A/N Hello you lovely lot. I'm so sorry these chapters are short and they probably feel like I'm taking forever to write them too (especially as so many of you have kindly followed and some even left reviews).
That said... in my quieter moments I've been tackling the last scenes... ya know, the big ones? The ones so many of us are here for. So when the storyline is edging towards that, the time between chapters should diminish. Sorry again x
Chapter 5.
Jane's conversation with Barron had been relatively short, succinct and fell short of her grabbing him by the testicles and shoving money in his face. She assured him that as her (unsolicited) background check had no doubt shown, she was very, very wealthy and would be spending some of the foreseeable future in Boston. As such she would like a place to spend said money and utilise the facilities to relieve some of the tension owning a very large and profitable company brings with it. Add in to that the fact that Major Crimes had sequestered a figure from a similar establishment based in Chicago who would vouch for her gambling problem, she was in.
"We haven't had a need for male floor staff before, Miss Masiello however this can be arranged if required?" Barron explained as Jane signed some membership paperwork obligating members discretion, detailing extortionate membership fees etc., his obvious discomfort with the idea evident in both his lack of eye contact and general tone.
"Not an issue Mr Barron, my tastes run towards the feminine side of the tracks.. if you get my drift." Jane threw her hair back with a free hand to emphasise the point. She smiled with no emotion as he finally looked up, the papers he shuffled aimlessly on his desk no longer of interest. She wanted to get this case sorted, and waiting on something as trivial as a male companion would lengthen the process unnecessarily.
"Great, well as you probably understand we have some ground rules. I can explain them here or better yet..." he paused before reaching for the cordless phone on his desk. "Yvette, my office please." Barron sat back in his chair, his fingers tented.
Yvette, the busty young lady who had ushered Jane around previously entered and was promptly told to give Jane the tour and explain the house rules. "You'll forgive me Miss Masiello, I'm sure you of all people will understand that a business will not run itself. Enjoy yourself." He claimed as he shepherded them out of his office and rather unceremoniously into the club main.
Jane quickly scanned the club, a typical cop trait. In seconds she had a vague idea of how many people were in the room, lines of sight and exits. She knew Maura was likely to be towards the bar but for the moment she needed to play this cool. "Look... Yvette, is it?" She raised a hand to stop the young woman frogmarching off with the intention of giving her 'the tour'. "Don't take this the wrong way but, this is not my first rodeo. I'm perfectly capable of finding my way to the caps table," Jane threw a hand in the rough direction of the gambling tables to prove her point. "And I'm sure one of your lovely hostesses can do me the honour of getting me a drink. You look like you could be doing a million better things than chaperoning me around. Ok?" Jane made sure to tone it just right that it could not be mistake for a suggestion. The young woman at least had the decency to feign surprise, but then gave a half smile. "Sounds good to me." She visibly relaxed. "Listen, if you make your way to the bar or lounge I can organise someone to bring your chips to you. We usually start with 15k and then you can add any more to your tab which we settle monthly. If you find you'd like some peace and quiet, we have private rooms which can accommodate... almost anything." She gave a sly smile at that. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable and I'll have someone with you right away." She gave a coquettish smile before turning and disappearing through yet another door.
Jane took a moment, straightening herself up, she reminded herself to attempt to exude the kind of confidence that came with not only position but also money. Maura was not a good example in this area, money for her did not provide any air of arrogance or entitlement. So Jane found herself emulating all the jackals and vultures she'd spent time with in interrogation, perfectly preened, completely self righteous and with a sneer that comes from being able to wipe the muck off your Prada boots with $50 bills.
That last thought brought her mind back to Maura, rare that it was to stray too far from her. She pretended to scan more slowly for the bar, in reality she was checking for her best friend. It took less than moments, she always stood out. She was, as expected behind the bar, closely positioned to an attractive and immaculately dressed redhead, who by the look on her face was ready to eat Jane alive.
Best she decided, to take herself over to one of the many semi circular, leather booths and wait to see who would come to take her drinks order.