Nobody said, “Denny is coming.”
They said something suspicious had been discovered and everyone needed to be aware of unusual vehicles or strangers.
No retaliation.
No group ride toward rival territory.
No threats.
Miller was adamant.
“If this is Denny, he wants us angry.”
Jojo paced.
“Why?”
“Because angry people make evidence.”
Lucas looked at the photographs.
“Or headlines.”
That was the first moment Miller understood the larger design.
Denny did not necessarily want to attack the Steel Vultures.
He wanted the Steel Vultures to appear dangerous.
One confrontation outside a school.
One frightened parent.
One photograph of patched bikers surrounding someone.
Then police pressure.
Media.
Probation searches for members with prior records.
Insurance issues at the garage.
Customers disappearing.
A club could be weakened without a single traditional ambush.
All someone needed was the right image.
And Nora’s school photograph suddenly looked different.
Not merely surveillance.
Potential bait.