Page 68 of Hostile Saint

“Not one bit.” I plopped back onto a barstool, dumbfounded.

Lynx placed his palms on the counter and leaned his weight forward. “Justice, did you find out anything on this mystery man?”

“Yeah, hence this next part. I need my Prez’s permission to use a connection into the Kansas Penitentiary.”

Lynx’s nostrils flared as he grumbled, “Why?”

“Because that’s where this man has been for the last eighteen years. United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth.”

Dagger crossed his arms. “That’s a Federal Prison.”

“Yes, sir,” replied his Road Captain. “It appears this man was in prison for being in possession of firearms that are on a big no-no list. But here’s the kicker. No, and I mean no previous record. He’s an unemployed nerdy scientist. That’s all I have on him. That’s a big first-time offense. Need inside info to learn more about him.”

Lynx crossed his arms, agreeing, “Who he’s rolling with in there. I got cha.”

Dagger contemplated, “Maybe it could lead to who is truly behind all this.”

Arms still somewhat crossed, Lynx tapped his lip. “But once we start asking questions, you know what that does.”

Vice agreed. “Has others askin’ why we askin’.”

Lynx paced some more, then stopped to stare out the sliding glass door. “Justice, can you and my boys make a trip up here?”

“We could get away for a couple of days, but then head back home. The shop is booked tight. And that shipment end of next week.”

Justice not mentioning what the shipment involved told me it wasn’t any of my business.

“Lynx,” said Dagger. “Ain’t needed.”

Lynx turned to him. “They haven’t even met him.”

Dagger dipped his chin. “They trust you. They don’t have to meet the pup.”

At the time, I wasn’t sure of Lynx’s concerns, but that man sure put his club, and those he was responsible for, first. In thought, he faced the window again. “Justice, where’s my Sergeant at Arms?”

“Standby,” I heard her say. “Hey, can you come to the Stalls? Thanks.”

Within a couple of minutes, I heard a door open, then… “You good, Cap?”

Justice answered, “Always. Just got Prez on the line for ya.”

“Who?” said the man’s voice with playful sarcasm. “Is he even still alive?”

Lynx finally laughed, turning from the window. “Fucker, you love being in charge down there. Don’t fake it.”

“Hey, having me in charge makes this ship glide smoothly through the water—”

Knock! Knock! “Sorry. It’s Brat. I think the water heater is going out.”

‘Smooth’ Sailor griped, “Alright! I’ll be out in a minute,” and threw all pretense out the window. “Jesus. Lynx, when the fuck you comin’ home?”

Lynx was still smiling. “And leave my vacation behind? Fuck off.” After some surrounding laughter, he said, “I’m actually wanting my officers to come here and meet my boy before I possibly stir a hornet’s nest.”

The Sergeant at Arms said, “Hey, brother, I hear ya, and we will come. But for real, Justice has been keeping us informed, and we all totally have your back. You vouched for the kid. That’s good as gold to us. Hear me? I’m sure my VP totally agrees.”

Dagger smirked. “I just got through telling him, Torque.”

Torque yelled, “Other motherfucker! Miss you asshole!”