Page 21 of Chill’s Chance

“Did you…” I stop myself when I remember the other agent in the room.

But Puma responds. “I didn’t kill him, but I can see why she might have a grudge against me.” He glances at Wildcard. “Us. Her husband was working with our former President. They wanted to take down the club, but they weren’t planning on just stopping with the Vegas chapter. He wanted to take down the parent chapter, too. Our President was going to give him evidence he could use. When he couldn’t deliver, there was a shootout. The President, his VP and the agent all died.”

“She blames you?” Reed asks. “Why?”

Puma shrugs. “Probably because I survived, so did Wildcard. We took over as President and VP. Maybe she thinks we had something to do with her husband’s death.”

“Did you?” Reed asks.

Chill shifts her body toward Reed, her poker face gone and replaced by rage. Puma puts one of his massive paws on her shoulder. “I didn’t kill him. I didn’t kill any of them. Didn’t fire a shot. But I was the one who stole the evidence, so I guess I was responsible.”

“No, you weren’t.” Both Wildcard and Chill snap at him. “He was going to betray the club. You had no control over how it played out.” Wildcard continues.

“I don’t care what happened back then.” Reed says. “Gates will be here soon.”

“What were you supposed to do?” Chill asks.

“She wants me to hide it in one of your delivery vans. Someone told her that was how you transport drugs into and out of the casino. She gave me two hours to get it done and I’ve already used an hour trying to decide how to play this. I was trying to find an alternative that doesn’t end my career without compromising everything I’ve worked for.”

“We might have a solution.” Puma says.

Reed looks at Puma with a combination of hope and doubt. As Puma explains the plan, Reed perks up.

“That could work. But why are you willing to help me?” Reed asks with suspicion. “If you’re looking to put me in your pocket…”

“Contrary to what you believe, I don’t need DEA in my pocket. I’m not looking to buy a crooked cop. A bought cop isn’t trustworthy. If you help us with this plan, we’re square. Both sides.”

Reed studies Puma for a long minute before nodding.

“Keep packing. I want you out of my casino.” Puma says with a predatory grin. “We’ll take the drugs and get them planted where they can’t hurt either of us.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: CHILL

Hunter removes the drugs from the box and wraps them both in separate towels. “Gates wasn’t wearing gloves when she handed the box to Reed.” He says as we leave Reed to pack his stuff. “We may need it to back up the recording if this doesn’t work.”

I nod in approval, stopping to talk with the guard standing outside Reed’s door. “He’s packing up, and he’s leaving. Make sure he does.” He nods, and I catch up to the men as they reach the elevator.

“Where should I put this?” Hunter asks, holding up the brick. “I can put it in their car, but how do we make sure the DEA finds it there?”

Puma pulls out his phone. “The DEA won’t find it.” I hear a voice answer and Puma responds. “Detective Sterling, how would you like to take down some drug dealers tonight?”

I grin at Hunter. I fucking love my President.

Forty minutes later, we’re standing outside the casino watching cops helping the six meatheads into the back of several patrol cars. Detective Sterling gives a few instructions before walking over to us. He nods at Hunter before focusing on Puma.

“Thanks for the tip. We found a kilo of cocaine on them. They, of course, claim it isn’t theirs.” He says with a smirk. “Just like you said they would. They also claim that you kidnapped their boss, but then clammed up when I questioned them about it? You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

Puma shrugs. “Like I told you, we saw these guys trying to sell something out of the back of their vehicle. When we realized what it was, we called you.”

“Right.” Sterling says, shaking his head before focusing on Hunter. “I heard you found your boy. I’m glad. When can I speak with him?”

“How did you hear we found him?” Hunter asks, going on the defensive.

Sterling narrows his eyes, but I answer for him. “Showtime told him. Puma asked her to let him know we found Slade, that he was safe and that the military gave you an honorable discharge, so you’re no longer considered AWOL.”

Hunter relaxes. “Oh. Sorry. It’s just that the reason the person helping Slade didn’t contact the authorities was because we think one man who attacked her was a cop.”

Sterling nods. “Yeah, Showtime mentioned that. I hate to believe that one of us would be involved with a loan shark or responsible for killing a woman, but I can’t guarantee it. It’s one reason I want to talk to him. Did he say he saw a badge or a uniform?”

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