Truth and Lies: Chapter 9

Leaving the motel, I make sure I look around for any bikers. I need to stay alert as I don’t know who is looking for me or why. But I can guess it’s for nothing good.

Walking to the bus depot, I’m thinking what a great day it’s going to be, the sun is starting to warm, the air smells fresh and although I’ve no idea where I’m going I’m glad to be alive.

Purchasing my next Greyhound ticket, I get settled and check out the scenery as we travel. I hopefully will get out of Nevada tomorrow and into Utah. From that point, I’m not sure which way to head.

Hearing bikes, I lower myself into my seat and watch out the window as four bikers pass with an SUV keeping pace. I couldn’t see the kutte they were wearing, but I’m avoiding every MC I can. I want nothing to do with any of them.

The bus journey ends at the border of Nevada meeting Utah. I head for a bed and breakfast across from the bus depot. I’m tired, I need food and a hot shower, then lots of sleep.

Knocking on the door to the bed and breakfast, an older lady answers, ‘Hello, I’m looking for a night’s stay if you have a vacancy?’ I quickly ask her.

‘One night?’ she smiles, ‘Come on in, we can do one night, honey.’

The room she shows me is small but clean, and I’m happy to pay her the amount she asks me for. We arranged that I could have breakfast early so I can get the first Greyhound in the morning.

I pay her, and she gives me a key to the room. Once she’s left, I jump straight into the shower and let the hot water run over my body, easing some of the aches caused by sitting so long.

Once dried, I wear the pj’s I had brought with me, then settle on the bed. Picking up my cell, I ring Suzie. It only takes four rings before she picks up.

‘Mia, are you alright? Why did you run off like that?’ Suzie quickly says, and I can tell she’s upset by her voice.

‘I’m sorry, Suzie, but I couldn’t put you in any danger. I care about you too much. You and Graham have been so good to me.’ I say, resting back against the headboard.

‘Two men came looking for you. From one of those biker clubs. I forgot to look which one, but I told them you didn’t do anything wrong and went to prison for someone else’s evil deed,’ Suzie spits out, ‘I told them I don’t know where you are and basically to fuck off.’ which has her giggling as she’s never one to swear.

‘Oh, Suzie, you’re so bad swearing.’ I smile, although she can’t see it.

‘I know, but I don’t care. I’m not going to ask where you are but are you safe? For now, at least.’ she asks.

‘Yes, for now, I’m safe. I’m at a bed and breakfast for the night. Then I’ll move farther away again tomorrow.’ I can tell her that much.

‘Keep in touch with me every few days, Mia, please.’

‘Yes, I’ll contact you again, Suzie. Take care of you both, stay safe.’ and I end the call, putting my head back and taking a deep breath.

The next day I’m up early, eat some toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast, and head over to the depot to get on the first bus out.

As I reach the depot, someone grabs me from behind, slams a hand over my mouth, and I feel a sharp stab in my neck. That’s when I realize I’m in real trouble as the dizziness and the spots start before my eyes. I’ve been drugged, and everything goes black.

Crack

Zara is nowhere in sight. I’ve searched every inch of the clubhouse and compound. She has to have left, but where would she go and why would she leave.

Re-entering the clubhouse, I make my way to Sharp’s office and knock, waiting to be called to enter. Sharp hates anyone just walking in as he could be on the telephone or discussing something private.

‘Come in,’ I enter the office and see Sharp behind his desk, looking over what looks like the accounts book.

‘Pres, I can’t find Zara anywhere in the clubhouse or at the compound. Can I get a couple of guys to go with me to check out the town, see if we can find where she is?’ I ask, pacing somewhat as I have a bad feeling about where she may be.

‘Take Runner, Tin, and Glue with you. Keep me informed. Oh, take fucking Gunner with you, let’s make him do something worthwhile, shall we?’ and Sharp has a nasty smile on his face, one we don’t see very often.

‘Will do, with pleasure,’ I state, turn and leave the office and walk into the main room but don’t see Gunner anywhere.

‘Runner, Tin, Glue with me. Has anyone seen Gunner?’ I shout.

Trip points to the kitchen, and I head that way. Opening the kitchen door, I could punch Gunner. He’s sitting at the kitchen table with a whore going down on him while he eats his fucking breakfast.

Reaching over, I grab her by the hair and throw her to the side, turning to sneer at Gunner. ‘You’re here having that bitch go down on you while your daughter is missing. Get your fucking gear NOW. We’re on our way to look for her, Sharps orders.’ and I don’t fucking wait for him to come or respond. I head outside to my bike, making sure the three I called in the main room are with me.

Throwing my leg over my bike, I slam my helmet on and start her up. Not waiting for anyone else, I take off, giving a slight nod to the prospect on the gate as I pass.

By the time we reach the town, Gunner’s caught up, but I’ve had it with him; he can fuck right off for all I care.

Once I pull over, I turn and face the others, ‘Tin, Runner, you both head to the other side of town. Glue and I will start this side. We’ll meet at the diner in the middle of town.’

Gunner mumbles something under his breath, but I don’t wait to hear. Pulling out, I slowly cruise around the streets, watching for a sign of Zara.

When we meet up at the diner, no sign of Zara, my gut tells me bad things, but I don’t want to voice anything. ‘Glue, go back to the clubhouse, tell Sharp no sign, and I’m gonna see what buses have left in the last 48hrs. Maybe we need to see if she left town.’

‘Okay, Crack,’ starting his bike back up, he takes off.

Gunner steps over to me. Now he’s looking worried, ‘What do ya think, Crack?’

‘I think she left town.’ pulling my helmet back on.

‘Fuck, why would she leave?’ Gunner asks, and I just give him a look that I don’t think he can even decipher.

Pulling away, I head for the bus depot. Once we’ve parked up, I turn to the others, ‘Ask everyone you can if they’ve seen her, don’t leave anyone out.’

An hour later, we’ve met back up at our bikes, ‘Anyone heard anything?’ Gunner asks, now he is worried, and I have no sympathy.

No one has any news, except I do, and now I have to tell them, ‘Well, I have news,’ I turn to Gunner, ‘A girl meeting Zara’s description left yesterday morning on a Greyhound, stating she was going to her grandmothers. The route for that bus is to the same town where we ate at that diner.’

Looking right at Gunner, ‘The same town the correctional facility is where Miriam was held until a few months ago.’ Gunner looks up at me. Now he is beginning to understand.

‘Fuck, we’ve got to find her.’ Gunner snarls.

‘Yea, and why would Zara run to Miriam if Miriam had hurt her? Ask yourself that fucker.’ I snarl back at him.

Glue arrives back with us, and we set off even though it’s getting late in the day. We don’t have time to waste with Zara on her own in a strange place; anything could happen to her.

Runner calls and updates Sharp on where we’re going and that we’ll keep him updated regularly. He catches up with us a short way into the journey.