Sinners & Scarecrows Read online

  Blaze pricked up his ears. “What do you mean, polished glasses?”

  “Just something I noticed about him: he frequently took them off and huffed on the lenses before polishing them with his handkerchief. It was as if he thought he was far superior in every way.”

  Blaze couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Holy fucking shit. It all makes sense! That’s why the man in the photo Ryan gave me looked familiar! And that’s why he uses my birth date for the combination on his safe. He knows I exist—he just doesn’t know who I am! And that’s why the ambush for Saul Gunnerman’s crew was set up in Worthington: he’s from fucking Worthington, which is where Mum was raped! And then there’s the most obvious fucking thing: Bowman! I can’t believe I didn’t see it; it was right in front of me all along!

  Spider shook Blaze from his dazed state. “Are you okay?”

  “No I’m fucking not!”

  Spider ran his hands through his beard. “What’s got you so spooked about the number Bernard gave you?”

  “Don’t you get it?” Blaze answered.

  “Get what?”

  Blaze sighed loudly. “Let me dumb it down for you: what is the most common term known to man for a bowman?”

  “What you mean… like Robin Hood?”

  “Yes, like fucking Robin Hood!” he exploded.

  “I dunno, an archer?” The word sent his mind into a frenzy the moment he said it. “Holy shit, man; are you saying what I think you’re fucking saying?”

  Blaze leaned back against the bench top. The shattering revelation—on top of Danny’s death—was almost too much for him. He looked up at Spider and through gritted teeth, replied, “Yes, brother. My piece of shit father is my greatest fucking enemy.”

  There was long silence, until Bernard asked, “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “I don’t think so,” replied Spider.

  “Actually, yes, there is,” said Blaze. “It’s time I collected my inheritance.”

  Chapter 69

  The sound of scribbling pen on paper was the only noise to be heard in the silence of the morgue as the driver waited for Ryan to complete and sign Ellie’s release papers. She was being transported to her parents’ home in the South Island.

  “I’m sorry,” Ryan whispered to Ellie’s ghost in case it was watching from a higher place.

  Blaze had swung by to pick up Danny’s body a few hours earlier.

  Ryan left the morgue in a hurry; he was on his way to Danny’s burial. Blaze had informed him they were taking his body south, to a log cabin deep in the forest that Blaze and the MC used when they occasionally needed to hide out.

  Ryan drove out of Brighton, happily leaving the crime, troubles, and hectic pace of city life in his wake. He wound the window down, letting the breeze rush through his hair and over his face, releasing his tension; he felt like this whole case was out of his depth. He often wished he’d never crossed paths with Blaze.

  Ryan followed the highway that ran alongside the Sterling River; it stretched for countless miles across the North Island. He saw a sign post next to a rest area with a lookout on the opposite of side of a road that read: Cooper’s Bluffs. As he peered out the window, he saw the vast, rocky bluffs that enveloped the crystal clear blue water of the Sterling as he sped by. The turnoff isn’t far, he thought to himself, remembering Blaze’s directions. Two kilometres past Cooper’s Bluffs.

  He pulled off the highway and headed inland, negotiating a narrow, gravel trail that led up into the mountains. Twenty minutes later, his ears started popping as his altitude increased. He pinched his nose while exhaling, relieving the pressure, then stopped the car as he rounded the final corner and came to the end of the trail. He saw a neat row of Harleys parked up alongside Blaze—who was sitting on the bonnet of his Mustang, slowly sipping from a near empty bottle of whisky.

  “Where’s everyone else?” Ryan asked Blaze as he stepped out of the car.

  “They went on ahead. Papa Bear and the boys wanted to have everything ready by the time you got here.”

  “How long have you been waiting?”

  Blaze held up the whisky bottle. “It was full when they left.”

  “You know, I’d have been honoured to help,” he said.

  “And I appreciate that.” He paused. “You thirsty?” He offered Ryan the bottle.

  “To Danny,” Ryan said, and took a swig. He noticed a tear in Blaze’s eye as his throat burned intensely. “Are you okay?” he coughed. “You know you don’t always have to play the tough guy in front of me. You guys went through hell and back together.”

  “I feel so guilty,” he replied. “I should have protected him, told him to stay away from me.”

  Ryan handed the bottle back. “There’s no way he would have left. You were his only family; he had nowhere else to go.”

  Blaze guzzled the remainder of the bottle. “Yeah, maybe.” He tossed the bottle on the ground.

  After a moment’s silence, Blaze said, “Come on, we’ve got a bit of a hike ahead of us.”

  Ryan followed Blaze into the bush. After thirty minutes of walking off the beaten track, Ryan said, “How do you find your way out here?”

  “I’ve been here enough times. I could find my way in the dark if I had to.”

  “And you built a cabin out here?”

  “Yeah. Me and the boys thought it would be good idea to have a holiday home, but it’s nothing flash. We have enough food and grog stored up there to last a wee while in case things turn to shit and we need somewhere safe to hide out.”

  “So you’re saying that Mr Lombardi doesn’t know about this place?”

  “Shit, no. As of this moment you’re the only person other than the MC who knows about it. So I’m trusting you to keep your mouth shut. We invited you out of respect for Danny. He would have wanted you here after you risked your career for his freedom.”

  “I appreciate your trust. You have my word, I won’t tell a soul.”

  An hour later they walked into a clearing. Ryan saw the cabin.

  “Home sweet home,” Blaze said as he opened the door and led Ryan inside.

  The cabin was a simple affair: a main living space and a couple of bedrooms with large bunks—wide enough to sleep four or five people on each level. There was a large table that filled most of the living area. Pots and pans sat on shelves next to a range hood in the corner. Cupboards with canned food and whisky lined one of the sidewalls. Blaze’s hunting rifles hung on the walls.

  Ryan followed Blaze around the back of the cabin where Zoe and the rest of the MC were sitting on logs around a campfire, laughing, drinking, and swapping stories of Danny and memories of old after digging Danny’s final resting place. Ryan was moved by the scene. No one was crying; this was a celebration of his life and time as a member of their family.

  They all stood and gathered around the grave; they had dug it next to Fish’s. Blaze, Trigger, Ace, and Papa Bear each took hold of a limb and gently lowered Danny into the hole.

  “May we ride again someday, brother,” said Blaze.

  Everyone raised their drinks it in the air, and after a moment’s silent reflection, swiftly knocked them back.

  “Rest in peace, Danny boy,” said Ryan. He picked up a shovel and scooped some dirt into the hole.

  One by one they paid their respects and returned to the campfire. As the day went on, Ryan understood why Blaze chose his lifestyle. This truly was a brotherhood. They deeply cared for one other. This is family, he thought.

  Later that evening, as the evening light began to dissipate, Blaze escorted Ryan back to the end of trail where he’d left his car. After walking in relative silence for quite some time, Blaze broke the silence by saying, “You might be pleased to know I tracked down my father yesterday.”

  “Really?” Ryan replied. “I assume you have plans to make him disappear?”

  “Well, as much fun as that sounds, it’s a little more complicated than I thought.”

  “How so?”

&n
bsp; “Do you remember Samuel Bowman’s graduation picture you gave me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Did you think the was something familiar about his face?”

  “Well.it was hard to make out. But if I’m honest—I did get a sense of familiarity when I first saw it.”

  “That’s because you have met him before, quite recently in fact.”

  “You’re kidding!”

  Blaze explained how he’d acquired Bernard Smith’s address, and how he was hiding Samuel Bowman’s finances.

  “You mean to tell me Seth Archer is your father?” he asked, astonished.

  “Biological father,” Blaze corrected him.

  “That’s the most insane thing I’ve ever heard! What are you going to do about it?”

  “That all depends on you.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Did you talk to the commissioner?”

  “I did. He agreed to let the MC walk if you turn over Mr Lombardi’s operation.”

  “And what about my other condition?”

  “I’m sorry. He won’t let Archer out of his sight once he’s taken into custody.”

  “And I’m guessing that if I killed Archer before I turn the shipment of girls over to the commissioner, the deal is off?”

  “If I was a betting man, I’d say that is most definitely the case.”

  “Then now you see why it’s complicated.”

  Ryan thought for a moment. “You know, there are other alternatives than simply killing people.”

  “Jail time is hardly a punishment for Archer. It’s too good for him. He needs to suffer for what he did to my mother.”

  “Look on the bright side; you wouldn’t even be here if it didn’t happen.”

  Blaze gave him a look of disgust. “What’s so good about this fucking life anyway?”

  “Well, for starters, you have Zoe and your MC family. And from what I’ve observed today, I think it makes life every bit worth it when I see how close you are. Don’t underestimate what you have right in front of you and throw it all away for some ruthless prick who takes pleasure in other people’s misery. Take the commissioner’s deal and walk. Hell; move up here and live the quiet life; get away from all the shit you’ve done in the past.”

  Blaze offered no answer, until he finally said, “I’ll figure something out.”

  They arrived back in the clearing where Ryan had left his car. “Thank you for letting me spend the day with you,” said Ryan. “I’ll never forget this.”

  Blaze embraced him. “Don’t tell anyone that I just did that.” He grinned. “But whether you like it or not, you’re family now.”

  Ryan didn’t know whether to feel scared or honoured by his statement.

  They shook hands. Then Ryan said, “So, you never did tell me when that next shipment of girls is arriving. I need to know so we can get everyone ready and in position.”

  Blaze turned to make his way back to the log cabin, and as he did so, he said, “We ride in the next twenty-four hours.”

  Chapter 70

  Later that evening, Blaze was fixated on the soothing flames of the campfire, with his thoughts a million miles away. He was lost in the peace and serenity that came with nature, so much so he didn’t notice the hooting owl from the depths of the forest.

  It was time to tell the others. His family was everything to him, and now that he had them back, he sure as shit didn’t want to lose them again. But he had no choice; the risks were too great.

  “Listen up, brothers,” he said firmly. The laughter and campfire chatter ceased immediately. “You all know how much this family means to me,” he continued, “but the time has come for us to part ways.”

  “What the fuck are you on about?” said Lemon, mystified.

  “Look, you all know the commissioner has been trying to shut us down for a considerable time now, and I’ve managed to keep him at bay by holding the video of him trying to execute me over his head. But now things have gone too far. We are all here tonight because I failed in destroying Mr Lombardi and the governor when I had the chance in Worthington. Then we lost Ellie, as well as Fish, because they stumbled upon something they shouldn’t have—something I feel personally responsible for. And I would kill myself right now if it meant I could bring them back, not to mention Danny.”

  “That wasn’t your fault,” said Ace. “Don’t let that shit get to your head. It wasn’t you who pulled the trigger on Ellie!”

  “But I delivered the shipment of girls to The Underground. And for what? A quick buck? It’s my own fucking fault she was killed, which broke Danny’s heart —” He stopped himself as a rush of guilt twisted his insides. He stubbornly blinked backed the tears.

  “And if you hadn’t have done what the governor wanted, I wouldn’t be here,” said Zoe. “I’d be dead; you’d feel just as guilty about me, and guess what? They’d still be bringing the girls into the country. Either way you look at it, someone was always going to die.”

  “She’s right,” Trigger agreed. “You can’t keep blaming yourself for everything that’s happened. We all knew the risks we when chose this lifestyle.”

  “And that’s my point,” Blaze said. “We know the fucking risks. And as of right now, we are fucked out of our league! We are the target! And after much consideration, I’ve decided to take steps in order to move the spotlight away from the MC.”

  “Steps?” Ace queried.

  “I’m making a deal with the commissioner,” Blaze answered.

  “You’re doing what!” Trigger spluttered. “Without asking us first?”

  Blaze shot him a dirty look. “I had no choice! I’m trading our freedom for the execution video and my assistance in bringing Archer and Mr Lombardi to justice. But in order for that to happen the SAS must disband and go our separate ways. It’s all I could do to save us from a lifetime of three square meals a day, cooped up inside Brighton Penitentiary.”

  Papa Bear stood up from his log; his face was tense. He looked angry, the one day of the year kind of angry that no one wanted to mess with. He heaved Blaze up by the scruff of the neck and punched him in square on the jaw.

  Blaze lay sprawled out on the ground. “What the fuck was that for!” He gingerly held his jaw and looked up at him.

  “Man the fuck up!” Papa Bear replied. “Stop being such a pussy and sort your shit out! Nobody forced Fish, Ellie, or your fucking boyfriend to join the MC! They joined because they wanted to! The same goes for all of us!”

  Blaze scrambled to his feet, and angrily replied, “Don’t you talk about Danny like that! I’ll fucking kill you!”

  Papa Bear reached out with both arms and pulled Blaze in tight.

  Blaze struggled to free himself, but Papa Bear’s tree branch arms didn’t budge. He was as strong as an ox.

  “Fucking let me go!” Blaze shouted.

  Papa Bear relaxed his grip to a strong embrace, then said, “You need to accept that you can’t control everything, brother. Danny and Ellie’s deaths weren’t your fault,” he said calmly. “Look around you. We are all here out of love and respect for our fallen brother. And I don’t see anyone pointing the finger at you. I understand you’re grieving, but you ain’t thinking straight. We all understand how much Danny meant to you. But I’ll tell you something right now; I ain’t taking this patch off for no one. I’m a scarecrow ‘til the good Lord decides otherwise. And I’ll rot in prison for the rest of my life before I lower my colours, because they actually mean something to me. Without this club I have nothing. And I ain’t turning my back on my family just because times are getting tough. We live on the edge, and I’ll die on the edge if necessary. Do you understand me, boy?”

  Everyone was gobsmacked. They’d never heard Papa Bear speak with such ferocity. He truly was the father of the MC, the father that Blaze had never had. Blaze admired and respected every word that came out of his mouth, and on this occasion, it was exactly what he needed to hear.

  Blaze embraced him tight. He let a tear
trickle down his cheek. Thank you, brother,” he said.

  Then the beast that lived within his soul stirred. His eyes narrowed, his pulsed accelerated, his nostrils flared. The constant level of rage that fuelled his emotions reared into life.

  The confident, never-say-die, Blaze was back.

  Chapter 71

  Sandra had been awake for nearly two days straight. She had been through countless records of all the officers in the New Zealand Police Force, and had finally made a breakthrough. She was sure she knew who had killed the Bowmans, but it would cost her career if she was wrong. She needed more evidence; hard evidence; she was on her way to Ryan’s hotel suite to shed some light on her theory.

  It was almost one a.m.

  Ryan was already up and alert, preparing himself for the commissioner’s raid on The Underground when he’d received Sandra’s urgent call. He asked her if it could wait ‘til the morning. But she insisted it was important.

  She stepped out of the elevator and gently knocked on Ryan’s door.

  “It’s open,” he called out.

  She bustled inside, holding a folder brimming with papers. “I’m sorry for the early hour, but this just couldn’t wait!” she said.

  “What is it?” he replied. “Did you find something?”

  “Oh, I found something all right.”

  “Well, don’t just stand there.”

  She came straight to the point and revealed the name of her prime suspect.

  “You’re preposterous!” Ryan exclaimed. “You’re insane if you think it’s him!”

  “I know it sounds ridiculous,” she replied calmly, “but I’m telling you, it all fits.”

  Ryan huffed as he flopped onto a stool at the breakfast bar. “All right, spell it out for me.”

  She slapped the folder down in front of Ryan, and cleared her throat. “Exhibit one,” she said, and produced a long list of names printed on three sheets of paper.

  “What am I looking at?” Ryan asked.