home.”
“Why—”
“Shut up and listen. We don’t have much time. Someone has a head start on us. He was going to tell you that he was going to arrest several people in town who are involved in selling painkillers. I was the informant. Lucky wanted you to have the brothers to protect me and Calder until he could find Sam. When I dropped him off out back, your van was outside. You didn’t see him come in?”
“I parked the van at the club, but I drove my bike to the ceremony. I was going to drive the van home tonight.”
“Fuck, we thought you were inside. Lucky said the sheriff didn’t plant the drugs in my car, but he knew where the drugs were going to be. Someone from the club must have planted the drugs. The rental car was parked outside. I didn’t bother to lock the door.”
“So, someone in the club planted drugs on you to get you arrested, and you think they’ve done something to Lucky?”
“Yes, and Calder. That’s why he’s not answering. I’m scared shitless. What do we do?”
“You got a gun?”
“In my bedroom.”
“Get it. I’ll stay on the line until you get it. When I hang up, I’m going to call Killyama. She, Hammer, and Jonas will protect you. Don’t answer the door, even if Jesus shows up knocking. I’m going to the Blue Horsemen and will send half the men to Sex Piston, and keep the other half with me.”
“Are you going to stay in the office until they get there?”