Damn. Xenon was on edge and he was never this defensive. “What’s up, brother?”
Xenon ran a hand through his hair. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep up with all this shit all day every damn day? I’m fuckin’ stressed.” He pulled out a pack of Marlboro’s and lit up one, puffing hard a couple of times. “There’s been movement around that bar The Blacktop in Hawthorne.”
Shit. The same bar where Suraya, Sasha, and Trish all worked in the past. “What kind of movement?”
“I’ve seen Scorpions MC members but it’s the fact that Chamuco has been hanging around that’s the issue. Not just the Blacktop either. I think he’s patched in now. Grim said I should mention it to you both.”
“Fuck,” Rael cursed.
“Have you seen Chamuco tonight?”
“Yeah,” Xenon took a long pull on his cigarette and began clicking a few keys on his massive keyboard. A dozen monitors were set up around the room. Not only were his own cameras up but Xenon had hacked into local businesses like banks for their secured feeds to watch for enemy activity. He was fucking brilliant. “He’s been frequenting the Iron Bull.”
“In Vegas?”
Xenon nodded. “That was this afternoon.” He showed a few images. “This one is the kicker though.” He pulled up another set of images that showed Chamuco wearing the same Scorpions MC cut but he was in Tonopah at the Shell pumping gas. “Look at the time stamp.”
I glanced at the first photo. It read 3:38 p.m. My gaze shifted to the next photo and it also read 3:38 p.m. Two cities over two hundred miles apart at the exact same time.
“No fuckin’ way,” I snarled. “What the fuck?”
“He’s a hell of a magician,” Xenon agreed.
“Or he’s fucking with us and he knows we’re watching.”
Rael was right.
Xenon shrugged. “Is that a surprise? Come on. The guy is known for his ability to manipulate his enemies. It’s fuckin’ war, my brothers. I expected something like this to happen. It’s not the first time I’ve heard of rumors about Chamuco being in multiple places at once.”
“What are you sayin’?” Rael cracked his neck. “He’s got a twin?”
“Nothing that interesting.” Xenon was enjoying stringing Rael along and although I was amused, I was also ready to snap.
Sasha was on her way to the Crossroads and I needed her safe. She was at her apartment and I was glad Xenon had the place up on one of the monitors. I watched her doing a load of laundry and blew out a frustrated breath. Didn’t she ever listen?
“My ol’ lady is on her way here soon. I need to know she’s gonna be protected.”
“I think Chamuco has a few lookalikes that he stages in different cities. They wear a similar cut and dress like him. It’s nothing more than a ruse but keeps up the mysterious and dangerous reputation to his enemies.”
“That’s all fine and everything, but where the fuck is he right now?”
“That’s the thing. Hard to tell on video. I’d say he’s here in Tonopah or at least that’s what we should focus on. He’s got to be hanging around one of the local bars or shops. He wants to be found. I don’t doubt he’s anxious for a confrontation.”
“And Mammoth is gonna give him one.”
Xenon smashed the butt of his smoke into a nearby ashtray. “Might as well let it happen. We need to know if the real Chamuco is here or it’s just a decoy.”
Rael nodded briskly. “Agreed.”
“I’m going to call Sasha.” I pulled my phone free and dialed her number just as the monitor on her place went blank, skipped a couple of times, and then straight to static.
“Son of a bitch!” Xenon yelled, clicking a bunch of keys.
“What’s happening?” I asked, rushing over, and smacking the monitor in the hope that it would clear.
“Fucking hell! Don’t break my shit, bro.”
I could care less if the damn thing was scratched as long as it came on and showed Sasha was alright. Nothing happened. The screen never worked again, even after another five minutes.