Page 21 of In Too Deep

“Hey, everything okay?” Theresa answers, her voice filled with concern.

“Yeah, I’m good, but I’ve had a breakthrough.”

“Already?” she says, surprised.

“Yeah, well, they came into the shop today.”

“Wait… the Royal Bastards came in?”

“Yup, they came to pick up Shooter’s bike. Vinney and Mikki were with him and a couple of others.”

Silence…

“Theresa, you still there?”

She breaks her silence. “Oh my God, Cole… you move fast.”

“Seth,” I correct her.

“Pardon?”

“My name is Seth.”

“Crap. Sorry, Seth.”

Smiling, I say, “No problem.”

“The good thing is that Shooter took a liking to me. He was happy with the work I did on his bike, and Vinney was too. He told me to come around to the clubhouse tonight for a drink.”

“Seth, you need to be careful. I know this is what we wanted, but I didn’t think this would happen so quickly. Please be careful,” she repeats.

“Make sure you take the lighter with you tonight. Anything you find out will help if we can get it recorded.”

Rubbing my jaw, I agree with her, “I didn’t think I would get an invite already, but I did, and that can only be a good thing, right?”

“Right.”

“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happier than this.”

“I’m sorry. I am happy. It’s just with Keith’s death, I feel like I’m throwing you into the lion’s den.”

“Don’t worry so much, Theresa. I’m just going for a drink.”

“I guess, but still, these men are dangerous. You need to be on alert.”

“I will be.”

Ben and I won’t be too far from the clubhouse. We’ll be parked in a black van down the street, listening in. I need you to know, Seth, if anything bad happens and you need to get out of there, I want you to use a code word to let us know you’re in trouble.”

“A code word, hey?” I ask, sitting on top of my desk.

“Mmm, let me think. What about fire?”

“Sounds good to me. Fire it is.”

“What time will you be there?”

“Vinney told me to be there at ten. So, I think I’ll get there just after.”

---