Chapter 4: Knowing Jordan's Tricks

Dazed, Woody stumbled out of the club a few seconds after Jordan turned her back and walked off the stage. He hoped the fresh air would help him process what he had just witnessed.

The professional side of him could almost understand why she was there. How many times had he been part of a case where undercover officers worked the various clubs and stages around the city of Boston?

That kind of atmosphere attracted all kinds. A one-stop shop-of-vice if it where. How could this be any different? He didn't know much about Washington DC, but he could only assume that The Chambers location made it a favorite of the judicial district. That was why she was there. She was using the clientele to find out more about this Clarence Gordon...and from the sounds of Jordan's comments, Pollack spent some time there too.

On the other hand...

Woody scrubbed his hand down his face in effort to not punch it into the wall he was leaning against. He may not be the most strip club savvy man on the planet, but he had been to his fair share. She worked that room...and that stage...like a seasoned pro. The woman he thought he really knew was proving to more of a stranger than ever.

As much as he hated to admit it, Jordan was a safe as she could get inside those walls. He waited in his car for her to leave.

He knew her tricks. Following her was easy. But not too easy. He smiled at her cleverness and knew he had to grab her quick. If she slipped out of his sight now, she might not make it so easy for him to find her again.

His was leaning against the door of his rental when she opened the door of her motel room. He gave her a two fingered wave and a grin. Jordan wasn't surprised. It was Woody. He wasn't about to leave her alone.

"Get in," he said like he was picking her up for a quick lunch on a busy workday afternoon.

Jordan gave her a look the comment deserved. "Why are you doing this?"

"You were the one who called me Jordan." he said opening the passenger-side door.

"Don't remind me."

Jordan didn't see much of a choice she climbed in and let him shut the door behind her. Woody didn't trust her easy compliance and put the car in drive before she could change her mind.

"Turn left at the light..." Jordan said matter-of-factly.

"Where are we going?" he asked making the turn.

"I heard there's a place by the bus station. You can drop me off on your way to the Beltway..."

"It sounds charming."

"They take cash, not names," she said sarcastically, patting her hand bag.

He knew she had a roll of bills in there. If he closed his eyes he could see most of them hanging off her hips. He made a U-turn.

"I don't think so." His tone was far from warm and accommodating.

"Then drop me off right here. I'll take the bus."

He was quiet for a beat. "I don't think so," he repeated.

Jordan noticed he was careful to follow the traffic laws even though at that hour of the morning they basically had the streets to themselves. He followed the signs to 95 and the rows of accommodations that catered to the millions of tourists that came to the city each and every year.

Silently, Woody watched hotel after hotel fly by. Each one dismissed for one reason or another. He may not be as practiced at being at hiding in plain sight as Jordan...but he had chased enough people who had.

He was aware of the white-knuckled grip she had on the door handle. He knew it had nothing to do with his driving. Even though he assured her he wouldn't, Jordan was waiting for him to turn her in. He pulled into the parking lot of a quiet hotel. Five stories facing a tree line...Just what he was looking for. He didn't stop the engine until he saw for himself that they were alone in the deserted lot.

"I don't want to fight with you Jordan," he said parking in a spot just passed the hotel's portico. "You just need to trust me."

For a full minute they stared at each other. Woody was ready for her to open the door and take off into the night while Jordan waited for Lu and her posse to knock on the window. Woody was the first to blink.

"I'll check in and find a side door..."

Jordan's smile was a combination of relief and amusement. She let go of the door handle. "You sound like you've snuck a few extra people into hotel rooms before."

His smile was tired, but genuine. "Maybe."

Jordan watched him walk into the lobby and scanned the parking lot for unmarked cars and loiterers. Nothing. She tried hard not to let her guard down. It would be so easy.

Out of habit, she slunk down in the seat of the car and took a few moments to count her nightly earnings. Five hundred. Not bad, but not good. If she hadn't had been so distracted it would have been better. She did hear that Judge Gordon had reserved his favorite table for the next night. He always brought his own security. That meant he would be there. One more chance. Maybe it would be all she needed.

Woody registered and waited at the side door for Jordan. Her wig glowed blue in the street lights. Without the layers of makeup and tight clothes she looked more like Jordan. His Jordan. But still...

"Hey," he said as she slipped in the door. "Room 507," he added, handing her the key. "I'm sorry, it's a single."

Jordan nodded and palmed the key. It had been so longer since she had been in a place that her shoes didn't stick to the grime on the carpet that it didn't matter if she had to sleep on the floor.

Tired as she was, she didn't care. Four solid walls and a few moments of peace. Too bad she'd be long gone before she could enjoy it.