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I was terribly overdressed for the place. I almost felt like covering my wristwatch, not to attract any extra attention. There were a couple of guys watching a game at the bar, and the few other people there were talking quietly, with nothing but drinks and French fries on their tables. I had to give props to Lawson, this was a convincing front.
“To the Staff entrance,” the guy called from behind me.
I walked without awaiting further instructions.
As expected, the narrow corridor used to serve as a security checkpoint, but now there was a small kitchen on one side, and a room labeled Lockers on the other. I looked past them and found myself in the center of the Chicago Buyer’s Club.
The place had seen recent renovation, and it was hard not to appreciate what Lawson had done with the place. There was a proper dance floor with a stage big enough to fit a symphony orchestra, and a bar with more variety than a liquor store. I walked past it, seeing some vaguely familiar faces in the crowd. No one paid me any attention. As these places went, people enjoyed their privacy, and granted as much to others.
The general layout of the room had remained the same, and, if I remembered correctly, I would find the private lounges to the left of the stage.
I saw a woman in a red suit standing near the entrance to the private section, and stepped up.
“Hi. I’m Owen Hayes, here to see Lawson.” I tried to sound at ease, but couldn’t help feeling apprehensive. I hoped Lawson was right about the DA showing tonight, otherwise this whole thing would have been a complete waste of time.
“Brilliant! Lawson will be with you shortly, Mr. Hayes. Please, take a seat.”
I wandered a bit more and then moved to the other wall. There were ten booths, most of them empty, and I chose the one at the far wall, where nobody would be sneaking past it. A waitress was there the moment I settled down, and I gave my order. The days of my heavy drinking and partying were long behind me, so I ordered two fingers of whiskey and something to chew on.
The DJ’s music was playing through the booth’s speakers, and it was a popular song. The club felt alive and full of energy. A good place to come to relax on a weekend…
“Owen!” Lawson stormed into the room, arms spread wide, heading towards me for a hug. “So glad you could make it! You look great!”
Lawson, on the other hand, didn’t look too well. I set my glass down and stood up to be embraced. He smelled of vodka, his smile white on his red face. He had a considerable belly, too. Time had changed him, and not for the better.
“You look alright yourself, Lawson.”
“Yeah, right! You can speak your mind, buddy. Won’t hurt me. I’m starting gym next week, anyway, so in a few months you won’t be able to recognize me!”
The bullshit the man was able to spew! One of Lawson’s many talents.
“Anyway, how do you like the place?” he continued.
I made a show of looking over the booth, nodding approvingly. “Better than ever. I like what you’ve done with the stage.”
“One of the first things they did! I suggested it. Investor’s money speaks you know.”
Lawson froze with a dumb smile on his face, and I took a sip of my drink.
“So, any sign of the District Attorney yet?”
The smile changed slightly, but didn’t go away. “Always on the lookout, aren’t you, Owen? You haven’t changed a bit!”
“Neither have you, I’m guessing.”
Lawson glanced away, then looked me in the eye. “I’m sure he will show up once the bidding starts.”
“But you think he will actually show, right?” I wouldn’t put it past Lawson to have lied to me about the District Attorney even coming to the club.
“He got the invite so he will be here.” He glanced at the crowd again.
“He just got an invite?” He didn’t respond. “So you aren’t even sure that he will be here.” I clenched my fists slightly in frustration
“I know what you need from him Owen, just do it the easy way, okay?” he asked quietly.
Shit, I thought. While Lawson was technically a friend, I didn’t really want to get him involved with my plan. His way was never easy.
All I wanted to do was to see the District Attorney here at the club, participating in the event, and then hold it over his head the next time he tried to fuck with my business. But whatever Lawson wanted from the District Attorney was probably far worse than the quick picture I intended to blackmail him with.
