Page 8 of Taming the Demon

“How is he doing? Any updates?” Chief Dick asked.

“Nothing,” Slade said as he stood up. “We’re not here to talk about Priest.”

“You have information we need,” Cyrus said.

“If you want me to hack into your systems, I will,” Darrow said. “But do we need to do that?Chief…?”

All three outlaws closed in on Chief Dick Rundle. He knew where his power remained. Where it heated up and where it cooled off. Right now, Chief Dick Rundle’s power was colder than a fucking iceberg. These outlaws were way beyond angry right now.

“You all know I have nothing to do with what happened to your guy,” Chief Dick said.

“He was working for someone,” Cyrus said. “Wanting to sell out the club.”

“Fucking rat,” Darrow growled.

“Are you a friend of a rat?” Slade asked. “See, without Priest around to handle certain things, we’re sort of… on our own.”

“Small town could use a change,” Cyrus said. “New police… huh?”

“Jesus Christ, Cyrus,” Chief Dick said. “Are you fucking threatening to kill me right now? Who the fuck do you think you are? Who the fuck do you think I am?”

Darrow stepped closer to Chief Dick. “I hate the smell of rats…”

“I’m not part of that shit,” Chief Dick growled.

Cyrus grabbed Chief Dick’s right shoulder. “But you are. That badge you wear. You’re a rat to it. For us. For what we do.”

“I’ve been waiting on my end for something to shake loose for days,” Chief Dick said. “We never put a detective in charge of anything to do with your club. And even if something like that were to happen, you’d know about it. I’ve been working long hours. I stopped over here for a lunch break.”

“For a fish sandwich?” Slade asked.

“Hope you’re taking antibiotics if you’re eating the cunt around here,” Darrow said.

“I’m pulling personal files,” Chief Dick said. “I’ve got a few names that could be the one who went rogue on us. And you all need to remember that. They went rogue. Not me. Our arrangement is still the same.”

Cyrus leaned down closer to Chief Dick. “Our arrangement? We don’t have a fucking arrangement. You do what you’re told when you’re told to do it. Like a good dog. Like if I told you right now to get on your hands and knees and lick my boots… you’d do it… right?”

“I will not be spoken to like this,” Chief Dick said.

“Too fucking late,” Darrow said.

“Names!” Slade roared. “Right now!”

Chief Dick curled his lip. “You are not going to just show up to the houses of detectives and cause problems. Plus, do you think I haven’t done it yet? Huh? Do you realize what it takes to put something like this in motion without having heat come back at you?”

The room fell silent. Both Slade and Darrow waited for Cyrus to speak.

“I don’t need you guys going fucking crazy and doing stupid shit,” Chief Dick said. “If you don’t think I take this seriously, then what the fuck are we doing here? First detective has been fully vetted. No chance. The other two I’m looking into. One is on the job right now today. The other we’re waiting to hear back from.”

Cyrus’s eyes went wide.

Chief Dick held up a hand. “After my lunch break here I was going to personally look around. I had to use my own resources on this one, okay? He’s got a cabin up near theLamakearea.”

“I guess we’re climbing a mountain today,” Cyrus said.

“Jesus Christ, guys,” Chief Dick said. “Let me go and see what’s happening. Anything seemsoffand you’re my first phone call.”

“But we’re already here,” Darrow said. “And together.”

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