Page 19 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

“Missing?”

“Yeah, missing, like not around, haven’t seen him.”

He shook his head. “No, all club members are accounted for, that I can assure you.”

If only I could believe him.

“Will you help me?”

A sudden barking growl had Stone taking a step back and when Mo burst past the trees snarling as he ran toward me, Stone hurried to step around the side of his motorcycle as if it could stop the large dog.

“Easy, Mo, I’m safe,” I said firmly, and Mo sat in front of me, one side of his mouth curled up in a snarl.

“PEP!”

“Looks like you’re well protected,” Stone said, just as Ian appeared on the path we had carved out between here and the lodge.

Ian was at my side in a flash, his arm going around my waist.

“Something you want here, mate?” Ian more demanded than asked.

“That’s up to, Pep,” Stone said brazenly.

“The name’s Pepper,” I corrected him. “Ian calls me Pep, no one else.”

“Got it,” Stone said, though looked none too happy. “Keep in mind what I said, Pepper. We’ll talk again.”

He mounted his motorcycle and took off.

“You are getting a big bone today, Mo,” Ian said with a quick glance at the dog. “He cannot only smell bacon at a distance, he can also detect when you might be in danger. He took off like a fired bullet and scared me near to death especially when I couldn’t keep up with him. Though that might have been because I was trying to access your security camera on my cell.”

“He probably heard the motorcycle and remembered the incident at the cemetery,” I said and hunched down to give Mo a big hug. “Thanks for being there for me, Mo.”

Mo barked and looked at the front door. “You think you deserve a treat?”

Mo barked again and walked to the door, letting me know I was right.

“I am really glad you’ve got Mo, Pep,” Ian said. “Sorry, but I need to get back.”

“Thanks for coming to my non-rescue,” I said with a chuckle.

“I will always come to your rescue, Pep,” he said and kissed me before taking off.

I turned to go in the house and heard him shout, “STAY AWAY FROM THE BIKER, PEP.”

I grinned and couldn’t help but shout back, “WHICH ONE?”

“VERY FUNNY!” came his reply.

I spottedmy mom speaking with a tall, slim woman with short white hair. I waved, not wanting to bother her, but she waved me over.

My mom made the introduction. “Pepper, this is Edna Wilson. She is on the board of the Willow Lake Historical Society.”

“Pepper the prepper,” Edna said with a smile. “I am delighted to finally meet you. I’m a bit of a prepper myself. It really pays to be, as you say, prepped and prepared. We could use someone like you in the historical society.”

“Recruiting younger people, that’s brilliant, Edna, and just what the historical society needs,” my mom said, enthusiastic about the idea.

“I will leave you two to discuss recruitment. I have loads of plants to get,” I said and looked to Edna. “It was nice meeting you, Edna.”

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