Page 50 of Torrent’s Treasure

Even though he and Cecilia had become closer, his anger toward Useless and Horse’s Ass, even though the latter was dead, continued to grow. He needed to do something so that his girls would be safe.

Mammoth and Cauldron switched seats with the smaller guys who had been beside him. Not that any of their crew was small, but Mammoth and Cauldron were massive.

“Go on, Gunner. Torrent will stay in his seat until you’re done,” Dragon instructed.

Torrent rolled his eyes and motioned to Gunner to continue. What a big baby.

“I know we did our normal check on Jasmine, just like we do with all the Whispers, and nothing popped then,” Gunner noted.

“What popped now?” Mav asked.

“Jasmine and Judith are related—second cousins—but there’s more. When I started researching Judith and Linny, I couldn’t find out who Linny’s father is. I did, however, find a rape charge regarding Judith that coincides with Linny being born nine months later, but it was dismissed,” Gunner revealed.

“Fuck! Does that make Judith a victim or an accomplice?” Fury barked.

“Couldn’t she be both?” Mammoth questioned.

“Help me do the math. Useless and Horse’s Ass are in their forties, but Useless didn’t take over as Police Chief until eight years ago when his dad was killed on a traffic stop on a dirt road. Linny is ten and a half, which means we’re looking at something that happened about eleven and a half years ago or thereabouts. Are we thinking Useless is the dad?” Bravo calculated.

“Eleven and a half years ago, neither one of them was here. Their dad was the Police Chief, with two officers who reported to him. It was before the Demise Police Department took over for some of the other small towns. The boys weren’t with the department when their dad died. They came back, hired on, and were working with the other two officers. The two other officers were killed when a meth house blew outside of town, killing them and the inhabitants,” Cauldron said.

“Yeah, that so doesn’t sound suspicious, does it?” Deacon scoffed.

“Are we suggesting like father, like son? Is Linny Useless’ half-sister?” Mav pressed.

“It’s possible. I don’t think we’ll know more until we can get some answers from Jasmine,” Dragon said.

“And when is that?” Torrent growled.

“Guru from the Honey Creek Badgers is going to help us. She’s quite the interrogator, according to her President. She’ll be here soon,” Dragon replied.

“How is she going to get away from her job at the police station?” Torrent asked.

Dragon chuckled. “Apparently, Useless may be a tool, but he gets a little green when menstruation is mentioned. Abby told him about her horrible cramps and how she bled through her uniform. He told her to go home and come back when she felt better. Ashe took one of the trucks to wash out and will transport her back in it.”

Torrent didn’t care what it took; he needed answers to keep his family safe. Right now, he wanted to burn down the police department building with Useless locked in a cell.

The door opened and Abby walked in, carrying a large bag over her shoulder. Ashe had brought her directly to the Boneyard. Jasmine was in a soundproof room down the hall.

“How do you want to do this? Am I leading this, or will you want to ask questions too?” Abby asked.

Torrent worried that Abby—or Guru, as her President called her—would be able to do what was needed. She was short, about five-foot-two, maybe. She had thick thighs, but he guessed she didn’t weigh over one-fifty. She didn’t inspire fear.

“Your President said it would be more effective if we let you lead,” Dragon replied.

“It will. If I’m not getting what you need, point out another weapon you think I should use, and I’ll walk over to find out what you want asked,” Abby instructed, nodding toward the door.

Torrent followed Dragon and Abby. Once they were all in the room, Abby put her bag on the table to the side.

“If you think I’ll be so grateful you brought a woman in that I’ll talk, you’re delusional,” Jasmine taunted.

Abby brought over an electric razor and stood in front of Jasmine.

“I don’t want your gratitude. I want answers—easy or hard way doesn’t matter to me. I’m here regardless,” Abby said, in what Torrent could only describe as a voice devoid of anything. It wasn’t the calm voice Abby had used talking with them. It was hollow and sent shivers down Torrent’s back.

“Fuck you,” Jasmine snapped.

“Not into girls, but remember, you can stop this at any time,” Abby countered, walking behind her. Abby grabbed a hunk of hair, pulling it up, and used the razor to cut off Jasmine’s long hair until it was chin length.