“Why do we put up with this shit?” Bear asked.

“Fun.”

He sat down in the booth, and Bear took the seat beside Billy, putting his arm around the cop, and pulling him close. He knocked the baseball cap off his head and laughed as he did. “Look at how cute and sweet he looks.” Bear gave him a kiss on the cheek, and Preacher watched, entertained, but he didn’t show it.

“Why all the secrecy?” Preacher asked.

“You know I don’t like to be seen.”

“Ah, Preacher, we’re the losers, and he’s the popular jock.” Bear held him against his cheek. “We are not worthy of so much attention.”

“Bear, enough.” He didn’t raise his voice, and Bear let him go. “Talk.”

“Milner’s getting replaced.”

This was news to Preacher. “Why am I hearing this now from you, and when does he get replaced?”

“End of the week. Milner couldn’t get to you sooner. His files have been taken, and they’re calling it early retirement. He thinks he screwed up, and well, they’re putting someone on the force who can’t be easily bought.”

“Any idea who?”

“No. I don’t have a clue. It’s all been very hush-hush.”

Sitting back in the booth, he looked at Billy. “What does Milner want me to do?”

“After the party, he’s requested you lay low for a couple of weeks. A few months maybe.”

Bear burst out laughing.

“I don’t believe that is possible, Billy,” Bear said. “You know our schedule. You know what we have planned.”

“Look, you can do whatever the hell you want. We’re not stopping you from doing what it is you feel you need to do.”

“But?”

“None of us know what is going on.” Billy looked around and leaned in close. “They’re checking out files. Trying to see a weakness. I’m telling you, for a couple of months, please, lay low. I’ll be your eyes and ears and we can meet, but you’ve got to give us time.”

Preacher stared at him.

If Milner was being replaced, he would watch his back. He and Milner went back over fifteen years. The old dog knew who he was dealing with, and even though he hated taking money from him, there was no way Milner and men could keep the town of Knight’s Bridge safe.

His reputation, even though he wasn’t in the town but based outside it, kept them all safe, even from rival gangs and clubs. All it took was a phone call from Milner, and he and his crew were there to wipe out the trash.

Sitting back, he looked at the worry on Billy’s face.

He liked the cop in front of him. He was a good man, had his head on straight and knew when to turn the opposite way.

“We’ll do it,” Preacher said.

Bear didn’t dispute him, and getting to his feet, he left Billy to fester in his costume of pretend.

He climbed on his bike, rode out of the diner’s parking lot, and headed toward their stop.