The woman who walked in was all legs. They were bathed in dark silk stockings, ones that demanded all eyes on them with their sheer fabric hinting to her firm thighs. Her legs were pressed together by her tight pencil skirt, the storm gray color matched in her blouse top with ample cleavage that did much less hinting than her pantyhose. When she moved her nylons shimmered and rubbed together singing a pleasing hum.
Her eyes showed only a sparkle behind the shadow casted down from her large brimmed, floppy hat. Her lips were blood red and pouty, they caught the eye as she spoke making it hard for me to look away. Her entire person had that effect.
I met her with a handshake and a smile. "Henry Turner. At your service."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Turner" Her voice was breathey, spoken in almost a whisper. Like everything she said to you was some secret, something just between the two of you. When she shook my hand, I felt her gentle grip behind her silk elbow high gloves, ones that matched the rest of her gray getup. I had to look up to meet her eyesight, but I struggled to keep my sight on her almost amethyst purple eyes.
Usually I liked to be called Mr. Turner by my clients, but with her it didn't seem right. For whatever reason, I couldn't wrap my brain around. "Call me Henry."
"Vivian Holloway," She stretched out her hand, long fingernails matched her lip color and slender fingers returned a gentle handshake. "A little young to be a detective, aren't 'ya hun?"
"Private investigator." I smiled a fake smile. I'd heard it before, everyone who walked through that door seemed to make that observation as if it was the first time anyone had ever had that thought before. It usually bothered me. Usually. Not so much with her. "And you're right. I'm only 22, but I assure you that to get here at this age is not a negative, Miss. All it means is that I surpassed my peers, even those quite a bit older."
Those red lips pursed into a smile. "Confident one, I like that. But your age does mean you have less experience. Should I be worried?" She didn't look one bit worried, in fact she looked more comfortable in my office than I felt.
"Worried? No. Yes, I have less first hand experience," In truth, I had next to none. Small and menial cases. Lost items, helping find people not deemed missing, background checks. No significant work, nothing that didn't take me more than a couple of days. Nothing that intrigued me half as much as the women across from me. "But, I think you'll find my skills more than acceptable. I don't do half-assed jobs, ma'am."
"Ma'am? Do I really look so old?" She said with a smirk. She didn't look old at all, her mature figure and assured posture gave away her middle age more than anything else. Her body was sculpted like a mothers, wide hips and ample bosom, although I made sure to avert my eyes.
"No, of course not. Its just-- I--"
"It's fine, sweetie. Just teasing. And as for your age, that's fine. I think a bit of young blood is perfect for my purposes."
I smiled, adjusted myself in my seat and asked "what are your purposes, Mrs. Holloway?"
"Ms. Holloway, actually." Her face was too intrepid to blush. "And I need to find someone. He works for me, at Club Hosiery. You've ever been?"
"No, can't say I have."
"Mmmm, curious. A young man like you in this town, I thought you would've at least spent a few nights there, dancing, drinking, chatting up women." There was that smirk again, it could shoot an arrow through your heart. "Perhaps I'm being immodest, being the owner and all. Regardless, the person I want you to find is a young man, age 20, named Jake Morris. He's been under my employment for two months now. As a sort of... I suppose you'd call him a bus boy but that seems awfully disparaging of his assistance."
"Missing how, exactly?"
"Missing as he is missing. He was meant to show up for his shift on Monday, it is now Wednesday and I have not heard from him. I've tried his house, but his mother does not know where he is. His school hasn't reported his attendance. His friends are clueless." Her stoic expression faded slightly, worry was not a look she wore often.
"And you have reported this to the police?"
"No. I think it would be better if we don't go that route. There is a reason why I am here, Mr. Turner."
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. Never before had I gotten a case so, well, real. The missing people I dealt with were usually just ducking family or lawyers. This was a job for real detective, real law enforcement. I shook those thoughts away. "I can do this." My voice wavered. "But why not the police? I mean, his mother must be worried sick."
She nodded. "Indeed, Mrs. Morris is quite perturbed, rightfully so. Yet she is a premium member of our club..." I said nothing. She continued, "you see, Henry, Club Hosiery is a little more than just a nightclub. We have... entertainment and amusements. Adult entertainment. Gambling... among other things. Not strictly legal." Her face wore coolness like a veil.
I knew my clientele would eventually dip into that of the other side of the law, there was a reason I was not the police, after all. I may not like it, but we all have our vices. As long as they're not cruel. "That's fine, as long as it's nothing harmful or violent."
She chewed on the question. "Not in an offensive sense... no."
I raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"
"Before I can talk about my business I need to know if you will take the case. I can't have this information getting into the wrong hands. My people only."
"I understand that Ms. Holloway, but in order to come to a decision I need to know. And I would never tell anyone else what you tell me, even if it is not legal. It's strictly between you and me."
She stared through me, her gaze fixed on me. "Fine. But Henry, if you betray my trust I can promise swift action from me and my organization. And Henry, it won't just be you in the crossfire, but your loved ones as well."
I felt my heart race. "You mean-? Ah, yes of course. I won't tell a soul."
"Good. Think of Club Hosiery as a... club for like minded women. Some boys too, but mainly middle aged women who are looking for a little excitement in their life. We provide... services for these women. Young men, to be more precise."
"Gigolos?"