Mr. Sandman

PRESENT

Kai Hyuga

The SYML cover of Mr.Sandman loops in my head as I look at the photos in front me. Celeste Deveraux has been busy. Milan, Boston, Hong Kong, Berlin, Paris, London and then Boston again. Either she's closing shop or she's closing the biggest deal of her life. On every trip she's met up with local figures of power, each corrupt, but running a clean ship in front of the public. Politicians, businessmen and women, celebrities, and the like.

I would like to think that these people, like her daughter, have no idea that she isn't really a humanitarian, but chances are they're nowhere near as naïve as her.

There was a time when I thought she might know about her mother's real business but I realised that Celeste's web of lies was wrapped around her children as well.

Three years I've been chasing Celeste's trail but I'm no closer to finding my sister than I was on the first day.

Meera enters the room before I fall into that pit of despair again.

"She wants to see you." I know who she's referring to. I can't see her though. Not until I've cleaned up the mess that I got us in. When I don't respond Meera continues, "She's living with the Knights of the Highway Motorcycle Club." That catches my attention. We'd suspected that they were associates of Celeste. Claudette living with them confirms it.

I chuckle at the thought of how out of place she'd feel in that environment. Claw isn't what you would call down to earth. In a room filled wild men and women who claim dominance through violence, Claudette would turn up her nose and walk out. She wouldn't get caught dead on a bike, dismissing the experience as wild, illogical and unnecessarily dangerous. Unless she was with me. Then she'd let her hair down, take her heels off and do whatever then fuck she felt like. She'd stop worrying and overthinking. Just be herself under the layers of complicated what ifs, emotional baggage and deep embedded mistrust.

"It seems Celeste Deveraux arranged for her daughter to be guarded by the MC while she takes care of business. They are responsible for her protection and her silence. She has been tailed everywhere she has gone, and her phone is tapped. They don't want the girl talking. I wouldn't put it past Celeste to have her own daughter killed to protect herself." Meera goes on. "Somehow, your girl was able to contact us, but I don't think she'll risk it again. You should go see her. If they're guarding her, it's most likely because she knows something." She has a point.

"What do we know about the Knights of the Highway?", I ask Meera.

"More than a third of their members have done time at one point or another. Their money comes mostly from drugs and guns. We obviously have our suspicions about a third source. They've got chapters all over country. The President for this one is Trevor McClain, goes by the road name 'Ink'" How adorable. "Their last Vice President died in a raid a few months ago and we don't know who the new one is."

"I might just have to pay my girlfriend a visit, then", I whisper, picking up a photo of Celeste in London. She sits across from a politician; all smiles as if she doesn't have a care in the world. I want to drag her through hell and stick her head on a pike.

"By the way," Meera says over her shoulder on her way out, "We've got Drew."

I smile. Finally, some good news.

***

I take a seat in front of Drew. He's a prospect for the Knights of the Highway. We made a deal with him when we started suspecting that the MC was involved with Celeste's organisation. He'd join the MC, gather Intel and pass it on to us. In return we wouldn't put him in jail for a B&E he was arrested for.

"I'm going to need you to be on standby for extracting Claudette Deveraux at a moment's notice", I inform him. He nods and licks his lips. "Tell me what's been going on in the club."

"The same as always. Church," church is what they call their club meetings. Religious, this group is not. "Parties. They're going on a job soon. I'm not going 'cause I'm not a member yet. I might be close, though. Been doing this for months. They gotta let me in soon, right?" he's blabbering.

"What's this job about?" I snap.

"I don't know, man. They don't tell me shit. I guard the room when they talk but they don't let me in." he scrambles to explain but it's not good enough for me. I need him to find out what they plan to do next. If its related to Celeste. I reach into my pocket and hand him a small device.

"Plant this in the room before they have their meeting." I instruct.

"They check for bugs and use frequency jammers." Huh. Would you look at that? A bunch of cavemen with more than two brain cells to rub together.

"Then you better get creative, kid. I have to know what job they're doing and when they're doing it." I order and walk out.

***

Claudette fluffs her hair and fixes her lipstick. It's been 38 days since I last saw her. Her natural black hair is peeking at the roots, but it still transitions well with the dark brown balayage she has. She's got a short pink dress on. Her cleavage is on display and so are her legs. I'd like to think she dressed up for me, but this is Claw, her vanity doesn't need an occasion.

I step out of the stall and our eyes connect in the mirror. Her breath hitches and I see so much in her eyes. Accusation, sadness, anger and love; thank god.

She turns around and before I can say anything her palm meets me cheek with a crack.

What the hell else did I think was gonna happen?

"Missed you too, baby."