Chapter Eighteen
Grumbler
“Church!”
It seems that Salem has updated Lost as I hoped. After his shouted instruction, the prez is storming into the meeting room with his face as black as thunder. He might not have kids of his own, but has taken on two, admittedly older, already being in their twenties, who came with his old lady. Patsy’s daughter is expecting their first grandchild in three months’ time, and Lost couldn’t be prouder if it were going to be of his blood. We’ve all been subjected to the ultrasound picture. His regard for Connor has to be more tempered as the just turned twenty-three-year-old is our prospect now, and Prez can’t afford to show any favours. Point is, Lost may not have sired kids, but I’ve always suspected it was something he’d wanted though his path led down another route.
As they enter, brothers move to their chairs fast, indicating it wasn’t only the prez Salem had updated.
Lost kicks off the meeting without wasting time. “It will come as no surprise that the ride out today is cancelled.” He pauses, waiting for objections, but none come. I hadn’t expected any, club business comes first. I’ve made Alicia mine, and thereby, by extension theirs. “You all know why we’re here? Anyone need updating?”
If Alicia were my daughter, would it upset me that everyone already knows what’s happened to her? Maybe I’d be embarrassed on her behalf, but the outcome would be the same. I need my brothers’ support to put her world, as far as it can be, back to rights. As no one looks puzzled or raises their hands to request more information, I’m pleased we don’t have to go back over the details. Hearing them was hard, explaining what had gone down to Mary worse. I don’t want to go through it again. I raise my chin to Salem who lifts then dips his jaw.
“No blame attaches to her. The kid was duped by a man who turns out to be seven years’ older. A practised liar by the sounds of it.” Niran, having heard the story first-hand, puts up a defence in case anyone was still on the fence.
“Is he working alone or with somebody?” Bones asks.
“He must be working for Devon Starr,” Salem interjects. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“Or, he’s working with him as a model, but the porno business is his own initiative,” Brakes states.
“We need info. My suspicion is that this Owen fucker wasn’t working alone, but we need more to go on before discounting that he was.” Prez looks pointedly at Token.
Token shrugs. “I got into the hotel’s database. A room for Owen Leesom was reserved and paid for by a Brandon West. Either there’s a third man in play, or that’s Owen’s real handle, or maybe even Devon’s. I’m trying to track back on the credit card details, but those databases are tough to crack.”
“Getting help on that, Brother?”
Token nods at the VP. “Mouse has asked Cara to look into it, but her family is having political problems right now. They can’t afford an international incident. She’s hoping to get her activity cleared, but it might not be in time.”
Cara’s a hacking expert but is married into a ruling Arab family. As such, her illegal activities have to be kept under the radar.
Lost grimaces. “Finding Owen is one thing. As far as I can see, finding that video and destroying it comes top of the agenda. I know we all want our pound of flesh but stopping that before it starts circulating has to take priority. Grumbler’s kid does not deserve to have her reputation destroyed by one fuckin’ mistake.”
“I’m just one fuckin’ man, Prez.” Token moans, putting his head in his hands.
I feel for him and know he’s trying his best. It’s time that’s against him. I’ve no doubt in his abilities to track everything down, but can he do it fast enough, that’s the question.
“I was coming to that.” Prez stares at him. “I think it’s time we called in reinforcements.”
“The brothers who can get into Fort Knox?” I breathe out. As my eyes meet those of my prez, I know how much that will cost him. I’d rather we left it to the experts we know, Token, Mouse, Cad in Colorado and Keys from Vegas, but they haven’t got the computing power of Utah. My objections are that I don’t trust that chapter, but are they valid, and should they take priority over Alicia’s future?
“I know I objected last time when it was helping us find one man, but this has escalated, and I think we should involve them.” Dart rubs at his nose. “They’ve got the ability. This isn’t passing off a task that we can do easily. We’re up against time on this one, and they’ve got more than one Token.”
Prez nods. “My view is that we split the investigation. Token can concentrate on finding Owen and Devon. They’re local, and up to us to deal with. Alicia’s problem is a different issue. Once a video like that gets posted, it can go viral.”
Reboot’s holding up his hand. “I might not be in Token’s league, but I know my way around a computer. If he wants help, I’ll work with him.”
“If you can avoid switching everything on and off, I’d be grateful, Brother.”
Bones sniffs loudly. “Any help you need dissecting the financials, send shit my way.”
Token gives a chin lift toward the treasurer.
“Soon as you’ve got a name and location, give it to me,” Salem growls.
My eyes shoot a laser beam at him. He’s doing nothing without me, that’s for certain.
Lost raps the table. “No need to waste time. Salem, you get a team together, ready to head out. It’s a case of when, not if, we find them. Leave
