Spark in the Dark

Chapter 80

Gemma called as Shawn was getting ready for work the next morning. She told Shawn to go to TM before Cara Cara that morning, but not much else. She didn't have to. Shawn already knew that the feeling she had the night before had been correct.

When she arrived at the garage, Shawn went into the office first, since Gemma had said TM and not the clubhouse, but Gemma wasn't there. No one was. She walked over the the clubhouse and went inside. Gemma and Tara were there, sitting on the couches. They had been talking and stopped when Shawn walked in.

"So, what's the bad news?" Shawn asked.

"Guys were arrested last night. Federal weapons charges," Gemma told her bluntly.

Shawn scoffed. "Shit."

"We're just waiting for their lawyer to show up," Tara informed her. Shawn nodded and sat down in one of the chairs.

"Anyone not picked up?" Shawn asked, but wasn't feeling too hopeful.

"Opie," Tara said. "Half Sack wasn't with them and obviously not Chibs since he's still in the hospital."

"They got Clay, Jax, Bobby, Happy, Tig, and Juice," Gemma informed her. Shawn gave her a pointed look after the last two names. "I know, baby."

A man Shawn hadn't seen before entered the clubhouse a moment later. Shawn could tell by his suit that he must be the lawyer Tara mentioned. Gemma introduced him as David Rosen before they sat down and got started. He informed them of all the charges and what their bail was set at.

"They're jamming us," Gemma said. "Seven figure bail, no court date. It's bullshit."

"Apparently they have security tapes. Women and children running for their lives," Rosen told them.

"You saw what happened to Otto. They have no protection," Gemma argued.

"What happened to Otto?" Shawn asked.

"Aryans crushed his eye," Rosen said.

"The good one," Gemma added.

"Holy shit," Shawn said and put her head in her hands.

"What about a bondsman?" Tara asked.

"$500,000 a head at 10%. You'd need $300k to get the 6 of them out."

"I can post the house," Gemma said.

"My dad's, too," added Tara.

"And mine," Shawn said. "I also have some cash saved up. Probably enough to get one of them out."

"So, that's enough to get out Clay and Jax. Maybe Tig and one other guy," Rosen said.

"Juice," Shawn said. Tara gave her a questioning look. "He's the only one of the other's who hasn't served anytime. We should get him out.

Tara nodded. Shawn was exactly lying, just not telling the whole truth.

"No," Gemma said. "Clay won't leave any of them behind."

"I'm sorry, Gemma," Rosen said. Shawn rose to her feet to nervously pace as Rosen passed along a note to Gemma from Clay before leaving.

"They're going to go to prison," Shawn said, mostly to herself.

"You don't know that," Tara said.

Shawn stopped pacing to look at her. "Federal charges, Tara. Somehow, I don't think they'll get community service for that. Not enough litter on the side of the highway to be picked up for that."

"One thing at a time, Shawn," Gemma said and stood from the couch. She put an arm around Shawn and led her out of the clubhouse. "Why don't you head into the studio for awhile? I'll keep you posted on what's going on with them, okay?"

"You don't need me to go get the cash out of the bank?"

"Not just yet. Let me see what I can do first," Gemma said and gave her a hug. Shawn began walking to her car as Gemma called out to her. "You really have that kind of cash in the bank?"

"Porn pays well," Shawn told her. She remembered a time when she said the same thing to Juice and what his response was. "Sex sells."

* * *

Most of Shawn's day was spent staring at a computer screen without actually seeing it. Everyone just assumed she was worried about her father, which she was, of course, but she also had the added weight of Juice's safety to worry about, too. Everyone except Lyla, that is. She knew just how much was at stake for Shawn that day. When Opie came around looking for help, she did so even though Opie couldn't give her a lot of information. Lyla didn't want to see her friend in pain because she refused to help.

Shawn had barely left her office, so when Lyla went to check on her before leaving the studio for the day.

"Hey, darlin'," Lyla said as she lightly knocked on the doorframe to her office. "How you holding up?"

Shawn shrugged. "How pissed is Luanne about how shitty I've been today?"

"Everyone's being pretty understanding. Seriously, even Ima wasn't bitching."

"Alert the media," Shawn said deadpanned, but Lyla chuckled.

"I'm on my way to pick up Opie's kids. I told him I would take them to get something to eat. Wanna come?"

Shawn thought about it. Normally she would have said yes, but being around Kenny and Ellie still cause Shawn some mixed emotions. Shawn loved Opie's kids, but motherless children were a trigger for Shawn and she was worried about adding more stress to herself. The last thing those kids needed was for Shawn to have some kind of meltdown in front of them during dinner.

"I better sit this one out," Shawn admitted.

Lyla left after that and Shawn did the same not too much later. She drove home slowly since she was basically on autopilot that day. She changed her clothes and put on Juice's hoodie. Laying on her bed, she brought the fabric to her face. His smell was beginning to fade, again. They would have to trade hoodies soon.

Shawn's phone rang. She picked it up and saw Gemma's name.

"Hello?"

"You should come to TM," Gemma said without greeting her first. "I got the guys bail. They should be here within the hour."