Dalton gets what's coming to him, but it'll be in a courtroom. Clutch paused. Course if he decides to resist arrest when federal agents come knocking, well, that's on him. It wasn't quite the reassurance Caleb had hoped for, but it was probably the best he was going to to get.
His hand turned the lock, and he pulled the door open. Clutch was even bigger up close, his presence filling the doorway. Behind him, the other bikers sat on their rumbling machines watching silently. Their faces were hard to read in the darkness. But Caleb caught glimpses of scars, tattoos, eyes that had seen too much.
You're 19? Clutch asked. Yeah. And you jumped into the middle of a hit and run to save a man you didn't know. Wearing a patch that scares most people half to death.
Clutch's expression was unreadable. You're either very brave or very stupid. Can it be both? That earned a genuine smile. Yeah, it can.
Clutch held out his hand. The evidence. Caleb hesitated for just a moment then handed over the leather roll.
Clutch weighed in his hands then nodded to one of the other bikers who dismounted and came forward. The man was smaller than Clutch but moved with a coiled energy that reminded Caleb of a rattlesnake. This is Razor. Clutch said. He's going to make copies.
Tonight. Then the originals go somewhere safe. Razor took the roll and headed for one of the bikes that had a hard case mounted on the back. He pulled out a portable scanner and got to work right there the device's light glowing in the darkness. Clutch turned back to Caleb.
Arthur said you're a mechanic. Yeah, I work for my uncle. You any good? The question was so unexpected that Caleb almost laughed. I mean yeah, I'm pretty good.
Custom work? Some, mostly repairs and rebuilds. Why? Clutch studied him for a long moment. Because after this is over you're going to need a new life.
Dalton's not the forgiving type even from prison. And your uncle? He glanced toward the dark shop building. He's not going to want you around once the heat comes down. Vernon already told me as much.
Caleb admitted quietly. Thought so. Saw him peeking through the office window when we rolled up. Man looked like he was about to have a heart attack.
Clutch's expression softened slightly. So here's what's going to happen. You're going to lay low for a few days. Don't go anywhere alone. Don't talk to Dalton if he shows up.
Don't talk to anyone except us and your lawyer. I don't have a lawyer. You do now. We'll send someone over tomorrow. Clutch pulled out his phone and typed something quickly.
In the meantime, you got a weapon? A what? A gun, kid. You got a gun? Caleb shook his head.