“Maya?”
“Maya Ann. As in Maya Angelou.”
Okay, curiosity ate at him. “At the risk of sounding like Sonny—and I apologize—but all those famous people are black.”
“Every one of them.”
“All the recipients aren’t black.”
“Hardly any of them. Is there anything wrong with being named after a famous person of color?”
“No. Not at all. It’s a curiosity. A thing of interest, that’s all.”
She closed off. He could see it. “Try not to get too interested in things around here. You’ll be disappointed.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Here’s the B&B. Your meeting is at seven. Someone will pick you up about fifteen minutes prior. We’ll serve you dinner. Have a good day, Mr. Spegal.”
Whatever just happened, Dylan didn’t like it. “It’s Dylan. Call me Dylan.”
“See you later.” She waved and walked on.
MACY WAS A MIXED-RACE woman in her early forties with short spiky hair and love for clunky jewelry. She inherited the Bed & Breakfast from her mother and planned to pass it to her daughters in twenty years or so. She had a flair for alcohol and could find the perfect drink for any occasion. She knew about Jake’s entourage and had their rooms prepared. She also knew about Sonny’s detainment and made his room available again. Not that Rain had any other expected visitors.
Macy ushered Dylan in, gave him a Tom Collins, and showed him to his room.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH you? Nile berated herself. She talked, started telling him everything. She forgot herself. Never in her life had she ever forgotten herself. Tigris was one hundred percent right. She, Nile, needed to stay far away from Dylan. The man was kryptonite.
Chapter Eight
“What’s up, JB?” Sheriff Brown was alone in the office with the door open.
“Hey, Sheriff. You by yourself?”
“The boys are out back chaining up that jackass’s motorcycle. I told them to get that damned sticker off before Mr. Ronald saw it. Can you imagine?”
“Man, we might all be dead. I’m glad you acted fast.”
“Had to. What was Maya thinking, bringing those clowns down here?”
“From what I heard, she didn’t. The boyfriend couldn’t travel alone.”
Sheriff Brown shook his head. “A stupid waste if you ask me.”
“I will not disagree. Maya had her choice of good, loyal boys right here.”
“She sure did. That one boy, Michael, would have done anything for her.”
“He might get his chance once this disaster goes away.”
“Maybe. What do you have there?”
JB looked down and remembered. He held up the bag. “This is that fool’s lunch. Young Guns sent me.”
“That girl’s heart is too big. If it were me, I wouldn’t waste the food. He’s downstairs. Go ahead.”
“I’ll talk to you later, Sheriff.” JB went down to lock-up.
SONNY PACED IN HIS cell. He stopped when JB came into view. “What do you want?”
“I brought you some food and advice.”
“I’ll take the food.”
The bag had to be unpacked to fit through the bars. JB handed him one sideways styrofoam container at a time.
“About time. I’m starving.”
“I thought you might be,” JB said. “I’m the only one who did.”
“Is this a peace-offering because they know I’ll sue the shit out of them?”
“They don’t want to make peace with you. In fact, they planned to keep you hungry until tomorrow. I snuck this in.”
Sonny bit into his sandwich. “Where’s Jake?”
“I don’t know where your friends are. Probably trying to post bail.” He lowered his voice. “These bastards don’t like to play fair.”
“No shit. Why are you here?”
“I’m here to help you and to see if you want to help me.”
“Help you do what?”
JB leaned in close. So did Sonny.
“Listen up and understand me because I’m only going to say it once.”
Sonny nodded.
“I am not a racist. I am not prejudiced in any way. People are people. We’re all the human race.”
“What’s your point?”
“My point is,” JB whispered, “some of us are sick as shit of those niggers thinking they can ruin people’s lives. I’m using that word because they misuse their power. They hurt people. Anybody who likes to hurt people is a nigger. It don’t matter what color they are. There is a group of us getting together. We are ready to deal with the Bishops. They think they control everything; they don’t control anything.” He paused to see if anyone upstairs was listening. “They’ll let you out in the morning. Sometime after they screw over Maya and your friend. She’s my niece. If you feel like we do—my buddies and me—why don’t you plan to meet us tomorrow before you leave?”
Sonny contemplated. “I don’t know what I can do to help. Jake is suckered in. Dylan doesn’t listen to me. He doesn’t listen to nobody.”
“It doesn’t matter. We already have a plan. All we need is a little outside help,” JB said. “Do you know what they are doing right now? They’re removing the memorabilia from your motorcycle.”
“Assholes!”
JB waved him to silence. “There is a Super Eight in Prince Frederick. I’ll be up there around ten.” He walked away, paused, and came back. “If you repeat any of this, you’ll be fucking yourself. I’m a trusted member of this community; to them, you’re a racist asshole causing trouble.”
Sonny raised his hand as if he were swearing.
JB saluted him and left.
“WHAT THE SHIT IS GOING on?”
Dylan got the impression Jake had been waiting to say that to him.
“You know better than I do.” Dylan set Jake’s lunch on the dresser. “Sonny’s on lock-up until tomorrow, FYI.”
“I heard.” Jake sighed. “I am confused as hell. I’m starting to freak.”
“What did Maya tell you?”
“Not much. We can’t get married. We have to leave but she’s staying.”
Since Jake was in the room’s only chair, Dylan plopped across his bed. “Any particular reason why?”
“We’ve pissed off the Lords of Rain...that asshole and his sisters.” Jake got up and inspected the contents of the bag.
Dylan couldn’t argue Jake’s judgment of Jordan or the one sister, but Nile wasn’t a pissed off lord. She may or may not be pissed at him, but that was something different. “What’s it matter who doesn’t like us?”
“That’s the part nobody wants to mention.” Jake dug into his lunch. “Maya and I need their permission—I don’t understand why. Not coming alone, like she asked, was two-and-a-half strikes. Sonny...he forfeited the game. Does any of that shit make any sense to you?”