Page 69 of Strip Search

“That's New York Jackie talking,” I said, smiling when she looked up at me in surprise. “New York Jackie lets Lisa and her mother walk all over her.”

“Not always,” she said defensively.

“Las Vegas Jackie was getting more independent. Look, we're out of clues and I know you're out of patience. Let's get back to Las Vegas and get you ready for your second interview.”

She gave me a small smile. “It seems so unimportant in the grand scheme of finding my sister.”

“Lisa doesn't want to be found. I don't see how this changes your plans. You've done all you can. The trail is stone cold.”

“At least her leg seems to be holding up.”

“And she's not a prostitute or an exotic dancer. Not that there's anything wrong with either of those professions,” I said.

Jackie nodded. “I don't know what to tell my mother.”

“Tell her the truth. You tracked her to a winery in Carson City, but she quit that job, and no one knows where she went. If your mother wants to know more, than she can hire a private detective. You have a life to get back to.”

“I just wish we could find this Parker person. We might have to go back to Pahrump and see if anyone knows more.”

I did not want to go back to the brothel, but I'd cross that bridge when we came to it. “Let's just go home.”

“Home,” Jackie huffed. “I'm not even sure where that is anymore.”

After checking out of the motel, we headed to the chartered plane. They were able to schedule us for a return flight back to Vegas sooner than we had originally requested. As we were about to board the plane, though, Jackie stopped dead in her tracks.

“What?”

She was staring at a poster that was tacked up to a support pole. I went over and looked. It was advertising a new burlesque review. There was a large martini glass and a picture of Jackie's sister sitting inside it. She wore long black gloves and was hanging over the rim of the glass suggestively. Opening night was tonight.

At seven p.m.

“You can't,” I said.

“I can't risk losing her again,” Jackie said. “I know she'll be performing here tonight.” She ripped down the poster and folded it into her purse. “I'm sorry. You can go back without me.”

I pretty much had to. I had a lot of shit going down at the bar. I wanted to talk to Paulie and Ginny as soon as possible.

“How long is the show running for?” I asked.

“It didn't say on the poster.”

“Call up the box office and find out.”

“Why?”

“Because you can damn well put yourself first for once. Let's go and get you to your audition and we can come back tomorrow.”

Jackie bit her lip. “I can't.”

“You can.”

“I'm going to lose her again.”

“Let me see that poster?”

She frowned. “Why?”

“Please?”

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