Jamie Begley - Knox’s Stand

“He’s not going to run,” Diamond tried to reason with him.

“I’m sure his ass won’t be in their long, Di, but he’s going back to jail,” he said, walking off and leaving her no alternative other than to follow. Hesitating, she went back into Knox’s room, opening the drawers she found him a shirt and socks. Picking up his large boots, she hurried down the steps where he was already in handcuffs, being lead down the steps.

“Diamond? Why are they arresting Knox again?” Viper yelled angrily.

“Someone called in a tip last night. They found what they were looking for, that’s why they’re taking him back in. Don’t worry; the court is just going to raise his bail. The quicker you let me get out of here, the sooner I can get him out.”

“Go,” Viper answered begrudgingly. “When you’re done, I expect to see you.”

Diamond nodded before going down the steps. All The Last Riders were standing on the porch with Evie and Bliss among them, still wearing their coverings. Diamond avoided eye contact as she carried Knox’s clothes down the steps, getting into her car then followed the procession of cars down the mountain.

Holly wouldn’t be in the office; she had called last night and told Diamond that she was still ill. She was going to have to wait until she got to town to make the phone calls she needed. The twenty-minute drive was frustrating, but Diamond used the time to organize her thoughts, formulating a plan of action.

As soon as she pulled into the sheriff’s office’s parking lot, she watched as the troopers pulled Knox from the back of the squad car. Calling in what few favors she had earned in the short time she had been practicing in Treepoint, she managed to get a hearing later that afternoon.

She knew they were going to raise the bond he was on to a huge sum. Calling Viper and confirming the funds would be available, she was hopeful that Knox would be out that day.

Picking up Knox’s clothes, she went into the small office. The sheriff was talking to David Thurman so Diamond handed Knox’s clothes to the receptionist. The woman rose from her seat and then went through the clothes before handing them to the sheriff. He looked at Diamond while taking the clothes from his secretary then excused himself, going into the rooms where the cells were.

Thurman turned at the sheriff’s abrupt departure, seeing Diamond standing by the front desk.

“Quick work, Diamond. I heard you finagled him onto the docket.”

“Nothing has changed, David. This shouldn’t affect his bond. He hasn’t tried to flee and has no intention of doing so.”

He laughed at her. “I think you’re misjudging your client. I think when he realizes his case just went into the dumpster that he is going to run.”

“He won’t.”

“He’s a known member of a motorcycle gang, what makes you think that he’s not going to run?”

“Because he didn’t kill her, David. Did you even research the man you are trying for murder?” Before he could say anything, Diamond filled him in on the facts that she had learned. “He graduated at the top of his class in high school before going into the Navy at eighteen where he stayed, becoming a navy seal. He has served on several dangerous missions before becoming elite at search and rescue. He has donated his time to several countries after natural disasters to help recover victims. He’s also very wealthy; several of the patents that The Last Riders have are his and the products the patents are on sell extremely well. One is a hatchet that turns into a small shovel so that rescuers can use it to help get victims out that are covered in ruble.

“So, no, I don’t think a man who is extremely sensitive to others in dire circumstances killed a young woman to steal her jewelry when he could easily buy her the whole jewelry store.”

Thurman turned pale at Diamond’s information. “Why didn’t my investigators find out about his money?”

“They didn’t dig deep enough. The business is in The Last Riders’ names, but I did a patent search with Knox’s name. He keeps his money within the business for his own reasons. I haven’t asked, but from what I gather, he could care less about his wealth. His bike isn’t even an expensive make.”

David shrugged, gathering his wits. Diamond could practically see the wheels turning. “The money just makes him an even bigger flight risk. He has the funds to leave the country. Thanks, Diamond.”

“Tell yourself that, Thurman, if it makes you feel better for putting a veteran that has honorably served his country and still volunteers his time in dangerous situations behind bars. I don’t happen to think Judge Creech, a veteran himself, will see it the same way.” Diamond turned on her heel, running into the sheriff who had come up from behind.

“I agree also. I don’t think he’s a flight risk, and why would they call that tip into the state police and not the sheriff’s office?”

“Probably because the tipster knows the preferential treatment The Last Riders receive from you,” Thurman said with rancor.

The Sheriff gave Thurman a look of steel. “I think it’s more likely that they thought that someone from this office would recognize their voice. This is all premature bullshit anyway; until the final autopsy report comes back from Frankfort, you’re way ahead of yourself.” The sheriff didn’t back down from Thurman.

“I didn’t realize there was a question about the autopsy?” Diamond said. It was the first time she had heard that the autopsy was in question.

“There isn’t,” Thurman prevaricated.

“There is,” The sheriff disagreed.

“David, if you’re using your power to railroad an innocent man...” Diamond stared at the man, aghast at the thought of someone with his power trying to push an innocent man into prison.

“He had the jewelry! How innocent could he be?” Thurman retorted nastily.

“That house is never locked during the day when everyone works at the factory next door, and with the influx of new employees, anyone could have planted that jewelry,” The Sheriff argued.

“We’ll know that once we fingerprint it, won’t we, Sheriff? Now, if you two are done fighting about putting a murderer behind bars where he belongs, I need to get back to the office. I have court this afternoon.” Thurman left both Diamond and the Sheriff staring after him.

“He’s a dumb fuck,” The Sheriff said.

“Yes, he is,” Diamond confirmed, but he was a dumb fuck that had the power of the State of Kentucky behind him. He was more than able to put Knox away; innocent or not.

“Thanks for the clothes,” Knox grudgingly thanked the lawyer as she handed him the paperwork releasing him from jail for the second time that week.

“You’re welcome,” Diamond’s response was just as begrudging.

His long steps had no trouble keeping up with her strides outside the courtroom where Viper and Rider were waiting.

Before Viper could talk, Diamond cut him off, “The bond wasn’t raised, pending the result of the final autopsy. When the autopsy or fingerprints come back, he could be back in, Viper. Whoever called that tip in wants him to take the fall. Any enemies that want him out of the way?” Diamond questioned.

“None. Even the Ohio branch of The Last Riders is calm right now,” Viper answered her question with one of his own. “Any idea who could be behind the call?”

“No, but I think the reason they called the state police is they were worried someone would recognize their voice,” Diamond stated; after the sheriff had mentioned it, she had become certain that this was the case.

The men all stared at each other.

Diamond shifted on her feet. “If there’s nothing else, I’m going home. It’s been a long day, Viper.”

Their attention turned to her. “Thanks, Ms. Richards,” Viper said.

Diamond nodded. “I’ll be in touch.”

Diamond left the men talking, going to her car which she had left in the sheriff’s parking lot. Opening her car door, she noticed The Last Riders had also parked their bikes not far from her car. She put the key in the ignition and it took a second before she realized her car wouldn’t start. Turning the key again, silence was the car’s only response.

Diamond picked up her cell phone, but a knock on her window had her turning toward the sound to find Knox was staring back at her.

Opening her door, he looked pointedly at the dead instrument panel. “Car won’t start?”

“No. I’m calling a tow truck.”

“Open the hood; we’ll take a look,” Knox said, stepping back from her car.

“That’s all right; I can call—”Diamond tried to put him off.

“Open the hood.” Knox didn’t wait for her answer, going to the front of her car with Viper and Rider following. Reluctantly, Diamond pressed the lever, releasing the hood to her car, and then stepped out   to stand beside the men who were all staring down at her engine.

Rider examined her engine several minutes before rising from the motor to look at her. “It’s the alternator. Leave it here tonight. In the morning I’ll go to the auto store and pick you up a new one.”

“That’s okay. I can handle it.” Diamond could already tell she was going to lose the battle, though. Men had an abundance of testosterone on two subjects, women and cars. Giving up, Diamond went to her car and got her briefcase as well as her purse out.

“How much does the alternator cost?” Diamond pulled her wallet out of her purse.

“Don’t worry about it,” Rider said, closing the hood of her car. “I’ll pay for it and you can pay me back.”

Diamond nodded her agreement. “All right.” Diamond locked her car. Scrolling her phone for taxis, she was about to call one when Knox spoke.

“I’ll give you a ride home.”

“No thanks, I’m calling a cab,” Diamond refused.

“Don’t be stupid. I can have you home before you can get someone here.” Diamond paused; she was tired and not feeling well. She was beginning to feel nauseous; having a feeling that she was coming down with her secretary’s virus. She just wanted to go home and climb into her bed.

“How?”

“Razer brought my bike. Beth picked him up already,” Knox answered, pointing to his bike.

She was not enthusiastic about getting on the back of a bike, but Diamond was feeling worse by the moment.

“Let’s go,” Diamond caved.

All three men looked at her in surprise at her easy capitulation.

“Are you all right?” Knox asked warily.

“I’m fine. It’s been a long day,” Diamond responded, trying to keep her heaving stomach calm a few more minutes.

“You’re telling me,” Knox said sarcastically, bringing back the vision of him barely covered in the sheet. Diamond almost changed her mind, but her heaving stomach had her climbing on the back of Knox’s bike and taking his helmet as he tied her briefcase onto the back of his bike.

Knox got on then turned on the bike, waving at Rider and Viper as he pulled out. Diamond remembered that she hadn’t told him where she lived, but wasn’t surprised when he drove in the direction of her apartment. Thankfully for Diamond’s stomach, she was able to make it there. As soon as Knox pulled to a stop in her parking lot, she jumped off his bike.

“Thanks.” Diamond took off at a run for her apartment.

When shaking fingers kept her from being able to unlock her door, a hand reached out, taking the keys from her and inserting them in the lock. As soon as the door was opened she took off again, dropping her purse on the floor by the door. She barely managed to slam the bathroom door shut and reach the toilet basin before she lost the contents of her stomach.

It was terrible. Her heaving stomach didn’t have much to expel as she had begun feeling unwell before lunch and hadn’t eaten. Diamond’s shaking hand reached out to brush her fallen hair back from her hot check.

“Diamond?” Knox’s voice could be heard through the closed door.

“Don’t call me that.” She might be down, but she wasn’t out. She hated that name.

“Are you all right?” Diamond didn’t want to hear the concern in his voice.

“I’m fine. You can go. It’s a stomach virus I caught off my secretary. I hope you don’t catch it.”

“I don’t get sick,” Knox answered. “Can I get you anything?”

“No. Just lock the door on your way out.” Diamond sat on her butt by the toilet, still afraid to move.

Just as Diamond heard him move away from the door then her outside door closing, her stomach began heaving again. She clung to the basin, thankful she was OCD about keeping a clean bathroom as she lost what little was left in her stomach. As sweat broke out across her body, Diamond tried to pull off her jacket, however she couldn’t stop heaving long enough to do so.