Chapter 11 : The drums are beating
Nero was getting close to entering Charming, California. He pulled over at a gas station to take a break, grabbing some canned food and a cola. As he scrolled through his phone, a headline kept popping up everywhere:
Doctor Fighter.
At first, he didn't pay it much attention… but then he frowned as it kept appearing again and again.
Everyone was talking about it.
He opened the video.
Nero: "Shit… what the hell are you doing…?"
He tossed some cash, didn't even wait for change, got back in his car, and sped off.
A dark-skinned man… wearing a black hoodie and jeans… walks carefully down the street, glancing left and right like he's being watched.
He enters a fast-food place, sits down, then mutters:
Man: "What do you want? Your questions are putting me in a bad spot."
A voice comes from the next table over:
Voice: "Doctor Fighter was last seen outside the hospital… got into it with Piggy and Karl."
Man: "Nah… nah, I don't know anyone by that name. Doctor Fi—"
Voice: "You need 24 hours… or you want me to lock you up for possession right now?"
Man: "Whoa, whoa… alright, man. Yeah… I remember. I saw them. Lucifer Club grabbed them outside the care home."
Voice: "Get up for a second… Titi. You mean you guys took them… huh?"
(brief pause)
Voice (casual): "Anyway… pay for that meal you just ate. I forgot my wallet in the car."
The man stands…
As he walks past Titi, he grabs the cigarette pack off his table:
Man: "Almost forgot my smokes… thanks for the reminder."
Then he walks out.
Titi stands up, pissed:
Titi: "The hell, man?! You took my cigarettes AND I gotta pay for your food?! Screw you!"
At the police station… inside the Chief of Police's office, the phone rings.
He picks up.
Chief: "You got anything?"
Caller: "Yeah… I'm getting close to something."
Chief: "Good. Keep me updated."
Caller: copy that
At the hospital, Claire Danforth sits alone during lunch break.
No appetite.
Lost in her thoughts.
She checks her phone.
12:30.
No messages.
No calls.
Not from the police…
Not from Ebiel.
In front of Tyler Morrow's store, SAMCRO members stand around, drinking beer and talking.
Rat Boy: "Yo… look who finally showed up."
Tig pulls up on his motorcycle.
Rat immediately walks over and hugs Chibs tightly.
Chibs: "Hey easy, you bastard damn" (sarcastic tone) "Heeey Tig… is that the same rookie we used to have?"
Tig: "Come here, boys… this bald guy who kinda looks like Happy? That's Danger."
The rest of the crew gathers, greeting Chibs while Tig introduces them one by one.
Tig: "This good-looking one? That's Forrest."
Chibs (raising an eyebrow): "And why the hell would you call him that?"
Tig: "You'll figure it out… eventually."
Tig (pointing): "Tall guy with the scar? Bishop. And this last one… Skinny."
Chibs looks around, taking it all in.
Chibs: "A lot changed while I was gone."
Tig: "So what's the big deal that brought you back? You didn't tell me."
Chibs: "You're the boss. I'll gather the boys… we'll sit down and talk."
After a short break, the members gather around a table.
Chibs looks at all of them.
Chibs: "Thanks… for everything. For what you've done for this club."
(He pauses…)
Chibs: "Now… let's get down to business."
While Chibs was gathering the men around the table, a black car ran through the last traffic light before Charming. Nero stubbed out his cigar, his left hand never leaving the gun tucked under the seat.
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