I stared helplessly at Noah and he shrugged as his laughter slowed. “I’d like to meet him.”
“Be nice,” I ordered as I stood up. “Yes, ma’am,” Noah and Nico said in unison and I rolled my eyes at Noah, “Not you.”
I unlatched the cage door and Nico hopped out, eyeing me. “He’s a guest,” I reminded him, but Nico just ignored me, flying over to the table where Noah sat, and landing on the back of the booth where I had been planning to sit.
I sat down and introduced them. “Nico, this is Noah Breaux. He changed the tire today for me. Noah, I’d like you to meet Nico, my too smart for his own damn good, African Grey parrot.”
Noah nodded at Nico, “It’s nice to meet you, Nico.”
“You too. You too. Noah Breaux.” Nico ruffled his feathers, his head turned as he trained one eye on Noah. “Teach me something.”
I propped my chin in my hand as Noah glanced at me, and gave him a slight shrug. “It’ll decide if he likes you,” I informed him. “No pressure.”
Noah snorted, but looked at Nico. “Do you know what a 129 is?”
“No, Nico no.”
“It means to request back up,” Noah answered and Nico paced along the booth behind me. Noah shot me a questioning glance, but I just widened my eyes slightly.
“More,” Nico ordered and I smiled. Nico liked him. Noah gave a relieved sigh.
“126 – Proceed with caution,” he quickly told Nico, who cackled.
“More!” Nico cried and I raised my hand.
“Nope. Two for today is enough,” I stated, knowing Nico would keep asking all night if I let him. Nico let out a huff, but didn’t say it again.
“Goodnight, Nico.”
“Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite,” Nico answered, flying back to his cage. “No funny business.”
Noah shot me a wide eyed stare and I shook my head. “He’s joking.”
“Am not,” Nico replied.
“Goodnight!” I shouted, exasperated.
Noah ducked his head, but not before I saw his grin. “I guess I should have told you dinner came with a show,” I said apologetically.
He shook his head. “I’m glad. I needed this.” He waved the fork in the general direction of the trailer and Nico’s cage. “It was a rough night.”
“Someone died,” I stated, remembering bits of his conversation and he nodded. “Did you know them?”
“Yeah,” he answered slowly, which I took as reluctance.
“I don’t mean to pry,” I rushed to add and he shook his head.
“No, it’s fine. I knew her, most of the town did, but really it's her little girl I’m worried about.”
“Oh, she had a daughter? How terrible.” Instantly, I felt a kinship with the little girl, knowing how difficult it was to lose your mom.
“It is, because her daughter is missing and I think I know who has her.”
“Isn’t it good if you know who has her?” I questioned, my forehead wrinkling.
“It is, but he’s her father and he’s dangerous. Extremely dangerous.” Weariness coated Noah’s face. “And I’ve got friends that want to go after them.”
“I take it they’re not cop friends.”
He shook his head. “Not exactly. More like outlaws.” A tired smile lifted one corner of his mouth. “Rebels to be precise.”
“Rebels,” I repeated, suddenly feeling like the world had just tilted off center.
“Yeah,” he said, looking at me. “If you stick around long enough, you’ll run into them. They’re a local motorcycle club. The Southern Rebels.”
“Motorcycle club, huh?” I said automatically, my mind spinning in a million different directions. He didn’t seem to notice his words had just upended everything I’d ever thought I knew about my mother as he continued.
“Yeah, Ronnie is the daughter of one of the guys.” He paused. “Ronnie is the woman who was killed, her daughter, Kara, is missing. She owned the barber shop.”
My attention snapped back to him. “She didn’t come in to work,” I replied and he nodded.
“She was killed last night. We’re twenty four hours behind them and the Rebels are gunning to go after them,” Noah explained. He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. “I can’t stop him. I don’t even want to,” he continued, his voice so low I wasn’t sure he was actually talking to me. “I know he can find her faster than any police force.”
“Who?”
“Clutch.” Noah looked at me in surprise, like he’d forgotten I was there. “Clutch and Ronnie used to be a thing. He’s close to Kara. If anyone can find her, it would be Clutch. He won’t stop until she’s home.”
“You’re worried about him,” I guessed, noticing the slump of his shoulders when he talked about him.
“I am,” he admitted. “I’m afraid he’s going to do something that will send him back to prison.”
“That would be bad….” I trailed off questioningly and Noah nodded.
“It would,” he confirmed. “Clutch is a good guy. Too good for his own good. If you know what I mean.” He exhaled, leaning back. “I don’t know what to do about him.”