"Son-of-bitch!" Vicki spat out. Henry or possibly Henry, got into the jaguar, backed out of the alley with expertise driving that only Henry could do with that prized car of his and took off into the night. Vicki ran around the front of the building right smack into Louie nearly falling back on her ass. He tipped his hat up and smirked.

"Hey," she said completely startled and somewhat embarrassed.

"Hey yourself, get in," he said as he shook his head, wiped his shirt off where some lovely smelling trash had been deposited and began to follow the jaguar into the night. Glancing at Vicki, Louie rolled both windows down as he wrinkled his nose. As luck would have it, the jaguar had been caught by the next light and if it was Henry, being the cautious driver he was he would have not tried to run a yellow, opting instead to keep a low profile and obey even the traffic laws. Vicki sat quietly in the front seat beside Louie.

"Thought you left," she finally said as she cleared her throat. She picked at the remaing pieces of garbage left on her from her little escapade and tossing them out the window. Louie leaned over, opened his glove box and pointed. Bottles of perfume and cologne were crammed in so tight you couldn't see the edges of the compartment.

"Yeah, well..didn't want to miss anything important," Louie smiled pointing again, this time with urgence.

"Okay, I get it. I stink, damn! Louie, why the hell do you have these in here? That's a little disturbing," Vicki asked as she looked through trying to find the one that smelled least like a hooker or old woman.

"Eh..people always leavin' shit in my cab. I figure, what the hell? Might meet a pretty lady, need to dab a little sexy smell on..or in your case, pick up a pretty lady that smells like she's been dumpster divin'.." Louie smirked.

"Fuck you," Vicki teased. Louie knew she was trying to hide her anger with nervous joking. Vicki finally settled on something not too strong yet strong enough to cover the odor. She didn't care for the floral scent and after spraying it, regretted it. Closing her eyes, she could smell the hint of jasmine in it.

"Better?" She asked wafting her arms in the vehicle.

"Yeah..I suppose. Now you smell like shitty flowers instead of just shit, " Louie laughed.

"Thanks so much," Vicki smiled as she playfully punched Louie. She sighed audibly then thanked Louie for waiting.

"Why did you wait? Real answer please," Vicki told him.

"Look, I try to look out for you okay? You're..kinda special. I never had kids, ya know? And besides, I ain't got nuttin' better to do than run your nosy ass around town anyway, eh?" he tried to change the subject not wanting her to know how much he cared for her but Vicki already knew. Tonight, she was grateful for that. She would have lost Henry, if it was him, had it not been for Louie's caring demeanor.

"Thanks Louie, you're the best," Vicki leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. Louie's face turned a dark shade of crimson, he mumbled something akin to "aw, it ain't nuttin" getting back to driving seriously after the jaguar.

Vicki saw a club up ahead, very new and hip. Of course, a young hot little snack. Perfect. Just perfect.

"Louie, you don't have to wait okay?" She told him as she got out.

"I don't have to but I'm gonna, and you can't stop me," he said with determination.

"Allright, suit yourself," Vicki nodded. Her stomach was churning, her palms sweating and apparently, so was the rest of her body. Her garbage experience was seeping through the flowery perfume. Louie was right, she thought to herself as she continued to try and get the stains off of her, I do smell like shitty flowers. Shaking the thought away, she went toward the club but stayed out of view. It was very busy, lots of young people, punk rockers, goths, you name it, they were there.

"Haven," Vicki mumbled looking at the name. As she turned to get out of view, she saw him.

"Henry," his name escaped her lips, her heart raced and her mind reeled. He was there, it really was him. Henry stopped and turned her direction, peering deeply into the night. Vicki had ducked behind a pillar that was completely cloaked in darkness.

"Shit!!" she pounded the pillar. Had he seen her? The crowd was thick, the night was dark and loud, maybe not. When she had built up enough courage, she looked around the pillar but saw nothing. He was nowhere in sight. She became angry with herself as she thought how childish and weak it was to get become excited over the mere sight of him.

"Whew..he's inside I'm sure," or she hoped rather. Making her way into the club was easy. She flashed a badge. It was her old one but they had no clue and didn't care.

"Hey ladycop, we run clean place here," a tall, bald but very muscular bouncer said as he put his finger in her chest.

"Sir, I'll ask you once to remove that and then I'll gladly remove it for you, in several pieces. I want no trouble, I'm looking for a friend and then I'm out. No questions, nothing, got it?" Vicki hoped her years as a cop would show through rather than a half-blind PI looking for answers to her life.

"That's it huh?" The bouncer, Tiny was on his name tag, snorked and let her through.

"Allright, Henry..let's see if you really meant.."so be it"..."