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Since she had the woman that she needed to speak with in front of her, there was no need to play games. “You lied to me about spying for Haley when we spoke in the alley by the dumpster. I want to know why.”
Aubrey reeled back. Her eyes narrowed to slits. Then she leaned in. “Charlie?” Panic flashed across her face. “You can’t be in here.”
“Why did you lie to me? I know you were spying on Seth for Haley.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Aubrey glared at her and lowered her voice. “Get out of here.”
“I’m not leaving just yet. Not until you tell me who is sitting at the table with Seth and what they’re discussing.”
“You were taking pictures of them, weren’t you? First time I’ve seen a woman on her own in here snapping a selfie.” Aubrey took a gulp of her drink. “Do you have a death wish, lady? Seth has the instincts of a cobra. He will strike first at any threat, and something has already got him paranoid.”
“What’s he up to at that table?” Charlie asked. “What’s he doing in here every day?”
Aubrey laughed, but the sound was grating. “Business. As usual.”
“What kind?”
“The illegal kind. Now you need to get gone,” Aubrey said, pointing a finger in her face.
“Why did you lie to me?” Haley was her friend. The stripper didn’t have to talk to Charlie, but she’d volunteered. Only to spew half-truths.
The redhead heaved a breath. “Because unlike you, I don’t want to die. I hope nothing has happened to Haley, and if it has, then I want that bastard to pay for it. But I’ve also got to protect myself.” She chugged her drink. Slammed the glass on the bar with a clink. “You’ve got get out of here.” Aubrey moved to leave.
Charlie hopped up in front of her. “What kind of business?” she demanded. “Give me something.”
“I can’t.”
“If you don’t, I’ll keep popping up. Pushing and poking. I’ll become your worst nightmare. That’s a promise until you tell me.”
“Drugs,” Aubrey snapped in a harsh whisper. “Prostitution. Money laundering. Take your pick. All right.”
“Did Haley know?”
“Yeah. Of course.” Aubrey looked over Charlie’s shoulder. Her eyes grew wide. “Time for you to get the hell out of here. Use the exit at the rear. Don’t come back again.” The redhead scurried off, disappearing behind a door marked Employees Only.
Charlie glanced at the booth in the corner.
Empty.
She headed for the front of the club.
Wire-rimmed glasses guy hurried through the doors after someone else. Seth lingered near the entrance, talking to one of the bouncers. He pointed at Charlie. The bouncer nodded as they spoke.
She swore under her breath.
Spinning on her heel, she hustled for the exit at the rear. Her heart pounded, thrumming against her rib cage. She pushed the door open and stumbled into the alley. To the right and around the corner led to the parking lot at the entrance, where Dustin’s SUV was parked.
She click-clacked down the alley. Too bad she hadn’t been wearing sneakers. The hairs at the back of her neck twitched to life. She stopped. Listened.
Nothing. No movement. No sound.
She crept to the end of the building and turned the corner.
A dark figure loomed, standing between her and the parking lot. Lean and wiry. Long black hair. He stepped into the light. Jagged scar on his cheek.
Oh, hell.
Chapter Ten
