Page 75 of Watercolor Skulls

The room grows silent, all of us deep in thought.

Raffe speaks up first. “We go there, ask around. She has to be there somewhere. We know she comes from a wealthy family. What else do we know?”

“She was a teacher,” Jesse pipes up.

“Her favorite place was the bay,” I add sadly.

Dirk stands up. “Let’s roll. Travis, call the Nor Cal Chapter and tell them we might need assistance. Book us rooms and keep digging.” He claps his hands, sending everyone scurrying to obey his orders.

I shove my shit in my bag as quickly as I can. My mind is going over every detail of every conversation Lily and I have had. Where the fuck do we even start?

Dirk pokes his head in my door. “Got your shit together, man?”

“Yes and no,” I answer honestly.

“What do you know about her old man?”

I pause after zipping my bag. “She’s scared of him.”

Dirk cracks his knuckles. “We haven’t gotten to play in a long, long time.”

Smiling, I toss my bag over my shoulder. “I’m going to destroy this motherfucker.”

Jesse walks us out to our bikes. “I wish I could go.”

Dirk picks her up, kissing her soundly on the mouth. He swats her ass. “You just take care of my baby girl.”

She hugs me. “Be careful, big guy.”

“I will.”

“Tell her thank you. You know for the donation.” Jesse kicks a rock, sending it skittering across the pavement.

“You can tell her yourself because I’m not leaving San Francisco without her.”

Jesse smirks. “You going to go caveman on her?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

“She needs us, Dan. She needsyou. Don’t give up on her.”

“I didn’t give up on you, did I?”

Jesse glances at Dirk before settling her gaze on me. “She’s not me, Dan. Not that she’s not strong. She is. Coming here took a lot for her. Going back has to be a kick in the gut. Whatever she grew up with…it hurt her.”

“I’ll do what needs to be done.”

She gives me a kiss on the cheek, then hands me my helmet.

When we get to San Francisco we break off going our separate ways. Bill and Raffe will start with the schools. We’re hoping Raffe still has his charm. Dirk and I are heading down to the bay. The rest of the crew along with some of the Nor Cal Chapter are going to go ruffle some feathers with the elite of this godforsaken city.

Dirk and I decided to split up to cover more ground. I walk out on the bridge, thinking we don’t even have a picture of her. This is going to be tough. No name, no photo, we literally have nothing to go on.

Fuck it is beautiful here. It’s no wonder it’s one of her favorite places.

She told me she would never come back here but what if she changed her mind? What if discovering Raffe was Jenny’s friend was too much for her. Lily is harboring a lot of guilt for her father’s sins. Maybe it’s more than she can carry.

An officer approaches me. “Are you doing all right today, sir?” he asks. Funny question for an officer to ask.

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