Page 43 of The Biker's Brother

“Well, as you know, my wife and I are separated. What you may not know is that I love my wife. I’d do anything to get her back.Anything.Which means that information about her whereabouts is at a premium. I can’t beg her to forgive me if I can’t find her and, right now, her father is hiding her from me.”

Richard sat up. “You want me to spy on Mr. Carmichael?”

“Well, let’s not be dramatic. As his top assistant, you’re privy to information. It’s not like I’m somebody who intends her harm. Until a judge says otherwise, I’m her husband. You could be the hero in this scenario. Helping to patch up a lovers’ quarrel.

“I just want you to find out where she is and let me know. Simple. Easy. With a gigantic return on your investment.”

Richard looked out at the view of the Commons again before saying, “I’d like to think about it.”

“Of course. The offer is open until this time tomorrow. Then it goes away.” Richard got up and started for the door. “You’re welcome to stay for dessert.”

“No. Thank you.”

“And, Richard. No one knows that you and I had this meeting. Likewise, no one is ever to know. Are we clear?”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Michaels.”

“Good. I’ll look forward to hearing from you tomorrow and I trust the news will be good. Find a pay phone somewhere and contact me at this number. The earlier, the better. Time is a consideration.” He handed Richard a card. “I’d like you to memorize the number while you’re here with me.”

Richard took the card, studied it for a minute, then handed it back.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kentucky Part Deux

Cami held her coffee in both hands. It was still raining. She didn’t get drenched between the motel door and the car, but she wasn’t completely dry anymore either.

“So what now?” she asked.

“Back to Kentucky.” He handed her the atlas and pointed to a tiny airplane symbol encircled by orange highlighter. “We’re going there.”

“We’re flying somewhere? Thank God!” She looked over at him. “Somewhere out of the rain. Right?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Where? I hope it’s a desert where it hasn’t rained in decades.”

He chuckled because she wasn’t far off. He was sure it had rained sometime that year, but at the same time, New Mexico wasn’t exactly tropical.

“What’s funny?” she asked.

“We’re going to Poco Loco in New Mexico and we’re not likely to see any rain once we get there.”

She closed her eyes and moaned with longing. “I can’t wait.”

“Come on. It hasn’t beenthatbad.”

She looked at him with wide eyes. “It’s not that bad when you’re warm and dry. And asleep. But riding in a car all day with wet clothes goes on my list of things never to do again.”

He couldn’t really argue that. “You want sit down breakfast enough to get wet or you want to go through a McDonalds drive through?”

As far as Cami was concerned, that was a painful and unfair choice between two evils. Probably. But maybe she should keep an open mind.

“What do they have?”

“McDonalds?”

“Yes.”