Savage wasted no time kicking his bike into gear and heading in the direction the man pointed. The rest fell into place behind him and turned at the intersection they had just come from.
Savage sent a silent prayer to whatever god might be left that they could find Simon before he found Roger’s people.
Roger slid his motorcycle to a stop at the locked chain link gates and waved at the guards. They quickly opened the gates and Roger pulled the bike in and through the staging area. He practically leapt from the bike and turned to the guards, “We could be having company! I’m sure they spotted the chopper. We need to seal the gates and make ourselves invisible!”
The guards scrambled to secure the gates and two men dragged rusty pieces of tin roofing in front of the entrance along with other large pieces of trash that they often used to disguise the place.
Roger ran into the warehouse and grabbed the nearest sentry, “Where’s Candy?”
“I think she’s in the office with—”
“Thanks!” Roger was gone before the man could finish his sentence.
Roger threw open the door and startled both women as he tried to catch his breath. “The chopper.”
Candy gave him a surprised look. “What about it?”
“Simon and his gang are just across town. I’d bet money they saw it approach.”
“Oh hell…”
Daniel nearly screamed when Vicky threw back the shower curtain. “We got a problem!”
Daniel pulled the chain and rinsed the soap from his body then turned and gave her a hateful glare. “I’m sure you do, but couldn’t it wait another damned minute?”
“Danny, those marauders you ran into on the highway? They’re in town.” She waited for him to put the pieces together. When he gave her a so what look she elaborated. “The chopper? It just dropped you off…they probably saw it.”
Daniel’s heart fell into his stomach and he pushed past her, quickly dragging a towel across his body. “Put the guards on alert. I want spotters on the roof and people in ghillie suits on the perimeter. Make sure they’re armed to the teeth.”
“Roger says he’s got a man on the—”
“Who the hell is Roger?” Hatcher asked as he pulled his pants on.
“He’s, uh…this guy that…well, he and Candy are…” Vicky turned away and refused to meet his gaze.
“Spill it, Vic! We don’t have all day.”
“He was one of them.” There. She spit it out. Now maybe she could fix it.
“He’s WHAT?”
“He was a cop that went undercover to infiltrate the motorcycle gang. While he was with them, all of this happened and…well, like he said. There was safety in numbers.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means he stayed because he had nowhere else to go. But he stumbled upon us and he didn’t say anything to them about us. Now he’s trying to keep it that way.” Vicky shrugged. “At least until their leader is removed. He thinks that the people following them could make a go at—”
“At what, Vic? Spit it out.”
“At joining us. Helping us create a community here.”
Hatcher’s mouth hung open as he stared at her. “The last I recall, we could barely feed the people we have already. Now you want to add more?”
“About that.” Vicky gave him a tight-lipped smile. “While you were gone, we found plenty of food.”
“Well, isn’t that just freakin’ dandy?” Hatcher jerked his shirt on and fumbled as he tried to button it. “Nice to know some of this stuff, dontcha think?”
“Don’t start with me Danny. You were the one who came in all slumpy and decided to take a shower before getting caught up on—”
“Roof sentries have spotted people on motorcycles.” Candy interrupted. “Throw your boots on and get topside.”
She disappeared back into the hallway and Hatcher glared at Vicky. “Tell me that didn’t sound bossy?”
Vicky shrugged. “You were the one who put her in charge when you left.”
Chapter 20
Hatcher raised the binoculars and stared at the two men meandering their way down the street. They paused at the intersection where they had dumped the burnt-out car and one man stepped off his bike.
“Shit. They noticed something.”
“What?” Candy asked.
Hatcher watched as the man stepped to the front of his bike and grasped his crotch.
“Oh. Nevermind. He’s taking a leak.”
Roger reached for the glasses and peered in the direction Hatcher had been watching. “That’s a little too convenient, don’t ya think? Of all the places to stop and take a piss, he chooses our front doors.”
“Ours?” Hatcher reached out and took the spyglasses from him.
Roger cast his eyes away and sighed heavily. “For what it’s worth, I was on my way out of town when you came back.” He avoided the open-mouthed stare that Candy gave him. “I knew you needed to be warned.”
“Fat lot of good that’s going to do us if they discover us.” Hatcher lowered the binoculars and radioed the men posted at the corners of the intersection.
Candy reached out and pulled Roger back and away from the group. “What the hell did you mean you were headed out of town?” Her narrowed eyes warned Roger to shoot straight with her.
Roger cleared his throat and avoided her eyes. “I knew you’d never look at me the same. I felt it best if I just—”
“What? Leave?”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah.” He glanced around and gave her a lopsided grin. “You were doing great until I showed up. I figured you really didn’t need me around to screw things up for you.”
“For a cop, you are really stupid, you know that?” She punched him in the arm and turned her back to him. “You better pray those guys show up and beat the hell out of you.”
He gave her a confused and shocked look. “What do you mean?”
She spun and poked him hard in the chest. “Because if they don’t, then I’ll have to, and trust me, you don’t want an ass-whoopin’
