don’t leave witnesses.”
“And they wouldn’t have, if not for Cole,” I said. “I’m surprised he did what he did and helped me.”
“Don’t be. Cole Johnson has a sister and from what I hear, a soft spot for women,” he replied. “Especially pretty ones.”
I smiled. “Even so, he’s still a member of the Gold Vipers and from the files that I’ve been reading, they are not exactly altar boys.”
He chuckled. “That’s true. These guys are dangerous and think they’re above the law. Slammer certainly did and sure as hell Tank feels the same way. When it comes to women and children, however, they won’t hesitate to lend a helping hand. Even when the one needing assistance isn’t part of their club family.”
“Like modern day Robin Hoods, in other words?” I asked, amused. “Helping damsels in distress and stealing from the rich… only filling their pockets instead of the poor’s?”
“That’s probably how some of them see it,” he replied.
“Is that what they told you?” I asked.
“No. My niece did and believe me, she knows them pretty well.”
I stared at him in confusion. “Your niece?”
He nodded and sighed. “My sister’s kid. Yes. We don’t speak much anymore, but she knows most of them pretty well.”
Something about the expression on his face told me that he was less than thrilled about the idea.
“So, how does she know them?”
“She’s basically a Gold Viper roadie,” he said with a sour expression.
The term “Club whore” came to my mind. “Oh.”
“You’ll probably meet her eventually. She goes by the name of Cheeks. She also bartends at Griffin’s.”
“Oh,” I repeated, not exactly sure how to respond.
“Her real name is Maddy. My sister died when Maddy was eighteen and she started hanging out with some of the club members. Eventually, she got to be really good friends with Tank and Raptor.”
“Hmm… What did she tell you about them?”
“Not much. She mentioned that they always treated her with respect and she felt at home with them.” He smiled humorlessly. “I tell you one thing, though, my sister Julia must have turned over in her grave when Maddy hooked up with that lot. Julia was a good, church-going woman. Very strict, though. Maybe even too strict at times. Maddy was very sheltered and wasn’t even allowed to date. Probably why she went so man crazy after her mother died. Decided to sow her oats and make up for lost time.”
“You said she’s happy though?”
“Yeah. As far as I know, she’s not into drugs and has been dating a new guy, who isn’t a Gold Viper. I guess that’s something.”
I nodded.
Walters walked back over to us, a thoughtful expression on his face. “The department just received an anonymous tip, in regards to the vehicle used during Slammer’s shooting.”
Up until now, the only thing we knew was that it was green, an older model van, and possibly a Chevy. Two women had noticed it parked and idling across the street from the credit union, near the time of the shooting. They’d also witnessed a young woman wearing a hoodie and dark sunglasses entering the bank. Unfortunately, the video footage shot inside of the building hadn’t given much details on the assailant, other than it was definitely a petite female with possibly brown or black hair.
“So, what did you find out?” I asked
“Get ready for a shocker… Someone called, about ten minutes ago, claiming that the shooter was Raina Davis, and the driver of the van was her brother, Cole Johnson.”
Eight
Cole
I drove back to the clubhouse and called Raina to let her know that I wouldn’t be able to meet her.
“Why?”
“Some club business.”
She let out a frustrated sigh.
“Sorry, Raina. Tell Uncle Sal that I’ll visit him tomorrow.”
“What kind of club business, Cole?”
“Nothing you need to worry about,” I replied, knowing that Tank wouldn’t want me telling anyone anything. Least of all Raina. If he
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