Disclaimer I only wish I owned Hustle. Sadly I don't.
Finders Keepers?
Carole stared around the nightclub as the music assaulted her ears. She had no idea where the younger woman had gone. It had happened so quickly that she was unable to see how it had happened. Closing her eyes she tried to think before pushing her way through the crowd to the bar.
"Excuse me luv." She tried her best charm smile as a young man smiled at her.
"Yeah?"
"I'm looking for me mate. Seem to have got seperated from her."
"Oh yeah?" He smiled. "What does she look like?"
"Thin, blonde, royal blue shoes and dress. You know the type, could be a model." Carole sighed. "Called Charlotte."
"Nah sorry."
"Ok, if you see her tell her Caz is looking for her."
"Will do. " The barman sighed as Carole watched a door slam in the distance.
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Mickey felt sick as Albert's words sunk in. Ash stared at him for a moment as Mickey sat down heavily on the sofa. It was as if he literally had the stuffing knocked out of him.
"Mick?"
"How?"
"Dunno." Ash sighed. "We had that place covered. But then I've said that before." He snatched his mobile up from the coffee table as Albert ran the cctv footage Ash had hacked one more time.
"I just don't see how she has left the nightclub." The elderly American tapped his lip as he spoke. "I just don't see how."
"It's too dangerous to send Stacie and Danny in to look for her. Does Sean know?" Ash grabbed his car keys as he asked. One eye still on Mickey who was quieter than he had ever seen him.
"Yes. Eddie has told him. He's convinced she is in trouble."
"He knows his sister." Mickey snapped before storming out of the apartment as Albert shook his head.
"Ash?"
"Yeah." Ash turned to face him.
"I'll deal with the others and Sean. You look after him. You know as well as I do if something has happened to Emma it will kill him."
Ash nodded before following his friend out into the night.
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Emma closed her eyes and rested her head back against the wall as she stared at the older woman. Half of her wanted to cry but the other half wanted to strangle the brunette in front of her.
"Emma Kennedy."
"Rachel Morgan." Emma narrowed her eyes.
"So, introductions over with." Dean laughed as Emma's eyes remained fixed on the older woman. "I see you both know each other. Emma, I do not take kindly to grifters on my patch. I thought Ms Monroe would have told you that."
"It isn't your patch." Emma was too annoyed to be scared. She just prayed Carole was ok. The woman was the love of Eddie's life and just out of hospital. It seemed things were finally looking up for the hapless barman.
"Any patch I am on, is my patch." He stepped closer to her as she fought the urge to be sick. Memories of the now infamous con that went wrong sprang to the forefront of her mind. It was all she could do to stop herself shaking.
"Seems my Rachel noticed you and your friend in the club and recognised her ex husband watching us a few nights ago. I don't like being stalked."
"Stalked is such a nasty word." Emma closed her eyes as he ran a finger down her face.
"Such a pretty girl."
Emma remained silent as his fingers traced the outline of her dress. The urge to be sick grew stronger by the second. The only man she had wanted to touch her had reverted to treating her as if she was glass, about to break at any moment.
"Never mind. I have hurt pretty girls before now. Isn't that right? Rachel."
"Oh yes."
"Do you think it would send the right message out to your ex husband if I sent this pretty little girl back to him not looking so pretty?"
"I'm not scared of you. You disgust me." Emma snapped as he pulled her hair back and kissed her neck. Rachel laughed.
"Maybe not to Ashley but I think Michael would get the message. Loud and clear." Rachel rested her hands on her hips as she spoke. Emma glared at her as Dean stepped away. It was then she saw the knife in his hand.
"Maybe." Emma agreed. "But the thing is, I don't intend on being the messenger."