When Dove Cries by Beth D. Carter

sheriff or the president of the Red Wolves by letting you run around to get hurt. Besides, I think this was a diversionary tactic.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “This doesn’t feel right,” Cade continued, looking around.
    Dove knew he wanted to bring out his gun for a precautionary measure but couldn’t with all these people around.
    “I know what you mean,” Draven muttered.
    The fire truck had arrived, and men jumped off it then scrambled around to pull out hoses and establish a perimeter. They made sure people were okay and talked with the administrative hospital staff. Two firemen in full suits and masks entered the hospital to assess the situation.
    Long minutes passed. The sound of motorcycles filled the air, and seconds later, North and about fifteen bikers arrived. Allis gave a cry and took off toward North, who unsnapped his helmet and hung it off a handlebar. He scooped Allis up in a tight hug, and she gestured toward the hospital. He held her hand tightly as he marched up to them.
    North Tabion was a tall man with a bandana tied around his head, a long-sleeved shirt under his leather cut and a chain holding his wallet in his back pocket. His black riding boots thudded on the ground as he walked. Allis, on the other hand, was petite and a good foot shorter than he was, but her dark coloring was a striking contrast to his blond good looks.
    “What the hell is going on?” he demanded from Draven as soon as he was near.
    “Fire alarm,” Draven answered. “Givon told us to watch Allis then he sprinted out of the door. We haven’t seen him since.”
    “What do you want us to do?” a Red Wolves member asked.
    North assessed the situation. “Spread out, ask the nurses where you can help.”
    The man nodded, turned, then directed the others. North kept his voice down as he looked around.
    “This seems too convenient,” he muttered. “All of us are out in the open.”
    “That’s just what we were thinking,” Cade replied.
    At that moment, the firemen came out and took off their face masks. Givon followed them. Allis cried out in relief and rushed toward him. He caught her in a hug and gave a nod of thanks to the firefighters.
    Givon walked over to them with Allis tucked firmly against his side. He was wet and smelled heavily of smoke. Dove looked over at North, expecting to see jealousy, but only relief shown on his face. Their dynamic fascinated Dove.
    “Man, what the fuck were you thinking?” North demanded. “Being sheriff is too pansy for you, so now you go put out fires?”
    Givon shook his head. “Paper fire was set in one of the rooms in the basement,” he said. “Right under a fire alarm so it set off the sprinkler system down there. It was out before I got there, but the smoke is thick.”
    “Sabotage,” Draven replied.
    “Technically, arson,” Givon said. “But there aren’t security cameras in the basement, so unless the person who set it is really stupid and blabs, it may be hard to find the culprit.”
    “Do you think it’s safe to go home?” Allis asked. “We just finished putting the last coat of paint on the wall.”
    “I think you’re safe,” Draven answered her. “I think this is about Dove.”
    “Me?” she whispered. “But why?”
    “You can identify people,” Cade replied.
    “This is the Allis situation all over again,” Draven said.
    “But Hiller is dead,” Allis pointed out.
    “Hiller wasn’t calling the shots,” Givon told her. “We’ve always suspected someone was directing him.”
    “When does she get discharged?” North asked, nodding to Dove.
    “Possibly tomorrow or the next day,” Draven answered.
    “Let us know,” North ordered. “We’ll give you guys an escort home, although you might want to consider moving into the club for a while. Better protection.”
    “I have to go home and change,” Givon told North. “I can take Allis with me.”
    “I want to stay,” Allis stated. “I’ll be careful.”
    “All right,” Givon said.