The courtroom became silent.
Kane's lawyer objected.
The judge allowed the testimony.
Sarah explained how her daughter had spent eleven days waiting.
How she believed ninety-three dollars was enough to convince a stranger to help.
Jax hated the attention.
He stood outside the courthouse while reporters tried to interview him.
"Mr. Carter! Was it true you mobilized your entire motorcycle club?"
"No comment."
"Did you know the operation would lead to Kane's arrest?"
"No comment."
"Did the girl really offer you every dollar she owned?"
Jax stopped.
He looked at the reporter.
"Yeah."
"Why did you accept it?"
Jax thought about the answer.
Then he said, "Because sometimes people don't need you to tell them their help isn't enough."
The reporter stared at him.
Jax continued.
"Sometimes you take the hand they offer. Then you show them they're not alone."
He walked away.
That evening, the jury found Victor Kane guilty.
Emily was waiting at home.
When Jax entered, she ran toward him.
"Did he go to jail?"
"Yep."
"Forever?"
"Not forever."
Emily frowned.
"That's stupid."
Jax laughed.
Sarah covered her smile.
Emily crossed her arms.
"I think I should be the judge."
Jax looked at Cole.
"Honestly, I'm starting to agree."
Chapter 9
A year after Sarah disappeared, the Iron Wolves organized a charity ride.
They called it the Ninety-Three Dollar Ride.
Jax hated the name.
Emily chose it.
So it stayed.
Thousands of motorcycles arrived from across the state.
The money raised would support families of missing persons.
At the beginning of the event, Emily stood on a small stage.
She wore a black leather vest several sizes too big.
The audience laughed when she adjusted it.
Jax stood behind her.
Emily spoke into the microphone.
"A year ago, I thought I had to save my mom by myself."
The crowd became quiet.
"I had ninety-three dollars."
She held up an old photograph of the crumpled bills.
"I thought it wasn't enough."
Then she looked at Jax.
"But somebody told me to show him where she went."
Jax's eyes lowered.
Emily smiled.
"Sometimes one person can't fix everything."
She pointed toward the crowd.
"But one person can start something."
The crowd erupted into applause.
Jax wiped his eye.
Cole immediately noticed.
"Are you crying?"
"No."
"Your face is wet."
"Shut up."
The motorcycles started.
Thousands of engines roared across the highway.
And leading them was Jax.
Behind him rode Sarah.
Behind Sarah rode Emily.
She held her mother tightly.
And for the first time since that terrible night, she wasn't afraid of the road ahead.