Free Janet McNulty - Mellow Summers 01 - Sugar And Spice and Not So Nice by Janet McNulty

Reiss.
    I had the sudden impulse to run. Only my resolve kept me from acting on it.
    “There you two are.” Jack marched down the corridor towards us. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you two. Don’t you know you are supposed to stay near the tour group and not wander? Come with me.”
    “These two are with you?” asked Detective Reiss.
    “Of course they are,” replied Jack. “I’ve been searching for them everywhere.”
    The expression on Reiss’ face told me he didn’t buy it.
    “I apologize if they caused you any inconvenience, Detective,” said Jack. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a tour to run.” He motioned for us to follow. Jackie and I didn’t argue, grateful to be out of there.
    “What did you two think you were doing?” hissed Jack. “You should have waited for me.”
    “I’m sorry,” I said, “but you disappeared and I didn’t want to lose a chance to follow Detective Reiss.”
    “What did you find out?” asked Jack.
    “He went to the basement,” said Jackie, “and took something from there.”
    “The evidence locker is down there,” said Jack. “We’ve had problems of things missing from there. And it’s strange that Reiss would be down there since he hasn’t arrested anyone lately.”
    “Do you think he’s stealing from the evidence locker?” I asked.
    “That’s quite an accusation,” said Jack, “but I guess it’s possible.”
    We had reached the entrance to the building. I thanked Jack and we left. Jackie and I went back to our apartment. We had nothing else to do that day and I wanted to get ahead on my school work.
    Rachel popped in as had become her habit. “Vincent doesn’t do much that can be considered illegal,” she said. “He hits on just about every young female he finds, but otherwise, he didn’t do anything worth calling the cops.”
    “I found some drugs in his office,” I said.
    “Really?”
    “Yeah, but I want to get him and that detective on more than just possession.”
    “That detective likes to frequent a place on the outskirts of town,” said Rachel. “It’s called Sal’s. It’s a strip joint.”
    “I guess I know where I’m going tonight,” I said, “When does he go there?”
    “About every night at midnight,” said Rachel.

Chapter 10
    I dressed in a rather revealing outfit for my trip to Sal’s. I had to borrow some of Jackie’s clothes. It was a good thing we wore the same size. According to Rachel, you got into Sal’s if you showed a little skin. Despite my discomfort, I justified that it was necessary to find out what Reiss was up to.
    I was at Sal’s within the hour. It was about fifteen miles outside of town. A perfect place for a bar that offered exotic dancing. I parked the car and got out.
    The man at the door took one look at me and let me in. I flirted a bit with him like the other girls did. Blend in, I told myself. Once again, loud music bombarded me. I hated loud music. I wandered around the place. Women danced on the stage around poles. They wore enough to barely cover the essentials.
    The full service section seemed to be in the back, which was guarded by a couple of muscular bouncers. I had no desire to get on a first name basis with them. The bartender bustled about the bar, filling orders. Men and women filled the place. I guess some people didn’t care where they got drunk.
    I walked over to the bar and ordered a Morgan Coke. Everyone else had a drink; I figured I should too to avoid arousing suspicion. I accepted the drink graciously and continued my wandering. No sign of Detective Reiss. I glanced at my watch. Half past midnight. According to Rachel, he should have been here for half an hour already.
    “Where is he?” I asked Rachel.
    “I don’t know. He should be here,” said Rachel.
    We split up. Rachel searched the VIP section, while I meandered around the main floor. Still no sign of him.
    “Hey!” yelled Rachel, getting my attention. She waved me over. “He’s in here.”
    I