Page 96 of Smitty

“Why did they keep him around?”

“Hell if I know,” he huffed. “Probably because he was crazy enough to do the stupid shit they didn’t wanna do. And if somebody needed to be hurt, Chains was more than happy to do it.”

“So, he was in the club with your ol’ man?”

“Oh, yeah. He was their enforcer… I think that’s what they called it.”

“You got anything else?”

“Nah, not that I can think of.” He thought for a moment, then said, “I remember there being a big fight at the club. One of the brothers got beat up pretty bad and died. Chains went after the guy who’d done it and killed him and his whole damn family.”

“He’s got himself a thirst for revenge, huh?”

“I don’t know why he did any of the shit he did… He’s just fucking crazy.” He shook his head. “If he thought someone crossed him in some way, he didn’t stop until they paid for it.”

“Sounds like a swell guy.” I slipped the picture back in my pocket as I asked, “Got any idea where I might find him?”

“Got no clue.”

“Come on. You gotta have something.”

“They used to hang at the clubhouse every Tuesday night and most weekends, and if they weren’t there, they were either at home, work, or Murphy’s bar across town. At least, that’s how it was for my ol’ man and his buddies. Not sure if Chains was there with them or not.”

“Anywhere else?”

“There was a cabin out by Lake Maumelle. Didn’t really belong to the club or anything, at least I don’t think so. But some of the guys would use it during huntin’ season and when they wanted to fish… Sometimes they went out there and got wasted for a few days. Mom always hated that place. She said it was the Den of Sin… I don’t know. Maybe she was right.”

“Where is this Den of Sin?”

“I don’t know the address or anything. But it’s the only one around the campsite with a bright Tennessee orange front door and a rebel flag next to the fire pit.”

“Shouldn’t be hard to track down.”

I stood, sliding my chair back, and Benson’s head snapped up. “You’re leaving?”

“Afraid so.”

“But you said…” He sounded beyond desperate when he continued, “You said if I had something I could end up on the better side of all this.”

“Yeah, I did say that.”

“I gave you everything I know.”

“Well, let’s hope it’s enough.” I gave him a slight shrug. “If it’s not, the dude with the crowbar will be back.”

“Aw, fuck. Don’t do me like that, man.”

“You helped us today. I’m sure they will look favorably on it.”

“That mean they might throw some cash or something my way?” The question caught me off guard. Not because he wanted money. Because he sounded embarrassed asking for it. His eyes dropped to the floor as he whispered, “I ain’t got nothing no more. My ol’ man left me with nothing but debt and a credit card that’s almost maxed out.”

I actually felt for the kid. He was just an eighteen-year-old whose father had dragged him into a world he wasn’t built for, and now he was left wondering where his next meal would come from.

I knew that feeling of desperation. Hell, I’d lived it for the better part of a year, but I was lucky. I had Brooke and Cyrus, but from the sounds of it, this kid didn’t have anyone.

“I can’t make any promises,” I replied honestly. “But I’ll put a good word in for ya.”

He nodded, but I could tell he was still concerned. And he should be. If we didn’t find Chains, Grim would be back with more questions. I gave him a single nod before stepping into the hallway. I hoped that I’d just found our first real lead. And maybe, just maybe, we’d be able to help this Benson kid before the Coyotes ruined another life.