“Anyway, long story short, I'm going to contact Hades in the morning, but we managed to identify the accelerant used in the fire. I thought it would give you some extra thinking time in case it stands out for some reason.”
My brows rise, the chief getting my full attention. “We’ve been racking our brains over it because none of the liquor is missing, no broken stock or anything, nothing obvious we have lying around that someone could have used.”
“Well, if I'm honest, my wife was the one who found it out.” He says, rubbing the back of his head, sheepishly. “We found ethanol on the scene. The strength is more commonly used in hospitals or laboratories. A naked flame would be sufficient in igniting it, but there was another substance we were a bit stumped on. These pink little beads were also found. At first, we thought about the hospital and possibly pseudoephedrine. Drug distribution, something along those lines–”
“Chief,” I growl. How dare he accuse the M.C. of doing drug anything. There are a lot of bad clubs out there, ones that operate in all manner of things we don't agree with, but to so blatantly accuse us of the thing we work so hard to avoid.
“Relax, Grizz. We didn't jump to any conclusions. Actually, it was Tim who said you all could be getting framed.Thatwas the angle we were initially looking at.” He says, holding both hands up as if surrendering.
“Get to the point, chief. You're saying a lot of fancy words but not getting anywhere.” I'm angry and frustrated. This possibly should have waited for Hades to be told directly because I'm not exactly known for my patience.
“As I was saying, I had your file open when Megan dropped my lunch off, and she saw the scene pictures.” Gesturing to his wife standing nearby. “I was a little short with her, frustrated that we might have a much bigger problem than we first thought.”
“Chief,” I growl.
“Alright, alright. It's a hand sanitizer. She pulled a bottle right out of her handbag for me to see. We had the lab confirm it, but she said it's a popular one with a few of the well-to-do ladies about town. The pink balls are scent beads–”
“What's it look like?” I snap, my mind working a hundred miles an hour. “Chief, what's the hand sanitizer look like?”
He calls over his wife, who pulls out the familiar bottle of strawberry pink hand sanitizer. One that I've been shown several times to have on hand at the bar.
Victoria.
“How come we didn't smell it? That night, I mean. That shit smells like a strawberry getting its stomach pumped after a hard night on the town.”
“It would have all burnt off once the fire took hold, topped with the snow used to put it out. We were just lucky enough some of it was still present and stuck to the wall.”
Patting my pockets, I yell, “Tell Hades,” to the chief, trying to find where I put my keys as I turn back to the guys.
My hands tremble, everything crashing into me all at once. First, I need to make sure Jovie is safe, and then I need to go find my woman.
“Axel,” I bark. “Where's Jovie?”
I look around, but my eyes can't focus on anything. It's a blur of people when I see Axel's Krampus mask sneaking up to scare some kids, Jovie inside it.
Taking a deep breath, my anxiety eases a little knowing Jovie’s safe. I pull Blaze, Mac, and Axel into a small huddle, relaying everything the chief just said.
If Victoria lit the fire at the Gallows, and Brynn went off with her about thirty minutes ago now.Fuck.
“I need to find my woman,” I growl. “Jovie's playing, don't worry her, but keep her safe. Who knows what Victoria's capable of?”
Blaze grabs my hand, shoving his keys in my palm. “Take the truck, it's parked over there,” he rushes. “The bikes are over on Main, this will be quicker.”
“Brother.” Is all I manage to get out, my voice cracking as I race to his truck, coming up with a plan. I'll need to checkVictoria's house for them and the Gallows. There's also the clubhouse, the hot springs. They could be anywhere.
Yanking open the driver's door, I slam it shut, white knuckling the steering wheel and letting out a roar so loud that several people nearby turn to look.
Fuck them.
My woman could be in trouble, and I'm not there with her. Something thuds in the back of the trunk. Nothing shows in the rearview mirror, maybe one of the many tipsy people out tonight. Somehow, I managed to get the key in the ignition, bringing the engine to life. Checking the rearview one more time before I fishtail out of the car park. I'll tear this town apart trying to find her, she just needs to be alright when I do.
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 24 - BRYNN
“There are always choices, Victoria,” I murmur, holding the older woman’s dark, determined glare. “Maybe you should take your time right now and consider what they are.”
A hard, emotionless laugh bursts from her mouth, echoing off the walls.
