Now Pip continues, “The Admiral did tell me that Stormy’s old team was killed in action, all except one member. And that man, Gun, never forgave Stormy for Pooh’s death. He was pretty vocal about it at the time. Oh, Swift, Admiral Hillier asks you to give his wishes for a full recovery to Stormy.”
I acknowledge the aside—I’ll pass on the message but doubt Stormy will be able to hear me—and ask, “You think this Gun could have held a grudge for, what, seven years, then came across Stormy…?” My sympathies lie with this Gun if he had evidence against Stormy. No one forgets a fallen team member, though waiting seven years for revenge seems extreme. Unless Pooh had been a very close friend.
“It’s unlikely I know.” Pip scoffs at the idea he’d just proposed. “But any lead at the moment could be one to follow. Gun’s the first name I’ve found who could have a hard-on for our boy.”
“Was Gun close to the man who was killed?” I test out my theory.
“I have no idea,” Pip admits.
“Know which unit he’s with?” Snatcher prompts.
“No.” Pip’s brow creases. “Hillier mentioned he’s moved on and left active duty, coincidentally just before the time that Stormy had a break from the club.”
“Got a government name and recent location for this fucker?” Honor asks, his eyes sharp and interested.
Pip shakes his head. “Gun is a Jeffrey Morgan, but so far I know nothing more than that. I will say Hillier laughed when I asked whether he might be holding a grudge. What for? was his answer. Sure, they were all upset when a team member died, but to hold onto that seven years later?” I nod, Pip’s just voiced my thoughts.
Duty sighs. “Sounds like we’re going to be hacking into the Navy records. This man’s the only lead we’ve got.”
“You think this is a path worth exploring, Pip?” Snatcher challenges.
It’s interesting, and not the first time I’ve noticed a change in dynamics. A few months ago, Pip would have said jump and, as his VP, Snatcher would have asked how high.
Pip briefly closes his eyes. “Stormy’s always had a temper, but he knew how to rein that shit in. He wouldn’t have gotten through his prospecting time if he couldn’t control himself. All I can say is he became the man he is now after he took time out.”
“We’ve been over this. He didn’t become an asshole until he got back. That was unlikely to be connected to losing his dear old mom.” Thor’s looking thoughtful. “You say the whole team with the exception of Gun were lost? That shit can hit a man hard. Does that timing fit?”
Thor’s right. It can.
Pip shakes his head. “It was about the same time. I suppose he must have learned of it, but he never said. Even if his friends’ deaths upset him, I can’t see how it’s linked to the current situation.” He pauses, then states carefully, “Someone did their best to kill Stormy. Who, or why is a mystery. We can’t discount it’s connected to the club and not to his past in the Navy.”
“Because he was a lone biker on the road? Could it be as simple as that?” Piston wonders aloud.
“His choice,” Snatcher states. “Stormy’s been nomad too long. It was his choice not to have a team at his back. Who knows who he could have upset when he was out there on his own? Stormy didn’t trust anyone.”
“Demon and Lost would have reason to seek revenge.” I grimace as I put the hard truth out there.
Prez’s eyes snap to me. “You think they could have come across him?” He scratches his nose, then continues, “Possible, maybe. Maybe Utah’s not the only chapter to keep secrets.”
“We’re fucked,” Thor states. “We can’t ask them or Drummer, without revealing we’ve found him.”
“All the more reason to keep his presence secret,” Piston drops in. “They might want to finish what they started.”
“Well, that’s what we’re fuckin’ doing, isn’t it? Adding to the list of his enemies. I agree, Demon and Lost should be at the top.” Prez rubs his hand over his forehead.
Jeez. I hadn’t wanted to start anything. Pointing fingers at the Colorado and San Diego clubs sounds serious. But like Snatcher, now it’s come into my head, I can’t discount it.
Pip’s scowling. “I never sanctioned what Stormy did. You know that. Stormy took their kills all by himself. Trust and Stormy definitely parted company along the way.”
“Did he trust you?” Snatcher asks.
“I gave him his chance. He wasn’t just introduced to me, he was recommended. I cut him slack as I was well aware of the kind of man he was, once you got under the prickly exterior. Obviously he didn’t trust me enough. I only found out he didn’t trust the other chapters after he took Major and Alder out.”
“For which he nearly brought down the club,” Snatcher reminds him. “I don’t care what personal shit he had going on, he doesn’t get a pass due to that.”
Pip’s lips curve slightly. “Which is why you’re the best man for that seat, Snatch.”
“Hard as fuckin’ nails is our Prez,” Thor chuckles.
Snatcher looks down at his hands as though he doesn’t know whether he’s been given a compliment or not. When he looks up, he shakes his head. “So, we’ve got Gun on the list but still don’t fuckin’ know whether Stormy’s absence a few years back had anything to do with him being a SEAL. Or whether Gun had such a close relationship with the SEAL who died that he’s seeking revenge seven years later. Now we’ve added Lost and Demon, who, I’d suggest, are equally unlikely.”
“Or Red,” Preacher says. “He wasn’t impressed with Stormy. Maybe Stormy took a trip to Vegas and his luck ran out.”
Snatcher bangs his hand on the table. “Before we start accusing other chapters, let’s focus on Stormy’s past. I want Gun looked into.”
“We’ll get onto it.” Honor nods at Duty.
“You going back to the hospital today, Swift?”
Giving myself a mental shake at the change of subject, I raise my chin toward Bolt. “Got to. He’s having another brain scan today. After that, we’ll know more.”
“Has he even got a fuckin’ brain?” Piston widens his eyes. “Or is the scan to prove he doesn’t?”
Bolt, sitting next to him, slaps him around the back of his head.
“What are they looking for?” Thor asks, trying to get the conversation back on track.
I shrug. “What’s keeping him out of it, I suppose. Another bleed perhaps.”
Preacher slams both fists down. “After everything, Stormy could die with his fuckin’ secrets intact, or survive without being able to speak of them.”
I grimace, knowing he’s right. We might never get to the heart of Stormy’s issues or know who left him for dead.
“Okay,” Snatcher picks up the gavel, “Piston, Rascal, Road and Preacher, you get ready to fly to Ohio. Swift, you get back to the hospital and play your part of the grief-stricken spouse.”
“Prez?” Snatcher raises his chin at Road. “We still keeping this from Drummer?”