Chapter 6
Mack
I sat outside the hotel as long as I could before a patrol car rode by and told me to move it along. It was late in the evening by then and Whitley still hadn’t come out. Now I’m starting to worry about her, and I don’t know what else to do but go back to The Bald Beaver.
Whitley must have slept all day, but I imagine with the hours she works, it’s hard to stay awake after a shift.
When I saw her run out last night, I wanted to go after her, but she looked freaked.
The sight of her looking over her shoulder and being afraid tore at my heart.
There’s so much more to her story that I need to know, and she needs to know who hired me to come find her.
She could be in all kinds of danger, and running out on her own and walking in a not so great part of town was dangerous as fuck.
I had to follow her car to the hotel so I could make sure she stayed safe, but anyone could have followed me.
What about Roy Baxter’s enemies? Does she not realize the kind of monsters that would love to snatch her up?
My only chance is that she’ll be at the club tonight. Part of me is worried she’s already taken off, but I have no idea where to start if that’s happened. The best I can do is hope she shows up, but if not, maybe I can talk to some of the other dancers and find out where she might have gone.
Checking the parking lot, I don’t see her anywhere, and when I go inside I see the club is already packed. It’s the weekend, and even though it’s early, everyone from all over has come to watch the dancers on the stage. When I see Stowe by the bar, I make a beeline for him.
“Look who's back,” he says and pats me on the back like we’re old friends. “How about I get you a girl? You like redheads? I’ve got one you’re gonna love. Come meet—”
“I’m here for another dance,” I say, cutting him off. When he offers up another dancer, I shake my head. “I was promised a more private experience this time. With the same girl,” I clarify so that there’s no confusion.
I’m not sure if Whitley has a stage name, but I’m not going to give up her real one if this guy doesn’t know it.
“Let me see what I can do.”
Before Stowe can leave, I take out my black Amex and tap it on the bar. “Make sure she says yes.”
He nods to it and the bartender. “Get this man a drink. On the house.”
Then he disappears into the crowd, and I have no idea where he’s gone. Fuck, what if she’s not here?
It feels like forever before someone comes over, and it’s a tall woman with long dark braids. “I’m Hartley. I heard the boss say you asked for a private suite with Whit.” She looks me up and down like she’s assessing how dangerous I am.
“I did.” I push aside my untouched drink. I’m not sure who this person is, but the way she seems to be defending Whitley, she must be somewhat protective of her. I’m at the point where I’m tired of fucking around.
“Follow me.” She turns and walks to the back of the club in the direction I went the other night.
At the end of the hall, we take a different turn, and up ahead is a red door. This must be the room without the cameras. Hartley steps inside, and when I walk in behind her, I see the room is empty.
She turns to face me after she closes the door. “What do you want with Whit?” She’s not giving anything away. I can tell she’s not going to bring Whitley in here without some answers first. If she’s even still here.
“You mean other than a private dance?”
She rolls her eyes. “You could get half those girls in here to give you one for free. Why Whit?”
Deciding that we’re running out of time, I let out a sigh and tell the truth. “Because she’s in danger.”
Those words get Hartley’s attention, but she recovers quickly. “If she’s in danger, why the hell should she trust you?”
“Does she have any other choice?” The silence that hangs between us gives me my answer, but I keep going. “I know she’s alone, and I know there are really bad men looking for her. Look, I came here to find her and help her escape. That’s all I want.”
I reach into my back pocket, and Hartley takes a step back, holding up her hands.
“It’s just my ID,” I say, slowly taking out my wallet. “This is me.” I pull out my driver's license and hand it to her along with my business card. “I’m a detective, and the person that hired me won’t stop looking for her.”
“So we’re just supposed to hand her over?” She narrows her eyes as she looks up at me.
“No, I’m not taking her back to him. I’m here to help her hide.”
She pauses for a moment, then looks back at the door. “How can I be sure?”
I try to think of what to say to convince her that I’m not here to hurt Whitley, but I don’t know what it will take to make her believe me.
So instead I go for the truth. “You can’t, but I know if I don’t get her out of here, he’s going to send someone else in my place.
And then you better pray that his enemies don't find her first.”
“It’s okay, Hartley,” a soft voice says from the doorway. I turn around to see Whitley standing there fully dressed with a bag on her shoulder. “He’s right.”
“Whit, I don’t know, maybe there’s another way,” Hartley pleads with her.
“There’s not,” I answer honestly. “If I was able to get to her this easily, you can believe there are other people on their way.”
“Where will you go?” Hartley asks me, and I shake my head.
“If I tell you, then it puts you in danger.” My eyes meet Whitley’s, and my chest tightens. “Will you come with me?”
“What choice do I have?” I see the threat of tears form in her eyes, but she doesn’t let them fall.
My body aches to go to her and pull her against me so I can tell her it’s going to be okay. I can’t do that, so I clench my hands at my sides and force myself to stay still.
“You have a choice, but staying here isn’t smart.” I nod back to the club. “There could be someone out there waiting for you right now. Let me take you someplace safe.”
“Here,” Hartley says as she holds out an envelope. “I took it from Stowe. It’s what he owes you.”
“Thanks,” Whitley says as the two of them embrace.
“Is there a way out from here?” I ask, looking around for an exit.
“Yes, but you have to be fast or the alarm will trip,” Hartley says as she leads us to the rear of the room and pulls back a dark velvet curtain. There’s another red door, and she uses a pin from her braid to pick the lock.
“Not bad.” I nod at her speedy fingers. I could use someone like her on our team.
“Hurry,” Hartley says to Whitley. “They’re going to come looking for you soon.”
“Thank you for everything.” Whitley gives her one last hug before we fling open the door.
Then I grab her by the hand, and we run out into the night.