Dangerous Liasions
The next two nights at the club were uneventful- Harry continued to try to gather information but Harrington remained elusive. Harry knew the cocaine deal was just a few days away. She had to find some information that led them to the culprits before millions of pounds worth of class A drugs flooded the streets of London. The thought made her feel sick.
"Hey Sal!" The DJ she had struck up conversation with earlier called over to her. "What do you reckon? Bowie or ABBA to start?"
"Bowie. Definitely David Bowie."
"Star man?"
"Good choice." Harry smiled. She couldn't help but like the younger man. He reminded her of Dave. Young, enthusiastic and a little out of his depth. It had already been decided he had no idea what was going on around him. Harry shook her head as the music blared out of the speaker. Dan had inadvertently put a Bucks Fizz song on. She didn't mind; the look on the young man's face was priceless. "My camera never lies. Well, let's hope it doesn't." She mumbled as the song went on. Picking up an empty crate she turned to see the immaculate woman she had heard so much about follow Jack out into the main bar.
"Sally?"
"Hiya." She turned. "That Dan makes me laugh. Alright?"
"Mrs Harrington this is our new barmaid; Sally Dempsey." Jack stated. The older woman looked her over with barely concealed distain. Harry narrowed her eyes. The shoulder pads, huge earrings and china doll make up made the woman look like a baddie from a rubbish American soap. Suddenly Harry wondered why she had felt so frumpy next to the woman who clearly disliked everything.
"You worked bars before? I don't think I have seen you."
"Yeah, my ex had a bar in Spain. Similar to this. Was there three years then a few gay clubs here."
"You?"
"I just serve drinks and deal with punters. Gay, straight, bi, don't matter as long as they pay for their booze and old enough to be in a pub. I don't care."
"Very open minded, our Sally." Jack laughed.
"Live and let live, I say." She watched as Harrington glanced at her arms. "I'm clean, before you say anything alright? Now I've got a bar to set up." Harry turned away, turning back a second later. "Jack, be a doll and sort the mixers out. How can I do Sex on the Beach with no sodding mixers?"
"Yes, my lady." He teased. Harry narrowed her eyes. "Joking! You wanna lighten up luv. I got something that might help you with that. Relax you a bit." He ran a stubby fat finger along her jawline.
"I'm working."
"Later." He rested his palm against her neck.
"Yeah." She agreed as he stepped away from her. The pounding in her ears almost made her forget Harrington had seen the whole exchange. As she watched the older woman leave she wished Dempsey was with her, but tonight she knew she was alone.
Xxxxx
Dempsey sat in the car outside the nightclub, his focus on the black jaguar parked a few spaces away from his own small car. He knew Harry was in the bar; that Harrington was somewhere in the building with her. Worry built in the pit of his stomach - he knew Harry would hate it. He tried to convince himself that he would be just as worried if one of the guys had been in the bar. He knew he was lying to himself- he was terrified something would go wrong. Drugs meant one thing as far as he was concerned - trouble.
Xxxxxx
Harry served another young couple with more hairspray than sense as the night got underway. Jack had done as she'd asked; getting her the tonic water and mixers she had needed. His flirting was boarding on harassment but she knew she had to use it to her advantage. She already knew cannabis was commonplace there but it was the heroin and cocaine that would lead them to the criminals they wanted to catch. She knew the class A drugs would be flooding the streets of London if they didn't stop Harrington.
Xxxx
"Sal?"
"What?" She yelled back.
The now deserted bar seemed almost eerie. She had been cleaning up for almost an hour when Jack walked towards her.
"You any happier?"
"I'm fine."
"You have connections with Spain?"
"Had." Harry lied. "Why?"
"Mrs Harrington has some connections with Spain. Import and Export. She'd like a word."
"I know nothing about business."
"Don't underestimate yourself sweetheart, office now." He physically turned her; guiding her towards the office. Harry felt sick. She knew she had to get away- none on the team would know what had happened. This time she was on her own.
Xxxx
