When we entered Copper Creek County, I became more alert and sat up taller in my seat.
I lowered the volume on the radio as I drove, taking in the small town as the navigation system told me where to turn.
“There,” Bran said, sitting back up and sticking his head between our seats as he pointed to the left.
The lights were off, signaling the business was closed, but you could still make out the sign for Black Creek Towing.
I drove slowly passed, my head turned so I could look for any movement or sign of life. When I didn’t see anything, I let out a frustrated sigh.
“Just drive through the town, maybe we’ll see something,” Carmen suggested, so I turned around and went back toward the main part of town.
We passed the local bank, diner, courthouse, and a couple of shops, all of which were also closed. I looked down all of the side streets until I saw lights and cars parked along the street.
I flipped the car around again and drove toward the only action in Copper Creek County.
“It’s a bar,” I muttered.
We drove past slowly, but not too slowly, since there were people sitting outside on a covered patio, drinking and hanging out, and I didn’t want to draw attention to us.
“Look,” Carmen said, and I looked out her window to see a row of motorcycles lined up on the side of the bar.
“Bingo.”
I drove a little farther down, then pulled into a parking space.
“What’s the plan?” Bran asked.
“We’ll go in and scope the place out, see if it’s the Diablos’ hangout. Hopefully we’ll hear something about where they’re keeping Cade,” I replied.
“All right, let’s go,” he said.
“You should stay here.”
“What? I’m not letting you two go into a biker bar by yourselves,” Bran argued.
“Bran,” I said patiently, my gaze going out the window to see if anyone had noticed us. It looked clear for now. “This is a biker bar and you look like a yuppie. They would definitely notice us if we walked in together, and they would be suspicious of a yuppie stranger in their bar. We’ll do better if they think we’re alone.”
I could see Bran wanted to argue, but Carmen put her hand on his arm and stopped him.
“We need to do this, Bran, for Cade. We won’t do anything stupid, and if things look like they’re going bad, we’ll come to you.”
“And, if you can’t get to me, go to the bathroom and text me.”
Carmen shot him a grateful smile.
“We will.”
“Okay, let’s go,” I said, in a hurry now that we were close to finding something out.
We got out of the van and I looked Carmen over. She was wearing one of her maxi skirts with a tank top and a pretty sweater. I motioned for her to take off the sweater and threw it inside to Bran, then I took her hair down and told her to fluff it out.
I thought I heard Bran growl but ignored it and checked out myself.
I was wearing a pair of ripped jeans, that, thankfully, made my butt look good, and a V-neck T-shirt. Not great, but if I pulled it down a bit, you could make out the top of my lace bra.
“This will have to work,” I said, then looked to Bran and ordered, “Stay in there, out of sight.”
Bran gave me a scowly-faced nod.