Page 28 of Outlaw Xmas
“Banger. Hawk,” McCue acknowledged them. “Your informant Sketcher was found murdered in Crenshaw Park, and I need to clear up some things.”
“Don’t know him, McCue.” Banger turned to Hawk. “Do you know someone named Sketcher?”
“Nope,” Hawk said.
Soon all thirty-five members filled the room, each one asking the other if they knew the person the detective was yapping about.
“Fucking unbelievable! Are you that cold-hearted that you don’t give a shit what happened to Sketcher?”
“Let me tell you something, McCue,” Hawk said, leaning against the bar next to Rock, a shot of whiskey in his hand. “If wedidknow this Sketcher dude, we’d take care of things on our own.” He threw back his shot.
“And we’re not sayin’ shit ’cause we don’t know shit. You’re wasting your time and ours,” Banger said as he posted himself next to Hawk and Rock. Skinless set a shot of whiskey in front of him.
McCue shook his head. “There were tire tracks and a shitload of footprints at the scene of the crime. I’m going to guess they belong to some of your members.” Dead silence descended on the room. Staring each of them in the eyes, McCue said, “I’ll be back.” He turned around and walked out, the two badges following him.
“If that one keeps getting in our business, we’ll have to talk to the police chief,” Hawk said.
“Agreed. I gotta get going home. I just wanted to let you know that next Saturday there’s gonna be a big party.” Cheers drowned Banger out.
Rock put two fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. The din died down. “The president hasn’t finished talkin’. Shut the fuck up!”
“As I was sayin’, we have all the charter clubs coming, and many of the affiliate ones will be here. All the officers have to be here. No damn excuses.” He glanced at Rock, who nodded, along with Hawk and Throttle.
As Banger talked about the party, Rock felt his phone vibrate. He slipped it out of his jeans and stared at the number flashing. Fire shot through his veins.Why the fuck is Andrew’s school calling me?Ducking out to the back porch, he answered the call.
“Hello?”
“May I please speak to Mr. Aubois?”
“That’s me. Is my boy in trouble?”
“This is Mrs. Crowe, the principal, and… well, yes, he is. He skipped school again. If he does it one more time, I’ll have to report it. That’s the law.”
Rock gritted his teeth as he tried to control the rage threatening to explode inside him. “He’s not gonna do it again. Is that all?”
“It is. Perhaps we should make an appointment so we can talk.”
“I don’t have anything to say. I told you I’ll handle it. I’ve gotta go.”
Heat flushed through his body as he ground his teeth. When he returned to the great room, Axe came up to him. “Throttle’s already got the balls stacked.”
“I gotta pass on the pool game. There’s a problem that needs fixin’. I’m outta here. Later.”
The wisps of frosty air from his heavy breathing ribboned around him as he hoisted himself into his truck. With the fire of a pissed-off parent burning inside him, he made it home in record time. He waited several minutes in the garage, taking deep breaths to calm down before he confronted his son.
Opening the car door, he saw Clotille standing in the doorway of the kitchen. “I thought I heard the garage door open and close. Roche… what’s the matter? You look like a bull ready to charge.”
“I’m fuckin’ pissed! Did the school call you?”
“Which school?”
James popped his head out from behind Clotille’s legs. “Père!”
The boy’s black eyes shone and his chubby hand waved at Rock, melting his heart. He laughed and came over, swinging James up and settling his son down on his shoulders. The boy’s fingers pressed against his head tightly as Rock brushed Clotille’s lips. “Andrew’s school. He cut his classes again.”
“Oh no,” she said, fingers flying to her throat.
“Oh fuckin’ yes.” He walked into the family room and pulled James off his shoulders, setting him down on the thick carpet. “Andrew’s out of control. I’m taking over the problem full time. All your coddling and wanting to talk things out hasn’t done shit. I’m in charge now, and if he wants to keep this shit up, he’s gonna be sorry he crossed me!” He slammed his fist on the coffee table and it splintered. James jumped and then began to cry.
