The Blood of Brothers: A Sycamore Moon Novel (Sycamore Moon Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

fugitive, complete with hostages and the threat to kill Diego's sister. Gaston had helped both men, and his cooperation had afforded him and the club a long leash. Now Maxim was hoping that his trust had not been misplaced.
    "Clint Dailey James," he announced as he saw the man in a red leather jacket walk by.
    The brown beard spun around as he noticed the detective for the first time. "And what's the police doin' here?"
    "I was looking for you, actually."
    Clint puffed out his chest, as much as he could over his belly, and sidled up to Maxim. His breath reeked of alcohol and vomit, and his eyes were bloodshot. "And how can I help you, Ociffer?" He mispronounced the last word on purpose, with a condescending slant.
    "First I'm gonna ask you to put the beer bottle down."
    Clint raised it quickly, forcing Maxim to take a step back and put a hand on the gun at his belt, then the man overturned the bottle to his lips. Clint had done it just to make him flinch.
    "Settle down," said Gaston, speaking to both of them.
    "Sure thing," said Clint. "And as for this here bottle, I don't make a habit of holding on to them once they're empty." Clint flipped the glass over his shoulder and it smashed on the floor behind him. The other club members took note of the drama playing out and surrounded them, except for West, who stayed in the other room.
    "Hey Maxim," said Diego, as if this were a friendly visit.
    The detective nodded and relaxed his arms again. He was in a room with dangerous people, but they knew better than to attack him. Besides the agreement he had with the Seventh Sons, the last president's mistake had been attacking the police. Gaston wouldn't let that happen again.
    "Clint Dailey James," Maxim repeated, reminding everybody he was on official business. "Where were you last night?"
    The man chuckled and looked to his brothers. "Well hell if I remember!"
    Gaston cut in. "He rode in last night and kicked it at Sycamore Lodge. What's this about?"
    "And overnight?"
    "He slept here. We all did. Why?"
    Gaston was getting more demanding, but the detective didn't want to jump ahead just yet. Even though he knew he wasn't in danger, he suddenly wished he had brought Hitchens with him as backup. The two veterans were wolves affiliated to the blue team.
    "I have some business I need to ask about," replied Maxim calmly. "We can be civil around each other. Remember we went hunting for mule deer together last November?"
    "Sure do," answered Clint. "Bagged a big one." He stuck his chin out proudly, more at ease. Maxim could tell that Gaston and Diego were still wary.
    "Hey," said the detective offhandedly. "You remember that skinning knife you used on the carcass? The one your daddy gave you?"
    The beard rose and fell. "Sure do. It never leaves my side."
    Maxim smiled. "That's why I'm here. It's come up in an investigation. You mind showing it to me?"
    Clint's eyebrows creased and he peered at Gaston. The president nodded and the rotund man started outside to his bike. "Fine then. Them's were good times, but don't think we're friends again. Not after that business with the laundromat."
    Maxim smiled and followed the man outdoors. The incident he was referring to was entirely Clint's fault. He'd gotten drunk and methed up and crashed his bike through the glass storefront of Lucky's Laundry. Not so lucky for the store owner, but perhaps so because no one inside had gotten hurt. Hitchens had still arrested him, and Clint added a DUI charge to his jacket. The old biker had treated Maxim as an outsider ever since.
    "You didn't get drawn this year, did you?" asked Clint, forgetting about their differences as he thought about hunting again. Gaston and Diego kicked up gravel and dust as they followed. It must have been over eighty degrees already. With the town's high elevation, that was the summer showing its heat.
    "No," said Maxim, shaking his head. "Just wondering what your daddy's knife has been up to."
    Clint paused when he reached his bike.