Page 13 of The Biker Alien

“I’m fine.”

She glances at me, at what I’m holding, and I realize I’m still carrying my sneakers.

“It’s been a long day,” I tell her.

“We’ve all had them, but if you need a lift…”

“Actually…”

I climb in and put on my sneakers as I tell her how to get to my store. I don’t mention that it’s my store, though, and thank her profusely.

A motorcycle sounds, and I flinch. It goes by fast, and I hurry inside my office.

She might be working, but I ring up my good friend Stacy Newton. She’s a cop.

“Stace, do you have a minute?”

“Sure do. I don’t work today. What’s up?”

I can’t believe it. First, she’s never off, and second… “You weren’t called in for the…”

“For the what?” she asks, and I can’t tell if she’s being coy or not.

“The shooting.”

“How do you know about that?” she demands.

“I… What do you know about Alec Atwood?”

“He’s the head of the Armada motorcycle club.”

I already know that much. “And…” I prompt, drawing out the word.

“And the homeowner of the home that was shot. How do you know all of this?”

“For someone who isn’t working today, you sure know a lot,” I say.

“I’m kept abreast of situations in case I do need to go in, but considering I live on the opposite end of town, and… Well, let’s just say that it wasn’t exactly a shock to hear about this.”

“Why not?” I ask as my heart sinks.

“Well, Alec and Joey don’t get along very much. Joey Carpenter. He’s the head of the Rebel Brothers.”

“Is that another motorcycle club?”

“Yes, and basically, the two clubs are more gangs, and they’re at war.”

“Well, shit.”

“Yeah, it’s bad news. Now that I answered your questions, how about you start to tell me why you’re asking about this guy.”

“He came to the shop.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah. Have you seen Alec?”

“Not in person, no.”

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