Page 62 of Jack

The last paint splatter was found yesterday morning in Angie’s parking lot. Jay’s garage was the night before. The last firecrackers went off yesterday around lunchtime, two days before Thanksgiving. The sound bounced off the buildings, preventing us from getting an exact location. When our wonderful citizens’ holiday shopping was interrupted, they called the Sheriff again. It’s when Nathan came to see us to get everyone off his back.

We’ve had two emergency Church meetings this week. The alert for this one went out ten minutes ago. It’s been quiet today. No paint. No firecrackers. I’m not sure what this meeting is about. Jay’s the last Viking to walk in before Worley Bird closes the doors.

“Settle down, Vikings.” Dad stands and slams the gavel. “Time for Church.”

Jay hurries down the aisle between the chairs and the wall to stand beside me. He’s carrying a small cardboard box. Jayhas the same faraway look in his eyes as he does when he wants to stab somebody. My cousin is a bigger problem than the Mavericks and their little firecrackers could ever be.

“You bring a bomb or something,” I tease. Hoping he’ll relax.

“Something like that.” Jay’s eyes are darker than normal. When he does this, I look for him to shift into some crazed animal from a paranormal movie.

“Sorry to call you all in on such short notice again and the night before Thanksgiving. Jay just found something that might be important.” Dad turns toward us. “What did you find, son?”

Jay moves to the front of the room. “Uncle Jacob, I was mad when I called. Church might not be necessary, but we do need Nick.”

Our computer genius joins Jay down front. We’re working Nick overtime this week. He’s living off energy drinks, protein bars, and beef jerky.

“What did you find?” Nick keeps his eyes on the box in Jay’s hands.

“I’ve been taking the bike from the wreck apart to see if anything’s salvageable. This was hidden and attached to the speedometer.” Jay reaches into the box and lifts a small device up for Dad and Nick to see but doesn’t take it all the way out.

Nick snatches the device from Jay’s hand. He turns it face down on the table. He quickly disassembled the device with a small tool he had in his jacket.

“Was that a camera?” Dad points to the tiny pieces on the table.

“Yep, and an active one.” Nick puts the pieces back into the box. “I’ll take it to the lab and see what I can find.”

That wreck wasn’t an accident. Someone has had eyes inside the garage for over a week. Chills run up my spine. Are the Mavericks after Jay? My family can’t lose another member. No,we’re losing Jay. I’ll destroy every Maverick I can find if they even try to touch my cousin.

Bankz stands. “Pres, if I may?”

“If you’ve got anything right now, we’ll take it.” Dad motions for Bankz to continue.

“Just a thought here.” Bankz clears his throat. “We all know how stupid the firecrackers and paint are. Could they just be a distraction for whatever that camera has coming?”

Dad slowly turns his head toward Worley Bird. “He’s got a point.”

“If he’s right, and since Coombs himself was involved in the first prank, we may have a war coming.” Worley Bird’s words rip through the hearts of every Viking in the room.

We haven’t had an open declaration of a club war in over twenty years. I was just a kid then. We’ve had a few fights and battles over the years, but not a war.

My phone’s on silent. It vibrates in my pocket from an incoming call. I don’t answer it. If we have a war coming, Dad needs every member’s full attention, mine included. My phone goes off three more times while Dad’s giving instructions on the things we need to do to be ready. The safety of our families is at the top of the list. A loud pounding comes on the Church doors as my phone rings for the fifth time. Everyone turns and watches Worley Bird rush to the doors. The moment the doors are barely open, Mom pushes in and ducks under Worley Bird’s arm.

Mom stays just inside the door and points at me. “You need to answer that, Jack. Now!” That is all she says before she ducks back out again.

“Lily.” I frantically dig my phone from my pocket.

Jay and Rodeo are instantly at my sides. I feel like an idiot for not at least looking to see who was calling. Lily only has a flip-style burner phone, but it’s not her number on my screen. It’s Emily.

I quickly answer the call. “Emily, is Lily alright?”

“Uh. I think so.” She doesn’t sound sure or like Lily’s the reason she called.

“Put it on speaker,” Dad orders. I quickly hit the button.

“Emily, what's wrong?” The Mavericks have been quiet all day. If they hit the bakery while we were in Church, I’m riding straight to Chattanooga tonight.

“Jack, I don’t think these flower deliveries are from a secret admirer.”

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