Page 55 of Strip Search

“About two years ago. He died in a fire when some assholes burned down his club.”

“That’s awful.” Jackie gasped and touched my arm again. This time I let her keep it there.

“I rebuilt over the spot. Dalton was his last name. His place was called Uncle Johnny’s Gentlemen’s Club. Full nude. He didn’t serve alcohol. I worked there as a kid.”

“Your parents didn’t mind?”

“If it didn’t involve cards or dice, my parents didn’t care about much. I don’t even know if they’re still alive. I doubt it. They didn’t come to Uncle Johnny’s funeral.”

“Have you ever tried to find them?”

“I haven’t seen them in twenty years. I don’t even remember what they look like.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I couldn’t care less about them. It’s my uncle I want justice for. They never caught the people who set the fire. The cops didn’t even know where to start looking. The first thing I didwhen I got here was research the local gangs. That’s how I met Grier.”

“Let me guess. You saved him from a beat down too.”

I gave her a strange look.

“Darcy said you took a bottle in the arm for him.”

“That was a long time ago.” I shrugged it off. “Anyway, the gangs were in a turf war. The cops figured Uncle Johnny’s was just collateral damage.”

“What do you think?”

“I think the bail bondsman and the pawnshop across the street weren’t touched because they paid protection. Uncle Johnny didn’t. I think the other places on the street laundered money or let the gang sell out of their stores. Uncle Johnny didn’t allow any shit in his bar. People were banned for life if they brought in drugs, prostitution or if someone started a fight. He had enemies. It could have been one of them.”

“Do you have any trouble like that?”

“Not so much. The local gang calls themselves the Rivs after the Riviera Casino that was torn down in 2015. Their leader, Leonidas, and I bumped heads a few years ago but I don’t think he was responsible for burning down my uncle’s bar.”

“Why?”

“At the time, he didn’t have the clout to pull it off. Nowadays, it’s not his style. He’s more a bullets and shanking type of guy.”

“Do you think it was the mob?” Jackie asked.

“Possibly, but not likely. Uncle Johnny’s had a small local following and he liked it that way. He wouldn’t have attracted the attention of the bigger families.”

“It must be frustrating for you.”

“I thought I’d have an answer by now, yeah. But I like my club. It’s nice to have a home of my own. Don’t get me wrong, traveling all over the world for ten years was great. But when Ilost Uncle Johnny, all I could think of was that I should have been here. Maybe, if I had been, he wouldn’t have died.”

“You don’t know that. You might have died with him.” Jackie’s voice caught.

I gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m a lot tougher than I look. Anyway, I help Grier in his job, and he keeps an ear out. The trail grows colder each day, but I know one day I’ll get Uncle Johnny justice.”

“I believe you,” she said, and leaned her head on my shoulder.

“How did the audition go?” I asked.

She sat up straight again. “It was awesome. I think I did okay. At least I didn’t embarrass myself. The combo was giving me a hard time, but I think I nailed it when I was up there by myself. Anyway, they’ll call if they’re interested—which means I’ll never hear from them again.”

“Think positive.”

“I’m positive I won’t get a callback. But it doesn’t matter. I did it and I’m glad I went.” She leaned over and kissed my cheek.

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