Dark Guardian (Black Hoods MC #3) - Avelyn Paige Page 0,14
been set on fire.
Mrs. Parks forces a smile. “I’m sorry. New schools can be overwhelming for older kids. I’m sure if you let him settle in, he’ll be more forthcoming next time.”
“Maybe,” I lie, knowing that children from their backgrounds never feel safe around people like me. They see us as the devil knocking at their door, trying to steal them away from their family. Kevin knew exactly who I was. He could read me like an open book. You only get that kind of spatial awareness when you’ve been on the other side of the social services’ coin.
With a polite “Thank you,” I take my leave with the request that if they’re absent within the next few days to call me. I’m lost in my own head when my body hits an immovable object when I step outside the main office.
“Miss Crabtree,” I blurt out. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
“It’s my fault. I’ve been waiting on you to leave the office so I could talk to you one-on-one.”
“Is there something you didn’t mention before?”
She blushes. “Yes. I was the one who made the call. I know I didn’t leave my name, but I didn’t want to risk my job, or my life.”
“Your life? How could a call such as yours put your life at risk?”
Her gaze shifts away from me as she nervously chews on her bottom lip. “He’s a biker. He had on this black leather vest with a logo on the back of it. You know, like the kind on television. It had the little patches on the front and everything. His said “Judge” on it.”
“Did his vest have anything else on it? Like an insignia?”
Motorcycles were popular in our state with the year-round riding weather, but her notice of the name on the front of his jacket will be helpful to identify his club affiliation. Not that there were many clubs around here that I knew about, but I have to explore all the possibilities.
“It did,” she whispers. “Black Hoods MC.”
The feeling that had been festering in the pit of my stomach explodes at the mention of that particular club’s name. The Black Hoods are notorious in Austin, and if they’re somehow involved with these kids, my case just became much more complicated than just two kids without paperwork.
I thank her for her information, and the second I’m out the door, I retrieve my cell phone from my bag and type in a number for someone who might be able to help me now that bikers may be involved. I notice my recorder on the top of my bag, still recording. Her additional information became even more important now that I have it on tape.
“How’s the prettiest girl in Texas?” his baritone voice almost coos into the receiver. “You ready to accept that offer of mine and go out on a date with me? My dancing boots have been itching for a night on the town with a pretty lady like you.”
“Hey, Aaron.” Aaron and I had met a few years ago when I’d been called to work one of his cases for the Austin PD. He was a new hire at the time, and new to the area. After working together for a few weeks on the case, we’d struck up a rapport with each other.
“This isn’t a social call, is it?” His tone tells me he’s clearly disappointed.
“I wish it was, but I need your help. What do you know about the Black Hoods MC? I’ve got a new case they may be involved with.”
His voice goes cold. “They’re bad news, Gracie. If they’re involved, you’re going to need all the help you can get.”
“That’s precisely why I’m calling you.”
Judge
“That’s great. Thanks, Sharon.” Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I plaster a serious look on my face.
“What did she say?” Twat Knot asks, unable to take the silence any longer.
I sigh, as if I’m about to deliver bad news, but I can’t hold back my own grin. “They accepted the offer. We got ourselves a new garage, boys. I’ll sign later this afternoon and pay the lady.”
Cheers and hoots of excitement fill the meeting room, and though I usually like to keep our church meetings serious and business related, I join in. This garage is exactly what this club needs.
Sure, we have a purpose. We help people in trouble when the police aren’t doing their jobs, but that doesn’t pay the bills. Buying this garage will offer endless possibilities for