by Danika Stone
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Saturday night, Jude sat with Indigo tucked next to him in the cab, the city passing in a blur of lights.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
She wore the same dress she’d worn on their first date, but tonight it was paired with knee-high black boots, a wide belt, and a close-cut suit jacket. Her hair was in a complicated updo, strands of it tracing the length of her neck. She looked ready for the boardroom or the bedroom. Either way, Jude was smitten.
He leaned in, kissing her neck.
“Later,” Indigo warned, sliding an arm around him.
“No maybes.”
She smiled, but didn’t answer.
Jude noticed a difference as they neared uptown. Block by block, Indigo’s posture stiffened, until by the time they arrived, her hands were white-knuckled in her lap. The driver circled, searching for the address while Indigo stared silently out at the street. Jude knew the club was in the upper floors of one of the buildings, but wasn’t quite sure which. He asked the driver to stop, paying without asking for change.
“C’mon,” Jude said, offering his hand and helping Indigo out of the cab. “I’ll give Marq a call and find out exactly where this place is.”
Indigo turned in a slow circle, her eyes on the knots of people making their way down the street. It was an upper-crust neighbourhood, and it struck Jude she must look uncomfortable for a reason. Jude finished dialling, waiting until Marq answered.
“Jude, man!” Marq shouted through a wave of pounding music. “Where ARE you two?”
“Outside, I think,” Jude replied. “Not sure. Just looks like apartments and storefronts to me.”
Jude turned back, finding Indigo staring at him, dark lashes framing worried eyes.
“Jude,” she said in a small voice. “What’s the name of this place?”
“Wait a sec,” Jude mouthed before continuing. “Marq! I can barely hear you. Where’s the entrance?”
“There’s a doorman wearing a pinstriped suit in front of a brick building at 118th and 5th. You see him?”
Jude turned, and Indigo turned along with him, her hand reaching out and grabbing his arm in alarm.
“Yeah, I see him,” Jude said.
“No!” Indigo gasped.
“Well, that’s the doorman to the club,” Marq shouted into the buzzing phone. “Just tell him you’re there for The Vault. He’ll let you in. Kimbra and Charlie are already here. Still waiting on Abhishek.”
“Alright,” Jude said. “Be there in a sec.”
Jude turned off the phone, returning it to his pocket.
“What’s the name?” Indigo hissed.
“The Vault,” Jude answered. “Marq says it’s really upscale and—”
He took a step forward, but Indigo jerked her hand away.
“I’m not going in there.” Her voice was louder, more certain than before. Her arms crossed, expression fierce.
“You’re not?”
She shook her head. Jude waited for an explanation that never came.
“Why?”
“I’m not. I just…” Her face crumpled before the stony mask of control fell back into place. “I just can’t.”
“It’s a nice place, Indigo. I promise.”
He reached out for her hand, but she pulled away.
“No!”
Jude frowned, the first prickle of annoyance ruffling his composure.
“But Marq and the rest of the tech guys are already there,” he complained. “I can’t just ditch them.”
“Fine,” Indigo said, lifting her chin. “You go in. I’m leaving.”
She began walking down the street, away from him. For a moment Jude didn’t move, his temper rising.
“Where are you going?!”
She glanced over her shoulder, but didn’t slow down.
“Tanis is playing tonight at O’Reilly’s,” she shouted, folding the collar of her jacket up against the wind. “You can meet up with us later, if you want.”
“I will!” Jude called. “Just give me a minute to talk to the guys and I’ll come!” Indigo didn’t even turn around.
With a low curse, Jude headed inside.
: : : : : : : : : :
Abhishek Singh was just finishing up in the Tech Center when someone knocked at the door. He sighed in disappointment. He was never going to make it to The Vault if people kept showing up at the last second. Even with the phone off the hook, he’d still collected four hours of overtime, and there was no end in sight.
He pulled the door open with a weary smile.
“Yes?”
The blond man on the other side was clearly a professor. He wore a suit, his tie askew, briefcase in one hand, keys in the other.
“Hello,” the man said, peeking into the office. “You the only tech support on tonight?”
Abhishek wilted. The Vault was getting further and further away.
“Yes,” he sighed. “I’m the only one on tonight. Is there something I can help you with, Professor…?”
“Professor Wo—” he began. “Actually, just call me Keith.”
“Okay, Keith. What can I do for you?”
The man laughed nervously, his eyes darting up the hallway, and back again.
“Well, you see,” he said. “I suppose I’m wondering if any of the tech people do contract work. On computers, I mean.”
“With the pay around here?” Abhishek chuckled. “We all do contract work.”
“Good, good,” he replied. “What I’m actually looking for, is a little bit of information on someone. Nothing illegal, of course, just things that you might know how to find online, but I might not.” He smiled sheepishly. “You know, addresses and the like?”
Abhishek frowned. This wasn’t actually contract work, and it definitely wasn’t something he did. The legalities were fairly grey in that regard.
“I can’t really help you with that,” Abhishek said. “Sorry.”
“That’s too bad,” the professor muttered in disappointment. “I was hoping you could.”
Abhishek reached out for the yellow sticky pad on the desk.
“I can’t,” he said. “But I can find you someone who can.” Abhishek checked the clock above the door. If he could get this guy out of the office, he could be downtown in half an hour. Marq and Jude did this kind of work. “Just give me a number where I can find you, Keith, and I’ll ask around with the other tech guys.”
The man’s smile returned. He reached out, scribbling down a cell number.
“That sounds perfect.”
: : : : : : : : : : :
Indigo was half a block away when she heard a man call her name.
“Indigo!” he shouted. “Indigo Sykes!”
Indigo turned, blood draining from her face.
“Oh God,” she breathed.
She watched as the man who’d shouted at her appeared, fear leaving her immobile. Luca Brin stalked forward, surrounded by a group of suited men. They stopped on the sidewalk, blocking her way.
“Hey, baby!” he said. “Long time no see.”
“Luca,” she answered, falsely bright. “What a surprise!”
He grinned, stepping closer to her than he needed to in order to talk.
“Where you been?” he asked. “Haven’t seen you in ages.”
She stood still, refusing to cower. Instead she preened under his gaze.
“Oh, I’ve been around, Luca,” she said with a false giggle. “You know that. Just not around here.”
He laughed, and the suits laughed with him, and Indigo fought the urge to bolt.
“I’ve missed you,” he said with a toothy grin, his eyes on the top of her dress. “We all have.”
She reached out, straightening his tie, smoothing down the lapels of his coat. She didn’t have to hold his eyes then. He couldn’t see her fear.
“And I’ve missed you,” Indigo lied. “I’ve just been busy.” She looked back up, giving him a one-shouldered shrug. “You know ho
w life is.”
He nodded, putting a hand on her elbow.
“I do,” he agreed, “Which is why you,” he tugged her forward so that she bumped against the front of his suit, “should come party with us tonight.” He nodded to the men that surrounded him. “We’re meeting up with some friends.” Luca winked. “A little work and a little play, if you know what I mean.”
She hated it when Luca talked like that, but she still laughed at his joke, forcing herself to play along.
“I’d love to,” Indigo said demurely. “I really would, Luca. And I’m so sorry I have to say no.” She gave him another coy look: part girl, part woman. “But I already have plans.”
“Change them,” he ordered.
She laughed again, hoping she didn’t sound as panicked as she felt. Jude was here. He was inside The Vault right fucking now! And he’d certainly see her if she went in on Luca’s arm.
“I can’t,” she insisted, leaning in to press a kiss to either of his cheeks. Luca’s hand drifted to her waist, but she ignored it. She pulled away, smiling shyly to gentle the blow. “But I’ll come back another night, alright? Just for you.”
There were hoots from the group of men, and Indigo put another step between them. ‘End scene,’ her mind screamed.
“I’ll be waiting for you, baby,” Luca growled. “Don’t forget.”
“I never do,” she laughed, lifting a hand and waving in the air as she walked away.
She headed down the sidewalk, away from the group, her hips swinging in a sultry swagger. Reaching the end of the avenue, she turned, disappearing onto a side-street. She took one last look behind her, double-checking she wasn’t being followed, and began to run.
: : : : : : : : : : :
Elliot waited until Jude had moved out before he made the call. He knew it would end any hint of friendship between them, but letting it go wasn’t an option.
He didn’t want to attend Jude’s funeral.
Late Saturday night, after he got off work, Elliot drove to the industrial area on the outskirts of Jersey City, hoping his memory served him well. There, next to the dealership where Elliot had bought his Matrix a decade earlier, was an old-style pay phone. He’d watched enough cop flicks to know the first thing that the police would pull would be cell phone records, and he didn’t want anyone knowing he’d made the call, least of all Jude. It would be a second blow if Jude ever discovered that Elliot had been the one who’d turned him in to the police back in high school.
Elliot climbed from his car, anxiously glancing one direction and then the other. The streets were empty. Saying a silent prayer, he walked to the booth, lifting the receiver with sweating hands. He put it to his ear, relief flooding his body.
It had a dial tone.
He tapped in the number, waiting through the greeting, his throat tight.
“You’ve reached Police Services for the Twelfth Precinct, Officer Brodie speaking. How may I direct your call?”
Elliot closed his eyes, remembering Jude when they’d been kids together in Brooklyn. Jude had been happy then. But then there’d been the fire that had killed his father. The anger that had followed that tragedy had grown like a cancer, spreading into every part of Jude’s life.
Elliot flashed to another scene: the two of them, six years-old, riding bikes together. Before the darkness, when everything had been easy.
He missed that other Jude.
“Yeah, hi,” Elliot said. “I’d like to report a crime.”
Chapter 10: Bad Taste
Indigo sat in the crowded booth, the line of glasses lined up like soldiers in front of her. She didn’t bother to look for Shireese, just joined the other band members and started to drink. She pounded the shots back, not spreading them out or waiting for the buzz to hit. Her mouth burned like fire, her stomach a knot that only oblivion would undo.
Luca had seen her.
Eyes watering, Indigo threw another shot back, coughing when it scalded her throat. She had the change left from the hundred dollar bill Jude had given her, and she intended to spend it all, and perhaps more if someone was generous, before the night was over. Before they’d arrived on 5th, Jude had insisted she might need money for drinks. She had no idea where he’d gotten that type of cash, but who was she to say no? Years of living hand to mouth had taught Indigo that you didn’t question the reasons why fortune was bountiful. She’d learned a second lesson, which was equally true. Life was just as likely to pull those gifts away if you waited too long.
It had almost happened tonight.
She lowered the glass to the table, waiting as her stomach roiled. The first wave of alcohol rushed through her bloodstream and she wobbled in place. Her eyes fluttered closed, but the only thing that awaited her in the darkness was Luca’s leering face. That had been far too close a call!
“Indigo?”
Her eyes fluttered open to find Shireese and Tanis, arm in arm, a few feet away. Tanis was dressed for the stage. Sparkles adorned her shoulders and upper lids, an animal print shirt and tight jeans wrapped her frame.
“Indigo, hon,” Shireese repeated. Indigo swivelled, another wave of alcohol spinning the room on its axis. Yes, she was definitely drunk. “Are you okay?” Shireese asked, slowing her words.
“Jus’ fine.”
Shireese reached out, brushing back a lock of hair that had worked itself free from its bobby pin. Indigo jerked her head away, reaching for another glass. When she set it back down, empty, Shireese was waiting.
“Something happen with you’n Jude?” she asked quietly.
“Jude’s fine,” Indigo mumbled. “Jus’ fine.” Shireese slid into the booth as Indigo continued. “He’n the tech guys are out tonight.”
“But you’re not,” Shireese finished.
Indigo took a sharp breath, pressing her knuckles to her mouth until the urge to scream passed. Shireese watched, her brown eyes worried. She reached out, rubbing circles in her friend’s shoulders. This time Indigo let Shireese touch her.
“Seriously, hon, you’re scaring me,” Shireese said.
Indigo turned, the room rotating, but not stopping. Her eyes prickled with unshed tears, but she forced them away, breathing through flared nostrils.
“That nice club Jude wanted to take me to?” Indigo gasped. “Wasn’t just any club. It was The Vault!”
Shireese hand on Indigo’s shoulder went still.
“And I couldn’t go in. And I couldn’t tell Jude why!”
“What did you do?” Shireese whispered, her tense pose abruptly matching Indigo’s.
“I told Jude I was coming here,” she said, “and that he could come if he wanted. But then when I was walking to the subway, I… I…” She blinked, and two tears rolled down her cheeks, her words halting. “I ran into Luca and his friends.”
“Oh Jesus!” Shireese hissed. Emotion rippled over her features: horror, then fear, then finally an old layer of indignant anger.
“And he was laughing, and talking,” Indigo continued, voice choked with sobs. “Luca wanted me to come in with them! And I said I couldn’t, but he was touching me, Shireese! And I just kept talking and talking, and he must’ve believed me.” Shireese reached onto the cluttered table, grabbing an untouched cocktail napkin and dabbing at Indigo’s cheeks. “I ran to the station… and then I came here.”
Shireese pulled Indigo against her while Tanis waited nearby.
“Have to go,” Tanis mouthed, pointing to the far side of the room to the stage.
Shireese nodded, and Tanis reached out, squeezing Shireese’s arm before heading back into the crowd. After a few seconds, Indigo sat back up, and Shireese used her thumbs to smudge away the last traces of smeared mascara on Indigo’s cheeks.
“You did good,” Shireese said with a nod. “Handled that like a pro.”
Indigo laughed, but it was a broken, desolate sound.
“Two minutes earlier, and Jude woulda known.”
“And you still would have handled it.” Indigo opened h
er mouth to argue, but Shireese pushed on. “And Jude would have gotten it, or not, but you’re tough, Indigo. You’d still be fine. I know it.”
“I dunno…” she said, shaking her head. “I can’t let him find out.”
“He will eventually,” Shireese sighed. “You just have to decide if you’re gonna be the one who tells him or someone else.”
Indigo’s chin dropped, her gaze going back to the table and the remaining shots. She reached out for another, but Shireese caught her hand. On the stage in the corner, Tanis and her band began to play, the loud twangs of guitars meshing with an electronic beat. Shireese stood up, offering her hand.
“C’mon, hon. Let’s go dance. Just like old times.”
Indigo’s expression tightened with pain, but she took her hand, and followed.
: : : : : : : : : :
The Vault was nothing like Jude had expected. It was opulent, to the point of obscene. Crystal chandeliers scattered the light over what looked like an old world ballroom. Mirrors along the walls reflected back blood-red velvet chairs with lacquered wood detailing, the sound of clinking crystal blending with the sounds of laughter and music.
Far more than the decor, it was the women Jude couldn't stop staring at.
There were no male servers. Bevies of beautiful women of all ethnicities, all of them young and slim, wove between tables. They ushered patrons to their booths, smiling cheerfully as they served drinks and refreshments. The women wore clothing that pushed the boundary between dressed and undressed, long legs and jutting cleavage blatantly on display. One woman walked through the room, selling cigarettes. Another danced in a cage behind the bar.
Reaching the table where Marq and the rest of the group waited, Jude was relieved that Indigo hadn’t come. Kimbra averted her eyes in embarrassment, while Marq and the others stared lasciviously at the display. Jude slid into the booth next to Kimbra, giving her a one-shouldered shrug.
“Marq’s got… bad taste.”
She pulled her eyes away from a woman who looked barely out of high school, cheeks ruddy with colour.
“You’re telling me,” she grumbled. “I’m just waiting for the valet to bring my car back around.” She nodded to the woman behind the bar, swivelling in place. “Sorry, Jude, this isn’t my thing.”