They had taken he elevator to the basement level. They walked through an area marked mechanical room. She said nothing as he guided her. They finally came to an inconspicuous door that led into some type of club or ballroom. It seemed like a scene out of another era. A classically dressed woman sang soft jazz tunes from the stage as a band played behind her. Evie held tight to John's arm as they made their way to a table in the corner. She tried not to look at everything and everyone but she was fascinated. The room was elegant. Suddenly she realized they stopped walking.
"Good evening Jonathan." Said the lone man at the table. He looked at Evie. "I did not realize you had company. I regret to inform you but regarding this matter, I need to speak with you alone." said a man. John nodded and walked Evie to the bar.
"Hey, Addy." he said to a woman behind the bar. "keep watch on my friend here, Evie."
She nodded.
"I'll be right back." he said seeing the hesitancy in Evie's eyes. He squeezed her hand, "I won't be long." he said turning to walk back to the man.
"What ya drinking?" asked Addy. She was a beautiful young lady with long dark hair. Evie felt an instant comfort with her.
"Stout beer?" she said.
Addy smiled. "Glass or bottle?"
"I want to say bottle but this place looks like I should say glass." said Evie.
Addy chuckled and poured her a glass.
"I like the way you think." she said. "How do you know Jonathan?"
"Jonathan, oh, John. Sorry, he helped me with a situation." she said not knowing of any other way to phrase it.
Addy looked at her and smiled. "He's a good guy."
"Yeah, he is." she said looking over at John. John looked back at her. She felt as though he was keeping an eye on her as he spoke to the gentleman.
"How long have you known each other?" asked Addy.
Evie felt nervous answering, "Oh, well, we uhm,"
A whistling man at the end of the bar interrupted them. "Sorry, excuse me." she said walking to the man.
Evie sighed relief as she glanced over her shoulder to see John still looking towards her. She smiled at him.
"Sorry, you were going to tell me how long have you known him?" she asked taking a glass and pouring a drink.
"For awhile now." she said hoping her nondescript answer would suffice.
"How long will you be staying at the Continental?" asked Addy.
She looked at Addy puzzled. "The Continental?"
She smiled, "Yeah. How long are you here for?"
Evie caught on that she was talking about the hotel.
"I'm not sure, really, a few days." she said.
"It's good to see him out." She said.
"Out?" she asked.
"Well, I mean after he retired and married I figured we'd never see him again. But a few days after hearing his wife died he was back." She said. "I had no idea she was ill, did you?"
Evie looked at Addy and just shook her head. Addy took note of another man waving at the other end of the bar.
"Excuse me." said Addy as she went down to take care of some drinks.
Evie looked towards John. She felt as if the breath was knocked out of her as she looked at him. "Pain caused by others is not of our choice. Life takes things from us." his words echoed in her head.
"You're new." said a blonde man taking a seat next to her. He had a thick Irish accent. "You alone?"
"No. Just waiting on my friend." she said oblivious to the man's flirting as she tried to process this new information.
"Who's your friend?" he asked. "I mean what kind of man leaves a beautiful woman like you alone?"
She turned to look at the man. "Mr. Wick." she said nodding her head towards the corner table where he sat.
The man's demeanor changed as he looked towards the corner.
"Ah, well, evening then." he said as he hurried off. Evie watched him then looked to John who still kept an eye on her as he conversed with the man next to him. She sat wondering what had just happened. She sipped her drink as the woman on stage sang a soft sweet tune. She scanned the room as she saw Addy pouring drinks. Her thoughts returned to Addy's words. This man's wife is gone. She wondered how long she had been gone. He still wore his wedding ring. Life had taken from him. His words to her earlier had come from experience.
"I see you have a guest." Said Winston.
"Yes." John said looking towards Evie as he saw her talk with Addy. "I need to see that she is safe."
"Jonathan, you know the rules. There are certain requirements for membership. She cannot stay here and be privy to the perks without membership. I am sorry." He said.
"I realize that." He said.
"Then you know I cannot make exception." He said.
"Of course." He said. "However, she is my guest."
"And how did you meet?" he asked.
"Valeto." Said John.
"And how does that involve your services, did she hire you?" he asked.
"No." he said."She was held by them to bargain."
"And?"
"I don't bargain." he said.
"So you saved her. Then why not just take her home." said Winston.
"I tried." he said. "It seems her father owes a debt that the are trying to collect from her."
"Then Jonathan, you realize you have no stake in this matter." He said.
"I want to clear the debt." He said.
"It's not yours to clear." He said. "May I inquire as to your guests name?" he asked.
"Taylor. Evie Taylor." He said.
Winston's face went slack. "Would her mother's name be Judith Taylor?"
John looked at him, "Yes."
"Jonathan, I would advise you steer clear of this if you are intending to resume your retirement at any point." He said.
"You know her mother." He asked. "Then you know her father."
"I know the debt will not be settled until her life is turned over to the rightful owner. I'm sorry, Jonathan." He said. "There is no other way."
John looked over to the bar where Evie sat.
"I can't accept that ." he said turning back to Winston.
Winston looked at him and sighed, "You know what this world offers and you know what you have to be to survive. Let her go and get on with your retirement."
"I need to know who her father is." He said.
"It's not that simple." He said.
"Let me decide." He said.
"Anton Nikolay Tumanova also known as Anthony Taylor." He said. "You've heard of him, I presume."
"Yes." Said John.
"And you still think you can clear this debt?" asked Winston.
"It shouldn't be a problem." He said getting up.
"If you insist on this path, which I advise heavily against, then I'd like to meet with you and Ms. Taylor. Give me a moment." He said.
John nodded and walked to Evie.