Thread: Monster [ Burke x Arianna  ]

The child is missing. Det. Groots cryptic words and meaningful glance led her to that conclusion, and though she was tempted to ask more, it was the way he said exotic pets that triggered a memory, and she was impatient now to get back to her apartment where Margarets files beckoned like an urgent whisper. Meeting his gaze, she inclined her head. Of course detective and I would ask that in turn, you keep me informed of any new developments, she said seriously, shifting her eyes to the partially buried toys in the sandbox below. Shaking his hand and thanking him for showing her around the crime scene, she walked silently along the now worn path beside the hedgerow back to her BMW. With one last look at the deceptively normal suburban home, she started the car and sped off towards the highway. Along the way, she mentally re-examined every piece of evidence Groot showed her, classifying it and filing it away until she had time to jot it all down in her journal. It took less than fifteen minutes to make it home, and she absently picked up her mail, tossing it with her keys on the small mahogany table by the front door. Shrugging out of the uncomfortably hot leather jacket while gingerly pulling the cigarette butt from her pocket, she held it up to get a better look. There was just enough white cigarette paper left beneath the stained orange filter to reveal a brand name stamped in faded inkGauloises. InterestingFrench cigarettes and rare imported ones at that. Well it shouldnt be too hard to track down the local dealers. Now, where did I put that box with Margarets journals? Oh yes, the office closet. Once in the office with the box pulled down from the shelf, she opened it and began digging until she found the black spiral bound notebook with torn edges. Moving backwards towards the thick brown leather couch, she curled up with the book in hand, and began flipping the pages that had turned slightly yellow with age, looking for an entry that contained the words exotic pets. Ah hah! Here it is! Then Lexi frowned. What the hell? This is gibberish! Think Lexi, think! Margaret must have written it this way for a reason. Going back over the cryptic text, weighing each word for value, she finally saw something, enough to give her an adrenaline rush. Gauloises! The Arnaud Mansle murder! Arnaud had been one of the citys foremost thugs, one whose foul stench permeated the deepest corners of Bay Citys seedy underworld. His death sent shockwaves rippling through every law enforcement agency right up to the Governors office, and Margaret had made it her pet project to figure out who killed him. Shed had her theories, but still didnt trust Lexi enough to share them, and though Lexi knew the shrewd reporter had been sniffing around the local gangs to find out if there was a link, she didnt know why. However, now seeing the name Kaiser Sosey amidst the mostly incoherent ramblings, all the little pieces of a puzzle she never imagined, began falling into place. Lexi also knew without a doubt which club Margaret was referring to, one of the most notorious and dangerous the city had ever seen. The ambitious Kaiser Sosey had a lust for power and a desire for fame, so he created a popular hot spot called the Kaiser Club. Not too subtle, but it was the easiest way to create his own little fiefdom, a place where he could play God and be fawned over by admiring fans and underlings, while basking in the glory and adoration. Of course, like everything else involving men like Sosey, what you saw on the outside didnt begin to scratch the surface of what really went on inside and Lexi now wondered why a man like Kaiser would be involved in a gruesome suburban murder. Well, thats what she needed to find out. Reading over each word repeatedly until she felt confident she had extracted every clue left by her old mentor, she finally smiled, running her hand affectionately over the worn pages. Thanks Margaret old friend. I owe you one. She whispered. The only clue that didnt make sense to Lexi was the reference to an ex-boyfriend, since as far as she knew Margaret didnt have any friends let alone lovers. However, it was something she definitely wanted to check into later, and she went back to the box, taking Margarets small red phone book out before putting the box of treasures back safely on the shelf. It was now almost seven p.m., and anxious to get going, Lexi decided there was no point changing clothes before hitting the Kaiser Club, since she wouldnt be going in via the front door. There was no point, she hadnt had time to build a reasonable alias, and Soseys goons were some of the best. No, a shoddy ID hashed together at the last minute wouldnt fool anyone, and besides, she was pretty certain it would be impossible to get where she needed to go under the watchful gaze of the various henchmen that were certain to be sprinkled around every square foot of the club. Instead, she grabbed her lock pick set, a handy little gift from an old time Magician named Kendar whom she helped once, when he was accused of masterminding a jewellery store robbery. He was so grateful to Lexi that he broke one of the tenets of Magic, never give up a trade secret, and after a few lessons, she could pick any lock like a pro. She then put her camera, recording device, Margarets phonebook and cellphone into her purse, put on her jacket and called a taxi. The cab picked her up outside of her apartment complex less than ten minutes later, and as they drove through the downtown core, people were everywhere. Some milling about in front of coffee shops with cigarettes dangling out of the mouths, others in a hurry to cross the street and make it to their next destination, and a few more simply faded into the shadows, the lonely, desperate and unwanted. When they finally drove past the club, it was impossible to miss the bright red awning and black flowing script spelling out 'KAISER CLUB', but it was the bar next-door that next caught her attention, a country western themed pub that had a dozen or so patrons sporting large cowboy hats standing outside. Lexi smiled, well Margaret sure had an eye for detail she had to give the woman that. A line of Kaiser Club hopefuls extended around the block, young girls dressed either like hookers or movie stars, and men trying to look like the latest Hollywood hero, the only thing standing between them and the hottest VIP ticket in town were two giant bouncers, arms crossed and staring out at the crowd with bored expressions. Lexi shook her head, stupid kids. If they had any idea what actually went on in these supposed VIP rooms, theyd run back home to mommy and daddy and never look back. Leaning forward, she tapped the plexi-glass divider separating her from the driver and told him to drop her off in the alleyway behind. Shrugging, he turned the corner and pulled to the curb. Lexi paid him, and stepped out of the cab, glancing around and pleased to see there was nobody in the alley. The only sound was the pounding beat of dance music echoing through it, and she quickly raced towards the Kaiser Club back door pulling out her lock picks on the way. Once at the black steel door, she set to work on the lock, carefully poking and prodding with the tools, until she heard the audible click. Smiling, she stood back and opened the door, stuffing her tools back into her purse before stepping inside. Once inside, she walked confidently towards the bar, navigating a sea of sweaty scantily clad youths, dancing maniacally to a pounding, undulating disco beat. She finally made it to the bar after almost being knocked over by a waitress dressed in a white silk blouse and miniskirt carrying a tray of exotic beverages, and waited for the bartender. The good looking man who leaned towards her, smiled and asked what she wanted, and Lexi shouted, Single malt, preferably Balvenie, straight up with a shot of water. He looked at her quizzically, and then turned around to get her drink. When he slid the glass of amber liquid towards her, she dropped two fifty dollar bills and held his gaze meaningfully. He inhaled sharply, but nodded, and turned to whisper into the other bartenders ear, before coming around to grab her arm and lead her towards a staircase, blocked by an excessively large brute with a bald head and bulging muscles, straining against the ridiculous tuxedo hed been forced to wear. I guess when the say VIP, they mean VIP. She almost laughed. No words were spoken, just a silent exchange between the bartender and bouncer, who nodded and stepped aside so Lexi could access the stairs. Well that was easy, now, lets see what so special about this Kaiser VIP room.