“Got it.Do you know anything about her debt?Who she owes it to?Gang members?Mafia?”
The waiter shook his head.
“I can’t say.All she mentioned one time was that she had to pay it off so she could get her sister.I didn’t ask more.”
“And she’s never been here with anyone?”
He shook his head.
“Never.”
Adam pressed his lips.It was some information, but not enough.“How often does she come in here?”
“At least once a week.Wednesdays usually, around 8:00 PM.It’s quiet at that time.”
“Great.Thanks, Daniel.That was really helpful.”
He slid a card toward the young man.“If she comes again, please give me a call.She could be trapped and we’re trying to help.”
“Will do.”
Adam watched the waiter go back to his work.He took in the place again, this time with the trained eye of a cop instead of just a client.The Gin Room was packed for a Saturday evening.Jazzy tunes played in the background, loud enough to create an ambience and not disturb people’s conversations.Candles illuminated each low round table, surrounded by burgundy velvet chairs.
There was no way of telling who a shifter was and who wasn’t, but now that Daniel had told him theanimalshad special prices, he wouldn’t be surprised if the joint was a popular place for their kind.
Adam sighed.Wednesday was eons away and there was no guarantee she would come then, but at least things were starting to make a bit more sense.The sister who had come into the country and disappeared was clearly trapped in the same or a similar ring, and Katya was trying to help her.Why she hadn’t gone to the police was a mystery to him, but something he’d unravel later.For now, he had to find her first.It wasn’t a question of his own interest in her person, now it was a job.He had to save her from whatever mess she was in.
He checked his notes.Time to go back to the area where they’d first met.
Chapter Six
Adam hesitated at thedoor to the third establishment on his list.The other two had been able to tell him little more than the fact they thought she could have come there, but they couldn’t be sure.The picture wasn’t clear enough and there were hundreds of women coming through each week.He was certain about one thing, though: she had to be working tonight.It was Saturday which meant it was the best night to go out and pick up men.The city was teeming with life even at the late hour, and if she had been forced into a life of crime, he knew her overlords wouldn’t take kindly to a night off.
Pushing through the thick wooden doors, he entered a dimly lit establishment.Chill-out music played softly throughout enveloping the place in a sultry vibe.Waiters impeccably dressed, swerved through the tables with trays filled with champagne flutes, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres.He turned toward the bar, the chandelier’s light gleaming across the dark marble countertop and leather-backed stools.A mirrored wall behind reflected the faces of those sitting across from it—women dressed in lavish, curve-hugging dresses, and men in tailored suits.Across from them bottles of expensive liquors gleamed from behind a glass case, and there he saw her.
His pulse quickened as he took her in.Katya sat at the bar in a slinky black piece which hung low over her breasts.She wore a simple silver chain which dipped between them, enticing the viewer to look further.Her hair was pulled back into a refined bun, and she’d applied a fresh coat of makeup which brought out her eyes even more.A half-drunk glass of what could only be a martini sat on the bar in front of her.She was alone, either stool beside her empty.
