Brown sticky air weighed
heavily on the riding pair. As quickly as he could, Joey maneuvered the
motorcycle to I-5 North heading out of the congestion of downtown Los Angeles.
Using the California law of splitting lanes, he bypassed the traffic sitting
still and quickly exited to Hwy 14 heading north to Palmdale/Lancaster. He
drove wildly not slowing his pace until after he passed the Acton exits. Only
then did he roll back on the throttle.
The sooner I’m out of
LA the better.
His shoulders relaxed and
he leaned into Kandi. She slid her hands around his waist and squeezed. The hot
wind blew into his face but the feeling of freedom overrode any discomfort.
Driving a familiar path, he left the freeway on the second Palmdale exit and
headed north. The dry dusty landscape soon gave way to rolling hills bearing a
bit of green from the spring rains. The two-lane road undulated around the edge
of the lake. Sitting on the San Andreas Fault, it was one of a series of sag
ponds created by the teutonic plates. Cool air from the water drifted to the
edges of the road caressing the hot, dusty riders.
Soon the hillsides were
dotted with homes and the signs of civilization became evident. Joey slowed to
the posted speed limit.
Kandi felt the muscles in
his body loosen up. This ride and Dottie’s Hideaway always refreshed them.
Today was going to be no exception. She figured talking him into staying at
least one night wouldn’t be a problem.
Outside the rocky front of
Dotties, lining the length of the building was every conceivable combination of
motorcycle. There were hardcore Harleys of all descriptions to Japanese speed
bikes. This was a destination for many riders, Joey and Kandi included.
Joey waited for a spot
near the door, sliding his bike into the opening. Kandi opted to dismount
before he backed the bike in; removing her helmet once she was on solid ground.
She watched him leg out the kickstand and dismount before she attempted to
settle her helmet on the sissy bar.
The Hideaway was bustling
with activity.
“Damn lot of people here
today,” Joey grumbled.
Kandi ran her finger
through her hair trying her best to eliminate as much ‘helmet hair’ look as she
could.
“Could be because it’s
spring vacation. Not everybody works seven days a week, Joey.”
“Might help the economy if
they did.” He turned to her and lowered his voice. “Most of these so-called
bikers are RUBs, anyway.”
She tossed a scowl his
direction he ignored. “There’s nothing wrong with Rich Urban Bikers. Their
money is just as green.”
He humphed.
Kandi pulled in and slowly
released a deep breath. She knew the signs—Joey was determined to be miserable.
Nothing she could try would jar him from his mood. Today’s final hearing about
his brother’s death had been difficult to sit through. Everything Joey was
today he owed to his brother Alex.
When Alex had followed his
dream of becoming a stunt man to Hollywood, Joey had been his biggest
proponent. After becoming Corey Rigby’s stunt double, Alex’s career had soared.
He’d contacted Joey to move to California with him. Floating a bit aimlessly in
the Northwest, Joey jumped at the chance. He brought his sheet metal and tube
bending skills with him and soon was working in the aerospace industry in the
Antelope Valley. On the side, he helped Alex create safety aids for his stunts
in the movies. The partnership had saved Alex’s life on more than one occasion.
When the Highway Patrol
officer showed up at Joey’s work that fateful day eighteen months ago, he
suspected Alex was hurt. The officer told Joey the worst news possible; Alex
was dead. Not in a movie stunt but from an apparent auto accident after a day’s
shoot. At first, the accident was written off as just that—an accident, but
Joey was livid at the slap on the wrist the authorities gave Corey. Having his
brother so close to the movie star, he knew the man had a bad drinking problem
and had escaped justice several times. He decided to sue for wrongful death.
The trial today was the
final phase of a year’s long attempt to get justice for his brother, and Joey
wasn’t pleased with the results.
Kandi knew in the bottom
of her heart she needed to help Joey find a solution. She trailed behind him as
he meandered into the restaurant and lounge. The cacophony of voices set the
nerves on her skin to tingling. She turned around to speak to him and stared
into space. He’d disappeared in the breadth of a second.
“Kandi!”
She jerked her head in the
direction of his voice. He’d secured two seats by the window. She wound her way
through the tables and sat in the chair. The interior was deceptive. Large
windows allowed the bright day to light the room but drew in warmth. High
overhead fans were twirling rapidly but barely moving the body heat put out by
the filled tables of customers.
“I ordered a gin tonic and
sweet tea for you. Hope that’s okay.”
She graced him with a
smile.
“Of course. I’m going to
visit the facilities. I’ll be back.”
He nodded absently and
resumed watching the street traffic.
Kandi navigated the tight
tables and rushing waitresses to visit the women’s restroom located outside in
a separate building. As she stood waiting for one of the stalls to empty, her
eyes were caught by a colorful flyer on the bathroom door.
Presented by Wyvern
Riders MC
Brother Can you
Spare a Ride?
From Mojave to Lake
Hughes
To East Lancaster and
back
Ride to stop hunger in
the AV
Kandi glanced around and
quietly took the poster down. She examined the paper and realized the nagging
at the back of her head was because the picture of the dragon in flight was
identical to a couple pins she’d seen earlier today. The lawyer and judge wore
silver tie tacks that resembled the dragon at the top of the flyer. Stuffing
the announcement in her purse she realized this could be the key for revenge
Joey needed. Already her mind was racing and a plan was forming. She’d talk him
into staying the night, as planned, and present her thoughts to him after a
night of drinking and frolicking.
She exited the stall and
nodded at the next person waiting in line.
Alex’s death would be
avenged—with flair.
Great excerpt! Looking forward to reading the entire book. :)
ReplyDelete-Amber Angel