Knox's Stand
Page 12

The drive to the bar on the outskirts of town, halfway up the mountain, was a short one. Diamond was happy to see the empty parking lot. After the day she’d had, she would have broken and called Viper if there had been too many bikes around.
Once inside, it took Diamond’s eyes a few minutes to adjust to the dim lighting. The bar was old and looked it, however it was clean with tables and a dance floor. In the middle of the dance floor was a pole that Diamond was sure had been taken advantage of after a few drinks.
The bartender was watching her from behind the bar, so Diamond pasted a smile on her face as she went to the counter and climbed onto one of the stools.
“Hi.” Diamond tried her most disarming smile.
“Hey.” The bartender didn’t return her smile. “What can I get you?”
“A beer would be great.”
The bartender reached into the cooler and brought out a beer and a frosted mug, placing both in front of her.
“Thanks.” Diamond reached into her pocket, pulling out some cash then placing it on the counter.
She then watched as the bartender went back to cleaning his glasses before she cleared her throat. “I was wondering if you could help me. I was trying to find out some information on a woman.”
“Don’t know nothin’.” He didn’t stop what he was doing.
“You don’t even know who it is.”
“I don’t want to know. Finish your beer and get out. You want information, go to the computer. It knows everything about everyone now.”
“It doesn’t know who’s fucking around, but I bet you do,” Diamond snapped.
The man stopped cleaning his glasses, his lips twitching. “Who’s the woman?”
“Samantha Bedford.” She watched for a reaction.
“She ain’t fucking no one anymore.” He moved to stand in front of her. “Why do you want to know about that slut?”
Diamond thought that was kind of harsh considering she was dead, but she kept that opinion to herself. “I’m representing Knox.”
The bartender’s whole attitude changed. “What do you want to know?” he asked with a friendly smile.
“Did Sam come in here often?”
“A lot when she hung out with The Last Riders. Not so much after she tried to hurt their women. She came in here a couple of times with a couple of Blue Horsemen. After they got arrested, I haven’t seen them since. Heard they skipped bail and disappeared.”
Diamond took a drink of her beer. “Anyone else since then?”
He shook his head.
“How about before she was involved with The Last Riders? She come in here then?”
“A few times, always trying to pick someone up and go home with them, but I can’t remember anyone in particular.” He started wiping the bar top down with a cloth. Something bothered Diamond and she couldn’t place what it was. She thought he might not be telling the truth with the way he avoided her eyes.
“I can be very discreet; no one needs to know how I found anything out,” Diamond said.
“I’ve told you what I know. If I remember anyone in particular, I’ll give you a call.”
Diamond sighed. She had pushed hard enough. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her card, which she placed there before leaving for her apartment.
“My name is Di Richards. If you think of anything, let me know. I’m trying to help Knox. Anything could be of help and you may not realize it.”
“Names Mick. If I remember, I’ll call.”
As she turned to leave, the door to the bar slammed open and The Last Riders filed in. Diamond could tell by the look on Knox’s face he was angry. He was an imposing figure dressed in his dark jeans and black t-shirt with his boots swallowing up the floor as he strode across the room.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Knox asked angrily.
Diamond’s back stiffened. “Drinking a beer. What business is it of yours?”
“Since when do you hang out in biker bars?” Knox inquired.
“Is this a biker bar? I wasn’t aware of that. There weren’t any motorcycles out front. Nor were there any signs saying ‘Assholes only’,” Diamond mocked him.
“She was asking about Sam,” Mick interrupted. Diamond threw a look at the traitorous man for disclosing why she was there.
“What did Viper tell you about letting us know when you were going to be snooping around?”
“You might have to bow down and kiss Viper’s ass, but I’m not one of your members that actually give a damn what he wants.”
“He the one that pays you?” Knox asked, already knowing the answer.
Diamond knew she had stepped on a landmine. “Yes.”
“Then you better be worried about what he wants.”
“It doesn’t matter; I’m done here.” Diamond knew when a strategic retreat was in order.
“Since you’re here, you might as well stay and have another beer.” He turned to the bartender. “Mick get her another beer on me.”
Mick turned around, reaching for another beer.
“I don’t want one.” Diamond started to slide off the seat when she found an arm around her waist and her ass planted back on the barstool.
“But I want you to stay. At least then I’ll know where you are.” His body blocked her from getting off the stool.
Reluctantly giving in for the moment, Diamond took a drink of her beer, aware that the dumbass was trying to frighten her. Two could play at that game. She relaxed. Turning her face toward him, she then gave him a venomous smile.
“You think your macho attitude is going to send me running? You’re just pissing me off, Knox. I’m trying to find out who killed the woman you’re going to go to jail for murdering unless I catch a break and find out who did.”
“What did you think you would find out here?” He reached for his own beer, his chest brushing against her shoulder.
“I thought I would find out if there was someone else in town that she was sleeping with that might have a motive. Until I can find the men who were with her that day at the diner and find out if they could be responsible, then your ass is still the best suspect the jury will have.”
“They weren’t responsible for Sam’s death, so if that’s your only lead, you need to start searching somewhere else.” Diamond watched as a group of The Last Riders sat at the tables while others went to the dance floor.
“How can you know that for sure?” Diamond questioned.
“Because they’re not in town. If they were, the sheriff would have them locked up. Find someone else.”
“It’s not that easy,” Diamond snapped.
“If it was going to be easy, Viper wouldn’t have hired you.” His brown eyes stared down into hers, making her aware that she wasn’t wearing her suit. She had on soft blue jeans and a low-scooped, blue top that hugged her breasts, showing the generous swells of her breasts. She felt his eyes brush them each time she leaned forward.
“Let’s dance.” The abrupt change in topic had her speechless as Knox, not waiting for her answer, took her hand and led her to the dance floor. She tried to pull back, but he didn’t loosen his hold.
On the dance floor, he turned her into his body, pulling her hips close.