Page 39 of Wildcard's Wager

“Okay, that’s a plan. Keep me posted if either of you finds anything. I’m going back to monitor Sully. Hopefully, I’ll hear from Pence soon. Once I do, I’ll contact Puma.”

We stand to leave, but Rafe stops me. “Thank you for trusting me. I know you don’t know me, but I won’t betray you or the club. If I thought you were guilty, I’d still treat you with respect and work with you to turn yourself in. However, I know you’re innocent. I’ll do what I can to help you, which includes not tampering with the case. The BPD needs to find the actual killer. If they are unwilling, then I’m willing to do whatever it takes to force the FBI’s hand.”

“Thank you,” I tell him and shake his hand.

Wildcard walks him out while I go in search of my father. I haven’t spoken with him today and I’m curious to hear his take on his new road name. I chuckle when I think about the look on his face when Puma called it out. He always hated the name Preacher, but I’m certain he feels much too young to have everyone calling him Gramps. Even if he is technically a grandfather.

When I don’t see him in the common room, I consider going to his bedroom and then realize I don’t know which room is his. Before I ask, I push the door open to the kitchen and freeze.

My dad is standing at the counter chopping vegetables. Next to him is an older woman close to his age. I haven’t met her yet, but I’ve seen her with Avery and Dice. I think she’s her grandmother. Claudia. She’s standing elbow-to-elbow with myfather as she rolls out dough. He says something to her that makes her hip-check him. Then she reaches to a small bowl near her right hand and flicks flour at my dad. When he splutters in indignation, she breaks into giggles. He joins in before leaning over to kiss her cheek. That’s when he sees me.

He turns and grins at me. “There’s my little girl. How are you doing? Have you met Claudia?”

“I haven’t, but I’ve heard great things about you,” I say, offering my hand. She bypasses it and draws me in for a hug.

“You’re Colt’s momma, aren’t you? He told me all about you. That little boy loves his momma, and he’s so happy to have found his daddy.”

I nod as I wipe away a stray tear. “Knowing he’s happy means everything to me. I missed Wildcard and always wanted him to know his son. Plus, I get the bonus of finding my dad.” Smiling at my father as he squeezes my arm. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything?” I tease them.

“We’re just getting to know each other,” Claudia says. “The kids all call me Gramma. Now that they’re calling him Gramps, we have to make sure we’re a team or they’ll play us off each other. Those kids are a force.”

The look of affection my father gives Claudia settles another piece of my heart. He’d been alone for so long. First my mother left him, then I left him. Even if it hadn’t been my choice. He spent years alone in prison. But now we’re all together again. I just hope Puma and the others can fulfill their promise and clear me of the charges so we can stay together.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: WILDCARD

“Do you think we have a chance to keep Brigit out of jail?” I ask Rafe as we walk outside.

“I think so. Sully is basing his investigation on an eyewitness who claims they saw Brigit enter Mike’s office just before they found the body. That video tells a different story.”

“Who found the body?”

“Another question I don’t have the answer to,” Rafe grumbles. “I know it isn’t my case, so I’m not privy to everything, but I can’t help but feel Sully’s obsession with finding Brigit is personal. We need the FBI to take this case. That’s my focus.”

“Thanks for not arresting her,” I say, offering my hand.

He laughs and shakes it. “Not my jurisdiction. Something I didn’t mention earlier and should have. Sully doesn’t have an arrest warrant for Ms. Jones. He’s only submitted a request for aid in locating her for questioning. So, there was never a risk of me arresting her. My personal opinion?” I nod for him to continue. “He doesn’t have enough evidence for an arrest warrant. He’s on a fishing expedition. Maybe he’s hoping to scare Ms. Jones into a confession.”

“Or he wants to make her disappear,” I add.

Rafe nods. “Or, that. Keep her hidden. Keep her safe. I don’t trust Sully. If he’s persistent enough, he may find a judge to sign off on a search warrant. Not all the judges in this city are Maklin Brook fans.”

I slap the hood of his car before he backs up and drives through the gates. I follow on foot to talk to Gears who is manning the gate.

“We may get visitors of the official type. No one gets through the gate without a warrant. If you see anyone coming down the road, contact Puma or me right away.”

Gears frowns. “I know the drill.”

“I know you do, but wanted to give you a heads up. Rafe said that the asshole who came by this morning is hunting for a search warrant.”

“I’ll be on alert,” Gears assures me.

I return to the clubhouse. My first stop is Spark’s office. I fill him in on Rafe’s parting words.

“I’ll reach out to Juliet. She has a contact in the courthouse who can let us know if a judge signs off on a warrant. I need to contact her about running a search for George Calloway. I’ve tried looking for him and I’m not finding him. He could be in hiding.”

“Or dead.”

Spark nods as I leave him and go in search of Puma. He needs to know about Rafe’s concerns. I find him outside with Alisa and the kids.

---