Until she got offered a lot of money to screw one of the patrons.
That’s when she hit rock bottom.
“Here comes the GM.” The bartender’s words crashed into Slash’s ears.
Slash followed his gaze as Karen Woodside zoomed into focus.
“What the hell do you want?” Karen asked.
“Ah, fuck me,” Slash bit out. “I came here for a job, but that’s not gonna happen.” Hoping Karen would take the bait, Slash pushed off the stool and took a step into the crowd.
“Whoa, whoa, wait a sec,” Karen said. “You need a job?”
Slash turned. “At least your ears still work.”
Karen’s lips twitched.
C’mon, bitch, ask me why I need a job.
“Is this a joke?” Karen asked.
Slash got up in Karen’s face. “I’m here. I need a job. Either you give me five fucking minutes of your time, or I’m out.” With a hand on her hip, she glared at Karen.
“You want to dance?”
“I’ve danced. I’ve also served booze. I can do either. You hiring or not?”
“Sure, what the hell. Come on back,” Karen said. “This, I gotta hear. You packin’ heat?”
“No,” Slash replied.
But she did have her switchblade. One flick of her wrist and the blade expanded to a seven-inch knife. She’d had it for so long, it was an extension of herself. Normally tucked in a sheath around her ankle, she’d stashed it in her hobo bag.
She tossed the bartender a nod before following Karen, her reddish-blonde bob swinging back and forth. The clubbers were seated at round tables, their attention locked on the mostly nude dancers on stage while several others gyrated on laps, hoping for big tips. Servers whizzed by delivering food and drinks. The place was humming with energy, while lust hung heavy in the air.
Down the hall Karen trudged. She stopped at the door marked GM, swiped her keycard. The light flashed green and they entered the office. Once inside, Karen sat behind her desk, crossed her arms, and said nothing.
Rather than sit, Slash placed her hands on the back of the guest chair. The barebones office was in stark contrast to the upscale club. Facing into the room sat a black desk with a computer and a swivel chair, two guest chairs, that looked old as fuck, and a gray sofa with stains on one of the cushions.
“I got fired from ALPHA,” Slash said.
Karen’s shrill laugh made her skin crawl. “Spill it.”
“Cooper accused me of taking too long to solve cases, told me I was hard on witnesses. He yanked cases. I cussed him out. We got into a screaming match and I’m fired for insubordination.”
More chuckling from Karen. “At least you weren’t arrested.”
“Yet,” Slash said. “Guy’s a total tool.”
“I hate ALPHA,” Karen said.
“We finally agree on something. I hate ALPHA too.”
“Why are you here? There are strip clubs all over the DMV.”
“Blue Suit is a cut above. I need to make decent money, and I’m ready to cut loose.”
“Hmm, well, I gotta say, your hair looks a lot better.”
