It was still early in the evening when Andy entered the back room to the Continental. Using the front entrance, he walked through the foyer where the bouncer usually stood and toward the bar. Rico, the bartender, and Fred the busser, were already hard at work stocking the bar for the evening festivities. Saturday nights were always busy.

Without asking, Rico poured a scotch smooth and Andy picked it up as he continued through the front room. Passing tables and ultimately the stage, Andy slipped into the back hallway and to his office. Three men were already waiting there.

"Boys," he said nodding to the two standing men, Slick and Tank. "Mr. Price," Andy said making a tisking sound with his tongue and sitting on his desk facing the man in the chair. "I thought you said we weren't going to have any more problems?" His thick Chicago lilt rolled off his tongue like venom.

"N-No problem, A-Andy." After a sharp slap to the back of the head, the quivering man corrected himself. "I mean Mr. Aurelio."

"Really? So...everything is going according to plan, then?" Price nodded. Andy's face went from amused to stone cold. "Then how come I aint seen a dime of my export fees!" Andy backhanded the man who crumbled in his seat. "I pay good money to ship my merchandise all over the states. Your shipping company is supposed to make sure it arrives on time. It's been three days, Price. And I haven't seen a dime!"

"You have to understand, the Bulls are watching me! They're performing searches and interviewing my dock workers! They know I'm working with you Andy. I have to protect my company."

Andy stood and paced in front of his desk. His eyes met Slick's and he nodded. "Well then, Mr. Price. Seeing as working with you has become a liability...I think it's time we explored other options." Taking two steps to his left, he watched as Slick removed his pistol and shot Price in the head. Without hesitation, Tank grabbed the body and began dragging it out of the room. "Adrian, find me a Mr. Beckett down at Beckett and Mills. Tell him I'm in the market for a new partner. Oh...and set fire to Price Dockworkers."

"Right away Andy," Slick said and moved from the room. Taking a seat at his desk, Andy waited patiently as Fred ran in and began mopping up the mess. He sipped his scotch with a half smile on his face as the music from the main floor began to hum. The band was warming up. Saturday's were always good for business.

A pair of heels clacked down the hallway as Queenie approached Andy’s room, she was decked out in her finest for the Saturday rush. A gold beaded dress hung high around her thighs, her dress was so short you could occasionally catch a glimpse of her garter, she held an expensive looking fur around her shoulders that fit perfectly with air of sophistication and confidence she wore at all times. Passing by Tank on the way she grimaced slightly at the body he was dragging “Things getting exciting early tonight eh tank?” She said lifting the hem of her skirt a little higher than it already was so it didn’t brush against the dead man.

Appearing in Andy’s doorway a smile appeared on her red tinted lips “you sure do seem to like your work boss.” She walked in opening her clutch and pulling out a handkerchief, careful to step over the mess on the floor as she made her way to his desk. “you got some of your former associate on your tie” she said in her thick sultry Chicago voice as she leaned her hip on the desk and moved towards him to clean the offending red dot “you don’t want it to stain do ya?”

Nellie dug through the bag of make-up as she stood barefoot in the back room of The Continental. A storage room meant to double as the changing quarters to get freshened up in and ready for the Saturday rush. “Alright Eva, guessing that you’ve never wore much makeup before, I’ll put it on for ya tonight; but after that you’re taking lessons… And I told you to quit yanking that down!” Swatting her friend’s hand that kept trying to make the short dress longer, Nellie shook her head and turned back to the more urgent matters at hand. Sneaking in Eva as a new worker and mole; and most importantly, not getting caught at either charge.

“Alright, just remember what I said and you’ll do just fine. Don’t drink anything you’re given. Smile, talk, put the glass to your lips even; just don’t swallow. Can’t have you gettin’ tipsy out there. And wait to put on your shoes until the last minute tonight, you’re gonna spend a lot of time moving in them. But mostly, make sure everyone has a good time. If they want a drink, serve them a drink. A dance? Then dance. Someone moping in the corner? Drag ‘em out for a good time. Anything you not sure about or asked? You come find me immediately. Got it?” Make-up finished and placed back into place, Nellie moved onto the blonde’s hair and started pinning it up into a bob. “If you can make it through tonight, you can handle the rest of the week no problem. And now then, don’t we look like a couple of dolls?”

Pulling to stand both of them in front of the mirror, Nellie checked to make sure everything was in place and fit the part of flapper fashion; even if it was just an act. It wasn’t all that bad though, working here. Dancing was the only good part of the job probably, and she had to admit that it was easier in the shorter dresses. Mid-thigh length dress, dark green material with black lace over it and black beads at the bottom; definitely not something to match the thick southern accent and drawl she kept slipping over, but it did its job.

Hearing an odd sound, Nellie cocked her head to the side and ventured over to the door, leaving Eva with her own thoughts. A quick head poke out the door answered all she needed to know as she spotted Tank, and then quickly shut the door behind her before she could catch of glimpse of what was sure to go along with the sound and larger brother. “One more thing around here. You hear a sound, go in the opposite direction.”

Eva sat in a chair, an unwilling mannequin in waiting as her friend pulled out makeup and bobby pins. This was insane; absolutely insane she could never pull this off! She nervously fidgeted with her short dress trying to pull down the short fabric, willing it to be longer before a smack on the hand brought her back to reality. “Oh! Sorry, sorry I’m just not use to this length is all! My dresses are longer than this and is all this makeup really necessary?” Her Georgia peach accent set her apart from anyone in the city but with Nellie she didn’t feel so different. Right now it was safe but tonight was going to be her big test, tossed into the lion’s den so to speak.

Forcing her nervous fidgets to cease, she kept still for her hair and makeup to be done while listening very closely to her instructions on how to do her job and behave. “Ok, don’t sip, make sure everyone has a good time and don’t try to answer questions that I don’t know. Got it.” A nod of her head and she was pulled up to look at the new Eva in a mirror. Makeup, her longer than the era style liked it blonde hair pinned into a bob. It certainly didn’t look like her, especially with a short dress to match Nellie’s, the only difference being a blue material under the black lace rather than green “ I’m not sure dolls is exactly the word I would use but you did a right good job of makin us look like flappers.” She smiled at her friend while simultaneously plucking at the beads on her own dress.

A thump, followed by the hushed sound of dragging as if someone was pulling along a load of heavy laundry came to her ears and Nellie poked her head out then quickly back in. Curiously, Eva cocked her head at the quickness of her movements and her statement. “Alright, no checking out any weird sounds. Got that to.” She nodded her head once more and her mind returned to how she’d handle herself with the customers tonight. What if any of them wanted to dance with her? She had two left feet! She would single handedly run out half of the paying customers by amputating their toes with her heels!

Yawning behind her gloved hand, dark lips pursed right after and then formed back into the frown that had been there most of the evening. Her date, however, some sap named Robert, hadn't noticed. His lips were stuck in this awful grin that exposed every single one of his teeth. Why she'd agreed to this horrific date she'd never guess. Perhaps it was because she'd really thought he would take her some place other than the Continental. But no... Apparently if you really wanted to impress a doll, you took her to the hottest night spot on the upper west end.

Marcy knew this was not at all true for herself. Sure she kept up with the latest fashions, did up her face so she was always looking good; but that sure as hell wasn't for a guy to take her to the night club she lived next door to. It made her want to punch the hell out of his grinning, stupid, assuming face. The thought made her hand ball up into a fist through her black velvet gloves. If only she had the strength...

"Alright!" He chirped and stopped the car. Marcy peered out the window and sighed lightly. "I can't wait to take you in here! I know you've been before, but you've never been with Robert Jackson!" The tall, lanky, good-looking date of her's was out the door and running over to her side. Too bad he was such an idiot.

Stepping from the car, Marcy looked down to check her white heels and slinky white dress. The strap had becoming crooked in the car and she fixed it underneath the gray fur across her shoulders. Hooking her arm with Robert's, she strutted beside him into the club. This night was going to be really, really boring.


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Darren was not at all comfortable with this. It wasn't right. She shouldn't be doing this. If his cigarette were a beer, it would be gone in three gulps. Throwing the butt on the ground with thick fingers, he grabbed another from the pack in his jacket pocket and lit it up. His legs were starting to go numb from sitting on the park bench for over an hour now, but he didn't care. His mind was racing with the shit she'd come in contact with. The shit people, the shit restaurant... Cursing he stood up and started pacing, the brim of his hat shadowing the top half of his face.

She was a brave gal, he had to hand it to her. Eva was everything a woman could be and more. He couldn't believe she'd offer herself up like that, without hesitation. Her brother had no idea what kind of sister he had. All Darren could think about was keeping her safe and how badly he just wanted to hold her in his arms. On a turn to begin pacing in the opposite direction, movement in the alley beside the club caught his attention. Someone was moving a rather large, human-sized package into a car. The package appeared to be walking, but he was slouching. Darren, being the good detective that he was, knew it wasn't alive. He had no proof. All he had was his knowledge of everything Andy Areulio was up to. But who could it be? And would Darren be able to prove it was actually a meeting gone wrong?

He'd have to ask Eva. Looking at his watch he cursed and looked down the street. Where in the hell was her brother at? Darren was about to go mad without something to distract him from the impending doom he kept envisioning for Eva. She just shouldn't have decided to do this. If only he'd had the guts to speak up against it as more than just her big brother's friend. Would she have listened then?

Nellie hooked her arm through Eva’s and led the way out into the main room; making a beeline for the bar and claiming a pair of seats out of the way. Not seeing any need to start moving around the room just yet, Nellie leaned back with her elbows on the bar and legs crossed. “Now that we have the basics covered, let’s start with the top dogs of the place. Obviously you know of Andy and to watch out for him, but don’t forget about his brothers Tank and Slick. I don’t see ‘em out here right now, but I’ll be sure to point them out for you. You might think Tank will be your worst trouble, though with what we’re… working for… we should both keep an eye and ear out for Slick right now.”

Voice low while she explained their main concerns, she took a look around the room to fill her friend in on the regulars. Mostly the usuals at the bar, her attention was caught by a couple coming in through the door. “Alright, see the two that just came in. The sap’s name is Roger… or was it Robert… maybe it was Albert?” Bottom lip caught between her teeth as she tried to remember, Nellie waved her hand in front of her face as if clearing the thought away entirely. “Any who, the main person of interest is the dame with him. Marcy Singleton. You might as well call her a regular she comes here often enough with what looks like dates. You may spot her around the area a lot too. Her family owns the pool hall next door. Now let’s see… One more then.” Leaning in closer to Eva’s ear, Nellie brought her voice back down to a whisper. “Watch your mouth and actions around a woman everyone calls Queenie. She’s a moll around these parts and would probably sell you out in a second to get in good with Andy, so be careful with both the men AND women here.”

Elbows back into their previous position behind her on the bar, Nellie continued to scan the place for any more familiar faces before she would more than likely be separated from Eva; leaving the girl to fend for herself.

Eva’s thoughts were quickly broken as she was tugged from the room out into the main area for guests, then to the bar and finally seated on a stool. It seemed no one was really here yet but they were beginning to slowly trickle in. Her eyes moved from scanning the room to locking with Nellie’s as she began talking, explaining the big dogs, the three brothers. She definitely knew to watch out for the three of them.

Nellie’s voice lowered and Eva’s attention was directed towards a couple of guests that walked in. “Ok, a sap named Roger got it. Oh, Robert got it. No..Albert? How about we just settle on the name Fred and be done with it?” She flashed a grin to her friend as she waved the thought of the unimportant man away and moved to the woman. “Alright, so stay on Marcy’s good side since she’s a regular then.” A quick nod of the head to affirm what she understood even further then her attention was peeked when Nellie leaned in to whisper about Queenie. In all honestly it would be more comfortable for Eva if she could only talk to Nellie and not have to worry about backstabbers but of course that wouldn’t seem normal. She had to socialize with others, especially if she was going to pull off being a flapper. “Got it Nellie, I’ll watch what I say around everyone in this place.”

With that said, Nellie relaxed and Eva thought she should do the same to look more natural. So, leaning back to do as Nellie did, she missed the bar and fell off the stool with a thud but quickly skittered back up to her place as if nothing had happened. “What?” She questioned Nellie as if the incident never took place. Stepping on toes while dancing was definitely the least of her problems.

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Perry walked with extra-long strides towards the park to compensate for lost time. He’d gotten caught up in paperwork again plain and simple but this time it was more for a distraction against his horrible decision. What was he thinking?! Sending his little sister with no experience in undercover work into a snake pit! He knew Darren didn’t agree with it either but hell who would agree to something as insane as that?! Ok, ok just calm down, calm down. Remember, this is for the good of everyone and it’s the only way. This is the only way, right?

His miniature internal battle over with, he looked up to spot Darren pacing while smoking a cigarette. If only he hadn’t worn down his supply the night before dammit. With a sigh, he sat down on the bench before greeting him. “Have I missed anything?”

Darren spit a piece of tobacco that had escaped the cigarette onto the sidewalk. Perry came running up and Darren grunted at him.

"Yeah, you missed me wondering where in the hell ya've been." He growled and sat down, throwing the half-smoked butt on the ground. The taste was starting to make him sick, even though the nicotine was helping as much as was possible to keep his nerves calm. Nothing was working though.

"They just carried someone out of the building. He was either drunk as a skunk, or dead." The statement was made with a gloomy air and he rested his chin into fingers. Already, her first night in, and there was something huge going down. Then again, Darren may have been exaggerating. It was probably because his nerves were firing like lightning in a thunderstorm.

"When does she get off?" He would have to leave her. Darren knew he would have to follow that car. It hadn't pulled out yet. There were still people talking around the outside while the gentleman who's life was in question and one of the escorts remained inside the car.

Andy settled back into his chair as Queenie entered. Everything about this woman was silk: from her walk to her satiny Chicago lilt, she moved as though the air itself parted for her. Her creamy complexion was a stark contrast to the dark tresses and chocolate eyes. Even her scent was rich. He caught a whiff of it as she leaned in to wipe his tie. Yep...pure silk. But that was one thing about fine material...you only wore it on special occasions. And that was the essence of their relationship.

"Thanks Doll, you're a real sweetheart," Andy responded. "Shouldn't you be warming up with the band?" he asked with a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

*~*

"There," Slick said shutting the trunk of the Rolls Royce. Banging a hand on the back end, the driver flicked the lights on and pulled out. "Shouldn't be a problem now," he said clapping a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Right," Tank agreed as the two men entered the club again. They passed by the bar on the way, tank claiming a drink before they positioned themselves as the entrance to tag incoming guests. "You catch that new girl?" Tank asked as Slick lit a cigarette.

"Eva? Yeah...she's a real Cherry. Nellie sure has taken a shine to her." Slick looked up from his light to glance at the blonde at the bar. Noticing his brother's gaze, he chuckled. "Guess Nellie ain't the only one." Tank only shrugged. "Ya like her that much, why don't you go ask for a dance."

"We's got work to do," Tank said shortly. He hunched his broad shoulders and stuffed his hands into jacket pocket.

"Right," Slick said with annoyance. "You got work to do." Slapping his brother's shoulder again he made his way across the room to the bar just in time to witness Eva's fall. "Watch yourself there, Cherry," he said with a laugh. Leaning against the bar next to Nellie he winked before offering her a smoke. "Heya Doll...do we get the pleasure of hearin you sing tonight?"

Queenie smiled as she put her handkerchief away “the band can start fine without me” she said with a wave of her hand dismissing the idea. “Besides there’s a new girl on staff tonight I want to make sure she doesn’t get herself into any trouble.” She spoke as she pushed herself up from leaning on the desk “Anyways Andy I just stopped in to say hi, you should consider coming into the club tonight. I’ll be sure to save a dance for ya.” She spoke with a smirk as she left the office and headed into the club.

Nellie laughed at Eva’s suggestion on just calling the man Fred, she could see that the girl was going to do just fine if she could keep up the upbeat attitude in this joint. “Fred it is then, and it sounds like you’re getting the gist of things.” Ready to go over any questions Eva may have, her voice caught in her throat as two of the Aurelio brothers passed the bar then walked towards the entrance. “Alright, here’s your heads up. The two that just passed us over there – the biggest one’s Tank, the one that grabbed the drink; now the guy that just lit the cigarette is Slick, and… don’t look!” Head turned toward Eva just in time; Nellie watched the two out of the corner of her eye as they looked towards them… And was Tank staring at Eva?

Not liking the fact they were already drawing attention, her heart plummeted to her stomach as Slick started across the room towards them. She had to admit the brother was keen on the eyes, but from what she knew of him, the fact he was an Aurelio, and he could get both of them killed if he found out to much; it was pretty easy to say that knocked attraction to the bottom of the list. Ideas and excuses to leave running through her head, all were thrown out the window when Eva fell off the stool. “Eva! Are you alright! You look like you had a bit too much giggle water.” Leaning over with a small laugh, her view was cut off as Slick leaned against the bar with a wink and offered smoke.

“For the man who knows everything you seem to forget I don’t smoke.” Sitting back again in her seat with a smirk, she was hoping to give Eva a bit of time to recover herself but was surprised by his second question. “Sorry to disappoint ya Slick, I got dolled up to dance not sing… though I forgot to ask if you sing Eva.” The idea not crossing her mind before, Nellie leaned over further than before to finally get a view of her now collected friend. Did she sing?

Perry stiffened at the update Darren gave him, just the possibility of the man they had drug out being a stiff caused him to panic internally for a moment. “Sorry, I got caught up in paper work again is all.” It seemed like a sorry excuse when your sister’s life was on the line and you were late for a stake out concerning her but it was what it was. He’d been doing anything to keep his mind away from this but now was the time to focus.

“She gets off around one in the morning.” He sighed, the thoughts of men staring at his sister in a way he would normally pummel them on a good day for and now he was allowing it. Simply crazy is all it was.

The sound of a trunk shutting signaled the fate of the man in question. “Dead.” Perry said in a monotone, looking at the ground. So, barely even beginning the investigation and already one death? Perfect. “She’ll be fine Darren, she’s a smart girl.” He looked up to his friend now, assurance for the both of them. Darren had always cared about his sister and he appreciated it, that he had someone he trusted to watch out for her.
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Eva tried desperately to pretend as though the fall never happened as Nellie told her of the brother’s presence and the fact one was walking over right now. Oh, oh no! Ok, just breathe, just breathe and act normal, no not your normal a flapper normal, ok yea got it.

Her internal pep talk over with, she turned her attention to Slick as he spoke to Nellie and then her eyes widened at Nellie’s question. “Um, sing? Well I uh, you know I uh kinda..do…in the shower.” She cleared her throat after her mumbling session and looked down as she fiddled with the beads on her dress. Oh yes perfect! You blend in spectacularly! She looked up to focus on anything but Slick and Nellie and caught Tank’s eyes instead. Ah! Was she that noticeable that he was watching her?! A nervous grin and a goofy wave at him later didn’t help things as she looked back to the pair near her. “Ahem, so uh Nellie shouldn’t we uh get to work yea?” Oh, she wanted nothing more to leave and be spending time with her brother and Darren like she use to! Something familiar and comforting, just think of that while you’re here. Yea, that should help you keep calm.

Darren flicked the cigarette into the grass and cursed, a bit loudly, when the trunk shut. Perry's words only confirmed the obvious. Plopping his hat on his head, he turned darkened eyes to Perry.

"Keep an eye out for your sister. I'm gonna follow them for as long as I can." His fists opened and closed in tension. His teeth were grinding together with the bundle of nerves that were forming in his jaws. The last thing he wanted was to leave Eva behind. But Perry was a competent man, else he wouldn't have been his friend. Still... It was different when you loved the girl more than anyone could ever know. Nor would they know. Why he didn't just say something, Darren couldn't fully explain. It was just a knot in his chest that kept his voice from letting the words out. With a grunt and a sigh, Darren jogged around the front of his unmarked car and started it up with a horrible rumbling. Tipping his hat to Perry, Darren rolled slowly from the curb and began his drive after the car with the body inside. He had to see it in order to report it. An inkling and the know that he was dead wasn't proof enough. Darren had to find the body and connect it to the Aurelios. Damn bastards.

This drive was going to be a very long one. Taking out another cigarette he shook his head at himself. The detective hadn't started smoking until he got this promotion. What in the hell had he gotten himself into?

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"Oh my god, Robert!" Marcy gasped and gripped his wrist. The gesture seemed to keep him from looking where her gloved hands were pointing and he just blushed at her. Sighing in frustration she turned his chin to the front door. Her smile was small, trying to hide the absolute glee she felt. Coming to this place got old real fast, but she did enjoy catching a glimpse of the Aurelios. The way they carried themselves. The air that tingled around them. They had so much power, so much of everything. Marcy was always jealous when she saw them. Her fingers let loose of Robert's arm and she stood up.

"Wanna drink? I'm gonna go grab one." Smiling sweetly, she didn't wait for Robert to answer and made her way toward the bar. There were two girls sitting there, almost ready to start working, she supposed. One Marcy had never seen before caught Slick's eye. Lucky broad. What Marcy would give to have just one of them, any of them, glance her way. She needed something to make her feel in control. Marcy was never in that position and so she just leaned against the counter and ordered a whiskey high ball. As she waited her dark, chocolatey eyes turned to Nellie, a worker she knew okay enough and smiled.

"Heya, girls," she started. "I see you've got a new one?" Looking her over a bit more, Marcy felt something was a little off about her and raised an eyebrow. "You're awfully folksy looking to be working as a flapper, hon." The statement was easily made and certainly not meant to offend. Marcy was just one to state the obvious. Or perhaps, at least, what was obvious to her.