"Hondo, please let us go," Beth begged later that night, after they had settled in. "It is the best club in LA and it is totally awesome."
"Fine, but be careful," he said, giving in.
"Thanks so much Hondo," stated Beth. "You won't regret it."
The group headed off to The Room, the hottest club in LA without Hondo.
"So rookie," asked Deke. "How do you know about this club we are going to?"
"Born and raised in LA, fool," retorted Beth. "I do know how to go out and have a good time too. Plus it just happens to be owned by my uncle and I practically grew up there."
"Hey, wait a sec," Boxer interrupted. "You grew up there? What happened to no people under the age of 18 being allowed in the clubs?"
"Yes, I grew up there," replied Beth, sort of laughing. "Sometimes I would spend the day with my uncle, especially on school breaks and I know the club very well and I know all of the employees there so we will get in for free."
"Damn girl," Jim inputted. "Where else can you get us in? Maybe a strip club?"
All the guys laughed.
"Real mature," Chris stated. "Like Beth would get you into a strip club."
"She is right," replied Beth. "I wouldn't get you into one even if I could. Oh, Boxer pull in here. And roll down the window. I will talk to the parking attendant."
"Hello," stated the attendant. "Parking is five dollars."
Hi," said Beth. "I am Justin McCabe's niece. He owns The Room."
"Ah, yes," the attendant replied. "Go right on through."
Boxer drove through and parked the car. "Alright, Miss Popular, lead the way to the club."
The group headed to the entrance of the club and got in the club no problem because the bouncer knew Beth.
"I will be right back," stated Beth. "Chris you want to come?"
Chris nodded and they headed upstairs to say hello to Beth's uncle. 20 minutes later, the girls came back downstairs to where the boys were sitting. The DJ looked over to their table, saw Beth, and then nodded and smiled. After the current song had ended, he put on "Man, I Feel Like A Woman."
"Beth?" stated Chris.
"Oh yeah," replied Beth with a huge smile on her face. The girls got up to dance to the song and the boys just stared.
"Well that is weird," stated Jim. "I didn't figure Chris to like country music."
The boys continued to watch the girls dance and Jim could not take his eyes off of Beth.
"Damn man," stated Boxer. "Someone has a crush on the new recruit."
"No man," retorted Jim. "Not at all. She is a good dancer. That is all."
"Yeah, okay," replied Deke. "Like we believe that."
The song ended and the DJ put on Rock Your Body by Justin Timberlake. The girls headed back to the table.
"Deke," stated Chris. "Come dance with me."
"Uhh," replied Deke.
"Oh," commented Jim. "Go dance with her."
"Okay, Mr. Hotshot," said Beth. "If he is gonna dance with Chris, you are going to dance with me."
"Fine," replied Jim as he got up. "Get up Deke. Boxer you saving the table?"
"Of course," he replied.
Jim, Beth, Chris, and Deke headed to the dance floor. About halfway through the song, Chris and Deke left the floor and headed back to the table. Jim and Beth didn't even notice because they were to into dancing with one another.
"How long will it be till they hook up?" asked Deke.
"Hook up or start dating?" replied Chris. If you think hook up, then never because Beth wants a relationship. If you think they will end up dating, then it will happen."
"Okay," replied Deke, "so how long till they start dating?"
"Let's see," replied Chris. "It is June now and Beth won't even consider anything until after we complete this case. So I would say by middle of November."
"I say August," Boxer said. "there is such a sexual attraction between the two."
"I say by the end of the month," Deke said. "Anyone want to bet?"
"50 bucks each?" asked Boxer. "Winner gets 150 dollars?"
"I am all for that," replied Chris.
"Me too," answered Deke.
"Me too, what?" asked Jim, as he and Beth came back to the table after they danced to a few songs.
"Uh, I was agreeing that I was ready to go," answered Deke as quickly as he could. "We shouldn't stay any longer since we have very long days ahead of us."
"I agree," said Boxer as they got up from the table. "We should go."
Just as they were about to leave, Justin McCabe came up to them. "Beth can I have a quick word with you?"
"Yeah, sure," she replied with a confused look on her face. She walked to a quiet corner with her uncle. "What's up Uncle J?"
"Have you spoken to your parents today?" he asked.
"No," Beth responded, getting worried. "The last time I spoke to them was yesterday when I told them I made SWAT. I left a note for them today because the SWAT team has a big case and I won't be home for awhile. Why?"
"I haven't heard from your dad today," he replied. "He was supposed to call regarding Fourth of July celebrations."
"Okay," she replied. "When I call them, I will remind him."
"That will be great," Uncle J replied. "I think your friends are waiting. Be careful please."
"I will," Beth replied with a smile. "Bye."
When Beth got back to the group Jim asked, "What was that about?"
"My uncle was just wondering if I had talked to my parents today," Beth answered. "My dad was supposed to call my uncle today and he hasn't. My dad was probably busy at work and forgot. No biggie."
"Alright," replied Jim. "Let's go back to the hotel headquarters."