Page 72 of Inglorious
“Yes, and no. They’ve got two figures, but they’re all in black with balaclavas. From their height, I’d say they’re men. I’ve called the cops; maybe they can track other cameras and find their vehicle,” Vortex replied.
“This is personal. This ain’t kids being assholes; this is someone with a grudge.” The word murderers, painted in capital held my attention.
“Any idea?”
“One. But it wasn’t us. The Juno Group encountered issues with a group of civilians who refused to heed the alerts. Over one hundred of them were shot, and thirty died of their injuries. That’s the main thing on my mind.”
“And you weren’t involved?” Vortex asked.
I tried not to lose my temper at Vortex’s question. “The club wasn’t involved in that. I do not know why we’re being targeted.”
“Timing is off. You’ve got sober, and now someone is attacking the club?” Vortex said, and my mind began making connections.
“You think this is aimed at me. While I was drunk, they thought I was being punished because I was losing everything. Now I’m sober and Nanci is on the scene, someone’s pissed I’ve got my act together.”
“Looks that way to me. Nanci has clarified that her presidency is temporary, provided you stay sober. The club killed somebody, and now their friends and loved ones are mad at the club. It’s obvious this relates to the war because it mentions it,” Vortex said. He pointed to the sentence that proclaimed, ‘It wasn’t war; it was murder.’
I nodded thoughtfully. I had no idea who it could be. Death that day had numbered high, and we were still counting the cost. Rapid City, while beginning to heal, still bled deeply. Women and men had been widowed, and children orphaned, or they’d lost a parent. There were too many victims to point the finger at one.
“Get Hercules to up security at all our businesses. I don’t want to risk someone being hurt. Especially as it’s clear we’re rebuilding the club. That might make us a bigger target.”
“I think we already are, Inglorious. Somebody is pointing their finger right at us. We need to narrow this down,” Vortex said.
“When you think of a way, without further evidence, tell me. We killed many Fangs that day, and it could have been someone they knew. It could be the asshole who blew himself up. Or a relative of a cop we didn’t arrive in time to save. Or a civilian targeting the wrong group. Take your pick and let me hear how we whittle this down. Over three thousand deaths occurred that day. I do not know where to start. Not without some fuckin’ clue,” I retorted.
“Jesus. Calm down. I’m not blaming you. Inglorious, I’m well aware of how many died that day. What I’m hoping is the cops can track them using the cameras in other warehouses and get us a vehicle plate.”
“Okay. Speak to Hercules; the asshole might have a way of narrowing suspects down,” I said after considering Vortex’s reply. His expression said he was being genuine, so I lowered the urge to knock him on his ass.
“Nanci wanted to meet with us when we returned. Said it was about the sheriff’s position,” Vortex changed the subject as we walked away from the warehouse.
“Yeah, I think she’s hiring Drew. Message the prospects and get them down here to clean up.”
“You know you’re meant to be on scut duty,” Vortex shot back.
“Force the issue and you will not have the imagination for what I’d do to you when I am reinstated,” I replied with a nasty chuckle.
Vortex looked worried before nodding. “You’ve got a point.”
“I’m sure I have!”
???
Nanci was waiting for us, so we headed to her office and took a seat. It still seemed weird seeing her sitting where I should be, but that was life. It would soon be mine again. Nanci puffed her cheeks out.
“What happened at the warehouse?”
“Same as the church,” Vortex replied.
“So, we’ve got an enemy?”
“At least two. The cameras caught two figures,” I answered her.
Nanci frowned. “And we do not know who?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. All we have are two figures dressed in black and wearing balaclavas. Could be fuckin’ anyone. Hell, could even be Chill for all I know,” I stated.
Nanci scowled. She clearly didn’t like my answer. That was a shame because there was nothing else to give her.
