Maybe I’ll start visiting some local churches after all this blows over. There are so many with so many different practices. Maybe I’ll find one that resonates with me.
But I sure as hell wasn’t going to start looking this morning.
I’m at Aces now, touching up my makeup in my dressing room. I got here an hour before opening. Doing my makeup gives me something to keep my mind busy. Because I’m excited about exploring my sister’s other clubs this week, but I’m also kind of terrified.
Terrified that my sister will find out what we’re up to, and even more terrified of what we might discover if she doesn’t.
My phone buzzes.
Speak of the handsome devil. It’s Harrison. Probably calling to confirm our plans for tomorrow.
My AirPods are in—I usually listen to music when I’m putting on my makeup—so I accept the call while leaving my phone on the counter. “Hey there, handsome. How’s your evening?”
“Not bad. Are you at the club?”
“I am. Got here a little early to do my makeup, maybe look around a bit.”
“Great. I was just thinking… Do you have access to Chet’s ledger?”
My heart falls a bit. He’s not calling about our date at all. But there are certain things that should take priority, so I steel myself before responding.
“His ledger?”
“Yeah. His list of all the people who have come to the club.”
“I know what a ledger is, Harrison.”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to come off as condescending.”
I draw in a breath, sigh it out. “You didn’t. I didn’t mean for that to come out so icy.”
“No problem. Do you think you could get hold of it?”
I bite my lip. “Honestly, I’m not sure. Chet keeps his book on him at all times. I think he secures it under his desk when he’s not in the foyer. No one is allowed access to it except for him and Rouge. It contains all the clientele’s personal information. Addresses, phone numbers. I wouldn’t be surprised if it had social security numbers and credit card information, too.”
“If he leaves it under his desk, then it can’t be that hard to access.”
I frown. “I suppose not. But you know as well as I do that it can’t possibly be that easy.”
“But what if it is?”
“Harrison, there’s no way.”
“Is Chet at his post right now?”
“No idea.” I check my watch. “The club doesn’t open for another forty-five minutes or so.”
“Can you go check?”
I sigh. “Fine. But I’m telling you, this is going to be a waste of time.”
I hold on to my cell phone, keeping my AirPods in my ears as I walk through the Green Door and up the stairs to the entrance to the Aces foyer. I knock three times.
No answer.
I knock again.
Still nothing.
