“What’s up?” Knox asked the Sheriff.
“Samantha Bedford’s body was found this afternoon at the motel,” the sheriff replied while watching his reaction to the news.
Knox stiffened, as if sensing where this was going.
“Knox has had nothing to do with that bitch since she attacked Beth; none of us have. She wasn’t allowed back here at the clubhouse, and after the stunt she pulled with Winter, Beth, and Lily at the diner, we haven’t seen her.”
The sheriff didn’t say anything, just merely continued staring at Knox.
“I saw her yesterday. She stopped her car after I crashed my bike.”
The silence in the room became tangible.
“What happened then?” the sheriff probed.
“We went back to her hotel room and fucked. When Viper called, I left. She was breathing just fine when I walked out that door.” Knox stared back at the sheriff.
“Damn it, Knox,” Viper said angrily.
“You’re not going to say anything I didn’t say to myself.”
Shade wanted to punch the brother for letting his dick get him in this mess.
“There are enough women here that you didn’t need that bitch. What were you thinking?” Viper asked the question on Shade’s mind.
“I wasn’t. She pulled out my dick and went down on me,” Knox said wryly.
“I have to take you in for questioning, Knox. There’s no way around it; the newspaper is involved. A witness saw you leaving her room and told the reporter.”
Knox nodded, stepping forward. “Let’s go.”
Viper took his arm. “Don’t answer any more questions. I’ll get you a lawyer.”
As Knox nodded again and went out the door with the sheriff following him closely, Viper and Shade stared after him grimly.
“Find the best lawyer in Kentucky and hire him.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Shade took out his cell phone.
It took fifteen minutes before he could report back to Viper.
“Marc Harris is on his way to see Knox now. He’s good, the best in Kentucky, and he happens to live in Treepoint.”
“At least that’s some good news. Maybe he can use his connections to get bond for Knox.”
“Possibly,” Shade said doubtfully.
“You don’t seem so sure. I thought you said he was the best?”
“He is,” Shade assured him. “The problem is, he’s an asshole, and Knox is an asshole. The two might not get along.”
“Go to town and warn Knox to play nice,” Viper ordered.
“Will do, but it isn’t going to work. Knox doesn’t know how to play nice.”
Chapter 27
“I won’t be talked to that way by anyone! Did you hear what he told me to do?” Marc was practically screaming at Viper and Winter.
“Mr. Harris, Knox didn’t mean for you to take it so literally. He’s just—” Winter tried to placate the older man.
Shade wanted to tell Winter she was wasting her time. The courthouse was busy that day, and the lawyer had lost his cool enough to not care who could be watching. One person who had stopped to listen had caught his eye. Tilting his head to Viper, he nodded toward Diamond Richards, the lawyer who had managed to get Winter’s teaching license restored, enabling her to become the principal at the alternative school.
“I don’t care. You can find another lawyer, one who can deal with that asshole.”
“But—”
Harris stormed across the lot to his car. All of them except Shade were still staring when he pulled out with a screech of tires. Shade’s eyes were on the lawyer who had been observing them since she had come out of the courthouse.
“Ms. Richards could handle the case until we find the evidence to clear Knox,” Shade stated.
“Ask her to talk to us.”
Viper had spoken to Winter, but Shade could tell from Ms. Richard’s horrified expression that she had already figured out their next move.
Swiveling on her high heels, Diamond took off down the street at a brisk walk, and Shade didn’t waste time going after her. Winter called out to her, which resulted in the woman speeding up, practically running down the sidewalk as she tried to avoid them.
Shade cut across the courthouse parking lot, managing to reach her before she turned the corner. He stepped out in front of her, bringing her to a sudden stop.
“Ms. Richards, we need your help,” Winter began when she had managed to catch up with Viper, Rider, and Train trailing behind.
They hadn’t seen the need to rush; Shade wouldn’t let her leave until they had their say.
“I’m not taking on any new cases.” The lawyer refused before Winter could even ask if she would represent Knox.
“That isn’t what your sister said. She said you’re having a hard time finding clients, and that was why you moved to Treepoint from Jamestown. Please, can we just go somewhere to talk for a few minutes?” Winter pleaded.
The stuck-up lawyer didn’t like being reminded of her relationship with Sex Piston. Shade wouldn’t claim her, either, if she was his sister.
Diamond grudgingly gave in, though. “My office is just around the corner.
The Last Riders entered her office behind her. A young woman was filing papers in the cabinet when she turned to see who had come in. Her mouth fell open when she saw the bikers.
“Holly, I’ll be in my office if you need me.”
Her secretary nodded while clearly begging silently not to be left alone.
Rider and Train took seats in the lobby as Shade, Viper, and Winter went inside her private office, leaving the door open. It made Shade wonder if she was afraid to be left alone with them or if she wanted to keep an eye on her secretary.
Ms. Richards went behind her desk, placing her briefcase on the neat surface before taking a seat.
“What’s going on, Winter?”
“One of our members has been arrested in the murder of Samantha Bedford,” Viper answered her question.
“I am going to save us both some time. I don’t have the experience to defend a murder case.” She started to rise to her feet.
“The best criminal defense lawyer in the state of Kentucky just walked out on us. That asshole will defend anyone for the right amount of money. Knox pisses everyone off. There’s not a lawyer who won’t become angry and quit with his attitude. I don’t want to be looking for a new lawyer every day. We need someone who isn’t going to run away the first time Knox gets angry and scares the shit out of them.”
“I’m sorry.”
The stuck-up bitch doesn’t look sorry, Shade thought.
“I’ll pay whatever fee you want,” Viper stated, looking around her inexpensive office.
“If money is no object, then you can afford any lawyer you want,” Diamond protested.
“Money didn’t prevent Harris from walking out on us,” Viper said in disgust.
“How much money are we talking about?” Diamond asked, a gleam she couldn’t hide appearing in her eyes.
They had her. Money always made The Last Riders more palatable.
“Let’s cut to the chase. You prove Knox is innocent, I’ll give you five hundred thousand dollars.”
Shade cocked a brow at Viper offering such an exorbitant price yet then reminded himself it was Knox she would be defending. The woman would be demanding more before it was over.
“I take it you believe Knox is innocent?” Diamond queried.
“I know he is,” Viper stated without pausing.
“You can’t be so sure. Everyone has a breaking point, and from what you’re telling me, Knox isn’t the sweetest man in the county. Perhaps they got in an argument—”
“If he had killed her, Ms. Richards, no one would have found the body.”
Diamond’s eyes widened at Viper’s calm reply while Winter winced.
Shade saw Diamond studying them, watching for their reactions. All the brothers believed in Knox’s innocence, not because he wasn’t capable of killing her, but because he would have told them and the mess would never have happened.
Viper stated, “Of course, if you quit on us, I won’t pay you one fucking dime.”
Her mouth turned down in disappointment.
“All right, you have a deal.” Her eyes went to the front lobby.
Shade watched Rider get up from his chair and go to the secretary’s desk, leaning against it as he tried to sweet-talk the curvy woman. The whole club knew Rider was a man who could appreciate good tits, and the secretary had a set which would make any man’s dick stand up.
The sound of a chair hitting the wall sounded from the outside room right before the flustered woman came rushing into Ms. Richards’s office to stand behind her boss’s chair with her face flaming red.