Page 26 of A Love Bite (Werewolf Motorcycle Club #1)

26

A lex

As the day progresses, I can’t shake off the unsettling feeling from my conversation with Jake. Determined to get more information, I decide to visit Opal again. Maybe she remembers something else, or perhaps I can piece together more clues. I need to know what’s going on, and the police investigation seems to be going nowhere.

I arrive at Opal’s apartment and knock on the door. She opens it, looking a bit tired but managing a small smile when she sees me.

“Hey, Alex,” she says, stepping aside to let me in. “Come on in.”

“Thanks, Opal,” I reply, stepping inside. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m doing okay,” she says, sitting down on the couch. “Kathy’s been great, staying with me and helping me feel safe.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” I say, sitting beside her. “I wanted to see if there’s anything more you remember about what happened.”

Opal sighs, running a hand through her hair. “Not really. I’m sorry. To make matters worse, the police investigation doesn’t seem to be getting anywhere, and it’s frustrating. They’ve asked me a million questions, but they don’t seem to have any leads. It’s like whoever did this just vanished.”

“I get it,” I say, feeling a surge of annoyance. “But sometimes, it’s the smallest details that can help. Is there anything else you remember? Anything at all?”

Opal closes her eyes for a moment, thinking hard. “Well, I’ve been trying to remember everything. There was a moment when they were dragging me to that gazebo. I heard one of them on the phone. He was talking about ‘the boss’ and making sure everything went according to plan.”

I lean in, my interest piqued. “Did he mention any names? Anything that could identify who they were talking about?”

She shakes her head. “No names. Just ‘the boss.’ And something about making sure they weren’t followed.”

I jot down the information in my notebook, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. “That’s something, at least. Maybe we can find out who’s in charge and work our way from there.”

“The police haven’t told me much,” Opal continues, her voice tinged with frustration. “They keep saying they’re working on it, but I feel like they’re not getting anywhere.”

“I know,” I say, feeling her frustration. “But we can’t give up. I’m going to keep digging, and I promise we’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Opal looks at me, her eyes filled with gratitude and fear. “Thank you, Alex. I don’t know what I’d do without you and Kathy.”

“We’re in this together,” I assure her, giving her a reassuring smile. “And we won’t stop until we find out who did this and why.”

“Just…” She bites her lower lip. “Be careful, okay? I don’t want them to think you’re getting too close and kidnap you or… worse.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

She hangs her head. “I never felt so hopeless,” she mumbles. “I don’t understand. They didn’t handcuff me or bind me in any way. I could’ve left, but I just obeyed them.”

“Fear is a powerful motivator,” I assure her, patting her shoulder.

She gulps. “They still have my purse, my phone, my wallet… I canceled all of my cards, but…” Her gaze shifts to her door.

“Maybe you should talk to your landlord and see if your knob can be changed,” I suggest. “They won’t want your place to be ransacked.”

Or for Opal to be taken again, but I don’t voice that aloud.

Opal rubs the back of her neck. “Curt’s been great. He’s allowing me to take a short leave of absence, but I almost wonder if just sitting here in my apartment is the last thing I need.”

“A few days off can’t hurt,” I tell her.

“I know, but…”

“You wouldn’t be put on your own case anyhow,” I reason.

She sighs and picks at her nails. “I know, but I feel like a sitting duck.”

“If you want to stay at my place,” I murmur, “please, feel free.”

Her eyes widen. “I… I’ll take you up on that.”

She darts around her apartment, filling an overnight bag, and I help her settle into my apartment even as my mind races with new questions. The mention of a boss and a plan makes it clear that this was orchestrated by someone with a lot of influence. I need to find out why Elias and his pack targeted people like Opal and before that Amelia.

I’m even more determined to follow up on every lead. I can’t help but think about Jake’s warning and his reluctance to share what he knows. There’s something he’s not telling me, and I need to find a way to get him to open up.

Determined to make some headway in the investigation, I head to the police station to talk to the officer in charge of Opal’s case. I need more information and hope that they might have something useful, even if they won’t go on the record.

When I arrive at the station, I find the officer handling Opal’s case, Detective Johnson. After some initial reluctance, he finally agrees to speak with me off the record.

“Look, Alex,” Detective Johnson says, his tone firm but not unkind, “I get that you’re trying to help, but this is a delicate situation. There are a lot of moving parts, and it’s dangerous. You need to let us handle this.”

“I understand, Detective,” I reply, trying to keep my frustration in check. “But Opal is my friend, and I need to do everything I can to help her. Is there anything you can tell me that might point me in the right direction?”

He sighs, leaning back in his chair. “Off the record, another bar had been attacked about a week ago. Similar situation—violent, seemed targeted.”

“Wait,” I murmur. “Braveheart’s Pub, right?”

He hesitates and then nods.

“Please, anything else?” I beg.

The detective looks away. “The name Amelia Jackson came up in our investigation. You might want to talk to her.”

“Amelia Jackson,” I repeat, committing the name to memory. “Do you have any idea where I can find her?”

He shakes his hands and lifts his hands. “I’ve told you more than I should’ve already. Be careful, Alex. This isn’t a game.”

“I know it’s not,” I say. “Thank you, Detective.”

I leave the station and immediately start to do some investigative work on my phone. Amelia might have information that could help us understand what’s happening, and it doesn’t take me long to find an address. Hopefully, I’ll find her there and get some answers.

The address is for a small apartment complex on the outskirts of the southside. The area is a bit rundown. Maybe Amelia wouldn’t have wanted to stick around after what happened.

I ask a few people if they know her, but most just shake their heads or look away.

Finally, an older woman in the hallway points me in the right direction. “Amelia lives in 3B. She’s a good girl, but she’s been through a lot lately.”

“Thank you,” I say, heading up the stairs to the third floor. I knock on the door of apartment 3B, hoping she’s home.

After a moment, the door opens a crack, and a woman with wary eyes peers out. “Yes?”

“Hi, Amelia?” I ask, giving her a friendly smile. “My name is Alex. I’m a journalist, and I’m investigating the recent attacks. Detective Johnson mentioned you might have some information.”

Her eyes narrow slightly, but she opens the door a bit wider. “Come in, but make it quick.”

I step inside, and she closes the door behind me. The apartment is small but tidy, and I can see she’s been trying to make it feel like home despite everything.

“Look,” she says, crossing her arms, “I don’t know what you think I can tell you, but those guys… they’re dangerous.”

“I believe you,” I say, trying to put her at ease. “But anything you can tell me might help. My friend Opal was attacked, and we’re trying to find out who’s behind this and why.”

Amelia sighs, sitting down on the edge of her couch. “It’s all about territory. These guys, they’re trying to take control of the southside. The attack on my bar was a warning to stay out of their way. They didn’t care who got hurt.”

“Did you recognize any of them?” I ask, taking out my notebook. “Or hear anything that might identify who did it?”

She shakes her head, but she won’t meet my gaze. “They’re organized, and they won’t stop until they get what they want.”

“Did they mention any specific places or names?” I press, hoping for something concrete.

“No names,” she says, looking frustrated. “But…” She sighs. “I think they’re planning more attacks.”

I jot down everything she says, feeling a chill run down my spine. “Thank you, Amelia. This helps a lot. I promise I’ll do everything I can to stop them.”

“Just be careful,” she warns, her eyes filled with worry. “These people don’t play by the rules. They won’t hesitate to hurt you.”

“I will,” I assure her. “And thank you for talking to me. If you think of anything else, please let me know.”

As I leave Amelia’s apartment, I feel a mix of frustration and determination. The pieces are starting to come together, but there’s still so much I don’t know. One thing is clear: whoever is behind these attacks is ruthless and determined, and I need to find a way to stop them before more people get hurt.