No doubt Ozzie had also phoned General Pete Fuller and the president, alerting them to what he’d found. What was equally apparent to Christian, because he’d known both men for so long, was that the general and the president had handpicked the individuals Chief Washington gave the information to.
The wheels of the establishment… Oh, how quickly they turn.
“So…then…” Samantha shook her head, trying to take it all in. “What happens to the Basilisks? To the guys who kidnapped me today? To…” She turned to Ozzie. “To…you? You shot two men.”
“In self-defense.” Ozzie nodded. “Washington assures me there will only be a cursory investigation and no charges will be brought.”
“But…but…” she sputtered. “What happens to the bikers in the meantime, while the feds build their case?”
“Judge Maple took your advice. And the advice of someone fairly high up in the federal government.” Ozzie shot her a smile. Samantha didn’t return it. “He’s holding the Basilisks without bail.”
“And so the kidnapping charge? The assault charges?” Samantha demanded.
Ozzie ran a hand through his hair again. “The government will likely go after the Basilisk MC as a whole on the illegal weapons deal. That’ll trump any local charges. I’d say chances are good you’ll never see the inside of a courtroom. I’m sorry, Samantha. I know you probably wanted to face down the men who took you, but—”
“I don’t need to face down anyone,” she declared, her expression fierce. “I just want to make sure they all rot in an eight-by-ten for what they’ve done to me, to Marcel, and every innocent kid who died on the streets from a bullet fired from one of their weapons.”
“At this point, given all the players involved and the fact that the U.S. government doesn’t take kindly to outlaw biker gangs stealing its weapons and selling them on the black market, rotting in eight-by-tens is pretty much a foregone conclusion.”
“Good.” She nodded vehemently. Her eyes darted across the conference table as she worked through all the ins and outs. “And Raheem?”
“I suspect proof of his double-dealing will be handed over to the Iraqis. Believe me, whatever punishment they give him will be far worse than anything the United States might do to him. He’s a traitor to his country.”
Samantha shook her head. “So that’s that then. It’s done.”
“It’s done,” Ozzie agreed.
“It’ll be a great story when it finally blows too.” Her lips twisted wryly. “Too bad my exclusive went the way of the dodo bird the minute this became an international mess instead of a local brouhaha.”
Ozzie leaned back in his chair, grinning broadly. “Now, that’s where you’re wrong. See, I made it clear you’re still to get the exclusive when it’s time to break the story.”
“How the hell did you manage that?” Then Samantha shook her head. “No, let me guess…your high-up connections?”
Ozzie winked and pantomimed zipping his lips.
“Why do you have to be so wonderful?” she demanded, her voice a little too loud.
Ozzie frowned. “Why do you make being wonderful sound like a bad thing?”
Before Samantha could answer, Ozzie’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pushed to a stand. “It’s Washington.” After he took the call, he pinned Samantha with a grim stare. “It’s time to go make our statements.”
Samantha shoved away from the table. When Ozzie grabbed her elbow to escort her to the first floor, Christian saw Samantha flinch as if Ozzie’s touch had burned her. Ozzie was too distracted by stepping over Fido’s wagging tail to notice.
Once the two disappeared down the stairs, Delilah piped up with, “Is it just me, or have all the freakin’ hearts and flowers that have surrounded them the last couple of days begun to wilt?”
“Right?” Emily sat forward. “What do you think happened? Did Ozzie say anything while you guys were nose deep in accounts and hacked files?”
“Not a thing.” Delilah shook her head. “But if you ask me—”
“Here’s where I make my exit, yeah?” Christian quickly stood.
“What? Too much girl talk for you?” Emily’s eyes twinkled with devilment.
Before Christian could answer, Peanut hopped onto the table in front of Emily. When Peanut stretched himself out, turning his motor over the instant Emily rubbed his belly, Christian spun on his heel.
“Come on now! Why are you always walking away from me?” Emily demanded.
Because when you pet that bloody cat with those bloody delicate fingers of yours, I want to roll over on my back and beg you to scratch my belly!
“I’m not walking away from you. I’m simply saving my own sodding life. If I stay to listen to you two hens go on about what’s happening between Ozzie and Samantha, I’ll be tempted to swallow a bag of razor blades.”
The sound of the women’s laughter followed him up the stairs. It wasn’t until he reached the top that he realized thoughts of Emily rubbing his belly had made him hard.
Chapter 22
Chicago Police Homicide Division
“You ready to blow this joint?” Ozzie asked Samantha as soon as she exited the interrogation room. Her giant purse hung from her shoulder, making her lean slightly to the left. Add that to her wildly curling hair, the mascara smeared under her eyes, and the bruises darkening on her face, and it was an understatement to say she looked a little worse for wear. Poor thing.
Washington had told his men to rake them over the coals, getting every last detail of what transpired that afternoon. And then he’d told his men to rake them again. And again. “With all the scrutiny this case is going to draw from all parties involved,” Washington had said to Ozzie once he was released from questioning, “we have to make sure we do everything by the book. Sorry.” Washington had shrugged a shoulder, handing him a steaming cup of coffee. “I know you’ve already had a helluva day, and I just made it worse.”
“Can’t fault a man for doing his job,” Ozzie had assured him, accepting the coffee and grabbing one of the plastic chairs against the wall, content to wait for Samantha. He’d been sitting for thirty minutes, sipping the strong brew and wincing because the activity buzzing inside the station, even at this late hour, was enough to have his head aching. His thigh wasn’t helping matters. It screamed at him. Still, the moment he saw Samantha trudge toward him, he felt nothing but joy.
She was safe. The danger to her was gone now that the Basilisks were behind bars. And even looking like she’d gone through hell in a high wind, she was still the most beautiful woman in the world.
“I am beyond ready to blow this joint.” She plopped into the vacant chair beside him, letting her purse hit the floor with a thud. Despite the day she’d had, she still smelled wonderful. That powdery scent reached out to him, making his stomach muscles clench. “I feel like I’ve aged ten years today.” She twisted her head from side to side and rubbed the back of her neck.