Enamel

by Tim Sabados

  Johnny tried to turn away from the factory. Tried to forget he had heard those guns. Tried to deny the illness that was swiftly overtaking him. He lifted the bottle toward his quivering lips, but the bottle slipped from his grip and hit the ground with a solid thud.

  The infection was robbing him of his strength. The world around him began to sway. The river lost its shimmer and the city’s lights flickered. His legs felt like they were the consistency of melting rubber. Before he could tighten his thighs, he lost all control and dropped to his knees. The jarring pain ratcheted up his torso and through his ribs. Like a falling tree, he fell forward and smashed his face against the sidewalk. Stinging pain skewered his lip while the metallic taste of blood seeped over his tongue.

  Johnny smacked his lips, then licked them with animalistic fervor. A low growl rumbled from deep inside his throat. The liquor bottle was out of his reach. He tried to fight what was happening, but it was too late. There was no stopping it. The predator had been awakened.

  He rolled onto his back and clenched his teeth. “No…I can’t…can’t do…”

  A dagger of pain impaled Johnny’s spine, causing him to violently arch his back. He writhed. Moaned in agony. Nothing was giving him relief.

  He opened his mouth to scream, but an invisible pair of hands seemed to wrap around his throat and choke the air out of him. An ink as dark as the hidden caves of night filled his eyes. Pinpricks of pain slid from beneath his cuticles. A muffled sound like the crackling of cellophane bubbled from under the layers of his skin.

  Johnny’s entire body contracted and gripped him in the throes of anguish before releasing him. He gasped and went limp. Time passed—how much, he didn’t know. He never knew. Johnny lay on the sidewalk until his strength outmuscled the pain. Until he could freely move his arms and legs.

  He exhaled sharply, rolled over and rose to his feet. Gazed at the reptilian scales that covered his hands and arms. At the pointed nails protruding from his fingertips. Chuckled with delight. He was back.

  Johnny looked down at the tattered clothes clinging to his body. Grunted with disgust. He blew into his cupped hands, then brushed them over the frayed fabric. Within a few heartbeats the shredded garments morphed into a finely tailored black suit. He dabbed his finger in the blood clinging to the corner of his mouth and touched his tie. The bright red color of the blood crept across the silk fabric until it soaked every last fiber.

  He lifted his nose, sniffed, then smiled. Opportunity weaved itself into the nearly imperceptible current wafting though the air. It was going to be a busy night. He could feel it trickling through the marrow of his bones. Another sniff. Death was dancing somewhere on there, too. His salivary glands frothed with animalistic lust, causing him to chuckle with delight. It was time to find where it was all going down.

  31

  Sammy tipped his glass toward Ariek. “You look like you could use one of these.” He took a sip of his scotch. “It helps.”

  “I’ve tried,” Ariek said flatly. “Not feeling it.”

  “Of all nights,” Sammy said somewhat sarcastically.

  Ariek’s brows furrowed. “There’s too much at stake. It’s better I keep my head clear.”

  “All the more reason.” Sammy swirled the drink and reveled in the way the ice cubes chattered against the glass.

  “How many have you had?”

  Sammy chuckled. “Does it matter?”

  “Yeah, it does.”

  “Since when have you become more uptight than me?” Sammy sipped his drink. “You’re supposed to be the calm one.”

  Ariek slid his hands into his pockets. “Since she managed to escape. You do realize the problems she could bring us?”

  “The key word here is could.” Sammy leaned against the balcony’s railing and gazed down at the crowd in the Cadillac’s lobby. “But she won’t. Not tonight.”

  “What makes you so sure?”

  “For starters, she doesn’t know we’re here.” Sammy pointed at the bouncer from the club who was sitting in a chair near the hotel entrance. “He assured me that the girls had no idea where they were going.”

  “It’s a loose end.” Ariek tapped the railing with his palm. “I hate loose ends.”

  Sammy tented his fingers over his chest. “So do I, but we can’t let it stop us. Not tonight.”

  Ariek scoffed. “The sooner we get this over with, the better.”

  “We’re going to get through this.” The scotch had effectively numbed Sammy’s stress and allowed his confidence to take root. “I can feel it. Just think of the money.” A pause. “Keep your eye on the prize.”

  Ariek gripped the rail. “There will be no prize if we get busted.”

  “We’ve been through too much crap to come this far and have it fall apart,” Sammy said. “It’s our time.” He exhaled a breath of annoyance. “Think about it, Ariek, just think. We’re on the verge of some serious money and some serious recognition from the Network.” Triumphantly extended his arm over the crowd. “A few more of these and we’re more than just sitting pretty. I’ll be damned if I allow some stripper to ruin it for us.”

  “She could.” Ariek audibly sighed. “She knows too much.”

  Ariek’s negativity bore into the container housing Sammy’s frustration. “There’s nothing I can do about it right now!” He looked down at all the activity swirling in and out of the bar, hoping he hadn’t spoken too loudly. A couple sitting on a couch in the lounge looked up, but quickly reengaged in their conversation.

  Sammy slowly lifted his glass to his mouth. Let the liquor coat his tongue before swallowing it. “I agree that these are some tense moments. But we can’t let it go to our head, or we’ll lose all we’ve worked for.”

  “I agree,” Ariek said.

  “We couldn’t have stopped tonight if we wanted to,” Sammy said. “And, quite frankly, I don’t want to.”

  “All I’m saying is that this could explode in our faces at any moment,” Ariek explained. “We’ve got to be ready for the worst.”

  “And we are,” Sammy said. “No one is going to find that room in the factory.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” Ariek braced his elbows on the railing. “Aryssa could lead the cops to it.”

  “She could be dead for all we know.” Sammy swirled his drink. “They didn’t see any movement after they shot at that boat.”

  “That’s beside the point,” Ariek stated. “We can’t take the girls back there.”

  “Where do we take them, then? It’s not like we have a lot of options.”

  “Harmony House,” Ariek answered.

  “You mean that dump on Michigan Avenue?”

  “I know the owner.” Ariek fiddled with his fingers. “He has a few rooms tucked in back in case…well, you know. We can lay low for a few days until we figure our next move.”

  “I still say our place is best,” Sammy said confidently. “I guarantee you that Aryssa doesn’t’ know how she got there. And even though she managed to find a way out, I’m certain she doesn’t remember how she did it.”

  “What about that boat?”

  Sammy scrunched his face. “Pure luck. She probably flashed some guy for a ride.” He chuckled. “He probably got more than he bargained for with all those guns going off.”

  “What if it was more than a coincidence?” Ariek’s question dripped with concern.

  Sammy sighed. Ariek was quickly killing his buzz. “Fine. Call your friend and we’ll take the girls there, if that’ll ease your mind.”

  Ariek grumbled through pursed lips. “It will.” A pause. “We’ve got to strip that place clean, in case it’s discovered.”

  Sammy clenched his jaw to contain his frustration. “How about you take care of that and I’ll take care of things here.” He took a sip of his drink and listened to the laughter that drifted up from the crowd. To the chatter of endless conversations and the upbeat music that seemed to bolster everyone’s elation. The infectious rhythm spread throughout the space, making
even Sammy bounce off his feet. “Can’t you see that the girls are finally doing what they’re supposed to be doing?”

  “I see it,” Ariek replied. He was busy scrolling through his phone. “I’m just trying to keep our investment secure.”

  “And I’ll make sure it functions the way it’s supposed to.”

  “Speaking of which, is that woman still chained to the wall?”

  Sammy nodded silently. “What else was I going to do with her? She’s no good for tonight.”

  Ariek grumbled again. “I’m not going to be the one taking her to the emergency room if she’s seriously jacked up.”

  “She’ll be fine,” Sammy said confidently. “Regardless, I’m not taking her, even if she needs it.” He took a long sip from his drink. “I’ve had a very serious conversation with the men. I thoroughly explained that workers who don’t work don’t bring us money.” A pause “If they want to get paid then they’ll have to think twice before smacking around the merchandise like that again.”

  “Let’s hope so,” Ariek replied. “We can’t afford any more screw-ups.”

  “She did have to be put in her place, though,” Sammy said. “I could tell she was going to be a feisty one when we first got her.”

  Ariek held his phone to his ear and looked directly at Sammy. “It’s my friend who owns Harmony House.”

  Sammy tipped his chin in acknowledgement. “We’re not totally abandoning the factory.”

  “I know,” Ariek confirmed. “This is temporary.”

  Sammy drained his drink with a tip of his head. Pointed to the bar as he looked at Ariek. “I’m going down to check on everyone.”

  Ariek nodded his understanding. “Hello? Hey, it’s me…”

  Sammy rattled the cubes in his empty glass; the alarm telling him that it was time for another. He exhaled slowly and realized that his stress was practically gone. All that crap from earlier was behind him and now he needed to keep his focus on the future. So what if Aryssa escaped. Did she know where to find him and the girls? Sammy shook his head. He made his way along the balcony and descended the elaborate staircase that lead into the lobby and toward the bar. Could she find that room inside the factory? Another shake of his head.

  Even if Aryssa accused him and Ariek, it’s not like she had any evidence. It was her word against his. Who would any reasonable person believe—a stripper and a possible junkie, or a respected businessman? Besides, she keeps to herself. There’s no way she would pursue any of this.

  Sammy made it a point to stop by the bouncer sitting near the entrance. “Hey,” he said. “Make sure you look over every person who walks through those doors. We don’t need Aryssa or the cops barging in here.”

  “What do I do if I see her?” the bouncer asked.

  “Any sign of her or the cops, you call me.” Sammy held up his cell. “Delay them as best you can, but more importantly, don’t draw any unnecessary attention by doing something brash.”

  “Will do,” the bouncer replied.

  Sammy sighed. His earlier reluctance gave way to a small sense of security. “Better to be safe,” he whispered to himself. On the balcony above him Ariek nonchalantly gave a thumbs-up.

  Sammy waved his reply. Now to get the girls to the places they needed to be.

  32

  Aryssa’s heart thumped wildly. Dread trickled across the network of nerves that ran underneath her skin. She did her best to hide all the internal chaos that fought to break through her calm façade. Maybe she should’ve just thrown on some sweats, stayed home and persuaded Charlie to do the same. A sigh. Too late now.

  She slid onto the stool at the end of the bar and let Charlie scoot her forward so she could be closer to the bar’s edge. Readjusted her leather jacket and then nonchalantly picked a piece of lint off Charlie’s suit jacket as he sat next to her. She tried to keep her interest on Charlie in hopes of simply blending in. Then again she couldn’t help herself. It didn’t take long before her attention wandered amongst the faces of the crowd. Her gaze eventually drifted beyond those that blocked her view of the Cadillac’s lobby. Past the ceiling that covered most of the bar. Across all those seated in the lounge. It took several minutes, but someone did manage to catch her eye.

  Aryssa nervously whispered into Charlie’s ear. “That guy over there.”

  “What guy?”

  “In the lobby; it’s hard to see him from here.” Aryssa steadied her voice. “The one sitting in the brown leather chair near the entrance.”

  Charlie slowly tilted his head. “I think that…” He leaned sideways. “I really can’t…” Took a little longer to try to figure out who she was talking about. “That gargantuan one?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What about him?”

  Aryssa silently clucked her tongue. “He’s a bouncer at the club. One of the ones that held me in that room.”

  Charlie’s body stiffened. The muscles around his jaw tightened. “Are you sure that it’s…”

  “It’s okay.” Aryssa rubbed the back of Charlie’s arm to calm him. His protectiveness eased some of her anxiety. “It tells me that we’ve come to the right place.”

  Charlie’s eyes darted around the room. “Anyone else we should be worried about?”

  Aryssa peeked over Charlie’s shoulder. “Nothing I can see.” She didn’t recognize anyone sitting at the bar. “I’m glad I listened to you.”

  The way she had been stroking Charlie’s arm seemed to ease his tension. “You mean coming through the back?”

  “How’d you know about it?”

  Charlie shrugged. “I just did. Figured that if this was the place, then there’d be someone watching the front.”

  Aryssa sighed. “That means there are more of them around here somewhere.”

  “I don’t know what I’m looking for,” Charlie said. “This place is packed.”

  It was true, there were people everywhere. Sitting and standing. Talking. The music weaved through the voices and drifted above the crowd. It was hard to pick out a single person from the forest of the many. “I’m still not…”

  “Hey folks.” The female bartender, wearing a black-and-red vest, smiled and laid a black coaster in front of Aryssa, then Charlie. “What are you drinking this evening?”

  Aryssa gently bit her lower lip. She definitely could use a drink after everything she had been through. “Bourbon old fashioned on the rocks.”

  “What kind of bourbon?”

  “Dealer’s choice,” Aryssa answered. “As long as it’s top-shelf.”

  Charlie looked at her from the corner of his eye with an arched brow. “I was feeling a beer, but now I’m not so sure.”

  “Why not?” Aryssa questioned.

  “You’re making me feel so unmanly.”

  “Trust me, you don’t look it.” Aryssa gripped his arm. “Besides, after everything that’s happened today,” she leaned close to Charlie, “I needed something a little more—you know, hard-hitting. Time to throw prim-and-proper out the window.”

  Charlie was quiet for the length of a heartbeat. “Better make that two.”

  “Coming right up,” the bartender said.

  Aryssa watched the bartender walk to the illuminated liquor shelf and select a bottle of bourbon. She wondered what brand the bartender had chosen, but the thought quickly disintegrated when Charlie spoke.

  “What’s next?” Charlie spun to face her. “Sit here for a bit?”

  Aryssa nodded. “I guess. Maybe I’ll recognize someone besides that bouncer.”

  “Seeing how this is the place, I’m surprised you haven’t spotted any of the women.”

  “I wasn’t with them for very long.” Aryssa brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I sure hope I can recognize them now that they’re all decked out.”

  Charlie shifted in his seat. “It’s a big hotel; they could be anywhere.”

  “It’s possible.” Aryssa casually ran her finger around the edge of the coaster. “Is there another bar?”

&n
bsp; “There’s a restaurant on the top floor.”

  “A restaurant?” Aryssa paused. “How did I not know about that?”

  Charlie shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “I guess that’s a place they could be.” Aryssa took a moment to consider the possibility. “I don’t know why, but it just doesn’t seem like the right fit.”

  “It’s not as casual as this place and I bet not as crowded,” Charlie said. “I think we should sit here and see how things unfold.”

  Aryssa nodded her agreement. “We give it an hour or…”

  The bartender stepped up to Aryssa and set her drink on the coaster. She then did the same for Charlie.

  “Thank you,” Aryssa said. She gazed at the eye insignia molded into the large ice cube and the way it seemed to float in the amber liquid. “This looks incredible.”

  The bartender smiled her appreciation. “Would you like to start a tab?”

  “No, I’ll pay for it now.” Charlie pulled fifty-dollar bill from his wallet and slid it across the bar.

  “Be right back with your change.”

  Charlie lifted his drink. “Cheers.”

  Aryssa tapped her glass against his. Took a sip and let the sweetened liquor dance across her tongue. “Maybe a suite.”

  “A suite?” Charlie questioned. “Like one of those honeymoon things?”

  “Kind of, but not as tacky,” Aryssa answered. “Don’t some hotels have those fancy rooms with a hot tub, a great view and a decked out bathroom? You see them in movies.”

  “We’re not in a movie.”

  “I know, but this is a high-end hotel,” Aryssa reasoned. “I bet it has one of those rooms for people who need to entertain. You know, people with money and a need to do so.”

  Charlie sipped his drink, letting his nose scrunch ever so slightly. “Let’s say this place has one and that’s where everything is taking place. How are we going to find it?”

  “Good question.” Aryssa sighed. Had she hit a dead end? The air began to leak out of her balloon of enthusiasm. Now what? “Maybe if we sit here long enough we’ll see someone heading to the elevators.”