Page 6 of Mace

“Yeah, I guess that was a poor choice of words,” Mace grumbled.

“I think that we can track down the woman so that the cops can question her. I showed this letter to them, but they insisted that you were their only suspect and that you were guilty,” the old guy said.

“Yeah, they said that the case against me was open and shut,” Mace said, “I guess that was the reason I ran. My lawyer has already reamed me a new one for taking off the way that I did.”

“What if I spoke to your lawyer and told him what I know about the case so far? I’d really like to find this woman, and if she is guilty of killing my son, I want to see her behind bars,” the old guy said.

“My lawyer is a woman, and if you really mean it, I’d appreciate that,” Mace said.

“Is she hot?” the old guy asked, flashing his smile at Mace. Something about the guy seemed kind of familiar, but he couldn’t put his finger on what it was. He’d try to figure it all out later, but for now, he needed to get the old guy out of his motel room and call Brooke to tell her about this new lead.

“Why does everyone keep asking me that?” Mace grumbled. The old guy chuckled again, and Mace wanted to tell him that none of this was funny, but he still needed the guy. If he was willing to talk to Brooke, then Mace didn’t want to scare him away or piss him off.

“I think it’s a fair question,” the old guy insisted. He had a fair point, but Mace wasn’t about to tell him that.

“So, you’ll talk to her?” Mace asked.

“Yep,” the old guy said, “it will give me a chance to see if she’s as hot as I think she is.”

“Why the hell would you think that she’s hot?” Mace asked.

“Because you seemed to get your feathers in a ruffle when I asked if she was hot,” the old guy said.

“Fine, suit yourself. Hell, I don’t care why you’re willing to talk to my lawyer, I just appreciate the help,” Mace said.

The old guy stood and held out his hand to Mace. “Anytime,” he said. “It’s always a pleasure to help out a fellow biker.”

Mace took the guy’s hand and shook it. “You ride?” he asked. The old guy nodded his head and released Mace’s hand.

“Yep, I’ve been riding since before you were born,” the old guy said.

“Well, you are always welcome at the Road Reapers,” Mace said. “That’s my club.”

“Thanks, Mace,” the old guy said. “Here’s my number.” He pulled out a torn piece of paper that had his phone number scribbled on it, and handed it over to Mace. “Be in touch when you can schedule a meeting. I’ll be there,” the old guy promised. He walked over to the door and opened it, not bothering to look back or exchange pleasantries. He just left, and for some reason, Mace felt as though his exit suited him. He didn’t seem like the kind of guy that waited around to say his goodbyes. He didn’t seem the type to make small talk, and Mace had to respect that. He was the same way.

He checked the time, realizing that it was still early enough in the evening to try Brook again. Hopefully, she’d actually answer his call this time. He waited for three rings and was ready to give up when her groggy voice answered the call. Mace wasn’t sure why the thought of her sleepy voice turned him on, but it did. Everything about Brooke seemed to turn him on, and if this new evidence worked out, he’d be able to ask Brook out, and that worked for him because if one more guy asked if his lawyer was hot, he was going to lose his shit.

Brooke

Brooke thought that the ringing she was hearing was in her dream, but unfortunately, it wasn’t. She had just fallen asleep and whoever was calling her had better be either dead or on fire, because if they weren’t, she was going to strangle them.

When she heard Mace’s growly, sexy voice, she knew exactly who was on the other end of the call. “Mace,” she breathed, still half asleep.

“Sorry, did I wake you?” he whispered.

“No,” she lied. She could hear Mace chuckle into the other end of the call, and she knew that he had caught her in a lie. “Fine,” she grumbled, “yes, you woke me, but that’s okay. What’s up?” she asked.

“I had a visit from some old guy who claims that he knows who killed Reece Childs,” Mace said. She sat up in her bed, suddenly very interested in what he was telling her. Her father had made her promise to take herself off the case, but she just couldn’t do that to Mace. She kept her distance from him, trying to decide her next move, but there was no way that she’d give up Mace’s case. There was something about the guy that made her want to help him. Hell, she wanted to do more than just help him, but that would go against the client/lawyer relationship.

“Does he have evidence?” she asked.

“He showed me a note that some woman wrote to Reece after he broke up with her. She claimed that if she couldn’t have him, no one would. I don’t know if that note is enough to go on, but I’m hoping you can do something with it.” Mace sounded so hopeful; Brooke couldn’t tell him that there wasn’t much to go on.

“I’ll do my best,” she promised. “How did this guy get a hold of the note?” she asked.

“He said that he’s Reece’s father, but that was about it. The old guy wouldn’t even tell me his name,” Mace said.

“That sounds strange,” Brooke insisted, “but, I’d like to meet with him and see the note, if possible.”

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