Page 15 of Lake's Legacy

He plays the video for Olivia.

“Sylvia and Joyce both went in during that time. Could have been one of them.”

“It could also be someone she doesn’t know,” I say. “If someone is working with these guys, they could be dressed in scrubs, too, but not be on staff.”

“When we return to the clubhouse, I’ll play around with the footage to see if I can get IDs on the other women. I’ll also track the guy through the hospital. Might get a look at him without the gear or see who he interacts with,” Pirate offers as he shuts his laptop and slides it into his messenger bag.

“Let’s get back then,” Hex says, pulling out his wallet.

“I want to use the restroom before we go,” Cleo says, standing up. Delphine and Olivia follow her inside.

Hex digs out eight one hundred dollar bills and tosses them on the table to cover the tab and tip. We move to the lobby to wait for the women. I glance around the restaurant and see every table full of people enjoying their meal. We’ve moved past thelunch hour and are well into the dead period between lunch and dinner, yet the restaurant’s packed. I spy several Tulane staff members, including the woman I had accosted while searching for Olivia the previous night. She’s having a late lunch with someone I assume is a doctor, going by his expensive suit. Why did Francois approach us about investing in his restaurant? He seems to be doing well enough. I may recommend that we take Francois’ offer seriously. If due diligence proves he’s doing as well as I think, creating a partnership would be a no-brainer.

My phone pings. Toff. Shit.

“What?” I answer.

“Are you on your way?” he asks.

“No. Something came up. I’m still coming, but probably not until tomorrow.”

When Toff doesn’t respond, I check to see if we’re still connected.

“Please come. The tribe needs your help, not just the medical shit. Something’s going on. I don’t know what to do about it.”

“Like what?”

“I can’t tell you everything over the phone. Some members of the tribe are having trouble with outsiders. I don’t know how or why, but I know this relates to the clinic attack. I need you to come check things out. I could use a second opinion, especially from someone who understands how these people think.”

I frown at his comment. “What does that mean? How the tribe thinks? You know them better than I do.” I’d been off tribal land ever since the day after graduation. I may have gone back to visit, but I never spent more than a few hours with either Toff or our father. And I never spent time with anyone else within the tribe. That wasn’t my life any longer. The Demon Dawgs are my family now.

“Not the tribe. There’s a group of white men who are harassing our people. They’ve made threats against at least twoof them. Maybe more. We don’t know what the fuck they’re after. I thought you could figure it out.”

“Because I’m a criminal?”

“No, because you’re part of a motorcycle club. So are they. I think. At least they ride around on bikes and wear the same type of vests you do.”

“Kuttes,” I correct him as I consider what he’s telling me. “Do they have a club logo on the back?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t seen them. Just know they’re bad news.”

Suddenly, Hex and the others bolt down the hallway. What the fuck?

“Yeah, I’ll be there tomorrow morning. Gotta go.”

CHAPTER TEN: OLIVIA

We exit the patio and enter the restaurant. To our left is the hallway leading to the restrooms. In front of us is the hostess stand—Dr. Merkel and Joyce are waiting to be seated. I’d seen Joyce flirt shamelessly with the doctor, but I didn’t realize she caught him. As I watch, Joyce pokes Merkel in the chest. He grabs her wrist hard enough to make her grimace. I move toward them, and just as the hostess leads them away.

Frowning, I catch up with Cleo and Delphine as Delphine pushes open the door to the women’s restroom.

“Everything alright?” Cleo asks. “You look confused.”

I chuckle. “Just a little. Saw Joyce having lunch with a doctor who works in our ward.”

“Are nurses and doctors not allowed to date?” Delphine asks.

“No, they can date. Only they weren’t acting like they were on a date. They seemed to be arguing.”

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