Bianca will handle her sister better than I did just now. I’ve been to Aces a handful of times as Maddox’s wingman, but I never interacted with Rouge until now. In fact, I’m surprised she knew who I was, come to think of it. Maddox always kept a healthy distance from her whenever he brought me to the club, and the few times I’ve attended a hospital board meeting, she’s always sat silently at the corner of the table. She of course doesn’t wear her Elizabethan ballgown in the board meetings. She’s always kept her flaming hair in a tight bun, worn a charcoal pantsuit with modest makeup, and kept a large pair of Gucci sunglasses over her face. This was the woman I knew as Rouge Montrose—not the monstrosity I just conversed with—until Alissa connected the dots for me a few weeks ago and I realized these two women were one and the same.
I always wondered why she was wearing those sunglasses inside. I figured she might have some light sensitivity issue, but now I think she didn’t want to be recognized.
So much mystery to unravel.
But that mystery will have to wait for another time. I’m here to figure out what happened to Maddox and?—
Bianca!
She’s leaving her dressing room…on the arm of a decrepit old man who is leering at her.
A fist squeezes around my heart.
But why?
I barely know this woman. We’ve had all of two conversations.
Where is the old man taking her?
Maybe he’s a major patron of the club, someone who runs a theater in town. Could be he just wants to compliment her on a fantastic performance.
Except he’s running his fingers up and down her arm…
I’m seeing red.
But I can’t be.
I shake the anger out of my head, try to clear it.
The old man is leading Bianca behind the red velvet curtains in the rear of the club.
I’ve seen club patrons escort the waitresses—and occasionally a waiter—behind those curtains before. I never asked Maddox what went on in those areas, but it’s not difficult to deduce.
My heart is tugging at me, telling me to follow Bianca behind the curtain, but that would be insane. She may have gotten me into the club, but I’m not here to play the role of some white knight. Plus, she seemed to be going into the private area willingly.
I came here for one reason and one reason only. To find out if there’s anything fishy about Maddox and Alissa’s extended vacation.
Bianca is a woman—a beautiful woman—who got me into the club tonight. I owe her a favor, but that’s about it.
I push the thought of her with the old man out of my head and focus my attention on Aces Underground. I’m still in the Clubs section. I’ve been standing here frozen since Rouge left.
I look around. Mr. Night is passing out cigarettes from his silver tray. He’s pretty old. He might know some of the inner workings of this place.
Once he’s finished attending to some of the other patrons, I tap him on the shoulder.
He looks up, widens his eyes. “Dr. O’Rourke. Would you care for another cigar?”
I shake my head. “One’s enough for me, Mr. Night, and I didn’t even finish it. But I was wondering if you could help me in a different way.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” I inhale slowly. “You’ve worked here for the last several years, correct?”
“Correct, sir. It’ll be twenty years this fall.”
“And you seem to be pretty good with names and faces.” I tap my sternum. “You knew my name even though I’m not a member here.”
He nods slowly. “Rouge has a policy that all speaking staff—myself, Chet, the Diamonds dealers—memorize the names of all members and of all guests who frequent the club thrice or more.”
