Page 29 of Gauntlet

“Amberlea killed my sister,” Arlo added, speaking for the first time.

“Girl’s a murderer?” Drake asked, pretending concern.

“Vehicular manslaughter,” Arlo replied.

“Guess she was driving. Sorry to hear that; no brother of mine has brought anyone here like that,” Ace spoke, eying the men.

“Look, Amberlea is here. Just hand her over.” Arlo’s sharp temper showed.

“Is there a warrant for her arrest? Is there a report of the kidnapping? If this woman’s been locked up, how the hell did she kidnap her own child?” Drake snapped back. “Seems some facts are wrong here.”

“There is a report of the kidnapping. A matron from the hospital was seen leaving with the baby. There is no report that Amberlea Folkes was involved,” Ramirez acknowledged.

“Then I don’t get why you’re here,” Drake said.

“So they can question that bitch and have the truth about my daughter,” Jax snarled.

“Seems to me the truth isn’t what it appears. But again, I can’t produce a woman who ain’t here,” Drake retorted.

Amused, I laughed at that.

Jax bristled, and Arlo straightened his shoulders and took two steps forward.

“That cunt killed my sister, my baby sister, after downing enough drinks to be twice over the limit. Amberlea betrayed us both, and we never saw it coming. That cunt knows where my niece is, and we want her. Now, why don’t you let us search your compound?” Arlo sneered.

I flinched as Arlo used to the word niece. She was in reality a second cousin, but Arlo clearly was still considering Jax a brother.

“If you knew the girl that well, you didn’t question her innocence?” Drake snapped.

“Was no doubt to her guilt,” Jax replied.

“Sure of that, are ya? Shit ain’t what it often appears. But you aren’t searching Rage without a warrant. You got one, Ramirez?” Ace asked, turning to the cop.

“Nope. Just here because Mr Myers has money to throw around, and so do his in-laws. Even if Miss Folkes was here, I couldn’t take her in unless she agreed to come,” Ramirez said.

Wow, did he admit that? Ramirez seemed pretty decent, and he was also eyeing Jax and Arlo suspiciously.

“What do you mean? Amberlea kidnapped my daughter!” Jax exploded.

“Actually, the report says a woman dressed as a matron did and when Amberlea was spoken to, she’d been drugged and had no idea what was happening. What I find worrying is that Miss Folkes, three hours after giving birth and still drugged, was sent back to prison. That’s on the official report. I don’t deny your child was taken, but it’s hardly likely it was by Miss Folkes. If she had been inside, who could she have contacted to take your daughter?” Ramirez asked. “And locking a kid up at sixteen before a trial, something smells fishy here. Even worse, it was mainstream prison.”

Jax and Arlo swapped glances.

I let my anger grow as I saw the sneer on their faces.

“You know nothing about Amberlea. She’s an accomplished liar and fraud. Caught in the driver’s side, Amberlea kept claiming she was innocent and couldn’t drive. That’s probably what killed my sister,” Arlo sneered.

“Really? A sixteen-year-old girl who’s never acted out gets drunk and drives under the influence. Seems out of character to me. Report says another victim walked away unharmed,” Ramirez replied casually, but I saw his eyes were locked on Jax. This Ramirez had his suspicions.

“My wife,” Jax replied stiffly.

“Woah, hold on. Thought you just said you were Miss Folkes’ boyfriend. Yet you married the survivor and didn’t question the unusual behaviour of a girl you’d known a while?” Ramirez asked with a snort. His attitude showed everything, which Jax and Arlo both took offence too.

Jax stiffened.

“I want their compound searched.”

“No warrant and no grounds except two bitter men intent on blaming someone for a kidnapping she couldn’t possibly have carried out,” Ramirez replied.