Only Witness, The (10 page)

              “Be that as it may, I got more questions.”

              “Fine,” Deacon shook his head. “Let's get this over with,” he told the man before looking back to Vera. “We'll finish this later, wrap that up for me. I'll be back.”

              “Sure,” she replied as she looked between the two men. “Should I call a lawyer or something?”

              “No Vera, I don't need a lawyer.” Deacon smiled. “I'll be back in a couple hours. Get some rest.”

              In a move that surprised her, he leaned in and took her mouth. At first Vera resisted the kiss but how could she hold out long? His mouth was warm, surprisingly gentle and the taste of him seemed to ease the pounding in her head.

              Vera returned the kiss, moaned against his mouth as his hand stroked her hip through the silk of the robe. The moment was ruined as Will cleared his throat loudly. She'd forgotten all about him standing there.

              “That's enough of that. Let's go Hawke. Right now.”

              Deacon pulled away from her, winked before they walked out the door together. Vera watched them go, not quite sure if there was something she was supposed to say or do. Yeah, this was definitely turning into a very interesting morning.

Chapter EIGHT


              Deacon wasn't a stranger to the Center City Police Station. He sat relaxed in the conference room that Chief Will had commandeered. “Now, let's go over Tuesday night again.”

              “Told you, hung out with my boys at the warehouse. Watched some shitty action movie, not sure what the name was. Had a few beers and then headed home, well below the legal limit to ride, and went to sleep. My sister heard me come home.”

              “I'll check that with her. I need a list of everyone who was at the warehouse, Deacon.” The chief slid a notebook across the table. “And I need to know what problem you had with Grant Caldwell.”

              “I got no problem in particular with Grant. He's a drunk and has never met a drug he doesn't like, and I don't like people who go around fucked up all the time.”

              “Thing is, Grant was really insistent to Delores that if anything ever happened to him it would be because of The Vikings. Why would he be so scared of your little gang, Deacon?”

              “We're not a gang, we're just a group of guys who like bikes and were looking for a brotherhood. Come on, Chief Will, do gangbangers organize Bingo night at the senior center and supply the door prizes? Your grandmother won big last time.” Unlike her grandson, Estelle Brothers was a real pleasure to be around.

              “Don't talk about my grandmother and don't call me Chief Will again.” Will slammed his fist down on the desk. He was barking up the wrong tree if he thought that was going to work on Deacon.

              There was a certain satisfaction to pissing Will off, always had been. He'd never liked him, always thought he was too full of himself and that just multiplied when he went away to the academy and came back to Center City. Nothing like good old-fashioned nepotism. Will's father, the former chief, had been much more inclined to look the other way when it came to The Vikings.

              “Everyone was there on Tuesday night, Chief, just come on down and ask them. Now, unless you're going to read me my rights I've got work to do.”

              “I'm watching you, Hawke, you and The Vikings.” The chief rose to his feet, pulled himself up to his full height. “This town doesn't need you.”

              “Alright then, as always it was great talking to you. Can't wait to do it again.” Deacon rose to his feet; he towered over the other man by at least four inches. “You take it easy now.”

              “Stay away from Vera. She's too damn good for you, Hawke, and you know it.”

              “I don't know any such thing, Will.” Deacon realized that some of the anger in the man's eyes back at New to You hadn't been about whatever Will thought that Deacon had done to Graham, it was about what Will thought Deacon was doing to Vera. “She's a grown woman, knows her own mind. Way I see it she can keep time with whoever she chooses.”

              “Stay away from Vera,” Will repeated the words as if that were going to make an ounce of difference. Deacon didn't justify the declaration with a response; instead he just left.

<#<#>#>#>#

              Deacon walked into the warehouse and looked around. Things were quiet, too quiet for a Friday afternoon. “Anyone here?” He knew that at least Master and Double were somewhere in the building, since their bikes were parked outside.

              He found Master, Double and Fire in the room where they held their meetings. It was a room not normally used for day-to-day conversations. “What's going on, guys?”

              “Not a damn thing,” Master replied. “Those crazy bitches still out there?”

              “What crazy bitches?” Deacon questioned. When it came to Master, you could never assume you knew what women he was talking about. He went through them like paper towel.

              “The stripper and her homely sister. Remember the ones from last week? She does the spinning pole trick?”

              “Sure, yeah.” Deacon agreed, even though he didn't know what Master was talking about. “Since when do you find a place to lay low when women come looking for you?”

              “Just keeping out of sight until after the stripper dances here tonight,” Master grinned. “I want another round with her but not the sister. Someone is going to have to handle her for me tonight.”

              “Not me,” Deacon shook his head. “I'm heading out to The Old Man's place for Adelaide's thing,” he still couldn't bring himself to say ‘wedding.’ “Keep an eye on everything for me, will you?”

              “Sure thing Boss, looks like it's going to be a nice quiet night,” Master leaned back in the chair, a grin on his face. “I've got this.”             

              “Appreciate it,” Deacon nodded his head. “Alright Brothers, I'll catch you tomorrow.”

He left the meeting room, headed to the office he kept there and immediately walked over to the safe. Time was running short; he still needed to get to New to You and pick up his present.

              The idea of seeing Vera brightened his mood, brightened it enough that it was noticeable to him. Fuck. What was he even thinking about her for? If he was smart, he'd pick up the gift, get the rest of his money and stay out of her way best he could from here on out. Whatever he was feeling, he didn't want or need it.

              After getting what he needed from the safe, Deacon locked it once more and left the warehouse. The door to the meeting room was still closed. Houdini and Whiskey were eating Chinese food in the main room with the television turned to the cooking channel.

              “I'm heading out. Master's in charge.” Deacon adjusted his leather jacket, feeling a little out of sorts because he'd left his guns in the safe. With Chief Will all heated up over him, Deacon knew that he'd have to be careful. Besides, if it came down to needing a gun at The Old Man's place tonight, then he was already dead.

              “Yo, you want backup?” Houdini looked up from his food.

              “Nah, stay here. Ride over...” Deacon stopped himself, he'd nearly told Houdini specifically to keep an eye on Vera. Where the fuck had that come from? “Ride over past The Bar a few times, we don't need no stupid drunk shit tonight.”

              “No problem, Prez.” Houdini went back to his food.

              “Be smart,” Whiskey wiped his mouth with a napkin.

              “Thanks, I'll see you two tomorrow.”

              Deacon left the warehouse, sent quick texts to Bug and Jake telling them not to be late tonight. He was particularly worried about Bug not wanting to leave Lake, it was officially her due date the following day. He sent a second text to Bug, reminding him there was no optional attendance for tonight but it didn't mean he'd have to stay all night.

              He headed for New to You when he left the warehouse lot. The lights were burning on the sign, even though it was light out. Looked like Vera had forgotten to flip the switch that morning. It wasn't surprising because she'd looked like it had been a rough night. She'd also looked hot even in that animal print patterned robe. If Will hadn't come along he was sure that they were heading back up the stairs to her tiny little apartment.

              But he had come along, and that was for the best. All Deacon had to do was keep this exchange professional. He could handle that. “Nice to see that you're finally open for a change.” He strode through the door with confidence, found Vera sitting at the chair behind the counter.

              She popped up quickly, nearly fell but managed to maintain her balance. “Hey. Hi. I was worried that you'd been arrested or something.”

              “Why would I get arrested?” Deacon moved closer to her.

              “Will seemed pretty angry,” she replied.

              “Chief Will is always pretty angry when it comes to me,” Deacon answered shortly. He saw confusion on her face, she'd obviously expected something else from him. Do you have the present ready?”

              “I do, it's all wrapped and set to go. I have a few cards by the counter if you didn't get one.”

              “She'll be fine without a card,” Deacon never remembered a card; Adelaide knew better than to expect one from him.

              “I've got your money too, let me just get it out of the register for you. So, is Adelaide excited about the party tonight? I know how much she loves being the center of attention.”

              “Yeah,” Deacon replied sourly, “she's excited. You got plans for tonight?” Immediately he regretted asking the question because of the look that crossed her face. He was about to disappoint her.

              “Not really,” she replied casually, her hand moving up to her hair. “Why?”

              “If I were you, I'd stay in tonight.” Deacon watched the hopeful expression fade from her face; it was replaced by a red tint to her cheeks.

              “Do you know something I don't?” She opened the register, removed an envelope and grabbed a box from beneath the counter.

              Deacon almost laughed in response. He knew so much that she didn't, so much that she'd probably never know, but he didn't say that. “Stay in tonight.” His tone was firm but he hoped not threatening. Why did he care if she felt threatened? Why was he worried about her feelings?

              “That was my plan anyway,” she informed him as she set the items down in front of him. “I've got an auction in the morning, need to be there early.”

              “Auction?” Deacon reached out picked up the box, he slipped it in his inner pocket.

              “Storage units,” she replied shortly, “ones where the owners don't pay. The company auctions off the things inside to make money.”

              “That's kind of a fucked up way to make a living, profiting off of someone else falling on hard times.” Deacon observed. He watched anger flare in her eyes, felt it push past hurt and embarrassment.

              “They know it's the outcome if they don't pay,” Vera answered, she looked as if she had more on her mind but kept it to herself. She crossed her arms over her chest in a very defensive gesture.

              “Is that where you get all of your stuff from?” Deacon didn't know why he was still there; he just needed to grab the envelope from the counter and leave.

              “No, I have many different ways I find merchandise.” Vera cleared her throat, gripped her arms tighter. “I really hope that Adelaide enjoys her present. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a ton of work to do.”

              Deacon realized she wanted him to leave. His intention was to head to the door, but he couldn't seem to move or look away from her. Something was... something was different, just in the last few seconds, and it gave him an ominous feeling. “You okay?”

              “Fine. Great. Dandy. Never better.” Vera's smile was wide enough but it didn't reach her eyes. “I'm just sure that you've got better things to do than stand here and make small talk with me. We're all settled up, just grab your envelope and go.”

              “Maybe I'm not in that much of a hurry,” Deacon said the words slowly, watched as she came around the counter.

              “I'm sure you have better things to do than stand here talking to me. I'll see you out.” She started to walk past him, headed for the front door, but she didn't get far. Deacon reached out, grabbed her upper arm.

              “Want to tell me what's on your mind?” He asked.

              “I just did,” she yanked hard against his grip, caught him off guard enough to slip out of his hold and take several steps back. “I have things to do and I'd like it very much if you left, right now.”

              Deacon held his hands up, though he was sorely tempted to grab her again. He could see the pulse jumping in her throat. She was a jumble of emotions, he could tell. Whatever it was that had her worked up, he didn't have time to take the long way to figuring it out. “Sweetheart, you didn't tell me the truth. Don't say you did, I can see it all over your face.”

              “The truth is that I want you to leave.”

              It was lie, clearly a lie and it pissed him off more than it should have. Everything about her gave him an extreme reaction. “I don't buy that,” Deacon took a step closer to her, “in fact, I think that me leaving is the last thing that you want me to do.”

              “You don't know a damn thing about me.”

              Deacon realized that she was right; he didn't know much about her, but he realized with a start that he wanted to know more. He wanted to know much more. Fuck. The smart thing to do would be to just walk away, out the door like she said she wanted, and never look back. It was too bad that he wasn't known for doing the smart thing.

              Instead he leaned in and kissed her. There was nothing tentative about the kiss; he took everything inside of him and used it. After the first few seconds she began to respond, her arms went around his neck and his moved down to grab her ass.