The Den of Iniquity
The next day, Jack had a day off and spent the day easing his stress. Though he didn't work that day, that didn't mean that he wouldn't make a stop by the station to pass the time, as well as keep fresh on some things.
Inside the police gym at the station, Jack stood in the ring with boxing gloves and a padded helmet facing Chris, who wore the same gear.
"You ready for this, Jack?" Chris said.
"Bring it on," Jack said as a smile grew on his face. The two policemen touched gloves and backed away from each other. Several other fellow policemen gathered and looked on as the two started sparring.
Chris let out a few right jabs and a left hook. Jack ducked and delivered right lower cut to Chris's stomach and an overhand left to Chris's face, only for Chris to dodge the punch.
"Come on, Jack, you're not losing your edge, are you?" Chris said.
Jack let out a right hand to the left side of Chris's torso and let out three jabs from his left hand and hard right hand to Chris's gut, followed by an uppercut to Chris's face.
Chris went back a bit and looked directly at his friend/partner. "Not bad, Jack. Keep going."
Jack and Chris continued to spar. Chris let out attacks of his own, connecting to Jack, but he won't budge. Jack repeated the same process. He dodged more attacks and threw a few more punches. Being that they were just sparring and wearing protective gear, he was not trying to hurt his friend.
"Doing pretty good, Jack," Chris said. "I was starting to worry a bit."
"Hey, I wasn't the boxing champion for nothing," Jack said. "Besides, if we were using other techniques, I would have taken you down sooner."
"Let's not get crazy here," Chris said. "After the other night, I know you would have taken that son of a bitch down if you used your other skills."
"I know I would have," Jack said and threw a few more punches. "But that guy was packing some serious heat and had all those bombs strapped to his chest."
Jack threw some more punches, delivered a combo of five punches, with his last two attacks being another body blow and finished with an uppercut, knocking Chris down. Soon after, he took off his right glove and helped Chris get up.
"You haven't lost your touch at all, Jack," Chris said. "I know exactly what you mean. I would have been in the same shit you were in if I dealt with that guy."
Jack smirked and nodded his head. The two went to go clean themselves up after that and changed their clothes. But they weren't done.
It wasn't long until they went into the shooting range. Both Jack and Chris walked in and each of them went to a lane. Jack put on a pair of glasses and earmuffs, as did Chris.
"Okay, Jack, pop quiz," Chris said as he picked up the pistol. "Airport, gunman with a hostage. He's using him or her for cover. He's almost to a plane. You're 100 feet away."
Jack picked up his gun as he already had the earmuffs and glasses on. He saw a sheet of targets come up. BANG! BANG! BANG! He fired three shots and a few more. Chris fired a few shots himself.
"To answer your question, I would do my best to fire a shot at a limb at the gunman," Jack said.
"What if the gunman brings the hostage into the plane?" Chris said and fired more shots.
"Then I would try to tranq the fucker," Jack said. "Of course that all depends on what kind of hostage we're talking about here. I would probably shoot the hostage, but if the hostage is a civilian, I would do everything I could to keep that person out of harm's way."
"Hold up," Chris said. "You mean you would shoot the hostage if the person wasn't a civilian?"
"Take that person out of the equation," Jack said. "Go for the good wound and he can't get to the plane with that hostage, clear shot."
"So what you're saying as long as the hostage isn't some innocent civilian, but if the hostage is one of the bad guys, then it would be okay?" Chris said. "In my opinion, that's still a crazy idea."
"Just saying what I would do," Jack said.
The two continued to fire shots at the targets. After a while, they were done and they left the range.
"So what else do you got going today?" Chris said. "I'm surprised you came here on your day off."
"It's just to keep fresh on my shooting and fighting," Jack said. "As for anything else, Ruby wants me to go by The Den of Iniquity to deal with a creeper of hers."
Chris sighed. "I don't know how you do it, Jack. Ruby is your CI. You busted her and then you two started dating. I don't know about you, but I am not sure if she is the one for you."
"What makes you say that?" Jack said.
"Not to generalize, but when you busted her for taking part in a robbery, I am not sure how a cop and a criminal would go together," Chris said. "I know Ruby is gorgeous, but even I am not sure if she is a keeper."
"You met Melissa when you and I went to go look at a case at the Bay Bell Hotel," Jack said.
"She was only a witness," Chris said. "Ruby, on the other hand, well, she is a thief and you busted her for it."
"She's trying to go straight," Jack said. "Besides, she's helping me with gaining info at that strip club and at that other club. She had told me that there may be a porn ring going on at one of those clubs, maybe both. Plus, she had told me that Blatz owns that place."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Jack," Chris said. "Didn't you tell me that an ex of yours is working for your dad these days?"
"I am, and yes, she is," Jack said. "But I'd rather not get into that right now."
"Okay, I get it," Chris said.
"I'll see you later," Jack said. "I got to go check on Shadow."
"Later, Jack," Chris said.
Jack took off and exited the precinct and went to his parked Malibu. He was about to go run some more errands and go back and check on his dog.
Night had fallen. It was around 8 PM. Jack sat in his apartment watching some TV. A news report on the television had more information about the averted terrorist attack from two nights before. The ringleader that was thwarted was named Felix Delgado, who was said to be of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent. He had been in police custody for his affiliations with the Scorpions and other felonies that he had been charged with.
RING! RING! RING! The phone rang, catching Jack off guard. Shadow barked. He didn't expect a call at this hour, unless it regarded something important. The number on the caller ID didn't seem familiar.
Jack picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Jack, it's Ruby."
"Oh, hey, baby, what's up?" Jack said.
"Jack, that guy is here," Ruby said.
"Wait, what?" Jack said.
"The creeper I told you about," Ruby said. "He's here and he has some friends with him."
"I'll be there in a bit," Jack said. "Stay put."
"I'll see you in a bit," Ruby said.
Jack hung up the phone and looked at Shadow. "Come on, boy. Let's go for a ride."
Suddenly, the phone rang yet again, except the number seemed more familiar this time.
"Hello?" Jack said.
"Hey, Jack."
"Hey, Dad, what's up?" Jack said.
Frank said, "Jack, I think I might need your help after all. My client wants me to look at something at the subway that's under construction. You know where that is, right?"
"Yes, I do," Jack said. "When do you want me to meet you? I'm kind of busy right now."
"Come by at around 10," Frank said.
"Okay, I'll meet you there," Jack said. "Call me on my cellphone if you need to reach me. I have something to do right now."
"Okay, I'll see you then," Frank said.
The call had ended. Jack had two things going on tonight. One was to go help out his girlfriend. The other was to help out his father. Even though time hadn't slowed down his old man, if Frank asked Jack for his help on this, then this must have been something big.
Jack put on a beige and red jacket with a sergeant symbol on the left shoulder over a plain T-shirt. He also took his badge with him. Even though he was off duty, holding that symbolized his standing with the law. He even took a pistol with him in case he needed it when he will go help out his father.
"Come on, Shadow," Jack said as Shadow jumped off the couch and followed him. Jack and Shadow were ready to go handle some matters.
Jack took a ride to Downtown Grant City. The nightlife was popping that night. He passed by the Blue Fly Club, which also had a pink neon light sign for the Chaud Lapin Club. That place was only a few blocks away from his destination. It wasn't long until he found a sign for the nearby dance club called the Flaming Mamba Lounge, which meant he was right where he was headed: The Den of Iniquity. In fact, the places were connected for some odd reason.
Many people stood in line for the Flaming Mamba Lounge, which was a dance club, while the Den of Iniquity didn't have much of a line as it was just a gentlemen's club. He got out of his car and left Shadow there, as it was likely that dogs weren't allowed inside. He walked in and paid the fare to get in. Though he could have flashed his shield, he wanted to blend in somehow, ergo why he wore one of his casual jackets.
He walked around while "Who Are You Lovin'?" from Ice Cube and Mr. Short Khop played through the speakers and some scantily-clad women danced on the stage.
Jack looked around and until he heard a woman say, "Hey, handsome, want a lap dance?" He looked over and saw Ruby standing there in a rather skimpy pink bikini with pink boots and pink nylons.
"Sure, I would like one," Jack said and leaned in to her right ear. "Where's your creeper?"
"Just follow me," Ruby whispered into Jack's ear.
Ruby led the way for Jack to follow her. Some suspicious-looking men were seen sitting at a table. They looked like they were criminals. Jack's attention shifted in various areas but did not want to get compromised. Through his peripherals, he noticed this group of men. Two men stood out. They looked Eastern European and had a poor fashion sense. One had his hear slicked back and wore some shades and had a soul patch, and wore a baby pink long-sleeved button-down with red snake-skin pants. The other had a shaved head, a beard, a white long-sleeved button-down with red slacks. These two men had a rather familiar look to Jack but he didn't want to draw attention, although he may have already done that.
Ruby led Jack over to the VIP room. Jack already paid upfront. He came prepared to try to blend in. At that point, "Lapdance" from N.E.R.D. started playing. Jack sat in the seat as Ruby started to dance and take off her top in the process.
"So tell me, who is your creeper?" Jack said.
Ruby bent over and got back up with her back facing Jack. She turned around and straddled Jack and faced him.
"Those guys sitting at that table, you saw them, right?" Ruby said.
"Which ones?" Jack said.
"They're Russian," Ruby said. "They have on these expensive ugly clothes."
"Oh, them, yeah, I saw them," Jack said. "What about them?"
"One of the guys is my creeper," Ruby said. "He is the one with the glasses. He gets all touchy with me. I tried to tell the bouncers something, but it seems like they know those guys and they paid them off or something."
Ruby continued to straddle Jack and gyrated over him.
"Oh, you mean Boris Volkoff," Jack said.
Just then, Ruby went to a full stop and looked Jack dead in the eye.
"Wait, you know him?" Ruby said.
"My father and I have dealt with him and his brother Dimitri before," Jack said. "The guy with the shaved head was Dimitri. So who has been creeping on you?"
"It's definitely Boris," Ruby said. "There are days when he comes alone and like I also told you, he even comes by the Blue Fly sometimes."
"Okay, I hear you," Jack said.
Ruby stood before and looked him directly in the eye again. "Jack, wait, you're not going to walk up to him and start some shit, are you? You do know that this place is run by some mobsters, don't you?"
"I know that, I'm not stupid," Jack said. "But I will tell you that they want to start shit with me very soon. I even saw them mean-mugging me when you walked me back here."
"Okay, but when you go back out there, just get out of here," Ruby said. "I will meet you at your place after I'm done."
"Don't worry about it," Jack said.
Just then, the lap-dance had ended. Ruby had to act like a professional and offer to give him another dance. Jack played along and declined. Ruby put her top back on and then they walked out of the room. From a distance, a familiar woman walked in a hallway, in a similarly-colored bikini. She saw Jack and Ruby and watched as they walked off with a look of suspicion on her face.
Ruby led the way back into the main club with Jack following her as "Girls, Girls, Girls" from Motley Crue played on the speakers. From that same area, Boris looked at Jack and was ready to get up from his seat. He felt a hand touch his shoulder and he turned around and saw that it was his brother Dimitri, who shook his head.
["That pig's with my woman,"] Boris said in Russian.
["She's just doing her job and this is not the time to get into this,"] Dimitri said in response.
["That guy is that fucking cop who arrested you, did you forget about that?"] Boris said.
["No, but this is not the time or place, Boris!"] Dimitri said. ["Sit down!"]
Jack leaned in towards Ruby's ear. "Listen, I will figure out what I will do about Boris soon. Don't worry."
Ruby leaned in towards Jack's ear. "Thanks, Jack."
Suddenly, the music stopped. The announcer started speaking on the microphone.
"Okay, everyone, I want you to put your hands together for the lovely Faith!"
The speakers started blaring "After Dark" from Tito &Tarantula as Jack started to walk off and Ruby went to go do her own thing. The latest dancer came out dressed in a dress jacket, a fedora, and a skirt. The girl started dancing sexily and grabbed onto the pole. The girl grabbed her hat and threw it towards the audience. Jack looked up and did a double take on the woman on stage. Right when she opened her jacket in a flashing fashion, revealing her top and also her skirt, revealing her thong right after that, with a butterfly tramp stamp right above the waistband on her lower back.
Hildy? Jack thought. The woman on stage looked over and made eye contact with him. He knew he shouldn't judge and just went on his way out. But unbeknownst to him, he was being followed.
As soon as he left the establishment, a Russian-accented voice said, "Slate, I never thought that I would find you at a place like this."
Jack froze, a glare grew on his face, and slowly turned around. "Boris Volkoff, what an amazing surprise to see you. I see that your brother Dimitri got released."
"Yeah, because you arrested him and now you are after my girl!" Boris said.
Much to Jack's surprise, Boris was outside alone. Though he saw Dimitri, as well as a couple of other guys with them, he figured that Boris just wanted to beat him up. He even took off his glasses and rings on his fingers, as well as took off his wristwatch.
"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, Ruby's your woman?" Jack said with a touch of sarcasm. "I'm sorry, I thought she was just doing her job. Oh, and she tells me that you've been following her home and to other places."
"Whatever, you stay away from her!" Boris said.
"Really, I was just going to tell you the same thing," Jack said. "You need to leave her alone. She's my woman, and keep this in mind that I beat your brother's ass and sent him up the river."
Much to Jack's confusion, it was amazing to him that Boris wanted to avenge Dimitri's arrest, especially with Dimitri being around and would want to get back at him for it. In spite of it, Boris yelled and swung a right hand towards Jack, who quickly dodged the attack. That didn't stop Boris from swinging his left hand and got Jack on his left cheek.
Boris quickly grabbed Jack and pushed him against a wall. Boris was ready to lay an overhand right to his face, but Jack kneed him in the groin and delivered a hard right elbow to Boris's face. Jack grabbed Boris by the back of his head and drove him face first towards the wall and held him by his left hand.
"You must remember that I am an officer of the law," Jack said. "I could arrest you for assaulting a cop. I could let this slide if, and only if you leave Ruby alone. Do I make myself clear?"
"Okay, I will leave her alone," Boris said with a said with a stern tone. "Now let me go!"
Jack immediately released him. Boris turned around and looked at him. He had a look on his face that said, "This isn't over, cop!" He didn't actually say it, but Jack knew that was what he felt.
Jack entered the club once again and walked and quickly saw Ruby walking around a hallway.
"Hey, Ruby," Jack said. "I took care of the problem. Boris is not going to bother you anymore."
"Oh, thank you!" Ruby said in a quiet tone. She looked like she wanted to hug him, but she didn't want to cause any suspicion to any staff.
"Jack?" a female voice said. Jack looked up. Ruby turned her head to look behind her. It was Hildy.
"Jack, is that you?" Hildy said.
"Hildy, didn't expect to see you working here," Jack said. "Or should I call you 'Faith'?"
"Hey, working for your dad is fine and all, but he hasn't been able to cover payroll lately," Hildy said. "So, I had to pick up a little scratch on the side. You won't tell him, will you? It'll probably kill him."
Ruby backed up with a look of confusion on her face as she looked at both people.
"You two know each other?" Ruby said.
"We're old friends," Jack said, as Hildy squinted her eyes at him.
"Yeah, we're old friends from our school days," Hildy said, though she knew what their relationship was from before.
"Hey, I won't say shit to my dad, okay?" Jack said. "I just didn't expect to find you here."
Jack looked at his watch. It had about an hour since he had gotten there. "Speaking of which, I got to meet with him in a bit." Jack turned towards Ruby. "Ruby, I'll call you later."
"Okay, later, baby," Ruby said, while Hildy looked on.
"See you later, Hildy," Jack said.
Hildy scoffed. "Later, Jack."
Jack exited the club and walked towards his Chevrolet Malibu. Shadow was still in the backseat. He barked and put his paws against the window. Jack clicked the button on his keys and went to the driver's seat.
"Hope I didn't take too long, boy," Jack said. "Let's go meet with Dad."
The key turned in the ignition. The car started up. It was time to go to the straight to the source.
Author's note: That's it for this one. Okay, I'm going to clarify some stuff. One, Hildy's stage name being Faith is both a reference to the 1996 film, Fled, and also a reference to Dead to Rights: Retribution as the major female character in that one was named Faith. Also, the "shoot the hostage" discussion was a reference to Speed (1994). Man, I feel like watching it. It's been so long since I last watched that movie.
Also, with this being an alternate continuity, I have stated before that I am combining elements from the original game and Dead to Rights II, as well as some from Retribution (to a point, anyway). For example, Ruby was a character from Dead to Rights II.
I will get to the next one soon. Stay tuned.