Miss Right

Chapter 9 - Looking For Answers

Del decided he'd just go himself to check out the Startled Crow. Demetrius had wasted no time changing the name, but Del refused to conform. It was always gonna be The Crow. He'd been in once since the hostile takeover and wasn't impressed. There were a lot of new girls. A couple had obvious track marks, one was very pregnant, and quite a few others made it very clear that anything goes if the price is right. He was looking for one of the girls that had been here before. He noticed Cynthia hiding in a corner. She'd stayed as a server, but the patrons tended to not notice who was willing and who was not. This place was trash now.

As Del approached Cyn, she didn't make eye contact as she asked how she could help him.

"I'd think of a new opening line with these folks, Cyn. You might send the wrong message."

She looked up quickly and almost broke down crying as she tried to smile. Not even two weeks, and their spirit seemed broken.

"Oh my God, Del!" She wrapped her arms around him and then hurried to back away. Outbursts like that could get you punished.

"I've missed your smiling face as well, sugar."

She managed a blush.

"What the hell is going on in here? I leave town a bit, and this place has gone to hell."

Cyn wanted to laugh but thought better of it. Her eyes darted around as if she expected an attack any second.

"I don't understand this place anymore. Demetrius doesn't give a f**k about us. Neither him nor Steel really runs the place. They are in and out a lot as if they are looking for something. They told us that Kari, Pop Tart, and Tiffany were all three dead. I think they are lying. I think one of them is alive and they are searching for them."

He looked at her thoughtfully.

"I'm not sure why they'd even bother.”

“I want out, Del. I know if I tried to leave I'd end up dead. I don't care what he tells us, I know the others have got to be dead. Tiffany would never leave quietly. She was always determined to prove she was better than us. That need got her killed. I don't want to die….”

Cyn was trying desperately to hold back tears. They were punished if they showed that kind of emotion.

“Take this card, Cyn. If you want out and fear for your life, find the address on here. I need you to be sure not to tell anyone. It's a safe house for women who can't get out of abusive relationships. There's no real connection to the outside world. It's a pet project of mine. Don't hurry out the door immediately. Give me a couple days. “

“You really are the most wonderful man, Del”, she sniffles a little before hiding the card.

“Thank you so much. “

“Just keep it between us.”

"Hey, Del. How you been? You've been more scarce then usual." A man interrupted their conversation.

"Had to visit some family out of town. Of course, I didn't realize that this place would get so rough in such a short time. Is it too late to complain?"

He chuckled a little bit, but the light never reached either of their eyes.

"You know this town, Del. Change is always coming. You either adapt or get swept away. Ownership changes. I'm still making drinks. It's different but my kids still eat."

"You gotta respect a man that puts family first. You're a good man Phillip. I think I'll just have a rum and coke."

"I'll get it ready for ya."

Del remembered when there was a band playing. That was so last week he reminded himself. Phillip was right. Change is always coming.