Page 89 of Ink's Devil

“You sure you’re not missing a car or truck, Pal?”

“Certain. I’ve double checked everywhere.”

As he zooms back in at the man having a smoke, I chuckle, getting a few looks of surprise. I point to Pal’s phone. “He’s got no fuckin’ idea we’re watching him.”

“Move it away,” Liz says suddenly. “I don’t want to see his fuckin’ cock.”

Sure enough, the man’s turned, and is taking a leisurely piss against the wall.

“Offends your sensitive eyes, does it, Liz?” I chuckle again.

“See enough fuckin’ cocks in my line of work,” he complains. Well, he was the one who suggested extending the tattoo business to include offering a piercing service.

“Circle the drone around so we can get an idea of how best to approach, then bring it back,” Beef suddenly decides. After Pal’s done exactly that, the VP stares off into the distance for a moment, then states, “Going by the transport they’ve got, we’ve got two, possibly four of them if they doubled up on their rides. There’s nine of us.”

“How do you want to play this, Beef?”

He looks around. Dusk is falling fast, and the last citizen car has pulled out of the parking lot and gone. “We’ll leave the bikes here. Everyone will squeeze into the crash truck, then we’ll take the road that runs along the rear. Didn’t notice much traffic using it, but I saw at least one car. Pal, you drive. Drop us off, then come back here. If they’re listening out, that shouldn’t be too suspicious.”

Pal nods.

“We’ll go through the back fence. Everyone see that gap?”

I nod, and so do my brothers. Seems we’re all as sharp-eyed as the VP.

“Put those fuckin’ vests on,” says Thunder. “Don’t want anyone going back with a hole in their chest.”

“We don’t know what we’re heading into,” Beef agrees. “They’re into drugs. If they’re sampling their own product, they could be unpredictable.”

“Or have a fuckin’ good reason to protect their investment,” Hell observes.

“What about damage?” I ask as I slip into my Kevlar armour. “Do we mind if they get holes in them?”

“We need to have a conversation, so disarm and capture if possible,” Beef instructs. “We definitely want Connor alive if he’s there to be found. Ink’s freedom may depend on what he says.” He focuses his gaze on me and Liz. “You up for going first and doing some reconnaissance?” Both of us nod. “Right. Once you report back what we’re dealing with, we’ll firm up on a plan.”

It all goes like clockwork. Pal drops us off then zooms off with the crash truck back to where the bikes are parked. Though the car park was empty, none of us like leaving the bikes unattended for long. Pal had joked it was like being a prospect again, but he needn’t feel bad about being away from the action, he’s played his part well today. That drone had been a fucking good idea, the information it fed back meaning we’re not going in completely blind.

Liz and I slide through the gap, while the others stay outside. Under the cover of the now darkness, we carefully pick our way across the uneven ground. It was concrete once, now that’s cracked and overgrown with weeds. If we hadn’t seen the man and two bikes with our own eyes, we would have dismissed this place as totally deserted.

Lights go on in two of the windows. Lizard and I glance at each other and nod. We now have a destination to head to.

Once I estimate I’m within range should anyone look out, I drop to the ground and begin the military leopard crawl. Dressed as we are in black, it’s unlikely anyone would spot us as Liz copies my action, and on our bellies, we approach. I take one window where a dim light glows from inside. Liz takes the other.

There are two men that I can see. They’ve got a bottle of amber liquid in front of them, and cards in their hands. Two metal cups alongside. As I watch, one takes a long swig. I study them hard, but neither looks like Connor. The drinking man is Hispanic which immediately rules him out, the other is white, but his hair is dark.

I glance toward Liz who makes a few hand signals that show he’s seen no one inside, in response I hold up two fingers. Again, he makes signs, this time letting me know he’s going to circle the building going around to the right, I reply I’ll take the left side.

I peer in windows, then edge along cautiously with my back to the wall as I move to the next. By the time I meet up with Liz I’ve seen no other sign of life. It appears he hasn’t either.

Jerking my head toward the fence where Beef and the brothers are waiting, I drop and start crawling again, just able to hear Liz doing the same right behind me.

When we’re at the point where it’s safe to stand up, I notice Liz holding his hand.

“What’s up?”

“Fuckin’ piece of glass. Put my palm down hard right on it. Pierced straight through my glove.”

Shit. “Deep?”

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