Page 36 of Fury

“Assholes who can’t look after their cars shouldn’t be allowed on the damn roads,” he complains.

“Well, perhaps some people have to prioritize their finances differently. Not everyone can afford to get repairs done when they can’t put food on their table. I was talking to Molly about something similar a while back, and I was supposed to go to a thrift store to grab some stuff because I want to help an old guy with a junker that I’ve seen around town a few times.” Having started as a conversation it quickly begins to sound like I am on a crusade. “He’s clearly having to live out of his vehicle, and if I can do something to make his life even a little easier, then I feel I should. I might ask Andy, or your son, Thorn, if they’d give him a free haircut and shave. He might be able to get a job if he got rid of his long gray hair and his straggly beard. Not that I’m saying he should be judged by that, but it has got to be a consideration if he’s going to improve his situation.”

“Describe him again, Doc, and the vehicle as best you can.” Ghost has noticeably slowed the vehicle and is indicating to pull over.

I give him all that I can think of, which isn’t much more than I’ve just said.

“Can you remember when you first noticed this guy around town?”

“Not really. I remember seeing him before my accident, well attack as we know it now. Two or three times after that I think. Why?”

“Where did you see him? Was it always around the same place? In parking lots or driving?” Ghost has visibly changed in his attitude. He is no longer just asking questions, this is more like an inquisition.

“I saw him in different places at different times of the day. I don’t think there’s a pattern, if that’s what you’re looking for.” For some reason, I feel myself getting nervous. I look at Mateo and he’s looking past me at Ghost.

“No wonder we can’t find the fucker, Ghost. He’s been hiding in plain sight, and we’re running around looking in all the wrong places. Doc, other than Molly, have you told anyone else about this guy? Fury, maybe? Anyone?” Mateo asks, and he now has the same look that Ghost has.

“No. I don’t think so. I haven’t given it much thought with all that’s been going on. Helping a homeless man has been the last thing on my mind.” I’m not happy admitting that, as it makes me feel ashamed that I couldn’t do such a simple thing to help someone in their time of need.

Ghost takes out his phone and places a call. Even though it isn’t on speaker, I can hear when Whack's voice answers.

“Hey, Ghost, what’s up?”

“Pres, we’ve been looking in the wrong place for the assassin. He’s an old, gray-haired guy with a gray beard living out of an old junker somewhere around town. I’ll be back shortly and give you anything else I can get.”

“Ghost, is Jamie still with you?”

“Yes, Pres. I’ll make sure she’s safe and I’ll be back shortly.”

Cutting the call, Ghost looks at me and Mateo. “I need to get you two somewhere that isn’t linked to the club, and I need you to trust me. You cannot answer your phone or contact anyone unless it is life or death. This asshole has been playing us for long enough, and he’s been one step ahead the whole time.”

“You think he’s the hitman? The guy trying to kill me is the guy in the junker that I’ve been feeling sorry for? The one I wanted to help is my assassin?” I can’t get my head around this development.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I think. I need to get you dropped off and then get back to the clubhouse and get everyone up to speed.” Ghost pulls the van out onto the road again, but he turns it around so that we are heading away from the club.

I feel an irrational anger that I should have been thinking of helping this guy, while all the time he was plotting my demise, and for something I had nothing to do with in Fury’s past. I know I’m a doctor and I swore to save people, but I never wanted someone dead so much in my whole life.

“I only have my SIG with me. Shouldn’t we swing by the house so I can pick up some more weapons?”

Ghost looks at me, then Mateo, and cracks up laughing as he looks back at the road ahead. “Mateo, you’re going to have your hands full, I can tell you that, and no Doc, you don’t need more weapons. You’ll be fine where I’m taking you. It’s not connected to the MC, and they know nothing about the place. We need to keep it that way, so no using phones, texts, calls, social media, nothing. You go dark from this point and stay that way until I tell you otherwise. Is that clear?” Both Mateo and I answer him with a yes, and suddenly the reality of my situation hits home harder than ever before.

Pulling off the road and down a dirt track, he stops the van by a barn and near a log cabin. Telling us to stay put, Ghost slips from the van to stand in front of the porch and appears to be looking around.

“Okay, you two. Come stand by me a moment.”

Following Mateo from the van, we do as we’re told. I’m far from stupid, and the difference in Ghost since he discovered who the assassin could be is more than noticeable. Whatever he tells me to do, I’m going to do it and darn quick, too. Everything about him shows that he has moved to some higher plane of, I don’t know, consciousness, nervous energy, existence. The guy exudes an aura that you can’t ignore.

We’ve been standing here for a couple of minutes when he turns toward the barn. Following his lead, we both turn too, and he tells us both to stay still. A young woman walks around the corner, and two of the most fearsome-looking dogs are at her side. If Ghost hadn’t already told me not to move, I would have frozen to the spot, anyway.

“Ghost, back so soon? I wasn’t expecting you this quickly. What makes my company so appealing? If it had been Thorn, I wouldn’t have been surprised.” She smiles at Ghost and I have to admit, I smile back at her even though she isn’t addressing me. She gives both myself and Mateo an appraising look and then speaks to Mateo. “Not been shaving long? You should put the cutthroat away and try a safety razor. Just until your hand gets a little steadier.”

I gasp at her brazenness and wait for Mateo to explode about his pride and joy. This was not the reaction he was hoping for from the females of the species. He explodes, and it takes me by surprise when it is laughter, not anger.

“Beautiful, fearsome, and with a sense of humor. Ghost, why have you been hiding this gem?” Mateo gives her a little bow, and I do believe she blushes.

Ghost doesn’t change or join in with any of the banter. “Salem, I need your assistance. I’m sorry to come to you so soon after meeting, but I couldn’t think of anyone better suited to help.”

“You need a safe house for the woman, and as we’ve only just become acquainted, I’m the perfect spot? Plus, I’m already geared up to protect myself and my solitary lifestyle. If they pass the test, they stay. If not, you take them with you. Ghost, go stand on the porch, you two stay very still. You move, you fail.”