Page 3 of A 4th Full of Rage

“How many dead?” Ace asked.

“No fuckin’ idea, but we can’t cover this up. People would have heard the gunshots. I’ve put a call in to the station and phoned Ramirez,” Drake exclaimed, running a hand over his face.

“Ambulance would have called cops the moment they were told it was gunshot wounds,” Ace agreed, although neither looked happy.

“Phoe also shot three; one’s alive, so she’s got two kills,” Drake announced, staring at me.

“Don’t come after my kids,” I growled.

Drake smiled bitterly, and I wondered what he was thinking. But Ace nodded in respect.

“Artemis took four out, all dead. That’s gotta be over twenty bodies,” Ace said, looking around.

“Yeah, why go after the prospects? That doesn’t make sense?” Drake asked. Sirens blared in the distance, and red and blue lights reflected off the trees as police cars and sirens screamed towards us.

“If not for Bone and Gauntlet, I’d have gone with trying to hide this shit,” Ace complained.

“Me too,” Drake agreed as the first car, Ramirez and Ben, swept to a stop.

“Me three,” I added, and Drake tipped me a wink.

???

“Mrs Michaelson, let’s do this one more time,” the annoying officer ordered from opposite me.

“Let’s not,” I snapped, glancing at Stuart. Stuart stared at the cop and tapped a pen.

“My client has answered your questions, and it’s a straightforward case of self-defence. What more do you want when she has answered every question three times?” Stuart drawled, clearly bored.

“Self-defence when she’s on the back of a motorbike shooting people? That’s a stretch,” Officer Delong snapped.

“Mrs Michaelson was going to take her sons something they forgot. Mr and Mrs Michaelson arrived and found herself and the camp under attack. They were fired upon, Mr and Mrs Michaelson shot back in self-defence. Your problem is you’ve got Phoenix Michaelson in here, and you’re looking to make a name for yourself. Oh, you will, but not the one you want,” Stuart snapped.

“Is that a threat?” Officer Delong demanded.

“A promise. By the time I finish suing this department, you’ll be nothing more than a street cleaner. Now charge Mrs Michaelson or not,” Stuart replied.

“There are twenty-three bodies out there. Someone needs to be held accountable. And Mrs Michaelson and her four sons, who were present, belong to an MC.”

“Go down that route, and you won’t recover from it,” Stuart warned. “As Mrs Michaelson has stated, Detectives Ramirez and Benjamin are fully aware a one percenter club is attempting to move in and take over local businesses. They have already attacked a member of Rage MC, who helps protect this city. This was an escalation which Rage MC didn’t instigate. The prospects were on a trip, as evidenced by the camping paraphernalia around them.

“The Venomous Fangs ambushed them unexpectedly. Several of them were injured before they knew what was happening. They fired back in self-defence, which is what Mr and Mrs Michaelson rode into. Rage’s weapons are all legally owned, but I bet those found on the Venomous Fangs aren’t. And Mrs Michaelson is licenced to carry concealed. Other than wanting to be the big man and make the papers, there’s nothing to charge my client with,” Stuart bit out each word.

I watched as Delong turned puce and then even redder. He was barely holding onto his temper.

“Stuart, I have had enough. I need to go to the hospital,” I said, studying my fingernails.

“Do you think this is some sort of joke?” Delong yelled.

“I think you’re a big fucking joke. No matter how many times I answer your questions, you get the same answers. I am not saying anything else to you. Stuart, I have not been charged, I want to go!” I demanded.

Stuart rose to his feet, and I got to mine.

“Sit your ass back down; I’m not finished!” Delong hissed.

“I’m done with you. Not answering another question. I have nothing to say to you. Stuart, can we please leave?” I asked.

“Yes,” Stuart said. He moved towards the door, and Delong blocked him.

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