The Mystery Deepens: An Atlantica Universe Adventure (John Chambers Book 2) by Michael Anderle

Author:Michael Anderle [Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781649714046
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2021-01-08T16:00:00+00:00

The porterhouse steak was exactly what was needed. Dick dabbed the napkin on his lips, sated from the hearty meal. It was rare that he blew money on extravagance, but given the last week or so, he felt he needed it. The protein would heal his tired muscles. The vegetables would pep him up and help heal his wounds and cuts.

The roasted potatoes were to satisfy his tastebuds.

He nursed a tumbler of whisky as the waiter removed his plate. The restaurant was near empty as it drew near their closing time. Dick managed to catch the kitchen at the right moment and put in his order, the encounter with the vagrants stirring up a hunger he hadn’t felt in some time.

All too soon, the restaurant staff politely informed Dick it was time to close. Dick obliged and offered a very generous tip before spilling back into the street.

The Pink Flamingo was around the corner. Dick spied the animated neon sign of the flamingo dipping its head in a pool of cash from three blocks away. Outside of the club were security staff, and a modest line of gentlemen in an array of suits and shirts.

Dick drew a long breath of the cold night and found his spot at the back of the line. The line moved quickly, and before long he faced the security guards.

They eyed him with learned scrutiny. Dick understood why. His appearance was hardly what people would consider “trustworthy.” His high collar hid his neck, and his unkempt stubble and long dark jacket fixed him with all the attributes of someone who had something to hide.

“Identification?” a gruff bald ape of a man ordered.

Dick opened his jacket pocket and showed his ID. The ape’s eyes flicked back and forth from the ID to Dick, who waited patiently before the guard confirmed, “Inside. Up the stairs.”

Dick thanked him with a nod and passed through the double doors.

The air was thick with the scent of stale booze and perfume. He climbed two sets of stairs before he came to a desk where a male clerk, who looked like he’d be more at home in his parents’ basement, requested the $20 entry fee. His eyebrows raised when Dick paid in cash. As Dick continued onward, he scanned the wide-open room ahead, trying to get his bearings.

The place was expansive. Lights flashed through thick reams of fog, disco balls glittered, and silhouetted around many podiums and poles around the room were the forms of dancing women. Dick couldn’t see more than fifteen feet ahead with clarity, the whole place designed to mystify, confuse, and allure drunken clients, making them more at ease to throw their dollars at the ladies.

Dick wandered over to a bar at the far corner, the only part of the club that had another bright light pointing to its whereabouts. Three men sat on stools along the front of the counter, sipping from drinks, their eyes fixed on the entertainment.

“House whisky,” Dick requested.

The man working behind the bar nodded and came back a moment later with Dick’s drink.

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