Page 63 of The Lieutenant

A massive groan wafted like lava through the crowd, information being passed from one to another along the way.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“They’re not going to allow anyone else in the club,” a girl snarled. “It happens every time a celebrity comes to play. I don’t even like his movies.”

She was in the minority.

Great. I’d wasted money and time coming here.

And a perfectly sexy dress.

As the movie star finally turned to slither into the club, I had a brilliant idea. I moved out of line nonchalantly while digging in my purse. I’d learned a long time ago to always have my journalistic credentials with me. Okay, so the one from theNew York Timeshad technically expired. Only those working for the company would know that.

It was a little foible in their system that I’d used to my benefit. I prayed it worked this time. I picked up speed, finally running the last few feet. I faked being out of breath, trying immediately to move past the bouncers.

“Excuse me. You can’t go inside,” one of them said.

“Why not?” I gave him a haughty look.

“Because we’re full up.”

I held up my credentials. “But I’m with Mr. Holt. I’m doing an interview inside your club, which I promised to highlight for the article. Now, I guess…” I allowed my words to die off. I doubted the celebrity would care if I was using his name in vain.

The guy snapped the card from my hand, eyeing it and me several times before handing it back to me. “You really don’t want to interview that clown.”

“Yes, I do and that’s my job. Now, do I need to talk to your boss, or will you allow me in?”

One guy looked at the other as if checking to see if it was alright. Suddenly, the Red Sea parted with a velvet rope being undone. I was in with just a tiny white lie. I held my head high as I walked down the short hallway toward adventure.

Once inside, I was struck by the wild pulsing of neon lights matching the booming beat of the music. There were sparkly lights in places where the neon strobes were going off like crackling bombs. The room was huge, the dance floor lit up like a Christmas tree. The crowd was tremendous, everyone dressed for the evening.

I pushed my way through the crowd, scanning constantly to ensure I didn’t catch sight of any Nomikos family member. Fortunately, I made it to the bar without being seen or bothered. I had no idea where the actor had gone, but would need to keep my lie in the back of my mind should the bouncer make his way through the club.

There were cages overhead with a few dancing girls, but other than that, I saw no evidence of anything kinky. Maybe this was just a fabulous club after all. I squeezed my way toward the bar, forcing a place for myself at the edge. There were three bartenders, all of them bouncing in time to the music. I wasn’t short by any means, and taller in heels, but couldn’t see a thing given the size of the crowd.

It took almost five minutes before I caught the cute bartender’s eye.

“What would you like?” he asked in flawless English.

“You knew I wasn’t Greek?”

“Easy to tell.” He leaned over. “Don’t tell me you’re here alone.”

“For now. Can I have a glass of merlot?”

“Coming right up.” He was efficient, pouring a glass and sliding it onto a cocktail napkin less than a minute later. “Your first time here?”

“That’s obvious too?”

He laughed. “Yes, it is. On the house.”

“Can I ask you a few questions? I know you’re busy.”

He scanned the entire bar before answering. “Sure.”

“What’s it like to work for the Nomikos family?”

“They pay top dollar, provide benefits including vacation, and make certain their employees are protected from the bad seeds when they try and get in from time to time. What’s not to like?”

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