Twist's Raven, page 3
When Dex headed toward him, Twist was immediately on guard because of the smirk on Dex’s face.
“Why are you so sad sitting over here? I’ve gone chasing with you before. You’re usually hyped,” Dex said.
Twist rolled his eyes, then tried to get his friend off track. “You’re imagining things. Probably all that perfume rotting your brain. Did you rub up against them while playing pool? You smell like at least three different scents.”
“Oh, nice deflection there. The next song is for you because I’m positive it’s what you’re feeling,” Dex said, tossing popcorn into the air and catching it in his mouth.
The music started, and Twist wondered if he could leave Dex here and chase alone. Hunter Hayes’ Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me was playing.
“I’m not sad,” Twist said.
“Okay, maybe sad isn’t the correct word, but I’ve had a lot of experience at Bluff Creek seeing guys fall one after another for a woman. You have the same look on your face. Who is she, and why aren’t you with her?” Dex asked, winking at the waitress.
Twist huffed, staring at his friend. Dex was like a freaking dog with a bone. He’d keep hounding Twist until he knew what Twist was thinking. Twist didn’t really feel like pouring his heart out here in the bar, but he also didn’t want Dex pulling and prying until he got it out of him.
“You are the biggest gossip. If I tell you, is it immediately going into a text to Bluff Creek and the Nelsons?” Twist grumbled.
“Just because I like to share news doesn’t mean I don’t want to know just because you’re my friend. You are in a mood. Oh man, please tell me that you didn’t bring the guitar and that while we’re waiting, I’m not going to have to listen to you sing about your lost love,” Dex said.
Twist chuckled, slapping his thigh. Where did Dex come up with this stuff?
“No, I’m not singing sad songs. I helped her, but I don’t know much about her. Scoop tracked down her location. Maureen and Compass offered to do a little reconnaissance for me,” Twist said.
“So you did or didn’t bring the guitar? Just asking if I should run across to the grocery store and see if they have ear plugs,” Dex said, smirking.
The bartender delivered Twist’s food, and he decided he’d eat. Maybe if he ignored Dex a little, then the man would shut up about sad songs and Twist’s attitude. Dex reached over and grabbed a cheese stick.
“So man, which one do you think we’ll be chasing?” Dex asked, indicating Twist’s screen.
Twist evaluated what he’d been seeing and what the forecaster on the TV was saying. He was leaning toward the second storm, which was a little farther away.
“I think we’ll be chasing that one, but I want to watch for about ten more minutes. I feel like it’s almost time,” Twist said.
Dex nodded, popping the last piece of cheese stick in his mouth. “Got it. I’m going to hit the head, then we can go whenever you want.”
Twist asked the bartender to box up the food and paid their tab. The more he watched the screen, the itchier he felt. He rubbed the tips of his fingers together. Conditions felt perfect for a big storm, and he wasn’t missing it.
“We’re live in South Dakota, about five miles north of Chamberlain. Winds are picking up. It’s hard to see but the flashes of lightning are showing us a tornado that looks to be easily half a mile wide. Currently heading southeast. Dex, see if you can show the viewers the tornado,” Twist said, driving parallel to the tornado. At least he was currently parallel unless it turned.
Dex turned the camera toward the tornado and kept quiet while he videoed.
“If you’re in the Chamberlain area, whether your sirens have gone off or not, get to shelter. This is big,” Twist said, waiting for the next bolt of lightning to see if it was changing course. A flash lit the sky, and the thunder sounded in stereo in the car.
“Umm, Twist, I’m not going to be like a certain person we both know and jump on the floor to hide and scream, but that sucker is changing and moving toward us. Get us out of here,” Dex yelled.
Twist turned the vehicle and crossed an open field to head toward another road. He floored the vehicle, thrilling at the adrenaline pumping through his system. He never felt more alive than when he was trying to outrun the elements and his heart was racing. Instead of it scaring him, everything seemed to become so clear. He crossed the ditch, his wheels grabbing the road as he turned to head out of the path of the storm.
He grinned and glanced over at Dex, who had decided to video Twist instead of the storm. “Best job in the world! Yeah, baby!” he yelled.
Once he’d moved them out of the path of the storm, he pulled the vehicle over and took the camera. He wanted to get some good footage, give the viewers information, but also remind the younger viewers not to do this without training. He couldn’t handle it if his videos got a younger kid hurt because he’d chased a storm without any background knowledge.
Pointing the camera at the storm, he narrated, “I know it’s hard to see with how dark it is, but the next time we have lightning, check out how wide the base of this tornado is. Even if it wasn’t dark tonight, the funnel would be dark with all the debris it has picked up. Now I want to remind you all. I’m a trained storm spotter, and I’ve taken classes in meteorology. Storms are incredibly dangerous. I know this looks fun, which it is, but if you’re interested in it, do your research.”
Lightning arced across the sky, and Twist caught the perfect video of the tornado. “Now isn’t that an amazing sight? Nature creating the perfect combination to wreak havoc. There’s something incredibly beautiful about something that can be so deadly. Now, if you’re loving my videos on storms, make sure you subscribe to not miss anything. We’re going to watch this a little longer. Thanks for watching,” Twist said.
Dex came and stood beside him. Once Twist had ended the video, Dex shook his head.
“That is the closest I’ve ever been when one changed direction toward me. Man, it was all I could do not to cuss up a storm telling you to get your fuckin’ foot to the floor, but I couldn’t remember if you cussed on the channel. My heart still hasn’t slowed down. Whew,” Dex said, shaking his head.
Twist chuckled darkly. He had to admit he got a lot of joy seeing the man who had fought beside him in the Army freaking out over the tornado chasing them. Maybe because Dex couldn’t fight back against the tornado.
“Let’s head back, park, and see if we can get some shut-eye before the next one flares up,” Twist said.
At least the chasing this evening had occupied his mind. For a while, Britt wasn’t front and center. For the first time, he was ready to be done with this storm system. He was itching for Maureen and Compass to get back from their visit. He wasn’t sure why, but he had a fierce craving to know more about Britt.
Chapter Six
Britt finished braiding her hair, then slipped on her cut. Today was one of those days when she vacillated between crying and smiling. She grabbed the mask along with her ball cap. Once a year, during their birthday ride for Charity, was the only time she donned the ball cap backwards.
Charity’s birthday, six days before Halloween, had always been a huge celebration when they were growing up, and Charity had continued it on after they graduated. Her October birthday guaranteed she went all out for the holiday. The basis of the design of their logo was the last picture taken of Charity the Halloween before she and Lane were killed. They’d used a picture of Charity that Mace had taken, where she was looking over her shoulder, her ball cap on backwards and her half skeleton mask on. The motorcycle signified both Lane and Charity because they’d been avid bikers. But the brass knuckles were all Lane, though. He’d been fascinated with all types of weapons and collected them. Although brass knuckles were not illegal to own, they were illegal to conceal. It was one of Lane’s idiosyncrasies. He was a judge, but he also believed in protection. He didn’t carry them, though. Britt had always wondered if he could have, would he have stood a chance against the men who had beaten him and slit his throat?
She walked outside and saw most of the group assembled. She’d chosen her 2006 Dyna Street Bob. It was the bike she’d ridden on her last ride with Charity. It was one more thing to remind her tonight why they did this.
Mace got on his bike with Hoax, his wife getting on behind him. Their order in line tonight was about honoring Charity and Lane. Daydream had her own motorcycle, but she’d said earlier in the day she wasn’t sure she’d be in any shape to ride back by herself. Axel, Charity’s other brother and their Sergeant at Arms, had offered to have her ride with him. They were beside Mace. Then Snipe, their Road Captain, and Abby, known as Guru, their Vice President. Raven put her mask on, as did all the others. They fell in behind as Mace motioned to move out.
As they rounded the corner to turn onto the main highway, which was also Main Street for the town, townspeople lined the streets, holding lights and candles up in the dusky evening.
Four years had passed, but days like today, the pain was as fresh and cutting as it was the day she found out. Mace made the turn across the road and into the cemetery. She followed toward where Lane and Charity were buried. She parked her bike. They didn’t worry about blocking the road toward the back of the cemetery. Everyone who might have a loved one in here knew tonight was about the Honey Creek Badgers MC honoring their lost loved ones.
She walked toward the headstones with Buzzard beside her. Snipe and Buzzard had only met Charity and Lane once. They’d had leave and she’d convinced the guys to visit Honey Creek. Snipe adored it because he’d grown up on a ranch. He loved working on the property, and if he wasn’t in jeans and his cut, then he was in jeans, cowboy boots, a shirt, and cowboy hat.
Mace stopped them by the headstones, tugging a lighter from his pocket. He offered it to Daydream first, letting her light the torch on Lane’s headstone. Then Mace and Axel held the lighter together, lighting the one on Charity’s.
Mace’s lips quivered and he wiped his mouth. He usually started the night, but Raven wasn’t sure he could.
She stepped forward. “I would give just about anything to have Charity walk across that field and say, ‘I’ve got this great idea.’ And then after she told us, Daydream would tell Lane what we were planning. He’d roll his eyes but tell her to give him fifteen minutes to call support in.”
Laughter had Raven pausing, though her eyes were already filling with tears. “Her insistence that we never say goodbye. We could say, ‘See you later’ or ‘After a while’ or ‘Catch you on the flip side.’ If we accidentally slipped in high school, she’d knuckle punch us on the arm. For being on the shorter side, she could pack a punch. I always figured it was growing up with Mace and Axel picking on her.”
“You got that right. Mom and Dad had to step in when she got mad at Mace and nut punched him. They’d allow the knuckle punch on the arm but nowhere else,” Axel said, tears dripping down his face, his arm around Daydream.
“Oh my, and the morning after one of our get-togethers at Daydream’s house. Lane would walk down the stairs with this tray he built. It had little cubbies to hold pain meds, anti-nausea medication, along with the coffee pot, mugs, and bottles of water. He’d quietly visit each of us, placing the items. Of course, he’d already placed the puke buckets by us hours ago. Oh my gosh, I still remember how much Daydream blushed when he personalized them with our names painted on them and made hers bigger than everyone’s,” Hoax said, sniffling.
Daydream laughed. “I missed the bucket one time. Just once because someone knocked into me as I bent over to puke,” Daydream said, glaring at Fury, who shrugged. “Oh, he teased me about that so much. But he was the one that if it had been too long between our get-togethers, he’d put a reminder on our calendar to have me call and set one up. He was my high school sweetheart and my first love. I miss him every day, especially his arms wrapping around me immediately after he got home from work. And the smell of his cologne.”
Raven stood wishing she could take away this pain, but the pain also served a purpose. It reminded each of them why they did what they did so that at some point, no one else would be going through what they did.
“When I couldn’t get any answers about their deaths and neither could Quicksilver, I remember walking in the door of our house. Hoax was at the stove, stirring something. I threw down my briefcase and said I was done with the bureau. She turned around, hugged me, and asked, ‘Well then, what are you going to do?’ I told her my idea. Within half an hour, she contacted each of you and had the meeting set. When I outlined my idea, none of you were against it. Instead, you all offered ideas on how we could make this work. Then when we talked to the parents, it became something more. With each person we find and get information from, we get closer to taking down the organization,” Mace said, pausing. Raven could understand being choked up because her throat was tight and full too.
“We knew when we started this that it could take years. We also agreed to give everyone the chance once a year to either renew with the group or leave with no hard feelings. I personally think with the security measures we’ve put in place that we can keep everyone, including the kids and parents, safe, so I say My Vow to the Honey Creek Badgers MC stays true. Even if you decide you can’t keep your vow, you’ll always be a friend,” Axel said.
Their group, each one by one, renewed their vows. When it came to her, Raven looked around at her family, her friends, and the people she loved and wanted to keep safe.
“My Vow to the Honey Creek Badgers MC stays true,” Raven said.
As the last person said their vows, Axel stepped forward. The first year it hadn’t been planned but Axel had sung a song about loss. They’d all joined in. Each year, he’d chosen a different song. His voice singing the first notes to Friends We Won’t Forget had more tears streaming from her eyes.
Buzzard wiped his nose beside her as he sang. As the last note floated through the night wind, she put her mask back on and walked silently to her bike. They’d ride back to the bar and have a drink in Lane and Charity’s honor with anyone who showed up. Last year, most of the town had dropped in. Their parents would join them along with the kids.
As she rode in the darkened evening, she thought about how much Charity would have loved how the town’s Halloween celebration had grown in her honor. People came from miles around to watch or participate in the parade. The Honey Creek Badgers MC kicked off the parade, riding their motorcycles down the parade route.
Honoring her wouldn’t bring her back, but it might make a difference for someone else’s best friend or loved one.
Chapter Seven
Twist waited for Maureen and Compass to come back downstairs and sit down at the table. He wanted to run out to the car when they drove in and force them to tell him right away. He and Dex had been back a couple hours. The waiting had been excruciating, with Dex finally leaving the house to go to the barn. Twist’s pacing and nervously drumming his fingers on the table had gotten on Dex’s nerves.
When Maureen and Compass had walked in, they’d said to give them a couple minutes to freshen up. Twist hoped it was because they needed to make a pit stop. He hoped they weren’t having sex, but after Booker had told the story of walking in on them when Booker and Lexi had come home early, Twist didn’t discount anything.
Maureen walked in with Compass following. She squeezed his arm and winked as she walked to the refrigerator.
“Something to drink?” she asked.
“I’d like some iced tea,” Compass said, sitting down at the table. Twist joined him.
“No, thank you, Maureen,” he said.
Compass waited until Maureen joined them.
“Maureen and I have walked around that town and spoken with the people extensively,” Compass said.
Was his chest pounding? Twist wondered if he was having a heart attack. He could feel his heart beating in his chest and needed to know what Compass would say next.
“It’s a small town that seems to support each other,” Compass said.
“Seems?” Twist said, the fact Compass chose that word setting off his spidey senses.
“Maureen,” Compass said.
“Let me give you an example. There’s a group of four older gentlemen who I’m guessing are a little older than Compass. These men either hang out at the co-op on one side of the street or they can be found at Melvin’s Thrifty Bargains across the street. They hang out there rain or shine, which in itself isn’t strange, but it was the feeling I got that they were dissecting everything Compass and I said or did,” Maureen said.
“Agreed. As if they were searching for any threat we could pose,” Compass said.
Twist considered what they’d said. Why would a small town be on guard with outsiders? And not just any outsiders but even with an older, married couple.
“Okay. What other thoughts did you have?” Twist asked.
“Two different people we saw tending bar seemed overqualified,” Compass said.
“I don’t think I understand what you mean,” Twist replied.
“You’ve served and you know how, even still today, when you walk in a room, you assess exits, threats, etc. The longer you’re on home soil, the more relaxed you get, though it’s still a part of your personality now because it’s ingrained in you. Both times we visited the bar, it was being manned by one of the MC members. Once it was the Sergeant at Arms and the other time it was the Enforcer. Now, from our research, the MC owns a lot of businesses. And at Bluff Creek, we’ve seen the members all have jobs, but this was different. I got the feeling that they were there almost as a first line of defense, maybe. Assess the people coming in for threats.”
Twist considered what Compass was saying. Why would an MC be that focused on assessing threats at a bar they owned?
