“Why?”
“There are some names, dates, locations, and other information in this notebook that I need to follow up on.I’m not trying to be a bastard here, but if I keep this to myself, then I can contact you with what I have.I only ask that you up my level of clearance to gain more information.”
“Before we agree to do that, give us something to prove you’re going to need it.”
Paul looked at Petra and when she seemed worried, he settled back into his chair with a heavy sigh.“Okay, remember when I sent you the information about the brother and sister that we befriended?”
“Yes, Sally Ward, owns and operates the local diner.Petra works for her and has been able to gather information from the locals.Her brother Warren Mott, is a semi-retired state trooper, and he owns and operates a local bar.You go there to see the locals.Excellent set up if you ask me.”
“Thank you, anyway, you might not know this, I only learned of it a few days ago, but Warren is semi-retired because he refuses to leave the task force formed to take out some of these one percenters.He told me recently that he believes someone is giving these guys a heads up that an arrest is coming.”
“Shit, does he have any suspects?”
“No.”Paul paused and reached for Petra’s hand.He gave it a gentle squeeze as he looked back at the computer.“Petra doesn’t know what I’m about to tell you.I only learned of it after I talked to you earlier, Kessler.This is all fresh information.”
“Okay, what do you have.”
“Remember I told you earlier that I took that guy out using my chain?I sent you the video.”He paused as Flynn grabbed his laptop, accessed the e-mail, and they both watched it.Paul grinned when they jerked and winced at the same time.
“Was he still alive when you left?”
“Yes, he had a pulse, no broken skin on the back of his head, but he was still unconscious.I got a call from Ted, no last name yet, he’s the President of the Iron Men.”
“Why would he reach out to you?”
“Okay, the guy I took out?”
“Yeah?”
“His name is Eddie Brickman.That’s E-D-D-I-E B-R-I-C-K-M-A-N.When Warren rifled through his pockets for the key to the lock on the chain holding Paula to the tree, he happened to lift his wallet.He gave it to me, knowing I’m a Federal agent, and he didn’t want anyone at his work to know he was researching Brickman.Anyway, at the event, Ted told me that he hated Brickman.He’s what you would call a wannabe.”
“What’s that?”Flynn asked.
“He wants to be a member of several motorcycle clubs, but he doesn’t follow the rules.This guy, Brickman, thinks he’s above the rules and regulations to become a member of a club.I know you guys don’t know everything, but it takes a lot to join a club.Remember the Steel Men back home?”
“Yes, what about them?”
“When I went home after the arrests of the Devil’s Scorpions, I asked them how to start my own club.They told me the process of joining.Thankfully, when I have more agents joining me, we can elect officers and don’t have to go through the process.”
“What’s the process?”
“According to Colt Matthews and Hogan Meyers, a person, usually a guy, shows interest in the club.They start out by being a wannabe, because they want to be a member.They start hanging around, those people are labeled as hang arounds, for a good six months to a year.”
“Why?”
“To prove they are in it for the brotherhood, and not the drugs, sex, guns, or whatever the one percenters are into.Hanging around for several months or years proves to the patch holders that these guys can be trusted,” Petra answered the question.
“Oh.”
“Yeah, the next step up is to actually strike for the club.That’s where you get the bottom rocker that states the location of the club, along with the MC patch.They wear the bottom rocker for a good year.However, they can’t strike if none of the patch holders don’t sponsor them.No sponsor, no striking.It’s that simple.Once they receive the bottom rocker to strike, then the patch holder that sponsors them is responsible for them.If the striker fucks up, it’s on the patch holder’s head.Again, no sponsor, no striking.”
“To prove themselves?”
“Yes, if you pass every patch holders vote, you are issued the top rocker that states the name of the club.From there, it’s another year to continue to prove yourself to earn a vote from everyone to be given the center patch.”Paul concluded.
“Don’t forget,” Petra said as she leaned forward.“Pardon my language, but during the two years it takes to be fully patched into a club, the striker is every center patched members bitch.Meaning they do the grunt work.I saw Zeke tell one of the strikers to clean the dust off his tires with his tongue.The only thing provided was a case of water.”
“Damn, and did the guy do it?”
