Chapter 50
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Baton Rouge Brothel—Sitka, AK
The plush chair felt like it would swallow Sam whole, the soft velvet wrapping around his hips as he lowered himself too far into its tender grasp.
The redheaded girl pulled what looked like a chopstick out of her hair, and long, curly ginger locks fell over her shoulders. Her low square neckline with way too much cleavage tugged at Sam’s gaze.
Sam was running out of ideas. He’d been asking around town for the better part of three days, and nobody admitted ever seeing anyone fitting the kid’s description. Sitka folks were pretty determined to mind their own business, it seemed.
A Victrola sitting on the table played a Strauss waltz.
Kerosene sconces adorned the walls, providing dim light, and the red flocked wallpaper above them was stained dark from years of smoke.
Across the room, an older woman in a blue dress on a red velvet fainting couch smoked a cigarette in an ivory holder.
She averted her eyes when Sam looked her way, tapping her ashes into an ornate tray on a tall bronze pedestal.
“This ain’t the bureau of information, baby, it’s a brothel. What can I really help you with, honey?” She reached for Sam’s crotch and he pulled back, grabbing her hand. She blinked. “Feels to me like you might have a bit of a problem that I can definitely help.”
He placed her hand back onto her own leg and gave it a pat.
“No, no problem at all. I just…I just—here, I’ll pay you.
” Sam reached into his jacket and grabbed a wad of cash, pushing it at the girl.
“I just want to know about a guy. I don’t mean him any harm.
He’s young—maybe your age—miner—carries a lot of cash around—dresses real fancy. ”
“Well, thank you, baby, that’s very generous.” She fanned her face briefly with the stack of bills. “I think I know who you’re looking for. Goes by Virgil—a real charmer—if you know what I mean.”
The waltz ended and the woman in the blue dress got up, set her cigarette holder on the pedestal ashtray, flipped the record, gave the crank a few turns, and set the needle back in the groove. Another Strauss waltz.
“He took me for a ride in his new boat.” The redheaded girl spoke more softly, looking around in the direction of the other woman. “I mean, we aren’t supposed to frat-er-nize outside of business”—she put her finger to her lips—“but he paid me extra and took me for a boat ride.”
She put both hands on Sam’s thighs, squeezing gently. They were warm through his thin wool slacks. “Sure you don’t want some of what you’re paying for?”
“No, I mean—I’m sure it’s…you’re…absolutely lovely, but…I’m married. Just need to find this guy—he helped me with something and I want to pay him back.” Sam felt silly with the obvious lie.
“Married or not, don’t stop most guys. But okay, your loss. He’s a skinny boy—can’t be more than twenty-three or -four, I don’t think. Wears a business suit around town.”
A door opened and a young blond woman in a negligee led an older man across the room and into the exit hallway.
The redhead continued, twisting a long lock of hair around a finger. “Anyway, he was loaded with cash. Said he hit a big strike or something. Bought himself a nice little fishing boat. And like I said, he took me for…a ride.” Her eyes rolled toward the ceiling and she smiled.
The outside door closed and the blond woman walked back through, going into a washroom.
The girl gave a mischievous-looking grin. “I hope he comes back soon. Don’t think he really needs your money, though.”
“Thank you—Juneau? That’s your name, right? Like the town? I’m bad with names. Sorry.” Sam felt himself blushing and tried to look away. “Did you get his last name?”
“My name can be anything you want, long as you keep paying me. His name—Virgil. Last name…something funny…Oh, Fellows. That’s it.
He was a nice fellow. That’s how I remember.
” Juneau straightened her back and tossed her hair over one shoulder, looking proud of herself.
“Maybe he’ll give you a ride in his boat.
He could use some help, don’t think he knows much about boats. ”
Sam tried to give Juneau his most sincere smile. “I may do just that. Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.” He squeezed her shoulder lightly. “Oh, his boat is in the harbor here?”
“Yes, it was in the first slip at the bottom of the ramp.” She slipped the cash into her bra. “You can’t miss it—brand-new—white with a green stripe.”