PRIVATE DEALINGS

"I thought it was time for a tough, smart, likable female private investigator, and that's how VI came to life." ― Sara Paretsky

"I am an investigator by inclination. I feel a great thirst for knowledge." ― Immanuel Kant

"I am a private detective. I am paid to be inquisitive and presumptuous." ― Douglas Adam

A/N: This is a completely new story with a very different Sookie and an Eric that might not be exactly like the books, but has his essence (it's hard to make Eric human, since being a vampire is so integral to him, but I think I found a way). I always found Eric easier to write then Sookie. This story came to me, and I'm very excited about it. However, I'm not sure it's worth the effort. I need you to let me know If I should continue or not. This is more of an introductory chapter. It'll pick up and Eric will show up soon enough. I want to finally write a great Sookie. So, what do you think of this Sookie so far? I need feedback before I post anymore, please?

It's all human.

PS: I finally found a beta, the amazing kleannhouse. She worked her magic and fixed all the already posted chapters and she'll be working with me on future ones. I can't thank her enough. Any errors remaining are all mine.

CHAPTER 1 – ODE TO PATHIARCHY

There was nothing better than starting your week working at a Strip Club. Sarcasm aside, I should clarify that I wasn't one of the dancers. I was there to meet my client. I'm a private detective, a PI, a Private Dick – although that last one hardly applies since I'm female. The truth was that the only difference between us was their lack of clothes and my outfit. After all, I was told I was pretty enough and my body was very fit. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I have a very hard won sense of self-worth and I'm big on honesty.

So, there I was sitting at a back table at this Ode to Patriarchy watching the strippers gyrating on stage. I have to say that I was appreciating the show. Not because I was attracted to women, but the sheer physical strength and skill these girls showed was damn impressive. I had taken dance classes from my early childhood through my teenage years and I didn't think I'd be able to put on such a great show using a dance pole to save my life. I was never the best dancer, but I wasn't horrible either. And even now that I kept myself fit with jiu-jitsu classes, I'd still probably make an ass out of myself on that stage. Not that I wanted to try, well at least not in front of an audience, especially one of drooling Neanderthals. But, I could take some pole dance classes, maybe. I could even ask my client if she'd teach me. Nah, never a great idea to mixed business with pleasure.

It's peculiar being the lone woman patron inside a Gentlemen's Club. It's kind of like being a biologist observing primates in their natural habitat. It was mid-morning, but there was already half a dozen patrons there. Most of them glanced my way when I came in, but quickly lost any interest. Not surprising since I was pretty covered up in my business suit, and they had a better feast for their eyes up front where the ladies were wearing what could only be generously called tiny bikinis while putting Beyoncé to shame. This establishment didn't allow full nudity on stage, even the tops stayed on. It was classy like that. Now, what happened in the private rooms in the back was something I could very well imagine, but didn't like dwelling on it. Not my business anyway and from what I'd been told it was all consensual.

Normally, I'd have my client meeting me at my office. However, I had some pretty good news for her that I decided couldn't wait. She wasn't on stage, so I had asked my waitress for a beer and to please check to see if Ebony could come talk to me at my table. I tipped her heavily, for two reasons. One she dealt with assholes all day, so she was due, and I wanted some discretion, or at least what could pass for discretion here. Ebony's issues and my work for her didn't affect her job, but these places tended to be a world unto itself and gossip abounded.

Not five minutes later, Ebony came sauntering towards me from the backstage area. Her given name wasn't Ebony, of course. That was her stage name and the only one she advised me to use here. It fit her, which I'm guessing is why she chose it. She was an extremely beautiful woman, approaching forty, but didn't look it. She had coffee colored skin, impressive dreadlocks, a body any dancer would kill for and she was over six feet tall. She made quite an impression. Many of the patrons decided that watching her, even covered with a silk robe, was more entrancing than the semi naked girls on stage.

"Sookie? Whatcha you doing here, girl?"

"Hi, Ebony. Please, sit down, if you can. I have some good news."

I smiled at her and she gave a dazzling smiled back. I knew how important what we had been working towards was for her. She looked around, nodded to the bouncer and sat down across from me. The waitress hurried back. I ordered another beer just to be polite, and told Ebony to order whatever she wanted. She opted for a Coke, because she said she never drank while working and she'd be back on the stage in about 15 minutes.

"So, did you get it?"

"I did. I caught them yesterday afternoon at the park. I took all the photos and video you'll ever need to help prove your case. I already sent them to Amelia. She's organizing all the evidence and she'll be taking it to the DA's office later today."

Ebony sucked in a breath. She shuddered once, lowered her head and when she looked up again there were silent tears falling from her eyes. I passed her a napkin and squeezed her hand.

"I can't ever thank you enough, Sookie."

"Don't be silly, I was glad to help. And you did hire me. I was just doing my job."

"I tried another PI before I went to you. When he found out what I did for a living, he refused to take my case. You have treated me with respect and kindness before and after you learned of my job."

"Ebony, you know much better than I, I'm betting, that the world is full of judgmental assholes. I'm not one. I don't have any right to judge you or anyone else. Glass houses, right?"

"You helped me above and beyond what I was paying you for. You introduced me to Amelia, among other things."

"Well, your situation is very serious. Your 11 year-old son is being physically and verbally abused by his own father. I'd never be able to sleep at night if I didn't do all I could to save him. You did a good part of the work yourself. You took pictures of the injuries, you saved the abusive voice messages, and you had it all before I ever got involved. I just managed to catch him in the act and take photos and video. The video will have the most impact with a jury, but everything else you collected will prove it wasn't just a one-time thing. And I introduced you to Amelia, because she has the necessary contacts to help us, plus she's an excellent criminal lawyer and knows exactly what will be needed to put him in jail and to get him away permanently from both of you. I did exactly what you paid me to do. But, it's not over yet, Ebony. I want to be clear about that. It'll now be in the hands of the Justice System. You'll need patience. It won't be easy. But, don't worry. I'll help you in any capacity you need me. I'll testify too. Gladly. You're now in the very capable hands of Amelia. She's doing this pro bono for you, so you won't have to pay her anything. And feel free to call me whenever you want, ok?"

"I still think I owe you, Sookie. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Oh hell, why not?

"Can you teach me how to work the pole? Privately, I mean?"

And of course I blushed. She looked shocked for a moment and then laughed.

"Sure, hon. You want to learn it to please your man?"

"Pfff. First, I don't have a man. Plus, I'm not exactly the type to bend myself backwards to please anybody, much less a man. I want to learn it for me. It looks fun, I like dancing and it seems like a very demanding exercise. I like to keep in shape."

"You go, girl. Do it for yourself. Men, they're much more work than they're worth."

"Preach it, sister." I said while I lifted up my hand and we high-fived. A long time honored tradition we the females of the species have of bonding by bitching about males. They all deserved it, I had to add.

"I have to go. I'm next onstage. I'll call Amelia when I'm done here and I'll see when she wants me to stop by her office. That reminds me, I'll stop by your office tomorrow to settle my bill, ok? I have the day off."

"Sure. You take care of yourself and little Tyson. And, please don't contact your ex. Amelia will give you the security lecture and safety tips for when he finds out what's happening. Let's keep him in the dark for as long as we can, ok?"

"Yes. I'm happy right now, but I know the fear will come. I'll deal with it, but I'm going to enjoy this news for as long as I can. See you tomorrow, Sookie. And thanks again. Oh, do you wanna stay to watch my set? Maybe you'll learn something…" She smirked, gave me a little wave and sashayed away.

I didn't actually have anything that pressing to do, so why not watch Ebony dance away. I turned to call my waitress once again and found her standing pretty much behind my chair. I guess my big tip made her be more solicitous. I decided I was done with beer and ordered a Coke to watch my client shake her assets on the stage for the titillation of the masses.

Now what did that say about me?