Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 132031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
“Okay. My gut says Dev’s not connected to what’s going on in the club. No matter what his file says, or his rap sheet indicates, that man over there doesn’t fit the same MO as the rest of his club brothers.”
“That’s what I think too,” Joe agreed, his tone and expression instantly changing to contemplative. “But we might be the only two who think that way.” Thankfully, Joe easily pivoted the conversation to finding the discoveries needed to help solve this case.
“Okay, then I’ll be honest with you, and this goes no further.” Cash waited for Joe’s confirming nod. “I believe, especially after last night, that I can work my way into Dev’s life. Get him to trust me then try to bring him in as an informant. He may not be directly involved, but he’s smart and clever. He can find the answers. Shanna’s too far on the outside and those outlaw bikers don’t value women. At this point, it’ll take months for her to gain enough trust to learn anything new. She’ll probably never be in a position to actually see the inner workings. This entire case is bullshit. Corruption runs too deep. I’m beginning to understand that everything we know, it’s all been gathered to mislead. This operation is fucked.”
“Yeah…” Joe started then hesitated, crossing his arms over his chest, his brow furrowed in thought.
“You don’t think it’s possible?” Cash asked, feeling like he dodged a bullet by having his actions last night go unreported. He went for his closet, dumped the clothes on the floor, and opened a closet drawer. He carefully placed the drawing upside down, underneath his underwear. He’d find a more private place for it as soon as possible.
Cash grabbed a T-shirt and quickly put it on. He’d been so bold in exposing his chest and upper body last night, but in the light of day, the scars embarrassed him and always brought questions and sorrow. He never willingly let anyone see them.
An unexpected warmth coasted over him as he remembered Dev’s declaration to go after those who’d caused his injuries.
“I think it’s the only feasible answer,” Joe finally stated.
That instantly drew Cash back into the impromptu strategy session. “All right, answer this. Why have no agent operatives been able to get in the inner circle of this club after all this time?”
He pushed his feet through a pair of joggers, pulling them up as he left the closet, wanting to see Joe’s reaction for himself. He got a blank stare from Joe. Then his jaw clamped shut. He crossed his arms tighter over his chest. His leg bounced nervously.
It was a valid question that had no good answer. The hesitant trust they’d built clicked more solidly into place between him and Joe.
Finally.
“Here’s what I believe is happening.” Cash headed to the kitchen with the phone in hand, needing coffee, and praying he wasn’t messing up by revealing his conclusions. “We have too many government divisions at play here. I suspect multiple government employees, in different levels of leadership, have gone rogue. I believe both the Disciples and the local DEA, probably the ATF and FBI too”—Cash opened his arms wide, trying to show how far reaching the case might actually be—“have helped create a chaotic, corrupt mess.”
Joe nodded. “It’s the only possible answer. But proving a government agent is on the take…”
Was what Cash did best, but he didn’t say those words aloud. He did interrupt Joe from saying more. “Stay with me. On the other side, of course, the club president is involved. Probably his wife too, but they’re sneaky as hell. Mack, a founding member, might be involved. He rides with Fox everywhere. Devilman and the giant, Keyes, seem to be used for muscle, and not for much else. There’s a couple of prospects that might be government agents. I can pull their files, but Diesel makes no sense to me. The other one I question is Dixie.”
“I wondered about Dixie too,” Joe interjected. “She appears to have access to everything.”
“Agreed. And with all this intel, we don’t know who the drugs are being sold to?”
“Too far above my paygrade. I’ve never known. That intelligence is locked up tight, but they’re rumored to originate from South America. As I say it out loud, that’s an easy assumption,” Joe answered, but the dawning of missing facts showed on his face. “You’re here to make sense of it all, and they put you so far on the outside you can’t get in.”
Cash nodded.
Joe continued. “I’m going to be very honest with you. Every agent I’ve been assigned to comes up empty handed. They usually come with some sort of leadership at their back, covering for them. The agents are usually here for six months and then reassigned. It feels like my team’s only here for show, not to truly find answers.” Joe tilted his head in appraisal. “Then you came along. You’re different from the others. Focused. It’s why I let last night ride.”