Page 51 of Devil's Due

“Yeah, it would have been in the past, but this is Sparky’s and my baby. We both like to hunt, so use it as a base. Fixed it up with some surprises. You know the history?”

I nod, conscious of Stevie in the back.

Cad raises his chin back. “Let’s just say, your woman there is not the first to need somewhere to hole up.”

The Colorado MC, before Hellfire patched the club over to the Satan’s Devils, had had a bad rep. I have my suspicions this cabin was used more than once to provide refuge for someone to lie low.

“It’s also a good retreat for the club. Bigger than you expect, I think.”

“Electricity?”

“Via solar panels again. Sparky put that in. Provides enough for the basics. Cooking and heating is via the wood-burning stove.”

“Water?”

“We’ve diverted some from a stream that keeps a tank filled. Toilet is a porta potty though. Prospects have brought plenty of bottled water for you to drink.”

“I’m looking forward to this.” Stevie’s voice actually sounds excited. “How old is the cabin?”

“The original frame must have been built a couple hundred years ago. It’s been added onto since.”

I smile to myself. It could be a lot worse. She could be complaining about the lack of facilities. Glancing in the rearview mirror I notice her brief spell of delight has gone.

“What is it?”

“I was just thinking how much Max would have loved it here.”

Cad replies for me, “Won’t be long before he’s here with you. May not be running around quite how he used to yet, but he’ll enjoy sniffing out the squirrels and deer.”

A cabin, indeed larger than I was expecting, appears ahead. We’re here. Cad directs me to a lean-to where I can park.

I help Stevie out as Cad grabs her bag.

“Ground’s flat, but a little uneven.” She nods and grips my elbow. I lead her slowly up to the front door. “There’s a step.”

Once the door is opened, various smells greet us. Disinfectant, polish, and an underlying mustiness as though the place has been shut up for some time. I nod at the men finishing cleaning up.

“Who’s here?”

Damn. Forgot again.“Wills and Dan, the prospects. They’ve cleaned it for us, Stevie. Done a fine job too.”

“Clean sheets on the beds.”

“Thanks Dan.” Beds. Plural. Good. I won’t be sleeping on that very uncomfortable-for-my-size looking couch.

“I’m Sparky.” He comes up and introduces himself. “You’ve got lights, hot water, fridge but that’s about all. No AC I’m afraid. Fixed up a charging point for your phones and shit.” He points over to a corner. “Got a TV but you won’t get a signal. There’s a DVD player and a stack of DVDs.”

“Board games in the cupboard,” Cad adds. I ignore that. No use for Stevie.

“Wi-Fi?”

“Nah. Not out here. And to be honest, haven’t tried to put it in. Too tempting and too fuckin’ easy to slip up.”

Guess I don’t have to worry about her posting to Facebook.

“Any chance I could get something I could listen to books on?” Stevie asks. “I love to read.”

“I’ve got something back at the club. I’ll ask the girls what they recommend.”

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