Death on the Strip (Death Card Series Book 1)

by J. S. Peck

  I began my list of events concerning Melissa since we first sat across from each other that fateful day which now seemed ages ago.

  Melissa, stripper at the Purple Passion Club – who was her boss?

  Melissa’s new job driving for PUP – why there?

  Melissa with black eye – who was the perpetrator?

  Melissa package/leaving Las Vegas – what had changed her mind?

  Melissa beaten and murdered – same person as black eye?

  Meeting Sally - did she know about coded papers?

  Who was the man with Sally?

  Missed phone call from Sally – frantic voice mail – what was connection between Sally and Melissa, if any?

  What does roommate know about both Melissa and Sally?

  The phone rang. It was Brian calling. After I picked it up, I heard him say, “Hi Rosie, what’s happening?”

  Upon hearing his voice, I immediately burst into tears of relief, surprising us both.

  “What’s going on, Rosie? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  I sniffled, saying, “My goodness! I don’t know where that came from. Yes, of course, I’m okay. Nothing to worry about. I just had a little upset here at the house. Someone broke in and was hiding in the hall closet. They rushed out of here, knocking me down. He took off.”

  “My, gosh! Are you hurt? Why would anyone break into your house? What were they looking for, do you know?” he asked, worry in his voice.

  “I don’t know,” I lied. “They tore through my office and when I put everything back together, I couldn’t find anything missing.”

  “Rosie, what are you hiding from me?” he demanded.

  What was the matter with me that I couldn’t simply tell him the truth? My keeping secrets like this was against everything I believed in, especially if we were indeed partners in crime. Nothing good was going to come out of this, I knew. And yet … I held back.

  “Rosie, are you there?”

  “Yes, I’m here.”

  “I have to go on the air in about 5 minutes. Turn on the news for an update. Call me if anything else happens, hear?” He said in a rush.

  I turned on the television and sat on the couch, waiting for the 3 o’clock news to come on. There he was looking professional and stern.

  “This is Brian Boyce, Channel 5 News, reporting an update on the two murders that have taken place within the past week.”

  The screen flashed to an announcement from the Chief of Police. “We are investigating these crimes as two separate events. We do not believe these deaths are related even though both girls were known as exotic entertainers in the downtown area.”

  I was furious. The Chief of Police was making it sound as if it were Melissa’s and Sally’s just due for choosing exotic dancing as a career.

  Brian showed up on the screen standing close to the Chief of Police, asking him, “Are you saying that nothing more is going to be done to see if they are connected?”

  The Chief of Police shot daggers at Brian. “Of course not,” he snapped. “This will continue to be an ongoing investigation for each of them. Sometimes, in cases such as these, it takes time to follow up leads because they have been exposed to so many people as I am sure you must realize.” In a cold voice, he continued. “We’ll inform the public as information becomes available. Thank you.”

  “And so you have it. Brian Boyce, Channel 5 News. Over and out.”

  My heart was pounding as I watched the Chief of Police and what he had to say. He was the same arrogant man who had denied me an autopsy for Jeff. I despised him. No wonder I didn’t want to get involved with the police. They couldn’t be trusted.

  Things have a way of coming full circle. I, for one, would be glad to see that happen to him. Besides, I told myself, you have better things to do right this minute than waste your thoughts with a man like him. It was time to meet Mary at the apartment. I hurriedly gathered some large trash bags and a few boxes to pack up whatever I needed to return to Melissa’s mother. I said goodbye to Sweet Pea, and headed out. I was curious to know what Mary would tell me.

  CHAPTER 10

  Mary greeted me warmly, “Hey, Rosalie. How are you doing? Come on in.” She seemed more subdued and less provocative than she had on television. Less “on stage.”

  She took me on a tour of the condo before she led me to the couch in the large living room that had a small deck attached. The condo was nicely laid out with two separate master bedroom suites, a nice-sized dining room and a great kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a center island. In spite of a few of Mary’s clothes strewed around, the condo was neat and clean.

  As we sat down together on the couch, Mary turned to me with a sad expression. “Melissa confessed to me about her reading with you. She said that the Death card had come up She was worried about it. Did you know all of this was going to happen?”

  “I hope Melissa mentioned the Death card doesn’t necessarily mean death. It can stand for a new beginning, which we both know Melissa was doing with her new job at PUP,” I answered, dodging her question.

  Mary said nothing, just nodded her head. “She told me she had some business to take care of but didn’t say what.”

  “Did you tell the police about what she’d said or the fact that she’d had a reading with me?”

  “After all the harassment they give us, I wouldn’t tell them squat. You should be weary of the police too. Some are dirty. It’s just a fact of life.”

  I wondered how someone had connected me to Melissa. And because of that, would break into my house searching for what I now believe they wanted --- Melissa’s notes. Was it Mary? I would have to find the connection somewhere. For now, I changed the subject. “I’m curious. Why did she choose PUP for her next job?”

  Mary laughed and said, “We both thought the name was so cute. Later, she told me it was her boss who had originally suggested it. He had even offered to help her find the perfect car for the job. As it turned out, he is the one who bought it for her.”

  “Why would her boss do that? Suggest the job at PUP and get her the car?”

  “Probably because he knew she was tired of dancing. He wanted to keep her around. I think he had a crush on her. He’s okay. It’s the big bosses who are creeps, if you ask me. You know, the ones who run the club. I get the chills even thinking of them.” Sure enough, she shivered and clutched her arms around her.

  “Mary, how did you and Melissa meet?”

  “We started dancing together where I work now, but it was too sedate for Melissa. Not enough tips. She liked the excitement of the Purple Passion Lounge. When she was offered the job there, she jumped at it. She was looking for another condo closer to her work and asked me if I’d be her roommate. So I said, yes, and the rest is history.”

  “When she realized she had sounded flippant, Mary’s eyes filled. “I really do miss her even though we hadn’t spent a lot of time together the past few weeks.”

  “Yes, I can see that you do. I’m so sorry.”

  Mary wiped a few tears away and was silent.

  “Do you know if the club’s bosses have anything to do with PUP?” I pushed.

  “No idea, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they do. They have their fingers in a lot of pots. I would be very careful around them. They’re not nice guys.”

  “Why would Melissa even work there, then?”

  “Everything was money to her. She had plans to make as much money as she could and buy a little house for her and her mother. She said her mother was older and would die to find out what she was doing. Now, of course, everything will come out.”

  “Have you ever met her mother or talked to her on the phone?”

  “Surprisingly, no. As I said, Melissa didn’t want anyone to know she even had a mother. If you asked her about it, she’d tell you her mother died when she
was little. I still don’t think too many people know her mother is alive. I don’t even know her full name or where she lives.” She added, “It’s interesting that the news people haven’t seemed to have picked up on it yet either.”

  “Well, let’s hope it stays that way,” I said, worrying that someone might hurt her mother trying to learn if she had received a package from Melissa.

  “Have the police been asking a lot of questions about Melissa’s family?”

  “Not to me. Strangely, I have talked to the police just once and only briefly. I told them like I told the news people that I don’t know anything much about Melissa’s new job or who may have wanted to hurt her. All my times and whereabouts are well documented. There’s no reason for them to believe differently. I played dumb.”

  “It seems odd the police aren’t being more aggressive in their search for the killer. It’s almost as if the police are treating this like just another retaliation murder for a girl being a stripper. In other words, not worth much effort,” I said with annoyance.

  “We girls get that all the time. Believe me, being in this business we learn pretty quickly to become bullet proof from all that is said to humiliate us. I have no shame for what I do. Especially when I compare myself and what I do to some of the business men in town that come into the club pulling their crap. Even some of the politicians are real jerks, thinking they are above the law, too. And the code of courtesy? Forget it.”

  “Anyone, in particular?” I asked.

  “Not really. Take a good look around. You’d be surprised how many people in power abuse it in so many ways. They act so entitled, it’s ridiculous.”

  Thinking about the money that Melissa had stashed in the envelope, I asked, “Does the Purple Passion Lounge pay that much more than what she was earning at your place?”

  “Every place can be a little bit different. We don’t make as much as Escorts who can be on their own without the hassle of being snubbed by the other dancers. We have to pay the house fee, tip the valet, DJ, house “mom,” waitresses, bartenders, and bouncers. Sometimes, if you are really good, you can make a special deal with the boss. I think that’s what Melissa did, but I’m not sure.”

  I looked at my watch and couldn’t believe that 40 minutes had passed! “Oh, Mary! I’m so sorry for taking up so much of your time! I guess I’d better gather Melissa’s things and let you get back to what you were doing.”

  “No problem, Rosalie. Melissa told me there was something about you that gave her courage. She said she trusted you. I know you want to find out who did this to Melissa as much as I do.”

  “I do,” I responded.

  “And Sally Smith, too,” she added.

  “Sally? Did you know her?” I asked.

  “Not really, but she’s still one of us, you know. Melissa knew her, though, through the club since they both worked there.”

  It was interesting that there seemed to be some genuine caring about another “sister” in the business. A good thing to remember.

  Mary and I sorted through Melissa’s things which weren’t many, other than her clothing. Since Mary and Melissa were the same size, we decided that Mary could have her pick of clothing. Anything she didn’t want, she would give to Good Will.

  We found a small black box underneath her panties and bras that contained a beautiful diamond ring. With it was a card with the words, “You are the one. Love, B.B.” The first name that came to mind was Brian Boyce, which was ridiculous. However, having the same initials as Brian’s would make it easier for me to remember them. “Oh, my!” I exclaimed, “What a beautiful ring!”

  “Wow, I didn’t know that was there!” Mary said in amazement.

  “Do you know who B.B. is?”

  “Gosh, I don’t. As I said, Melissa and I kinda went separate ways the last month or so. Even our schedules didn’t match up. Lately, when I’d enter the living room and Melissa was on the phone, she’d hang up quickly without saying much more than goodbye.

  “What should we do about the ring?” Mary asked. “Do you think someone will come looking for it?”

  “I’m not sure,” I answered with increasing concern.

  “Well, I’ve had enough trauma. I’m leaving tomorrow or the next day to go back home for a new start. So, you’ll have to take it.”

  Worry overcame me as I took the ring and two small boxes of Melissa’s things filled with mostly books and a few photos that I had hurriedly grabbed from her bookcase. Also a separate box of nice but inexpensive costume jewelry. I thanked Mary, wished her luck, and headed home.

  My mind was whirling with so many thoughts. I kept thinking of the vision I had seen at the site of Sally’s death. I wondered who the man was for he seemed vaguely familiar to me. He had been rude and uncaring as his energy pushed its way through the crowd. There was no doubt in my mind that he had something to do with Sally’s death.

  My head was beginning to pound thinking of what I had read - the rate of sexual abuse in the last 20 years is the highest it has ever been. And, truth be told, abuse of women by men was increasingly being countered by abuse of men by women. I have learned when someone feels out of control, their need for control increases. I knew that was true for me. Now I was looking to solve two murders regarding this fact. Also the realization that murders are simply the overpowering of the victim to gain control of something real or in their mind alone. A power struggle?

  I was beginning to understand why Sarah and her Women Living Well magazine were so excited to begin their transformation. In part, because there were so many different angles to consider. This was not going to be as simple a task as I’d thought. Especially since the past few years I’d kept my life sheltered from the real world on many levels. I very rarely watch the news not wanting any of that negative energy around me. Was I ready to jump in and do this? I asked myself. “Darn right!” I responded in a loud, determined voice. Yes, for sure I want Melissa’s and Sally’s murders solved. I wouldn’t rest until they were.

  CHAPTER 11

  At home, I walked through the door, greeted Sweet Pea with a treat, and poured myself a glass of wine. I collapsed onto the couch, exhausted. I could hear my cell phone ringing and ignored it. I needed time to regroup and was unaware of my eyes closing in sleep.

  I woke up about an hour later. I hauled out the two boxes of Melissa’s things from my car, and tucked them to the side of my garage to mail to Melissa’s mother another day. I took the box with the diamond ring out of my purse and put it into my safe keeping spot in my bedroom. As I was doing so, I heard Sweet Pea barking in delight. Goose bumps crawled along my body. It had to be Brian and for reasons I couldn’t explain, I was both unenthused yet glad he was here. Maybe he had something new to report.

  As I opened the door for him, he greeted me with a grin. “I called you earlier. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

  “No, not really.”

  “So, Rosie, anything new?”

  “Actually, something very interesting.” Sweet Pea was beside herself to see him and was blocking Brian from entering. “Sweet Pea,” I said, “Stop jumping around and let him in.”

  “Come on, girl,” he said to the dog as he entered, heading for the couch in the living room. “Do you have a cup of coffee for a tired reporter, Rosie girl?”

  “Sure,” I responded, loving my Keurig machine which makes serving a cup of coffee so easy. I looked back to see Brian patting the space next to him, making room for Sweet Pea. You’ve got to love any guy for that alone, I thought, even if I’m not interested in him.

  I fixed the coffee and a chicken sandwich for each of us. Then I joined him in the living room. After he finished eating, he said, “Okay, Detective Rosie. Let ‘er rip. What’s the news?”

  I had given careful thought as to what I would divulge. I was not going to tell him about the diamond ring just yet. The timing wasn’t right
. So I said, “According to her roommate, Mary, it was Melissa’s boss who had suggested she work at PUP. He’s also the person who bought the car for her to drive! Something’s got to be up with that, right?”

  He looked surprised and began to write that information down in a small notepad he pulled from his shirt pocket.

  “Mary also said she’s had only one short visit from the police asking her questions. Don’t you find that odd? Don’t you think they’d be more aggressive in their questioning of her? After all, she’s the one who lived with Melissa. Get this! Their condo hasn’t even been searched! When I asked Mary about it, she said the police were sending someone over tomorrow to go through the condo. It seems to me that the police aren’t doing much to find Melissa’s killer. What do you think?”

  “I agree. Every time I mention to my boss I’d like to follow up with the police, he says, ‘Don’t bother. They’re doing all they can. They’ll let us know when there’s an update’. I think that’s a bit strange, too.”

  “What did you find out about Sally?” I asked, curious to know what he’d discovered.

  “She lived alone in the apartment building where we were the other night. Apparently, there’re no eye witnesses who have come forward although one older lady I spoke with on the night of the murder thought she heard skirmishes. I don’t think she’s reliable though. So no real leads yet. I’ll follow up with the old lady when I can.

  “I haven’t been able to talk to Melissa’s big boss or anyone at the Purple Passion Lounge. Apparently, he isn’t talking to anyone but the police. However, there must be some connection between the boss and Sally. She was the only one used for the bill board advertising. That’s a bit unusual, I think. According to one of the girls who works there, special treatment was given Sally. All of the girls were miffed about it. “

  “I wondered about that,” I added, “especially since Sally was not especially beautiful compared to Melissa and I imagine some of the other girls there too.”