Chapter 3

"Jesus Duo, hurry up!" I scream from the sitting room in his apartment. I hate coming here to visit him, the smell always reminds me of Cathy; the spicy, warm orange smell that always tinges your nose or reminds you of better days. It doesn't help that the bastard still has pictures of her up too; just various picture frames scattered around the place. Some are sitting on the radio the others are peppering the walls with memories of days past. Just looking at them makes me want to punch a hole in the wall. I guess I should rush Duo so that I don't take myself up on this sick urge.

He must have read my mind because I hear his bedroom door open and see him emerge in a plum colored suit with light gray pinstripes; it's amazing how good Duo looks when he actually takes pride in his appearance. I can see what took him so long; he had to shave his face.

"Thinking about getting some tail tonight?" I ask with a slight smirk on my usually stoic face. He glances back at me under the bridge of his fedora hat and smiles.

"Only if you are."

"You ready to go?" I ask getting up from my comfortable seat on the sofa.

"Yep, let's get the hell out of here." He pulls some keys from his pocket and throws them my way. I catch them expertly with one hand.

"What's this?" I ask him.

"Keys to the car."

"We're not driving Cathy's old Cadillac are we?" I ask.

"Yep, we are. We have to roll up in style, I refuse to take a cab to this swanky joint." I roll my eyes in complete disdain. I don't say much else as I grab my jacket from the hook and exit the apartment.

We walk downstairs into the foggy night, the lamppost an illuminated blur in the haze. I know exactly where the car is parked. I remembered seeing it the last day it was driven; Cathy's funeral. Duo had taken cabs or walked to work ever since; I guess he feels as if he can live again. I still don't feel right driving this thing. But damn is it a beautiful peace of machinery. I look at the silver chrome and the shiny paint finish and am utterly excited that Duo chose this time to take it for a resurrecting drive around the town. The only thing missing is Cathy, but I can't think about that now, I have a job to do.

"Get in the car Trowa." Duo says and I realize that I'm still standing about three feet away from the car. I quickly walk up to the car and get in buckling up my seatbelt and taking in a sharp breath. Duo pats me on the back and I look at him.

"Breathe easy Tro, everything is going to be okay. We're going to have fun tonight." He says and starts the car. He backs up carefully and we're off towards the Industrial District. I can't believe I ask the party animal Duo to come with me to work. Oh well, he was always fun when we used to party together on the force. I look up in about twenty minutes and we're at the Savoy. There are cars backed up for about two miles and I can see the bright red lights of the nightclub. People are wrapped around the entrance and I hope that we don't have to wait in that line. Duo finds a secure parking space and we head towards the entrance.

Duo, being the smartass that he is, waltzes straight to the front of the line and confronts the bouncer. I follow my braided friend and wait for the bouncer to reject his sorry ass to the back of the line. But before Duo can even say anything a large, white, new model 1935 Bentley Sedanca coup pulls up and the raucous crowd quiets down to see who's going to be exiting the beautiful vehicle. The driver exits and walks to the back of the car and opens the door. There is a dead silence as the crowd waits to see the passengers in the vehicles; no doubt these people are important. A small white heel emerges followed by a pale white leg that is draped under a long, white dress and a feather boa. It's Relena Peacecraft, one of the most sought after Hollywood starlets that there are. I can hear various whispers around me talking about her latest movie. A man accompanies her dressed also in a white suite with black pinstripes with a white fedora to match his suit. He's blonde is all that I can see as he brushes past me and the bouncer into the Savoy.

"I don't care who they are, we should be able to go in just as much as them." I can hear Duo chastise the poor bouncer over the roar of the crowd. The bouncer is about to kick Duo's ass before someone comes by and tells him to let a few people in. The bouncer, only following orders, opens the door and allows both Duo, me, and three ladies entrance into this highly exclusive night club; just to think that I had free reign of the Savoy only hours earlier.

As soon as we step into the place a man is waiting to take our coats. Of course we tip him the customary five dollars. We step around a red velvet curtain and are finally inside. A man is waiting to show us to our seats as we come from behind it. I try not to act surprised by the beauty of this place, but I am really taken aback, not as much as Duo though. If Duo were a dog, he'd be wagging his tail. I don't blame him, the ambience is amazing, and whoever the owner is must be a classy guy. There are lights illuminating the bar and the stage where a large big band sits ready to play. There are small tables placed strategically around the bar. I can see a room in the distance that reads casino and know instantly to keep Duo away from that place. He'd lose the Clover if I let him. The place is covered in red; it seems to be the color of choice.

The man asks again if he can show us to our seats. I give him my name and he points us to our tables. I don't remember making a reservation; I guess the pretty bartender did it for me. As the man shows us to our table I notice many famous and infamous faces. Of course, there's the Peacecraft chic, and she's way too hot, even for me. Then there's the infamous Miyako the Blade walking from the casino room, he's one of Heero Yuy's flunkies. I watch him as he goes to a rounding booth and see Heero Yuy sitting there in a mix of guys and dolls and he's not even saying a word; that guy is so fucking intense that he makes my eyes twitch.  I'm not surprised that so many gangsters find there way here, I heard about this place a few years after I left the force when it was just opening. It's obviously a haven for criminals.

We finally reach our seats, in the very front close enough to the band that some of the light is shining on our table. The band is playing that new Duke Ellington song, something that has to do with "swing," and Duo has just ordered a Prime rib with the best cognac that they have.

"So, what do you think?" I ask him.

"I think you should get to work." He replies still looking around like a kid in a candy shop.

"I will as soon as I can spot the owner. I'm sure he's a busy man." I say as I see our drinks arrive. The cute waitress places Duo's cognac in front of him and my whiskey in front of me and I tip her casually.

"So this is where all the beautiful people hang out. I could get used to this. Did you see that Relena Peacecraft, she's got some fucking gams on her doesn't she?" I don't think I'm going to be able to get used to this Duo; he hasn't been around in a while, but I like him already.

"Why don't you go talk to her?" I say knowing that he won't. He almost chokes on his cognac.

"Whatever, she's a fucking movie star man, I'm a lowly bartender. Besides, she was with that blonde guy, lucky bastard."

"I guess you're right." I survey the room and see three women staring directly at Duo. He's always been the lady killer of the two of us, I'm not far behind though. I also see the pretty bartender. She's not tending bar; she's standing by the entrance talking with the guy that seated us. We catch eyes and she smiles again. After a while I see her making her way over towards our table. She looks completely different as she draws closer; her hair is down and falling over her shoulders in a brown cascade, she is wearing a red dress, and her lips are done in a sexy red color that I always found attractive on somewhat paler women.

"So, Mr. Barton, how do you like the Savoy?" she asks as she shimmies her way over to our table. Duo and I stand and I offer her a seat, but she refuses.

"I'm liking it." I say, trying to play it cool. She smirks.

"Who's your friend?"  She gives a smirk towards Duo's direction and he almost melts.

"This is Duo Maxwell, a good friend of mine. Duo this is Jin." Duo being the sweet talker stands, takes her hand and plants a kiss on the back of it. I just roll my eyes.

"What a charmer." Jin says with a sultry tone.

"You don't know the half." I hear Duo say under his breath and I'm pretty sure she heard him too.

"Well, I have to go. I'll let the boss know that you're hear, he should be with you in a minute, he's just taking care of some business." She says and walks off before I can thank her. Duo watches her walk away.

"What a hot doll, do you meet dames like that all the time?" he says, still watching her hips sway in that unbelievably flattering red dress.

"Well, you know me." Pretty soon, our food comes and we dig in to the best steaks that we've ever eaten. They are like butter and taste even better. After about twenty minutes of stuffing our faces, we relax with some more alcohol and watch the show. The band goes through about ten songs, all with that Jazzy big band sound; they even have a mediocre female singer every once and a while.

I am startled by a tap on my shoulder. I turn around to see another large man standing behind me with his hands crossed over his broad chest. I'm a pretty tall guy, but I have nothing on this man.

"Boss wants to see you," he says. I'm thinking it's about time that this man fit me into his busy schedule. I get up from my chair and nod a reassuring nod at Duo. I let the large man lead me to a backroom where he tells me to wait. I'm out there for only five minutes before the big man reemerges and pats me down for any weapons. He then pushes me into the office where I stand with the big man's hands on my shoulders.

"Is all of this really necessary?" I ask with a scowl. He doesn't say anything. Rather I hear a tenor voice boom from behind a large desk and an even larger leather chair.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience Mr. Barton, please have a seat." The man turns around and I can see clearly that he was the man that accompanied Ms. Peacecraft from the Bentley. I sit down quickly and look him over memorizing the features. He has strikingly blonde hair, even more striking blue eyes and a rather handsome smile. No wonder the Peacecraft dame is with him, he's one of the beautiful people too. He doesn't look like much of a hard ass, but you can never tell in this day and age.

"Please, have a cigar," he says offering me one from his rather long, gold cigar case.

"Thanks." I say in appreciation.

"I'm Quatre Raberba Winner, the owner and operator of the Savoy and various other businesses in the area." He lights his cigar and starts to puff.

"Glad to meet you." I say stoically. He smiles.

"A man with a permanent poker face, do you gamble, Mr. Barton?"

"Doesn't everyone?" I'm just full of smart-ass comments today. A low laugh escapes his lips.

"Yes, well, I here that you are searching for my lovely song bird Persephone." He says in an almost dreamy voice.

"Yeah, can I ask you a few questions?" I ask pulling out my always-handy notepad.

"Yes, but only if you answer some of mine first." He says with a chortle. I roll my eyes, why did I think that I would get something for nothing with this guy?

"Good. Who is this investigation for?" he looks me square in the face.

"Wufei Chang's wife." I say.

"Ah yes, Roddy. She's a beautiful women, more than classy." He says in a voice that makes me wonder.

"Did you two have a relationship?" I ask.

"Yes, her husband would come into the Savoy every weekend bringing her along. I could tell that she hated being here, listening to his boring dealings. It got even worse after Chang started fucking Persephone. Roddy is a strong women though, she just ignored the Chinese bastard." This little blonde has a dirty mouth.

"Did you two have a relationship?" I ask, always wanting to find a connection; I guess that's the detective in me.

"Off the record," he looks and waits for me to stop writing, "yes, but only once."

"So, what's this Persephone girls real name?" I ask trying to get back on subject.

"Hilde. Hilde Schbeiker. She ran off about a week ago giving me this letter." He says reaching into his desk and pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. I look down at the chicken scratch writing:

Sorry bossman, had to blow town for a little while.

                                                                           Persephone

"This is it?" I ask.

"That's all she left."

"So tell me everything you know about Chang." He smiles at me again like a Cheshire cat.

"I can't tell you everything I know about Chang, I'll be killed. He was into some dirty dealings with the other families; some bad blood came up between them."

"I can read that in the papers." I say sarcastically.

"Well, that's all the information I can give without being left twisting in the wind. You can understand that, cant you?" he's right, I wouldn't want to put him in danger.

"I'll try, but I do need more information than that." I know that he doesn't want me coming around his club often. Having an ex-cop, now detective snooping around would only mean trouble. I can see him thinking about what he can and can't tell me.

"Off the record, Chang was into some deep deal with the other two families about some riverfront property on the upper north side. He came to me to see if I would sell the Savoy and move it elsewhere. I told him no because the land was cheaper here. The other families weren't buying it either, but I really don't know what happened to him. If you ask me, Roddy has a better chance finding him floating in the river than she does having you snoop around and ask questions."

"What was the bad blood?" I ask.

"Now that, I can't tell you. I've already told you too much. Why don't you ask Roddy what type of dealings her husband was into before you go snooping around anymore." I realize the predicament this man has already put himself into and I respect it.

"How long was your lounge singer being a charity girl to Mr. Chang?" I ask rather vulgarly.

"Hilde is a charity girl to any man that has the right price. But I think she was Chang's actual mistress. There has been many times when I had to save her from a hot-blooded pimp. But when she was at her peak with Chang, she had the best bodyguards that money could buy…" he stops for a moment because another large bodyguard comes behind him and whispers something inaudible into his ear. He nods to his bodyguard.

"You really must excuse me, something has come up. It seems as if I need to be going. We can continue this chat at a later date, just set up a time with Jin, Rashid will give you the number on the way out. It has been delightful talking with you, so delightful that everything that you and your friend ordered is on the house." He quickly walks out of the room and I can see Ms. Peacecraft waiting for him as he exits. There are men standing and waiting to help him with his coat and hat; he's a gracious, hard-nosed businessman I can tell you that. I exit soon after, Rashid having slipped me the number and pushed me out of the back office. I see Duo waiting for me somewhere close to the entrance; he has a girl on each arm, I assume one for the each of us. I shake head at him and turn around; right into the sexiest silver dress I've ever seen.

"Funny running into you here." She says blowing a puff of smoke. Her hair is up in a French roll and she's wearing one of the most expensive necklaces I've ever seen.

"Yeah, this is a coincidence." I say.

"Why don't you stay a while and have another drink? I like the ensemble that you're wearing, the green in that shirt and tie brings out the green in your eyes." Why do the sexiest women always sound so dangerous?

"I've already had too many drinks, but thanks for asking, Ms. Chang."

"You know you can call me Roddy, Trowa. There should be no formalities between us, since you're probably going to be snooping around in my dirty laundry anyway." I smile at that.

"I talked with Mr. Winner." I say and she smiles in that fond sort of way that women tend to smile in when thinking of a past lover.

"You did, how is he? I hope he didn't tell you too much."

"Why didn't you tell me that you and your husband frequented this bar?" more skeptical of this woman than I already am.

"That's your job, isn't it?" she says again in that sassy way. I can't help it but she's turning me on with every puff of her cigarette.

"Regardless, you need to start telling me everything." I say, a bit upset now.

"Fine, I will have Li pick you up in a car tomorrow at 2:00. You can ask me all the questions that you need know. Right now, I just want to have some fun, if you will excuse me." She brushes by me, letting her firm, round ass brush up against my groin. I notice that she's walking towards' Yuy's table; that's another question to ask her tomorrow.

Duo breaks my concentration on Roddy as he runs up behind me with only one girl now.

"Who was that?" he asks.

"My client. I need to get home and get some sleep, I have a busy day tomorrow." I say turning to see a drunk Duo and an even drunker dame in a lip-lock. I pull Duo away from her and usher him out the door. He screams over his shoulder and mine that he'll call her. I know that he won't; his hangover tomorrow won't allow him to. Well, at least he had a good time.