Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Mattie

We spent the next six hours sorting case records, pinning up clues on the huge bulletin board covering one wall and discussing which cases to focus on first. Before, I was just taking a scattershot approach by scraping up information on all of them and scrambling for any lead I could find but after talking to Rigs I realize how counterproductive that approach was.

For the first time, I’m beginning to think this whole situation was finally moving in the right direction. And it was all thanks to Rigs, the minister with a heart of gold, and a head for getting things done.

Thankfully, he’s not said any more about wanting to us to get to know each other to see if romance sparks. When he told me he was interested in my heart almost burst, considering I’ve been harboring a crush on him since almost the very first moment we met. But then reality hit, and I realized it would never work. I swore off men a long time ago after having three serious boyfriends in a row who turned out to be total asshats.

The first moved in with me, then promptly quit his job expecting me to take care of him, I cut him loose after eight months of that nonsense. The second, volunteered me to watch his niece and nephew on the weekends while he went out with his buddies and that got old super-fast. The third left me not long after I got diagnosed with MS, telling me he didn’t want to date a cripple.

I had a few years where I didn’t date at all, the MS diagnosis at twenty-five years of age had been a shock, and I guess it took me a while to get my head around it. Though once I started dating again, I realized just what idiots men could be. I’d had those with a fetish for disabled women, ones who wanted to treat me like a helpless baby and ones who were plain embarrassed to be seen with a woman who used crutches in public. So thanks, but no thanks. While I didn’t think that Rigs would fit in any of those categories it was better to keep him at arm’s length and dream.

Though compared to those past disasters, Rigs was a different beast all together, and working with him today had been pleasant. We bounced ideas of each other, and he listened when I made any suggestions. Really listened, which I appreciated.

***

It was late in the afternoon when Cleo comes barging into the room, looking frazzled and upset. “Mattie, we need to talk,” she blurts out unceremoniously.

Rigs gets up from his desk, locks the file he’d been looking at in the file cabinet and politely excuses himself.

“That was a little rude,” I point out. “You didn’t even say hello to Rigs when you busted into his office.”

She stood there with her hands on her hips for a brief second before saying, “I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

I lean back in my chair and fold my hands over my stomach and look at her. “Just spit it out, Cleo. Tell me what’s got you so upset.”

She fast-walks up to my desk, grabs a chair and drags it along behind her. She shoves it next to my desk and drops down into it before speaking. “Siege told me all about how the syndicate has been leaving those threats at your place, for fucking months! This morning you told me it was just the one silly doll. Why wouldn’t you tell us about something like that? Do you have any idea how it would it felt if you turned up dead, and we found out that you knew all along they were targeting you. We can’t protect you if we don’t know what’s going on.”

I sigh. “Yeah, pretty everyone here has been saying the same thing to me since I first stepped foot in the clubhouse.”

“Mattie. I love you like a sister. We just spoke on the phone last night and you didn’t say a damn thing about receiving threats for months.”

I shrug. “I didn’t want to worry you, you had enough on your plate with the twins. Plus, they were just idle threats If they really wanted me dead, they had a million opportunities over the last year to make that happen.”

Cleo takes a couple of deep breaths, and I can tell she’s trying to calm herself down.

I state soothingly, “Look, I’m an intelligent person. You know if I’d felt those threats were real, I would have told you. You know I don’t have a death wish, I can’t save any kids if I wind up dead.”

“Threats that are escalating,” she says.

“And that’s why I’m here taking an all-expenses paid vacation at the Savage Legion Clubhouse. I might visit the spa later on for a mani-pedi.”

“Mattie, this situation is nothing to joke about. I’m really worried for you.”

“Well, who the hell isn’t? First there was Rigs losing his mind because he found one of the syndicates crappy little warnings hanging off my front door. When Siege found out he early lost his shit as well. Even if I am underestimating the danger, every damn body else here is overestimating it.”

“Well, I’m glad they’re looking out for you. We both know what the syndicate can do, and how vindictive they can be, especially after we’ve worked so hard to put them behind bars.”

“That’s the part I don’t understand,” I say. “Savage Legion MC are the ones who prove the biggest threat to the syndicate, so why are they targeting me and not the club?”

“I wondered too, Siege thinks it might be because the club has closed ranks around him and myself, plus the other members who live off site. We’re all extra careful because of the kids. There’s literally no way they can get to us, so we think you are their secondary target because of the position you hold at CPS and also because they know you’re linked to the MC through me.”

“Well, I don’t think you have to worry about anything happening to me moving forward. Rigs made me pack my bags and move into his suite here at the clubhouse. I’m not allowed to go anywhere without an armed escort.”

“I remember those days from whenever I first got targeted by them. I felt like all my personal freedom had suddenly evaporated, like I was living under martial law. It was pretty awful, so I understand how hard this must be for you.”

“Living here was the last thing I ever thought would happen when I woke up this morning.”

“If the accommodation is bad let me know, and I’ll talk to Siege. I’m sure he’ll work something out.”

“To be honest, Rigs took me to his suite to have lunch a couple of hours ago. He’s got his own little apartment here because I think he’s the only one who lives at the clubhouse full-time. Other than the lack of cooking facilities it’s actually much nicer than my own apartment so you won’t get any complaints from me in that area.”

“If you like, I can talk to Siege about you moving in with us.”

“Look Cleo, I know Siege is shit hot when it comes to security around your house, but I feel like if I came to stay with you, it might draw more attention from the syndicate. It’s likely they’ve already looked at whatever setup you’ve got and decided that penetrating it is more trouble than it’s worth. But if you keep adding high value targets that might change. The safety of your kids has to come before the safety of your friend.”

“Oh Mattie, don’t say that.”

“But it’s true. I’ll be fine here.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yes. Now that I’ve spent some time around Rigs, I’m feeling worlds more comfortable with this situation. Trust me this will be for the best.”

“It wouldn’t have anything to do with you getting to spend more time around that hot preacher? Siege told me about what he said.”

I laugh, “Rigs was just joking. I don’t think he would see me as potential girlfriend material.”

Cleo stares at me and raises her eyebrow.

I ignore the quizzical look, I know what she said the other night, and I know what Rigs said but I still think once he gets to know me, he’ll decide he doesn’t want to date a woman with my problems.

“Are you taking a leave of absence from work?” Cleo asks.

“Hell no. I’ve already made it very clear that my professional life will be business as usual.”

“I’ll be with you at work. As long as we stick together, I think everything will be okay.”

“From your lips to God’s ear, my friend.”

Cleo gestures around the room with one hand. “It looks like you’ve got a nice set up going here.”

“I know originally Rigs just offered me use of his office, but staying at the clubhouse might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. I want all my case information on the missing kids to be within easy reach. For months I’ve been spending evenings and weekends trying to make sense of all the information, and for the first time I feel like I’m finally making progress. I wouldn’t give that up for love or money.”

“I’m hearing you loud and clear on that. I’ve got time on my hands right now, would you like for me to help you organize some of your case information.”

“The more eyes and ears on this situation the better as far as I’m concerned.” I know my friend feels bad because she’s not been able to help me as much lately, but I totally understand, with two sets of twins in the house her life is chaotic enough.

“Good,” Cleo says as she wanders over to look at the bulletin board. “Maybe while we’re working you can tell me more about what’s going on between you and Rigs.”

I get up and start pulling files out of a box. “I already told you he offered me a secure office for my files and volunteered to help find these missing kids.”

She grabs a stack of files and spreads them out on the table. “Don’t avoid the subject, I know you too well. Spill, I heard what Siege told me, now I want it from the horse’s mouth.”

I roll my eyes. “Is nothing sacred around this place?”

Cleo chuckles, “You should know there are no secrets here. There’s not one single thing going down in this clubhouse that every single one of them doesn’t know about. And I don’t know whether or not you know this, but Rigs holds the dubious distinction of being the very first brother to ever join the Savage Legion MC. Both Tank and Dutch joined shortly thereafter.”

“Rigs never mentioned that. He said he was one of the founders of the club and left it at that.”

“Yep, Siege’s dad took him under his wing when he was a troubled teen. I think that was when the idea for the club first started. Siege was only a kid then, Rigs is almost ten years older than him, so he’s like an older brother or a cool uncle,” she pauses and laughs. “Well, that’s if your cool uncle was preacher with slightly unconventional thoughts about religion. They all look up to him I guess, so Rigs setting his sights on a woman after all these years is gonna be the talk of this clubhouse. Mel already asked about you.”

“You mean, Mel, the bartender?”

Cleo nodded. She called to solicit information on your favorite foods and drinks as well as your choice in music. I’d say they’re planning on rolling out the red carpet for you here.”

“Not all of them. I’ve already had one of the women approach and pretty much tell me to stay away from Rigs. She said he was spoken for already.”

“You don’t even have to tell me who said that because I already know. It was Lori. I know that because all the club girls have their favorites when it comes to the brothers. Rigs has always been Lori’s favorite. I could always tell because she was really sweet toward him, brought him coffee and tried to get with him at night.”

“Oh, wow I didn’t know it was like that.”

“It was just like that. I think it was one sided though. Rigs has always been polite to the women here, but I’ve never seen him show any favoritism toward any of them.”

“I do have a question to ask you if you don’t mind.”

“Ask away. If I have the answer, you know I’ll give it to you, bestie.”

I shoot her a grin and ask my question. “All the brothers here have nicknames, right?”

“They call them club names rather than nicknames but yes, they do. Sometimes it’s an old nickname, sometimes it’s based on an attribute. It’s all meant to be in good fun, no one has a name with any negative connotations.”

“Do you know what any of the club names mean?”

“Yes. Siege was given his club name by his father, Claw. He was the club president who founded the Savage Legion. Apparently, my husband had a tendency to lay siege to the things he wanted in life. That’s why his father chose that name for him. Tank was given his club name because he used to be a tank operator when he was in the military, admittedly that one wasn’t very imaginative.”

“What about Rigs? Why was he tagged with that club name?”

“Because the man is an absolute savant when it comes to fixing things, a real MacGyver. His club brothers swear he can fix any broken thing temporarily with a lot of bubble gum, a toothpick, and six inches of bailing wire.”

“He’s a Mr. Fix it, in other words.”

Cleo nods knowingly. “I’ve seen him fix some really messed up things with my own eyes. Everything from the beer draft dispenser to an electric socket that stopped working. That’s kind of nifty to watch.”

“I’ll have to keep my eyes open and see if I can witness some of the magic.”

“And I’m going to keep my fingers crossed that the two of you end up working some magic of your own, he’s a good man.”

“Stranger things have happened.” I murmur as I get back to work on one of the boxes.

It’s exciting to think that we might get a break and be able to rescue another of the missing kids. We just have to keep pecking away at it until we get them all back home to safety.