Page 28 of Inglorious (Unwanted Bastards MC #1)

Inglorious

“W ho… why—shit,” I ground out as my gaze swept the grounds. Nothing had been left undamaged.

“Found this a few minutes ago and came straight to fetch you,” Gravey replied.

“Inside the church?” I whispered, thinking of the stained-glass window and the mural.

“The protective screens did their job, although they cracked and were damaged. Someone really tried to destroy them to get at the window and paintings.”

Relief swept through me.

“These motherfuckers have thrown paint and shit everywhere, and I mean literal horse manure. They must have raided a farm somewhere,” Gravey continued, and I winced.

Anxious and with my stomach tied in a knot, I shoved open the church doors, and the stench hit.

Gagging, I moved back and heaved. Holding my tee over my nose, I stepped in and gazed around before the smell got too much.

Similar words had been painted on the walls inside, and shit had been smeared over the protective glass covering the mural.

I could see dents in it where rocks had been thrown, which remained on the floor.

“Fuck! Did you spot anyone?” I asked.

“No. This must have happened last night. And my house is pretty far from here,” Gravey replied. I nodded. That was true, and nobody could blame Gravey for not hearing anything.

“I’ll speak to Apache about a cleanup crew to scrub this paint off,” I muttered finally.

I was badly hurt. Why anyone would do this, I didn’t know, but they had certainly done this to strike at us.

They’d succeeded in their efforts. This was a brutal attack with bad intentions behind it.

The words screamed at me, burrowing into my brain.

Murderers. Killers. Liars. There was only one conclusion I could draw.

This was about an incident that had happened during the war.

I searched my mind for connections. Something we’d done had rubbed someone the wrong way.

Were the Unwanted Bastards the only target? Or had other memorials been hit too?

“I can clean the inside,” Gravey stated.

“Get protective clothing and a face mask. That stench is foul,” I said. “And Gravey, you’ll take payment for this.”

Gravey scowled. “They’re my brothers, too.”

Bless that fuckin’ asshole. Surly as fuck but kind-hearted.

“And I’d have paid any of the brothers for cleaning this up.

Might need some specialist cleaning equipment to remove the paint from the walls and gravestones.

Speak to Apache or Rock, who are in charge of construction. I bet they have something,” I said.

Gracey frowned.

“Never mind. I’ll do that and ensure things are delivered. Call me if you need anything extra.”

Gravey nodded and walked away, and I stared at the devastation. Who was behind this? Because one thing was for sure, this wasn’t kids messing around. This was targeted at the Unwanted Bastards.

With one last pained glance at the desecrated building and cemetery, I headed back to town. Nanci was waiting as I approached.

“What happened? Is Gravey okay?”

This would upset her, but as acting president, Nanci needed to know. I took a breath and informed her of what had occurred. Nanci paled and began walking in the church’s direction, and I reached out and snagged her arm.

“Don’t. Just stop, Nanci. You don’t want that image in your head. Let Gravey and Apache clean it up and then visit.”

Nanci regarded me with tears in her eyes before nodding.

She clearly felt this was an attack on Psych’s memory, and I couldn’t blame her.

Concerned, I hauled Nanci into my arms as tears leaked down her cheeks.

Nanci wasn’t full-on crying, but I knew she wouldn’t want people witnessing her distress.

I made a mental note to inform Hercules to get cameras up and also put some hidden ones on the grounds.

We might catch the culprits if they returned.

Nanci

A week later, I looked up as a guy approached. He screamed cop , and I sat up straight. A smile crossed his face as he stopped in front of me.

“Hey, I’m looking for Inglorious. My name is Drew Lemon,” he stated.

“Why?”

“I met some friends recently, Willow and Fanatic. They said there was a sheriff’s position going? I’m interested in the position and thought I’d come and check the town out rather than talk over the phone.”

“Oh, hi, I’m Nanci, and the president of the club, for now. And yes, there is a vacancy. Grab a seat, and we’ll have a chat. Have you driven far?”

“Six-hour drive. Willow told me to call, but I find it’s more enlightening to drop by. Is the position still open?”

“Yeah, but we’ve had no interest. What is your current rank?”

“Detective, and not a single inquiry? What’s wrong with the job? Bad pay?”

“Not at all, in fact, it’s slightly higher than an average sheriff’s wage. The problem seems to be that nobody wishes to work in a former ghost town. Especially one that’s planning to be a tourist attraction. Although it will be small, certainly not a theme park,” I replied.

Drew looked around. “So, you plan on restoring the buildings and opening the town to tourists?”

“Yes. But behind both sides of Main Street are houses. We’re going to rent them out to the workers, and the MC are also keeping some for themselves.”

“Yeah, Fanatic said that you were a motorcycle club. The Unwanted Bastards have got quite a history.” Drew chuckled.

“We’re clean.”

“Nanci, I’m aware of that, or I wouldn’t be here.

I’m genuinely interested in the position.

Truthfully, I’ve seen too much shit, and I’m thirty-five.

This job seems exactly what the doctor ordered.

If I stay in my current role, I risk becoming that archetypical chain-smoking, boozing cop who’s embittered and makes a half-assed effort.

That isn’t me, and I won’t allow that to become my future.

Wrangling tourists and drunks might seem boring to a lot of cops, but not to me. ”

“Fancy a drink? And we can discuss this further.”

Drew nodded. “You mentioned you were renting the houses out,” he said as we stood up. “Can people buy them?”

“No. The club will retain ownership, but the rent will be minimal. Staff will pay around four hundred bucks a month for a house,” I replied.

“That’s cheap!” Drew exclaimed.

“We’ll get roughly ninety thousand a year from their rental.

All we’re looking to do is recoup the cost of renovating them.

In ten years, we’d have reclaimed the money put into them and have made a profit.

Same with the shops and businesses. The club intends to keep ownership and operate its own ventures, hiring staff to manage them.

“However, we’ll hire out a couple of shops to outside people, again for minimal rent.

There’s no point in being extortionate, and businesses can’t afford to locate here.

No franchises will be allowed here, though.

We intend to keep Merritt as it was. The club will allow two or three takeaway places, but if you’re looking for a Maccie’s, you’ll have to drive there.

“We won’t gouge the people we hire, and we’ll offer incentives for them to move here. The old schoolhouse is being converted into a daycare/kindergarten, while we’ll be putting on a bus service for kids to attend schools in Rapid City. We hope this will become an all-year-round attraction.

“In late spring, summer, and autumn, people can come and stay or visit. We offer trout fishing, outdoor events, pony trekking, camping, and team-bonding exercises. During the snow months and winter, we’ll have activities centred around winter activities.

The Unwanted Bastards are invested in making this work because we’ve sunk a fortune into this.

And the brothers will each control one aspect. ”

“This sounds fascinating,” Drew said as I poured coffees. He was checking out the clubhouse with interest, and his eyes landed on Meadow.

“Meadow’s our cook. She comes and makes lunch and dinner for us Monday to Friday. As sheriff, you’ll be entitled to eat here at the clubhouse free,” I stated, and Drew laughed.

“The food smells amazing,” he admitted.

“Yeah, Meadow’s a great cook. Let me tell you what we’re offering, and then you can tell me about yourself.

We’re adding ten per cent to the standard salary of a sheriff.

The position is funded partially by the club.

In addition, you’ll also be given a house, rent-free and until you die or give it up.

You have the option to eat for free here with us, and you’ll also receive an official car.

Considering the surrounding terrain, you’ll end up with a vehicle that can handle it.

Also, a snowmobile will be provided as we can get thick snow up here.

“You’re entitled to six weeks’ paid holiday a year, and will receive a pension, health plan, and overtime will be paid.

We have a doctor with the MC who’s opening a surgery here, which means you’ll get free medical treatment.

We don’t have a dentist yet, but we’re looking for one.

The club will also cover your moving costs,” I said.

Drew’s eyes grew wide as I spoke. “And nobody has applied for this position?”

“Nope,” I popped out.

“You mentioned the doctor is part of your club. Am I required to join?”

“No. If you want to, feel free, but you’ll have to prospect. And you don’t answer to the MC either. Your boss is Chief Howser in Rapid City. We’re friendly, but he wouldn’t hesitate to arrest one of us if we broke the law,” I stated and laughed.

“Honestly, I researched Unwanted Bastards before coming. I know your community standing,” Drew announced, and I nodded.

“What we have suffered is common knowledge.”

“I’m sorry for your losses. Everyone who stepped up and didn’t have to are heroes in my book,” Drew said.