by J. S. Peck
I breathed a sigh of relief. I felt comfortable and safe with Romano. However, I’d have to make time for the other girls if I were to learn anything about this place and what was really going on here. “Thanks so much, Romano! I will when I can.”
“Now, how about a tuna fish sandwich topped with Greek olives and roasted pine nuts on dark rye?”
Just the thought of it made my mouth water. We chatted together as he fixed the sandwich. Then he was the only one who talked because I was too busy filling my mouth with his wonderful concoction. Just like that, 30 minutes were up. Time for me to go back to my spot. Romano and I air kissed with him whispering, “Remember, my little flower, you come here for your breaks.”
I could not have known then how much of a treasure it was to have Romano in my life. Or know to what extent he would go to save my life in the future. For now, I was grateful to have the opportunity for us to become friends for he was someone who I intuitively knew I could trust.
As I entered the bar area, I was surprised to see Mike there with another man, dressed in a suit. They were at one of the café tables having a drink. Mike called me over. Reluctantly, I went. “Hi there! I want you to meet Thomas.”
Thomas looked and acted like he already had too much to drink. “Hi there, Linda!” he said with a wink.
Mike was watching me with a smile as I realized just who this gentleman really was --- one of their employees. I shook hands with Thomas and corrected my name so it would seem natural to anyone close by. I said my goodbyes in a crisp manner. Then I scurried back to my position, feeling protected and safe with Mike, Thomas and Romano surrounding me.
Shortly after, Mike came to the front desk to say goodbye. He gave me a peck on the cheek, saying, “Heading home to feed Sweet Pea. I’ll bet she’s wondering where we are. We’ll be back at 10 o’clock to pick you up.”
This was almost too much for me. I was beginning to feel way too comfortable having Mike around for I needed to remember that he was only acting his part, right? At least, I hoped so for I had no intention of getting involved with any man.
CHAPTER 27
As good as his word, Mike appeared with Sweet Pea at 10 o’clock sharp. Cindy and I were talking together when he came through the door. “Hi there, handsome!” she called out. “Here to pick up your girlfriend, I see.”
“Yup” is all Mike said.
Cindy and I looked at each other and laughed. Men! Sometimes you couldn’t get them to say a thing. Sometimes it was best they didn’t! “I’ll be right there, Mike,” I said. “I have to get my purse.”
“No problem,” he responded.
As I passed the kitchen, I blew Romano a kiss and kept going. No time to chat. It looked as if his kitchen staff was closing up for the night. I’d heard that the dinner hour was from 4 to 10:00 p.m., so I wasn’t surprised. Just as I turned to go down the hallway leading to the break room, I saw Johnny coming from one of the closed off offices where we weren’t allowed. He looked sullen and didn’t seem to notice me. His elbow caught me, forcing both of us to pause. He turned to me and barked, “Watch where you’re going!”
I was annoyed and tired enough that without hesitating I said, “I think you’d better watch where you’re going, too!”
He considered me then. “Really?”
I stood my ground and answered, “Yes, really.”
Instead of being upset with me, he just gave a harsh laugh. I continued on my way before either of us could say any more.
As I came back through the bar area, I could see Johnny speaking to an older gentleman across the way. Both were watching me. I thought the other man might be David Masterly who was in charge of the girls who danced here. If so, I understood that he would be my boss as well. I would have to check with Brian to have him describe what David looked like. I arrived at my desk area to find Mike laughing heartily with Cindy about something. As soon as he saw me, he stopped and came toward me. “Ready?”
“What was that all about?” I whispered.
“Nothing. Just schmoozing.”
We left Cindy waving after us. With a sigh of relief, I climbed into the car to be greeted by Sweet Pea.
“Tired?” asked Mike.
“Not really,” I answered.
“Good, cause Brian and Thomas are meeting with us tonight. They should be at the house already.”
When we arrived at my house, they were just pulling up in Brian’s sports car. It was easy to recognize with its brilliant red color. No incognito there, I thought. Once released, Sweet Pea raced to his car to be greeted enthusiastically by him. He began playing with her and I assumed he’d pick her up and carry her inside when they were done.
I went in ahead of them. A few minutes later he entered and knowing what he’d want, I called out to him, “It’s already on!”
“A good woman, for sure, to know coffee is in order,” he said with enthusiasm.
As I rolled my eyes, the other two men looked at us with amusement but neither said a word. I took orders for coffee before they went into the living room. I felt a swirl of air surround me and was happy to know Gram was here. I had missed her. She hadn’t been around for a while. “I can feel your smile, Gram!” I whispered.
“Yes, you can, Rosie girl. I love to see you surrounded by handsome men who are helping to keep you safe!”
“Don’t even go there, Gram. I’m not interested in any of them. I have too much to do...”
“Just remember to keep your eyes open for things aren’t what they seem. Good bye, my darling Sunshine.” Off she went sending me red roses for love.
I thought about what she’d said and remembered it was the same warning she had given me earlier - things aren’t what they seem. I would keep that in mind.
As we sat around, it was Thomas who began to list some of the players at the Purple Passion Lounge and their backgrounds. “We know that Tony Angelo manages the club and is considered part-owner of it. But he doesn’t actually own it, his uncle does. His uncle isn’t well and has left it to Tony to manage. As much as we have looked into both their backgrounds, there are only minor issues with the law.”
“What about Sally?” I asked. “She was related to Tony, wasn’t she?”
“Yes. She was his cousin. One of his uncle’s daughter. Tony’s mother and Sally’s father were sister and brother,” answered Mike.
“So do we know why Sally was killed? Or by whom?” I asked.
Brian answered. “All we know is that those in charge felt she had betrayed them. We’re thinking it may have something to do with the codes you gave me.”
I felt shivers all along my body. The codes had to be the answer for it all. If only I had told Sally about the money, would it have made a difference? No, that wouldn’t have helped her because I didn’t know the codes even existed when I’d met with her. Yet, I knew the codes held the answer. “What did you find out about the codes?” I asked.
“Nothing much,” responded Thomas. “Yes, they are in anagram form with numbers so it looks as if they are names of clients with the number standing for what could be various sexual acts performed, according to the information you gave Brian. We’ll be looking further into it.
Brian broke in. “Right now, we are more interested in looking at how they are getting the drugs in and how they are able to distribute them. This is where you come in, Rosie. Over the next several days, I will have one or possibly two different men come there as clients and request recreational drugs before they pay the entrance fee. You will pass on their requests to the higher ups to see what you should tell them. Let’s see what they have to offer.”
I interrupted. “Actually, I think there must be drugs for sale there already because yesterday I walked by one of the lounge areas and I could see through the curtains. It looked as if someone was sniffing something. But I just kept on walking.” I said with a shiver.
&n
bsp; “What we think is happening is some of those guys who are there for drugs walk out of the Purple Passion with bags of cocaine tied around their waists or ankles. Have you noticed any guests coming in or out with large baggy jackets or pants?”
“Actually, I have. I thought they were just sloppy, that’s all.”
“Well, now you know,” concluded Brian.
“What we want you to do,” he continued, “is copy down any information about them in regards to name if you can get it, credit card info and the likes. We haven’t been able to have someone like you inside there before without blowing our own cover. I guess we all need to remind ourselves to be careful not to spend so much time there we draw abnormal attention to ourselves, right?”
“Well, that’s too bad you have to cut your time short there,” I said sarcastically.
The men chuckled and the tense air that had been swirling around dispersed. Then Thomas got up and looked at Brian. ”That’s it for now, right, Brian? Mike?”
“Sure thing,” Brian answered as he got up and grabbed two of the empty coffee mugs. He tipped his head, motioning me to follow him back into the kitchen.
“How are things, Rosie girl? Are you all right with everything?”
“Sure. No problem.”
“Are you and Mike getting along okay?”
I could feel my face turning red. “Yeah, fine. Why?”
“I want to make sure everything is fine between the two of you,” he said before turning around and calling to Thomas that he was ready to go.
This time, while saying goodbye at the door, Brian gave me a quick hug, and looked a little surprised that he had done so. But he was probably no more surprised than I was. Mike and I stood together at the door watching them leave. I was holding Sweet Pea so she wouldn’t run outside. Mike turned to me, “That was interesting, wasn’t it?”
I could only nod my head for there was nothing I could say. Brian was an enigma, hard to figure out at times.
CHAPTER 28
The next day at work I was left completely on my own --- as if I’d been there forever. My job was not that hard, but even so… As well, Johnny took breaks away from the front area at the beginning of my shift before it got too busy to do so. I had a feeling it was so he could keep an eye on Bambi who was performing inside the bar area. That gave me the freedom to check out the lounging areas that bordered the hallway leading into the bar. Nothing. All were empty. Perhaps later, when business picked up.
I knew that I had been given the slower shift which I was happy about. If I had to take on the 10 p. m. to 4 a. m. shift, it’d be an even bigger adjustment for me. Sweet Pea was out of balance as it was. She’s no different than me. She likes to stick to a more “regular” daytime schedule. Thank God for Mike who made sure she got fed on time. However, that couldn’t last forever. He had other “fish to fry.”
It was at the time of my break that David Masterly showed up. He must have come from the back for I hadn’t seen him arrive through the front entrance. He was a man in his 50s, the same as his wife, Mama. The comparison between the two of them was astonishing. Hard to imagine them together. Where Mama was big and fat, David was thin and dwindling if that were possible for he was emaciated as it was. He looked like death warmed over. All around him was a heavy, dark energy filled with sadness that kept him bowed over a bit. His eyes were tormented. I thought of Melissa and wondered if she was the cause for all his unhappiness. Or was it just being married to Mama that had done this to him?
When David introduced himself to me, he didn’t look me directly in the eye. It was as if he was avoiding any kind of intimacy with me. “Rosalie, welcome to the Purple Passion Lounge. I’m David Masterly, your boss. If you need anything you can talk to Mama or get one of the girls to find me. Is everything okay so far?”
I grabbed his hand to shake it. He immediately pulled it away, but not before I connected with his energy and intuitively saw him and Mama arguing. There was a child in the background and I wondered who she was and what that was all about. I didn’t feel safe with him in spite of the girls saying he was the one who protected them. But again, that was before Melissa’s death. Was it different now? It didn’t look as if he had the energy to protect anyone!
David left and Bambi came once again to relieve me for my break. She was wearing her special robe that covered most of her body. I watched her stuff some bills into the pockets of her robe before she looked in my direction. “Hey Bambi, how’s it going?
“Okay, girl. How about you?”
“David Masterly came by to say hello. What’s his story?”
“He’s a really good guy or he certainly was before one of the girls here left and went on to other things.”
“Are you talking about Melissa?”
“Yeah. How’d you know?”
“Word gets around. What actually happened?”
“We all knew David was sweet on Melissa. Mama was furious about it and caused her trouble any way she could. Finally, Melissa left and began working at PUP. Word is that David bought her the car needed for the job. That’s all I know.”
As Bambi finished telling me about David, Johnny came tearing around the corner. “Hey, you! Stop your yapping and take your break now. Bambi’s on a schedule and can’t be here waiting on you to come back!”
“Now, Johnny,” interposed Bambi. “Let her be. It’s my fault.”
He seemed to ease his entire stance and said in a lighter tone, “Make sure you’re back here on time.”
I literally ran down the hallway. As I passed the lounging areas, I could barely make out a few people behind the drapes of one. I hurried along to Romano’s kitchen and there he was waiting for me with a big smile. My! I loved this man for he certainly provided a haven for me to restore myself.
“I have something special waiting for you, my little Rosebud.”
“Yummm. What is it?”
“One of my own concoctions – a chicken casserole with a combination of cheeses, yellow peppers, lemon, garlic and herbs.”
“Oh, my God, Romano! You’re the best!”
It was as good as promised. Romano loved to watch me eat because I made the appropriate sounds emitting my pleasure. All too soon, my time was up. We air kissed and off I went back down the hallway to my desk. As I passed the one lounge, I could see the people inside were readying themselves to leave. I noticed several of the men wearing baggy jackets. I raced back to my area hoping they’d need to charge something and I’d be able to get their information.
Bambi left and I waited and waited. No one looking like either of the men I’d seen earlier came my way. Instead, there were just a few guys who needed PUP transportation, but not any with baggy jackets or pants. I became startled by the noise a group of men made when they came busting through the doors. Some of them wore oversized jackets and were a bit scary looking to me. Thankfully, Johnny was there to guide them to my desk for them to pay their entrance fees. I was disappointed that only one of them used a credit card while the rest paid in cash.
Mama had me use a special IPad where I could swipe the customer’s card through the credit card company “Square.” Then I could send a receipt to the customer through email if they wanted. I was told that no one ever did. If that was the case, would it be possible to have the receipt sent to my email without anyone knowing about it? What about “Square” itself? Is there a way that I could look into the account and see where the money was being deposited? Could I print out a list of customers who had used their credit cards? I would have to look into that or ask the guys about it.
The rest of the shift went along without anything happening that was useful. Cindy came early to relieve me so that we could chat. I wondered if she did so because that might give her an opportunity to connect with Mike. Was I a bit jealous?
“Hey there, Rosebud! How’s it going?” she asked with a twinkle in her
eye. “Pretty boring at the desk, isn’t it?”
“You’ve got that right. The only real interesting thing was meeting David Masterly! What’s up with him?”
“He’s all right. Can’t say that about his wife, though. Mama is a piece of work and doesn’t let him get away with a thing! She’s on him like a rooster with a June bug. They don’t even look like they belong together, right?”
I wanted to find out more about David and Melissa. And perhaps Sally. “I heard he was sweet on Melissa and Sally.”
“Oh, no. Not Sally. You know about Sally, right? Sally was Tony’s cousin. She and David were strictly business. David really cared about Melissa, though. Said she reminded him of his sister, who had died at about the same age as Melissa.” Cindy paused. “Too bad what happened….”
“What happened?”
“Well, Melissa got in trouble with the bosses so she left to work for PUP. We all knew that it was David who bought her the car. But we were glad for her, you know? A new start and everything. It was Mama who was furious she left. One of the girls overheard her screaming at David something about ‘You couldn’t leave things alone, could you?’ and some other stuff. Anyhow, after a couple of weeks went by, she was killed. You know about that, right?”
“Not that much, really. Who killed her?” I asked, playing dumb.
“The only thing I know is it had to be someone who had connections here because…”
Mike and Brian walked through the door together just then. Cindy hurriedly whispered, “It’s the only thing that makes sense. Just be careful.” She turned and gave her full attention to Mike calling out, “Hi there, handsome! We know who you are here for, right, Rosebud?”
I’m sure I would have won the prize for the funniest home video if I could’ve snapped a video of Brian’s face when he heard Cindy call me “Rosebud.” It looked as if he was unsure if he’d heard it right. Then, his cheeks turned pink from trying not to laugh. He turned his face away and starting coughing. I’m sure he thought by doing so, it would mask his laughter, which was not the case. Cindy and Mike were trying not to laugh as they watched Brian, realizing what had just happened. I held my head high and said in a very professional voice, “Don’t even think of saying a word, Cowboy. I’ll be back as soon as I grab my purse.”