“Yes, I don’t know where it is, but like I said, it’s the only bar within fifty miles of this town.Sally also mentioned that she rides her own bike, and doesn’t have a bone to pick with any bikers, but she has been known to pull her bully club out from beneath the counter a time or two.She doesn’t take any shit from anyone.”
“Good to know.”
“I also told her that you were starting a club, but we are the good guys.I don’t think she believed me at first until she stared me down, and then she nodded and that’s when she mentioned her brother’s bar.I didn’t say anything, but I wonder if she mentioned Warren for me to pass the information along to you.”
“I’ll go check it out.Do you know when you’ll be home?”
“Around nine.I said I could start work today, and with Paula calling off, then it will help Sally out.I’ll have my schedule when I leave tonight.I’ll be working from noon to nine.They lock up at eight, then there’s clean-up afterward.”
“Okay, I trust you Petra, and I’m not being controlling, but could you send me a text, or call when you leave for the night?I don’t want to sit here wondering if something happened to you.”
“I can do that.I’m not saying it will be every night, but do you want me to bring home something from the diner?”
“That’s up to you, after you left for the interview, I threw a roast and vegetables in the crockpot.If you want to bring something home for dessert, that would be great.”
“I can do that.”She laughed, then sobered.“Be careful out there, Paul.Will you be riding?”
“Yes, I want to establish myself as a biker in this area.I might as well go see Warren and put out feelers.I think if I ride, then I can accomplish that I’m a biker.”
“Good, be careful.”
“I will, and you do the same.See if you can’t get last names from Mary.”
“I will.I’ll see you a little after nine tonight.”She quickly hung up, and after drawing in a deep breath, she let it out in a rush when she realized she’d walked closer to the dumpsters and they smelled foul.With a laugh at herself, she went back inside, grabbed the apron she’d left on the shelf, along with a fresh receipt pad, a pen, and headed to the dining area to find Mary.Since it was slow, Mary showed her the ropes and in an hour, Petra forgot all about what Paul might be doing because it was like the flood gates opened and she swore hundreds of hungry people stormed the restaurant.She later learned that it was their normal late afternoon, early dinner crowd.
*****
Paul went into thehouse, checked the crockpot, left a couple of lights on, then after he locked up the house, he went out to his shop.Since arriving to the farm, he had taken two hours a day to drive around to familiarize himself with the area, so he knew exactly where The Last Chance Tavern was located.He pulled his bike from the shop, shut and locked the doors, then climbed on, and because it was a beautiful late Spring day, he strapped his leather on the back, though Iowa was a no helmet state, he made sure his was strapped onto the back of his bike, because as much as he loved to go without it, he always wore it if he rode after dark regardless of which state he rode in.He just made sure his bandana was tied a little tighter, then started the bike, and took off down the driveway.It was a relaxing time with the wind in his face, and by the time he arrived at the bar, he was relaxed, and had a conversation in his head, or at least how he wanted it to go with Warren.
When he arrived at the bar, he noticed there were several vehicles there, but no motorcycles, he pulled off to the side to park, and because he wasn’t sure of the area yet, he brought both his leather and helmet inside.He found a seat at the bar, and placed the jacket and helmet on the chair beside him.No one said a word, and when a large man behind the bar approached, he only nodded.
“What do you have on tap?”Paul asked, then placed his order from the choices given.After the beer was brought, the man walked down to the other end of the bar.When those people left a few minutes later, it was only Paul, the bartender, and a middle-aged couple in the corner eating fries.
“Are you new around here?”the bartender asked.
“Sort of,” Paul said with a chuckle then shook his head.“I bought a small farm here several years ago, but I had rented it out.The renters left because they were transferred, and I decided it was time to live in my own home now.”
“Ah, where is this place?”
“The Jenkins’ used to rent it.”
“Ah, I know the place.What’s your name?”
“Paul Rankin,” Paul said as he held out his hand and shook the bartender’s.
“Warren Mott, I own and operate this joint.I’m semi-retired from my job, and I’ll put this out on the table now.I don’t suffer fools, and there will be no shit, whatsoever, inmyestablishment.”
“I understand.As we speak, my girlfriend is starting her first shift at the diner in town.Sally is her boss.”
“Ah, my sister.She also runs a tight ship.”
“I understand.”
“I also heard you arrived on a bike.There are several clubs in the surrounding towns, but all are welcome as long as no shit happens.”
“I understand.”Paul nodded and sipped his beer, sizing up the man.He hated sounding like a broken record, but there wasn’t anything else he could say to get his point across that he agreed with what Warren had said.He nodded once and looked at Warren directly in the eye.“You said that you’re a cop?”He didn’t react when Warren flinched, but didn’t deny it.
“I am.”
