Early the next morning before it was daylight over in Colma, two cars were parked near a cemetery. In one a woman and a man sat talking.
"I've seen him but haven't tried to get close with him just yet. He has seen me watching him though I made sure of that. Are you sure it's better he doesn't know I'm undercover as well? I mean I don't mind not letting on about it but I hope later he doesn't feel deceived." Pilar was concerned.
"It's our feeling that it's better for now that he not know there's another cop involved. The problem is that with you both undercover and him not knowing about you it is going to have to be up to you how far your act goes. I know with biker gangs you really never know what might happen. If there comes a time you absolutely feel you have no choice but telling him, or you just decide you want to clue him in, just be careful. You never know who's listening. I know you've explained things to your husband of what you might have to do," DEA agent Lozano recalled.
"Yes, and he knows it wouldn't be happening except to keep up my cover. He trusts me to not be getting involved except for absolutely having to. I've got a feeling with this young man though that I've got my work cut out for me. I've noticed he's being looked at as though he was a piece of meat by more than a few women there. I'll have to move fast to make sure I'm the one he's with if both of us are going to make it out of this alive," Pilar remarked in a determined voice.
They talked a bit more working out a plan in case things got fouled up somehow. After almost another half hour she went back to the other car and left headed back to San Francisco. She still wondered if perhaps they should have at least clued SFPD in on DEA being involved in this case as well. She knew SFPD was more involved because of the trouble with motorcycle gangs in their city. When she arrived at the gang clubhouse later, about midday, some of the gang members were about to head out. She saw the prospective member she had told was Rick riding out with them as well. She fixed her gaze on him and he glanced toward her quickly and saw her mouth the words stay safe. Steve gave a quick nod as he wondered why she cared but her concern touched him. He'd noticed her gazing at him at times and thought she seemed nice enough not to mention pretty. When they headed out Steve hoped the trouble would be minimal, as he knew they were going to try to staunch a rival gang's taking of their territory. Steve worried that he might not see Jeannie or Mike again if things went sour.
When they got to the bar called Toronado, they parked their choppers in an area that was where there would be little or no damage to them while they dealt with the infiltrators. They moved in as one and saw members of Brother Speed playing pool and drinking. Jaime saw one member at the pool table glance up and recognition crossed his face. The Vagos moved toward their rivals Brother Speed, who as if by magic had moved to spread out right behind their leader at the pool table. Before anyone really knew what happened pool cues had been swung and the fight was on between the rival gangs. Steve didn't back away from any of it although he knew he could have as he was only a prospective member. He was hit across the back with a pool cue by one of the Brother Speed members and managed to dive into the guy knocking him to the ground. The pain made his anger flare and his fists were relentless. He only stopped when he realized the rival gang member was half conscious. Another Brother Speed member grabbed Steve from behind and held him firm while another Brother Speed member used Steve for a punching bag. He didn't just stand there and take it without a struggle. He kicked out as hard as he could at the one punching him. Before he realized it the one holding him let go. He saw another Vago had grabbed the guy that was punching him. The Vago made sure Steve was alright then went after another Brother Speed member. Steve tried to catch his breath when he saw another Brother Speed member moving in on Angel. He saw something glint under the lights in the rival gang member's hand and took a flying leap at him. Steve grabbed his arm forcefully and managed to get a knife from him. Angel turned in time to help Steve with the Brother Speed member and realized Steve had just saved his life. The rival gang took off as fast as they could at that moment. Jaime paid the bar owner for damage and the Vagos left with the one Brother Speed member left behind. The Brother Speed member was given a working over as a warning for all Brother Speed members before he was shoved toward his chopper. Once he'd left the Vagos got on their choppers. Some headed back toward the clubhouse and some to where they lived. Steve chose to go to the rental house as he just wanted a hot shower. On the way he made sure no Brother Speed members were around.
After the chopper was locked securely in the garage he went in locking every lock there was before he took his shower. He stood under the water letting it soothe the aches he felt now. After his shower, he got into some sweats and t-shirt and settled on the couch with some ice cream and watched some tv. He finally went to bed about 3am as he was nodding off on the couch. The next day he stayed in as he just wanted to lay low for a bit. At the Vagos clubhouse a vote was being taken on him after Angel had told Jaime what Steve had done. His testimony for Steve wasn't the only Vago to commend him to Jaime. There were no naysayers as they voted Steve into the Vagos as a full colors member. Jaime made sure Steve's jacket with the gang patch was ready when Steve came back. Steve showed up later the next day after he'd rested a little bit longer. When he walked in Angel came over and gave him a brotherly hug which Steve didn't hesitate to return.
"I wouldn't be standing here if not for you, Rick. Come on Jaime wants to see you." Angel had a broad smile.
"Glad I was there, Angel." Steve smiled shyly.
"There you are, Rick. I was hoping you were okay. I heard you took quite a few punches the other night." Jaime greeted Steve warmly.
"No damage done," Steve stated casually, although in reality he probably had a couple of cracked ribs.
"I want to be the first to say welcome to the Vagos." Jaime grinned as he handed Steve the jacket. Steve looked at him surprised and saw him nod. "What you did for Angel, along with how you performed during the fight the other night really impressed me as well as the others."
"Thanks, Jaime." Steve grinned an honest grin and put the jacket on.
Steve felt a bit weird about this situation but covered up as good as possible. Jaime gave Steve a friendly slap on the shoulder as Lupe brought up a couple of drinks for them. After a while of talking and drinking Steve found a place to sit kind of out of the way with his thoughts. Steve wondered how long now he should wait before he could try to sneak a visit to Jeannie and Mike. He watched the others quietly. He danced with a couple of the women of the gang as someone had put some music on and others were dancing. As he was dancing with one he felt her lips brushing his neck lightly. He wasn't sure exactly how to get out of this because he wasn't interested and didn't want to have to pretend that he was. The situation was fixed for him though when she saw someone come in and excused herself. Steve was grateful for the interruption and checking the time he decided to leave while the leaving was good. He noticed Pilar talking to another member that he knew as Loco but her eyes were on Steve. He waved at Jaime and Angel and headed out the door. He rode the chopper to a payphone away from the area of Vago territory and called Castillo.
"Hey it's me. Just wanted to let you know I got full colors today," Steve informed Castillo quickly. "I should be able to be more in the know of what goes on. I know that Brother Speed was in town a couple of days ago. They could still be here. We got into it with them at Toronado."
"You took part, Steve?" Castillo asked a bit surprised.
While Castillo was surprised, he wondered why he felt surprise. He knew he was impressed as well. His admiration for this young cop grew even more as he heard Steve reply in the affirmative. Castillo told Steve to be even more careful than ever now. Steve explained what all took place to make the bar fight happen in the first place. He also told what happened during it for him to make full colors member so quickly, although he downplayed his real role in it. He had thoughts of riding on to Mike's but during the call learned they weren't back from Napa as of yet. Castillo had found out from Bill Tanner earlier when he called homicide to talk to Mike. Steve thanked him for letting him know. After they'd talked a bit more they hung up and Steve headed to the rental house. Steve lifted weights back at the rental house after he'd changed. His thoughts were on Jeannie and Mike and missing them badly. He wished more than ever he'd turned Devitt and Castillo down. Steve wanted to see the two people that meant more than anything in the world to him, so much every part of him ached. He finally started to form a plan in his head he knew he just had to see them and it had to be soon. He knew it was dangerous but the next couple of days when he was out on the chopper, he would take a ride past Mike's house just to see when there might be any sign of either of his family. Finally, the third day as he rode by Mike and Jeannie's he saw a movement by the living room window as he stopped the bike for a second. He was elated as the movement came back by the window and he saw Jeannie. He felt his heart beating much faster and every nerve ending tingled. With a smile he finally rode off. He couldn't believe it his ride-bys hadn't been for nothing. That day, he knew Jaime wanted to talk to him and they had arranged to meet at Golden Gate Park as Jaime didn't want anyone interrupting their talk. In fact that was where he was headed when he rode by Mike and Jeannie's just now. He hurried toward Golden Gate Park so he wouldn't be late. When he got there, he saw Jaime waiting.
"Hey been waiting long?" Steve inquired as casually as possible.
"Actually, just rode in about thirty seconds ago. Let's sit over here, that way we can keep an eye on our bikes and talk at same time," Jaime suggested.
"Sure; is something wrong, Jaime? I mean you said you wanted to meet here so we wouldn't be interrupted." Steve tried to not act nervous.
"No, I just wanted to talk to you about something. When we're at the clubhouse or one of the bars you know how people come up in the middle of talking so thought would meet you here. You ever been to Nevada?" Jaime asked, as he looked around discreetly to make sure nobody was listening.
"Yeah, a few times actually, around the Reno area." Steve downplayed how much he'd been there.
"You could find your way around to other areas of the state too though?" Jaime questioned.
"Yeah I'm sure I could. What area did you have in mind?" Steve inquired.
"There's a town called Fallon do you know it?" Jaime asked.
"I've heard of it, Jaime. I've never been there but know it's near the Reno area. I could find it easy enough." Steve spoke confidently.
"I've got a job for you then. Take it easy a couple of days and be ready to leave Sunday. Find me at the clubhouse that day no later than ten a.m. I'll give you the details then. I'll also give you travelling money to pay for a motel room, gas and eats. You'll be there until Tuesday at least, that's when the guy you're to meet will be available," Jaime explained.
"No problem. I'll find you Sunday then," Steve assured Jaime.
"You might have a companion coming along with you as well." Jaime had a smile.
Steve forced one as well but was worried hoping Jaime wasn't meaning what he thought. They talked a bit longer than parted ways.
At Mike's house, Jeannie was in her room straightening up. She happened to see Steve's letter as she was about to empty the trash basket and took it out. Her heart ached with missing him. She lovingly smoothed out the letter as good as possible. She folded it and put it in her nightstand drawer then emptied the trash in each room of the house. She spent the afternoon cleaning, then watched an old movie on tv. She recalled the first time she'd seen it. Steve had been over to visit and when he'd heard about that movie coming on he'd told her how good it was. He remembered it from childhood when he'd watched it one night with his parents. Mike had to go to Bryant Street for a while when they'd returned. She took a shower after the movie as Mike still hadn't returned. She decided to fix something to eat for them for when he came home.
After Steve and Jaime had finished talking Steve had gone back to the rental house a while. He packed his small duffel bag with a change or two of clothes and toiletries he'd need. He waited until the sun went down then waited another hour past that. Once he felt it was dark enough he opened the door and checked outside just to be sure nobody was around. After he'd made sure the house was locked he left as fast and as quietly as he could. He moved through alleyways and side streets hoping to avoid detection if possible. When he had walked a ways, and knew he was closer to Potrero Hill, he hailed a taxi. Steve had made sure to leave his Vagos jacket at the rental house so as not to stir any trouble up but could tell the taxi driver was nervous anyway. When they arrived about two blocks from De Haro Street the driver pulled into the curb. Steve had not wanted to ride right up to Mike's door. He paid the fare and made sure to give him a good tip and thanked him. The driver pleasantly surprised at the tip smiled and told him if he needed a ride back just call and told Steve his name. Steve nodded with a smile and headed off on foot slowly to make sure he wasn't followed. When he was confident nobody had seen which way, he was going he headed straight to his destination. He found his way into the back yard and headed to a back-room window. He moved the picnic table under the window and got up on it, so he could see if anyone might be in the room. He knocked gently at the window as he saw a figure passing the doorway. He didn't want to alert the neighbors of his presence if he could help it. He'd remembered something Mike had said once about one of his next door neighbors having bought a weapon and that if Mike ever got shot it wouldn't be on the job it would be from a neighbor who thought he'd heard a prowler. Jeannie had thought she heard something when she was putting something away in the closet. She went to her room and was definitely sure she'd heard it. Someone was knocking at her window. She started to feel afraid and grabbed a metal twirling baton she'd had since she was a younger girl and went toward the sound. She held the baton ready and parted the curtain slightly then heard the voice almost as though it was no more than a whispering.