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When I got there, the bouncer let me in right away, so I knew she didn't have any other appointments. I could tell she was surprised to see me without Monique from the look on her face.
“Calla, you’re early. And not in your best attire.”
I was in jeans, typical college clothes but not really an outfit suitable for the club.
“Go up to the dressing room and find an appropriate outfit. Monique should be here shortly. We’ll discuss your situation then.”
“Yes, ma'am.” I trudged up the staircase into the dressing room, and I found a red corset a
nd ruffled booties set sitting on my dressing table. I changed and threw my hair up into a messy bun. My face looked like hell, so I grabbed some makeup from another girl’s kit, and cleaned myself up. Her complexion was little bit darker than mine, so I looked like I got a nice tan, or maybe I really did have a little bit of color from France… France, where everything was simple. How I wished I could go back there and live in that carefree world. I found a set of matching red heels, and tightened them around my ankles before I walked back down the stairs. I could hear the music, and I noticed a few men smoking cigars at a table. They were the only ones in the club so far. I knew we would be busier later, but I still smiled, and gave them a flirtatious wave knowing there was a good chance I was going to have to go home with someone tonight.
This time as I saw the bouncer, he looked me over once before allowing me to go in. I didn't really look like the girl that had shown up only half an hour ago. Monique was sitting in a chair at the opposite end of the room right next to the Madame's desk. She looked worried, and I didn't like it.
“Calla, thank you for coming. We need to discuss your testimony for tomorrow.”
I sighed. “There something else that we need to discuss first.”
“What is that, dear?” The Madame asked, sitting down in an overstuffed chair next to Monique.
Even though it wasn't warm in the room, I was sweating, and I stood over them, feeling smaller than they were even though I was the only person standing in the room. “Hudson James was the one who told the detective that he thought I might've killed the judge.”
The Madame put her hand on her chest. “But, why would he do that, Calla? I mean, unless you really did kill him.” She looked at me seriously. Perhaps she had a girl who had done it before. Somehow, I wasn’t surprised.
“No! No, I had nothing to do with it. I promise. I didn't even know anything about him.”
Monique squinted her eyes. “Then why would he say that? I mean Mr. James has been coming here for years, and not only are you the first girl that he took home, but he took you halfway across the world. Why would he throw you under the bus?”
“I don't know. I thought we were having a great time. I have no idea why he did what he did except that he said that he owed the detective a favor. And I don't know what any of that means, but I think it has something to do with his business.”
The Madame looked at Monique, and gave her all-knowing eyes. Suddenly, I felt like I was the only one in the room who didn't really know what Hudson James did for a living. “I need to know what's really going on. The truth is the only thing that’s going to get me out of this mess.”
The Madame stood up and put her hands on my shoulders. “You can't tell the truth. You know the rules.”
I chewed on my lower lip. “I would never talk about this place. I know the rules.”
The Madame nodded, “Then let’s get to work.”
Monique grabbed her briefcase that was sitting on the floor next to her. “I've made some notes. Let's go over them.”
We sat there for forty-five minutes, reading over her notes, and her quizzing me on exactly what happened that night. I explained it to her just as I had the detective. My testimony was smooth. Monique didn't think that they'd have any reason to continue questioning me after the investigation was over. She still assumed that the wife had done it, and that it would come out during the trial. “Just be careful about how you word things. And don't let them fluster you. Being calm is key.”
I nodded. “Got it.”
“Well, I think it's about time you two go to work. Private parties pay well ladies.” The Madame looked pointedly at me. “Don't take any dates tonight, though. You can be one of the hostesses at the bar. You need the rest for tomorrow.”
“Yes ma'am, thank you.”
I tried to fake a smile as I stood, and then walked out. Somehow, it had seemed so quiet and private behind the curtain, but inside, the club was hopping. I went over to the bar and grabbed a tray of shots before walking around and starting to offer them to the men in business suits.
“Hey, honey. I'll have one of those over here.” A middle-aged man who was balding called over to me. He snapped his fingers, and I briskly walked over and bent slightly as I had been taught while holding the tray. There was a very bunny-esque feeling to the way that we delivered drinks.
“Here you are, Sir. Is there anything else I can get you?”
“Some peanuts at the table would be good, darlin’.”
I nodded and smiled sweetly. “I'll get right on that for you.”
I hauled ass back to the bar, but when I tried to reach behind the counter for the peanuts, someone grabbed my hand behind me. I turned around to shake them off, but I was met by the dark eyes that constantly reeled me in. Hudson had responded to my e-mail, just not online.
