Page 55 of Minus
“Yeah. I was on the bench outside, waiting for the car, and they grabbed me. They knew I was gonna be there.”
“Los Psychos?”
“They were all patched except the guy that worked me over. It sounded like they’d hired him. He was gonna torch me. He kept saying he was gonna burn me alive, man,” Warthog rasped as Cutter held his head.
“It’s okay, man, we’re gonna get you to Eldie’s andshe’ll take care of you. We’ll get you out of these clothes and get some good ol’ morphine into you. That sounds good, doesn’t it?” Cutter smiled, trying his best to comfort his friend, before turning to me. “When we find the guy that did this, he’s going to pay double for this.”
“I’ll find him for you, I promise,” I said.
“You promise him,” Cutter said, motioning to Warthog.
“On my patch,” I said.
We reached the medical office of Dr. Gina Gardner, or as she was known to our club, “Eldie,” which was a derivative of L.D., which stood for Lady Doctor. This was unfortunately what Red Dog called her when he was brought into the E.R. after getting a bottle busted over his head in a bar fight. Rather than take offence, Dr. Gardner wore the moniker with pride, and became a trusted friend of the club over the years. We always knew that Eldie would take care of you when needed. Apparently, she’d since moved up from her days in the E.R. and had her own small practice. I was wondering if she’d be as welcoming to the Burning Saints as she once was. As it turns out, I wouldn’t have to wait long. Clutch and I were on opposite sides of Warthog, carrying him up the walkway, and had only made it halfway there when Eldie bound through the front door with a very large Samoan man in nurse’s scrubs, pushing a wheelchair.
“What happened to him?” she asked, as the nurse gently placed Warthog into the chair and wheeled him through the front entrance.
“He was kidnapped and beaten, that’s all I know. I’m not even sure how long they had him, or what they did to him. Just help him the best you can okay, Doc?”
“You know I will,” she said sweetly. “It’s good to see you again, Cutter, even if it’s for the same old reasons.”
“You, too, sweetie,” he said, leaning in. “Be okay if we stash him here for a few days while he heals up?”
“I’ve got a place in back. He’ll be comfortable and out of sight,” she replied.
“Thanks, babe. I owe you,” Cutter said.
“You know my price,” she said with a wink, and exitedthe waiting area.
“What was that all about? What’s her price?” I asked as we made our way out.
“None of your damned business. That’s between me and the Doc,” he said sternly.
“Damn, Cutter! You got somethin’ goin’ on with Eldie?” Clutch razzed.
“You fuckin’ idiot, she’s damn near young enough to be my granddaughter,” he barked. “Besides, you jealous or somethin’? Now, get in the fuckin’ van and let’s get out of here.”
We piled in and Clutch started the engine. “Where are we headed?” he asked.
“Take me back to my hotel,” I said. “I’ll grab my stuff and go to the airport from there.”
“Airport?” Clutch asked. “Why are you going to the airport?”
“Because I’m going back to Savannah. I’m going to take Cutter’s book there to keep it safe, and while I’m there I’m going to talk to Zaius about bringing a couple of guys back with me.”
Zaius, the Savannah chapter president, was named due to his striking resemblance to Dr. Zaius from the 1969 film The Planet of the Apes. Like his orangutan film counterpart, he was a pear-shaped man with a fiery red beard and hair. Also like the character, he was very smart, but pretty much a complete prick.
“Good luck with that,” Cutter said with a chuckle.
I smirked and nodded.
Clutch killed the van’s engine.
“What the fuck?” I asked.
“What the fuckme? What the fuck is up with you two guys?” Clutch asked, throwing his hands in the air. “The last time I checked, you two were oil and vinegar, and now suddenly you’re chocolate and fucking peanut butter. So, as the Sergeant at Arms of this fucking club, I’d like to know what’s up, peanut butter cup?”
Cutter pulled a flask from his inside pocket and handed itto Clutch. “You’re gonna need a pull from this.”
