Page 52 of Dirty Intentions

An hour later, my fingers were absolutely frozen. I’d tromped around to all the businesses in the area, looking inside of their dumpsters. I had nothing to show for it. Since neither the recycling nor trash trucks had come through on New Year’s Eve to empty the dumpsters, Heather had to be hiding something.

“Where the hell have you been?”

Shane looked like he’d been waiting for me when I returned to the office, but I didn’t appreciate his tone. “I went outside and walked around a bit.”

He stepped closer, taking my hands in his to warm them. “Jesus. Without gloves? I told you I don’t want to have to worry about you tonight. How about you go back to the hotel?”

“Why? What is this really about?”

He sighed. “I have a big shot coming in tonight who’ll be using the viewing room up here. He does this every year. He’s obnoxious, rich, and believes he can buy anything with money. If he sees you, he’ll assume you’re one of the girls here.”

“So I tell him I’m not.”

Shane shook his head. “He isn’t someone you say no to. The last thing I want is to have to step in and piss him off. Even worse, I’d come unglued if I saw him paw at you.”

I occurred to me that in a normal relationship, Shane would simply tell the guy I was with him. But this wasn’t such a thing. Besides, it wasn’t like we’d be kissing at midnight. “Sure, I can work from my room at the hotel. Will I see you later?”

“I’ll be lucky if I’m out of here before four in the morning. But we have one last night tomorrow night. Okay?”

Yep. Emphasis on last. “Sure. I guess Happy New Year.”

He smiled, already looking tired. “Yeah, Happy New Year.”

***

As soon as I arrived at my hotel room, I went to work with my sleuthing skills. I needed to get box counts. If I could get a quote for the same types of liquor, it would give me an idea for the number of bottles in a box. So I called the distributor, but as I should have expected this late on New Year’s Eve, I got no one. When I went to the website, I discovered I wouldn’t be able to get anyone until the day after tomorrow.

Shit. I couldn’t wait until Thursday. I’d be gone by then. I’d even made vacation plans to make sure I wouldn’t wallow here after my last day. And although I had good computer skills, I wasn’t advanced enough to hack into the distributor’s client accounts. And, yes, I tried.

Frustrated, I was about to give up, but then I came up with an idea. Club Travesty couldn’t be the only place around serviced by this distributor. However, the chances of anyone answering the phone this late were slim. Which meant I’d be going out for New Year’s Eve.

My first stop was downstairs at the hotel bar, but I wasn’t in luck. They used a smaller scale supplier than Club Travesty’s. But they did tip me off that the sports bar around the corner most likely used the same distributor as the club. So, two blocks down, I went amongst the growing number of people and into the bar.

It was just my luck the place was packed. When I asked to see the manager, the snippy hostess appeared completely put out. Shit, maybe I should’ve waited until tomorrow.

When the large man, sporting tattoos on his rippling biceps, came to the front, looking none to happy to be bothered, I almost bolted. Only the adrenaline from the chase gave me the courage to stay put.

“What’s the problem?”

“No problem. Um, I’m Daniella, and my client is currently using a distributor named Wicked Liquor. I was wondering if you use them?”

“Yeah, what of it?”

“Well, I’m doing the books and found the box counts are missing from my receipts. I wondered if Wicked Liquor is doing the same with other clients.”

“Call them to ask.”

Oh, boy. “I would, but it’s New Year’s Eve.”

“No shit. This place is a zoo, and I have you asking me about suppliers on the busiest night of the year. What club are you at?”

“You’re right, and I’m sorry. I’m with Club Travesty.”

“You know Max?”

“Yes, Max and Shane.”

“Why didn’t you say so? What do you need?”

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