“I’m sorry,” Tanner said, taking a step toward her. “And now that I’ve completely ruined our easy-going morning, can I walk you to your car before we go our separate ways?”
April forced a smile, not wanting to think aboutwhyshe no longer drove, and shook her head. “I don’t have a car. I ordered an Uber as we were reaching the end of the trail. It should be here in a few minutes.”
“You don’t drive?” Tanner asked.
April shifted her feet and averted her eyes, really not wanting to explain why she didn’t drive or have a car. “I can. I mean, I used to. But not anymore.” Luckily, her ride pulled into the parking lot just then and she waved to the driver. “That’s for me,” April told Tanner, relieved to have an excuse to bail. “Thanks for running with me.”
“Maybe we can do it again sometime?” Tanner asked, sounding almost hopeful.
“Maybe,” April agreed. They hadn’t talked very much at all, but Tanner gave her a good feeling. She just needed more time to really figure out if he was a good guy, or just acted like one. She opened the backdoor of her Uber and started to climb in. Tanner waved to her, and she waved back.
After she’d gotten in and buckled her seat belt, her phone buzzed with an incoming text message. She glanced at the screen and smiled.
Tanner: Have you been to the other trail just up the road from here? It’s got some pretty terrific views.
April: It’s actually one of my favorites.
She loved running on it because the wildflowers along that trail were breathtaking, and the tall trees offered vast amounts of shade from the heat of the sun.
Tanner: I’ll be there tomorrow, same time. In case your maybe turns into a yes.
April gave his message a thumbs up and smiled all the way back to her apartment.
Chapter 4
Tanner was still riding the high from his morning run with April when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He and Sinclair were just leaving the coffee shop from Arlo J’s receipt. They hadn’t spent five minutes inside before the manager told them that the woman who worked the register the day Arlo J’s receipt was dated had the day off, and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow. And of course, the place didn’t have any cameras. But even that setback couldn’t touch Tanner’s good mood. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and answered a call from Luke.
“Any news on the Arlo J murder?” Luke asked, skipping any pleasantries.
“On my way to the motorcycle club now.” Tanner seriously hoped to have better luck there. So far, this was a cold case, which didn’t bode well for the city of Dallas. The Deathly Hollow MC was known for their violent retaliations. If Tanner didn’t make an arrest soon, all hell could break loose, and that was the last thing anyone wanted.
“Need some back up?” Luke offered.
Tanner considered it, but decided against it. “I think I’ll be alright. I’ve got Sinclair with me. We’re hoping to go in low profile. Talk to some of their members, get a better idea of who was where when it went down.”
“Sinclair?” Luke asked.
“Yeah, you remember Ethan Sinclair. I think you guys met -”
“Oh, sure, I remember Ethan,” Luke said. “Listen, do me a favor though and call in a few more patrol units for backup. The last time one of us went after an MC underprepared, it didn’t go so well.”
Understatement of the century. Tanner would never forget that day as long as he lived. He was one of the first ones at Luke’s side, cutting away the restraints that had his friend tied up and cowering on the ground like some hogtied animal. Just the memory sickened him. But this was different. Tanner wasn’t trying to unearth evidence on the club. He was actually trying to help them. One of their own was killed, and they needed him as much as he needed them to solve this murder.
“I think we’re good, but I’ll keep you posted. Have you heard from Blake? How are he and Skyla doing?”
“I sent him a text message about an hour ago. He hasn’t answered. Though I’m not surprised.” There was a long pause. “I don’t know how anyone recovers from something like that. I know people do. I just don’t know how.” Luke’s voice cracked, and Tanner instantly thought of his mom.
“Time helps,” Tanner said. “Not completely, but I guess that’s all anyone can really give someone who loses a baby.”
“You sound like someone who’s been through it,” Luke said, tentatively.
“Not me,” Tanner said, not really wanting to go into detail.
Luke picked up on his hesitancy and easily changed the subject back to work stuff before ending the call. Tanner radioed for two back units to meet them at the clubhouse, then discussed with Sinclair the various questions they’d ask the MC members as they drove.
When they pulled into the parking lot, two patrol units in unmarked vehicles were already waiting for them.
At first glance, the place looked rough. The old, three-story building had several shingles missing on the roof, and the siding was in need of a paint job. The building seemed to be divided into four parts, with the second and third floors being used as residences.
