Brain(55)

“When did this happen?”

“Night before last. The judge denied bail, but we have another hearing scheduled for tomorrow. I’ve paid the bar owner for damages, and then some, and he’s dropping charges, but the police aren’t. I was there and I saw what happened. The other MC attacked first, our guys started out just defending themselves, but then guns and knives came out, and you know how protective Duke gets of me, plus we had Eric with us without Kendra, and our guys kind of went crazy. I know there’s video, I saw the cameras, but we haven’t been able to get a copy. It should prove our guys acted in self-defense, but then towards the end it might show they went beyond the scope of a self-defense argument.”

“So, if the end of the video were to disappear, and the beginning were to be leaked to the media…”

“Right, but how could… wait, are you saying you’ll help?”

I sighed, looked at the ceiling, and said, “I’m saying I’ll see what I can do from here. Not making any promises, and I’m not coming home. I’m assuming you and Eric are both okay?”

“Yes. All the humans are fine.”

I glanced at Harmony, noted she took in the language, and looked back to my laptop. “Good. I don’t want anyone to know where I am, so if you need me, send me an email. No voice or video communication unless we’re using Drake’s encryption app, though.”

“I know the drill, Brain, and it’s good to see you again. I miss you.”

“I miss you too, Duchess. Where are you staying?”

“I’m still in Helen. My assistant is doing what he can to hold things together at home, but I’m working with the attorneys here to try to get Duke and the guys released.”

“You have protection?”

“I have my Sig, if that’s what you’re asking. Gonzo was with me until this morning, and he headed back to help hold down the fort in Chattanooga. Dawg is shadowing me today, and Paco is here. I bought Paco a suit since he didn’t have one with him, and he’s been going into meetings with me while Dawg keeps an eye on things from the outside. We can’t be armed when we go in the jail or the courthouse, or pretty much any of the attorney offices, so it works to leave someone outside.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, as I knew Dawg and Paco would keep her safe. “Okay, Duchess. Give me some time and I’ll get back with you. Might take me a few hours, might be sometime tomorrow. Meanwhile, if anything changes, send me an email. I’m not keeping the app on, so you won’t be able to call me this way.”

Her face showed a lot of emotion, even for Gen, and she said, “Thanks, Brain. I won’t push you to reconcile with Duke, because I don’t want you to stop talking to me, but you have to know it breaks my heart for the two of you to be at odds. He’d do just about anything to make it up to you.”

“Goodbye, Duchess. Take care of yourself, and watch your back.”

I disconnected and looked to Harmony. “Want to help me hack into the Helen, Georgia Police Department, and probably also the White County Sheriff’s Department?”

“You just happen to know what county Helen is in?”

I grinned. “Not the first time we’ve had people get arrested there. It’s a nice little town, makes for a good road trip through the mountains on bikes.”

“If she’s human, what does that make Duke?”

“Can I ask you to give me another week, and trust me to answer your questions, then?” I couldn’t tell her what Duke is, but once I told her what I am, she’d figure the rest out.

Her smell wasn’t fear, exactly, but wasn’t far from it, so I added, “You have to know I’ll use whatever superpowers I have to protect you, and would never hurt you with them, right?”

She shook her head and gave me a smile, winced a little as it pulled sore skin and muscles, and told me, “I have a back door into the Atlanta PD, which gives me side entry into Fulton, Cobb, Gwinnett, and a handful of other counties. Let’s start there, see if White County is patched into their network.”

She talked as she worked to set up the proxies so she’d stay hidden, and told me, “Detective Appian has a real hard-on for ya’ll. He’s convinced you’re werewolves, and almost lost his badge over trying to prove it. Now, he’s backed off on claiming you’re mythological creatures, but he collects every bit of evidence on the RTMC he can. He has someone in Vegas who sends him every video and file on the RTMC out there, and I’m sure he’s probably working to get the most recent fight video, and may already have it. I’ll check his files, first.” She glanced up, met my gaze a second, and looked back to her laptop monitor. “You’re wanting to release the first part of the video, if you think it’ll put public opinion on the RTMC’s side, aren’t you?”