Page 42 of Sweet Lies

“Um. No. I mean, thank you. What do you do here exactly? You have me at a disadvantage now. Andre left your card and said to come here. Not much else.”

“He’s a man of few words,” Juliet says, laughing, and I find I like the sound. She’s full of life. Something I long to be around after all the death I’ve seen.

“Come. Let me show you,” she says, waving me up and moving quickly out of the office. “Welcome to Indulging Gambling Hall. The underground realm that no one wants the outside world involved in. I offer our clients the freedom of disappearing for a few hours to indulge themselves. There’s only one way in, and that’s with the card you showed. Each client has to meet certain criteria.” She laughs.

“What kind of criteria?” I ask as we pass some blackjack tables.

“They must have money, power, the ability to keep our secret as we do theirs, and a few other things here and there. You’ll learn in time what makes a good candidate. Sometimes I’ll find them, but most of the time, they find us.”

Scanning the room, I note that it’s packed, but not to the brim. I smile, feeling at home. The energy is high, and I feel the life in the room. Smoke hangs in the air, but I can get used to that.

“Walk around for a bit. Then join me in the office in a few.”

Before I can answer, she’s moving gracefully back the way we came.

I do as she asks and observe the workers and clients. Money changes hands quickly, and drinks flow from waitresses to customers with ease.

Once I’ve seen enough, I reenter her office to find her scratching her head, eyeing a page. “Can I help?” I ask.

“Uh. No, I figured it out; it just took a second. My eyesight isn’t as great as it once was. I need to print these pages bigger.”

“I can do that for you,” I offer.

“Perfect. I’m already liking this arrangement.”

She opens one of the desk drawers and pulls an envelope out, holding it toward me. “Andre sent this to me and asked me to give it to you when you came.”

I take it from her and debate opening it. The last note I had from him wasn’t what I was hoping, but it did lead me here.

I slide open the top to reveal an ID, passport, social security, and extensive check. The Post-it note attached to the check reads:

To start a new life. To the new Rebecca. May your new life be less exciting than the last. –A

The ID reads Rebecca Walz. He’d known I would want to keep my first name. He’s given me a new life. A life without him, but a life.

I hadn’t realized I was crying till Juliet excused herself from the room to give me space. I would make this work. Rebecca Walz will be many things. Weak wouldn’t be among them.

* * *

ANDRE

I told myself I wouldn’t call. I made a promise to myself, but I couldn’t keep it. That’s why I find myself dialing Juliet at one in the morning.

She picks up as I knew she would. Like me, she finds sleep difficult. She blames it on work, but we both know the truth. She’s haunted by the past as we all are—the lights and sounds of the hall help keep the nightmares at bay. I hear her breathing on the other end and know she’s picked up. Before she can say anything, I ask the only question I have.

“Did she come?”

She laughs in my ear. “She’s got you all tied up in knots. Never thought I would see the day.”

Letting out a frustrated sigh, I ask again.

“Yes, boy, she came and don’t be getting all huffing and puffing with me. You’re not the big bad wolf, and I’m no pig in a straw house. She’s here now. In my office, going over what you left.”

“How does she seem?” I ask.

“Fine. She seems interested in this place, and I can’t say I blame her. There’s something to be said for hiding out underground where you control who comes in and out.”

“You would know,” I point out. Over the last few years, she’s been coming out less and less.

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