It seemed as though I had been walking through darkness and rain for hours before I reached the The Ginger Snap. A jazz bar a few blocks from the Bay City Police Department. The somber, quiet night made me recollect on our current predicament. With an understaffed police force and escalating crime rate in our quickly growing city, we had no other choice than to ask our sister city for backup. Midway.
Now our mayor is publicly supporting a prohibition on alcohol that's sweeping the country and the citizens are very angry. Violent drunkards are protesting in the streets.
A few private investigators visiting from Midway have infiltrated the 'supporting party' our mayor has fabricated. These 'comrades in crime' have began breaking into pubs, attacking patrons and rioting against protesters- making public events dangerous.
Bay City's police department is in the middle of this whole thing- I the Chief of the police force am in the middle of this whole thing. All I have been trying to do is keep the peace and protect the innocent citizens.
My gloomy thoughts were dispersed as I looked up into the grey, pouring sky. The jazz club's neon sign was turned off and the windows were also boarded up. But to my surprise, my ears caught the faint melody quietly playing behind the brick exterior. A few people were sitting outside the doors on benches smoking their cigarettes.
I let my speculation get the best of me as I approached a particular couple huddled together under the building's awning. The man was in a dark colored suit with a fedora and the woman adorned in a silver show dress. They squinted as I approached. He put his jacket on her.
My hands pulled up my soaked collar and I whispered, " They open?"
The man nodded and coughed.
I thanked them and they moved closer avoiding the heavy rain as thunder crashed and lighting streaked across the sky. I try to hide behind my hat and collar not wanting to be recognized as 'Chief ' Onyx Finn. Citizens are constantly questioning who 'we' stand with and we try our hardest to stand neutral.
Inside the pub, the atmosphere was warm and inviting.
As I glanced to my right, the rooms were separated by an ornate archway. I heard saxophones and a piano playing with a single alluring voice singing along.
The red wallpapered walls contrasted with the gold accents of the barstools and crystal chandeliers. My sloppy, muddy shoes stood in front of the bar.
"A scotch, please?"
"Sorry sir, we're all out."
"Okay, a bourbon then?"
The bar tender shook his head. " We actually don't have any any options for alcohol."
My hand rubbed the back of my stiff neck.
" A coffee, please?"
He nodded and served a cup hot.
I walked around the corner and sat down at the nearest table. That's when I felt something strange... someone was looking at me intently. My eyes locked with hers on stage. She winked gaily.
I deterred her gaze by averting my notice. I spun my coffee around in the cup and took another sip of the hot drink.
The piano began to play a melody and the woman sang along with it.
'A beautiful face to match the attractive voice.' I thought sneaking a peek.
Her skin was beautifully olive complected, her hair curled and dark, eyes like amber, what a gorgeous being!
The angelic figure started slowly drifting off the stage. Her body suit glittered as the lights in the room reflected off of it.
I was truly captivated.
"Heavenly body- won't you show me the light," she sang, "I'm dying to see you tonight."
Before I knew it she was next to me. She smiled and lifted my chin to her face.
"And when the morning comes and I'm left alone,"
I nervously gazed into her honey hued irises.
Her smile was contagious and I meekly smiled back.
"I'm trying to see you again, my dearest love."
Her voice faded.
A few people clapped.
"BCPD, I presume?"
"Yes." My face still in her hands.
"My name is Kay. I've been looking for someone special like you to help me."
Should I get up?
The woman grabbed my hand. I stood stiffly.
What was going to happen?
Should I run?
Her hand led me out of the parlor and up a flight of stairs.
My hands started to get clammy.
Help her?
What could she possibly mean?
What am supposed to do in this situation?
It can't be too bad, right?
We walked down a long, dark hallway with several rooms.
I followed her ignoring my doubts and insecurities but fighting the urge to run.
Is she a prostitute?
Her delicate fingers pulled out a small cast iron key from behind her tight chest piece and unlocked the room.
"It's dark in there." I breathed.
She reached for my hand.
" Turn a light on first." I pulled away reaching for my gun holster.
She struck a match and walked over to where an oil lamp was sitting on the nightstand. It burned bright illuminating the room. Next to the nightstand was a modest bed.
All was quiet except for our breathing.
Oh no, she's a prostitute. My reputation is doomed if I'm caught here.
In the glow, I also saw a velvety couch and felt a fur rug that was under my dirty shoes. Sketches of naked women hung around the room.
This all was making me feel really uncomfortable- or perhaps in danger....
Her small frame closed the door gently and she sashayed over to me.
I broke the silence and my voice cracked. " There has to be some kind of misunderstanding, Miss."
She pulled at the buttons of my coat, batting her eye lashes.
I helped her take my coat off, revealing my white shirt, suspenders and a badge.
" The badge. I knew it. " Her smile shined brighter than the oil lamp.
Her mannerisms seemed strangely ecstatic.
My shaky hands started reaching to undo my tie.
Her graceful, thin fingers pulled my face close to hers. Her full lips met my ear and she whispered delicately. " This is the only way we can chat. I-I need help escaping this place."
A shiver crawled down my spine.
"Seriously? O-okay? I'm not sure I really understand." A sigh of relief left my lips. A bit of my soul left with it.
Plopping down on the couch, I took my face in my hands.
"Please don't be mad, I had to make this believable..." She wrapped her arms around my neck, sinking into seat next to me.
" I'm sorry. I should have thought this through better. "
I had my eyes closed. ' It's been so long- I'm so out of touch with any sort of intimacy. My heart is still racing. This must be part of a bigger plan so don't give in to any of her bull.'
I was fed up with her little game.
" Trust me, I wouldn't have done this if I didn't feel as though I had to."
My brows lowered and scowled. " How did you know I was an officer?"
Her face was full of surprise? Shock?
" I asked around- men that come here regularly. I need someone's help taking down Ivan Stock."
" Ivan Stock, local entrepreneur? Owner of this bar?"
"Yes. "
" Why?"
She looked away. "He has some things of mine, that prevents me from being on my own- a free woman."
"Free?"
" I came here strictly as a performer and now I am working to pay off a debt. An astronomical debt."
" What do you mean?"
"He is holding me captive here. He has many of my precious belongings. Identification card, passport, and an heirloom from my grandmother."
"Who cares about any of that? You can get a new passport and identification card."
" The heirloom is precious to me and there's security guards that surveillances the building constantly."
" You haven't thought of just sneaking around them?"
" Why would I threaten my life by leaving Stock? He-," Her lips pursed," He is a dangerous man."
There was a sudden knock on the door.
Panic and anxiety filled me like a breath.
" Kay, are you in there?"
She gripped my arm. " It's Stock."
Speedily, I dove under the bed.
Stock entered the room without knocking again.
I could only see their feet but Kay had taken off her high heels trying to make it seem like she's been in her room alone for a while.
" From what I hear tonight's performance was really special."
His feet moved in closer to her.
" You smell like boos." Her once angelic voice was monotone.
I tried to stifle my breathing.
Stock must've grabbed Kay by the neck because I heard her take in a gasp for air. His feet moved inched closer and closer. He smelled her and let out a sigh.
As she choked, I unhinged my pistol from its holster.
He shoved her hard against the bed.
She tripped over the bed frame as he barked. "Undress!"
She sat on the edge of the squeaky mattress.
" Why do you look so down, honey?" I watched his shirt hit the floor.
"I don't want this. " Her voice shook.
Stock snickered and must have happened to look over because he took notice of my jacket lying on the couch. " Is someone here?!"
She didn't answer.
" Where is this man?" He stomped across the floorboards to look in her wardrobe.
Kay stood up and bolted over to the window.
Stock's eyebrow raised at her, " What? You're gonna jump because I caught you with your lover?"
Her arms forced the window open, the panes smacking the brick building with a CRASH!
"Yes, I will do it!"
" I don't care. A whore like you are a dime a dozen."
Kay's eyes bolted to the bed.
Stock's drunken laugh roared through the room." He's under the bed isn't he?"
Kay stood up on the ledge as Stock peered under the bed.
Wham!
I kicked him square in his mouth.
" What the hell! " He screamed clutching his face.
I scrambled out from under the bed and grabbed my coat.
" Over here," Kay ushered towards the ledge.
I ran to her and picked her up.
" Ready to jump?"
We jumped from the second story and landed on a fire escape. It fell out from under our feet to which we continued to fall into the trash bin.
It was absolutely disgusting.
I couldn't get the smell out for a week.
We climbed out and were able to catch a cab before Stock's security caught up with us.
***
Stock watched as the cab drove off. He couldn't catch the license plate but he did get his hands on something else left behind.
In his hand was a pistol with BCPD etched into the side of it.