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Vickie took it waiting to hear a lecture or dressing down that it was her husband who was meant to be here, they would never get another invitation again, and to please kindly leave, or perhaps something ruder.
“Welcome, Vickie and husband.” She raised her eyebrow when she mentioned the word ‘husband.’
“George,” said Ruby gruffly.
“George,” smiled the woman, correcting herself gracefully. “I’m Emma, and I’m your host tonight.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said Vickie, remembering her manners and resisting the temptation to ask what this club was about and why didn’t they know her husband’s name. It was a bit mysterious, and she surmised not in a good way. It was like they didn’t care about her husband, but then they did invite him. For safety? To ensure she came? A rumble inside of her made her determined to try to find out answers to such questions tonight. No matter what. She was, after all, a private eye, even if this was a fun night out.
Emma nodded in acknowledgment. “This way.” She turned in a swish of material, leaving them no choice but to follow. They walked down a dimly lit narrow hallway that highlighted the antique French wallpaper of elegant figures in blue.
Vickie still couldn’t get a clear read of what they might be walking into. Something rustic and rushed together or something more elegant and stylish? She was hoping for the latter, which was more her style.
Emma stopped in front of a thick deep-red velvet curtain, her hand on the edge. She looked directly at Vickie. “Ready?”
Ruby edged closer to her, and Vickie sensed she was trying hard to contain her excitement by not squealing and jumping up and down.
This better be worth it.
In a graceful movement, Emma pulled back the curtain, exposing a moody room decorated with heavy velvet material cascading down the walls in rich colors of browns and reds. A hint of smoke in the air came from a number of burning incense sticks placed in deep oversized bowls on pedestals located deliberately around the room, the white sage smell adding to the allure of the evening. Vickie found herself walking into the room in a breath of wonderment. Her boots stepped on a well-kept Persian rug laid on the floor. A series of similar rugs had been arranged on the tiles, and the intricate designs and deep colors added a further warmth to the room.
A shiver went down her spine as she took in the atmosphere. There were a dozen or so small round tables in the center of the room, two high-backed wooden chairs at each. Most of the tables were already taken by seated couples, who were drinking from fluted glasses. She glanced over her shoulder at Ruby, who was positively beaming.
Ruby leaned in close to Vickie and whispered. “See, worth it.”
Vickie resisted smiling. “So far.” She couldn’t help being cautious. This could well be the fun evening she needed, and yet the questions mounted in her mind.
“Welcome to the Black Hearts,” said Emma as she moved to stand by Vickie, the long dress swishing gracefully around her. “You’re in for a delightful evening of entertainment.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” replied Vickie. “Though, I wouldn’t mind knowing exactly what the entertainment is.”
A smug expression from Emma suggested quickly to Vickie that she wasn’t about to find out. “Vickie, that’s all part of the fun. You’ll soon find out. Relax and enjoy yourself with your husband.”
There it was again, the reference to her husband instead of George. It was clearly lost on Ruby, who was more excited about the fact she was simply here.
“You’ll enjoy yourself, darling,” said Ruby softly, forgetting to deepen her voice enough.
Vickie shot her a dark glance, and Ruby quickly cleared her throat.
“Let me show you to your table,” said Emma with a curious smile. She strode confidently ahead, swinging her narrow hips gracefully as she weaved between the tables.
Vickie tried to get a glimpse of the couples they passed to secure an idea of who else might’ve been invited. She didn’t know the four couples they passed. They appeared taken by the atmosphere of mystery of this invitation and being here and were whispering softly to each other, not concerning themselves with anyone else.
“Have these people been here before?” asked Vickie, assuming that perhaps this was the reason behind the couples appearing so relaxed.
“No, they are first-timers like you two.” Then Emma clamped her mouth closed as if she hadn’t meant to say that much.
“Vickie, this is your seat,” said Emma as she pulled out a chair, giving Vickie no choice but to sit where she was guided.
There were two more tables in front of them in the scattered but thoughtful arrangement, and Vickie was glad they weren’t right at the front of whatever the performance was going to be. Tonight, she didn’t want to be called on to participate in the entertainment if, indeed, that was part of what was going to happen. She did note that there wasn’t a stage, so she could well be spared any audience participation.
Ruby paused for a moment, then remembered since she was presenting herself as a man, she’d have to pull out her own chair and be seated.
“You’ll both have a wonderful evening,” said Emma, then she turned and hurried away before Vickie could ask any more questions.
“Ma’am,” said a waiter dressed in tailored brown pants, white shirt, and a black leather vest. He placed a full glass of champagne in front of Vickie, then put one in front of Ruby, who sat close to Vickie on her right. He bowed politely, his thick, devilish dark hair giving him an air of mystery before leaving them.
Ruby wasn’t wasting any time, picked up the glass, and took a big mouthful.
