I should know better, but I follow directions and leave my car parked near the Alamo, waiting for his next command. I expect the text, but I still jump when the screen lights up.
Get out and follow the Riverwalk down until you get to the steps.
I do as I’m told, tucking my arm close to my side, the weight of the gun offering a measure of comfort. My legs shake as I venture down the steps, trailing between buildings and trees that hang over the river like a dense forest. The tops of the trees fit together like perfect shapes, blocking out the light of the moon. Of course, tonight would be a full moon, probably another sign this isn’t the best decision, but I need to find him if I’m going to figure out what the hell happened to Linda.
I wait at the bottom of the staircase, irritated when no one shows up. I roll my eyes, feeling a slight pull at my lip. If he’s trying to rattle me, it’s working, but that’s the human side talking. I’ve got no idea who I’m dealing with, but neither does he.
I pull my phone out, awaiting the next move.
Take the steps to the top. I’ll be waiting.
I tuck my phone into my pocket. Take a breath. Then run, taking the steps two at a time.
At the top sits a white van with the lights out. I’ve seen enough horror movies and researched crimes to know that a white van isn’t a good sign.
The driver’s seat window rolls down.
“Get in.”
“Why?” I ask, maintaining eye contact.
In response, he slowly inches forward.
“No. Wait!” I lunge forward toward the door. Damn. My cover slipped. My fear took over. Bad move, Lizzy.
I pull myself together, and slip into the back seat, gagging as I’m immediately hit by a pungent smell of chemicals and rotten eggs.
“I’m in. Now tell me who took my sister,” I say, not wanting to spend another second in here.
“Not here.”
He shifts into drive. Is he even running the AC? If he’s going to assault my best sense with nauseating smells, the least he could do is provide some ventilation. I eye him through the rearview mirror, wondering if he knows.
He absently wipes his runny nose with the back of his hand before I hear him wipe it on his soiled pants. His arm begins to twitch. As my eyes’ ability catches up to that of my nose, I see the scars on rough patches of skin from repeated injuries. I slip my hand inside my jacket, prepared to go to war if need be.
We drive through a few city blocks before he parks us in a dark alley.
“Dark alleys. How cliché,” I taunt, scooting forward to speak as I peek into the front seat.His eyes are dilated from whatever cocktail he has brewing through his system. “Now spill.”
He leans against the door and pulls a rolled blunt out of his pocket, casually giving it a light. He takes one long drag before blowing it out in my direction.
“The same old gang down at the motorcycle club. There’s not a single move that gets made in this town the old Dark Leopard Motorcycle Club isn’t aware of.” He takes another drag before flicking the stub out the window. “I have a video that proves their involvement.”
This is the first I’m hearing about an actual video. Everything up to this point was only from, what did Detective RAM call them? Oh, yes. ‘Unreliable sources.’
“If you have solid proof, why didn’t you give it to the police? Hey!” I call as his lids begin to get heavy.
“Look. I ain’t looking to die anytime soon. I’m just a good American wanting to do my civic duty.”
I hold out my hand. “So, give it to me. I’ll take it from here.”
“Now let’s see. The way I see it, I’m doing you a favor, helping to solve a crime. But you got it posted there is a reward. Now, I’m not trying to be greedy, but I figured you could spread a little bit of that my way?”
“I can’t believe I’m getting hustled by a meth head.”
My teeth knock together as they clench. I could shift. Let my panther rise and have her way with this piece of filth.
“Ouch. That hurts. No hustle, baby, but I got needs, and information like this is valuable.”
“How much?” I had a reward posted for ten large, but this man doesn’t seem to be the brightest bulb on the tree, and I figure he just wants enough to get his next fix.
“Can you really put a price on family?”
“Here.” I reach in my back pocket and pull out a C-note.
His greedy hand snatches it out of my grasp. “Benny, my man. You and me gonna party.”
“We’ll party after the video.” I hold out my hand.
“Hold on.” He slips the bill into his coat pocket and pulls out his cell. He hits a button and mine signals, letting me know I have a new message.
I take my time to double-check that the video plays without any glitches.
I watch as Linda has drinks with a guy. I’m unable to make out his face, but I do see one identifying mark. He’s wearing a leather cut and colors belonging to the Dark Leopards.
Damn motorcycle gang.
129
Lizzie
Following my only lead, I turn off the main road onto a bumpy gravel road that looks abandoned. I know it’s not. I can smell them from here. Reeking of pot and alcohol. The local MC owns this territory. No one really knows how deep their pockets actually go. Some say they own over a thousand acres of land.
I tap the steering wheel,
