Tough Guy: A Hero Club Novel, Jamie Schmidt [best books to read now txt] 📗

always,” she said defensively.

“Las Vegas Jackie was getting more independent. Look, we're out of clues and I know you're out of patience. Let's get back to Las Vegas and get you ready for your second interview.”

She gave me a small smile. “It seems so unimportant in the grand scheme of finding my sister.”

“Lisa doesn't want to be found. I don't see how this changes your plans. You've done all you can. The trail is stone cold.”

“At least her leg seems to be holding up.”

“And she's not a prostitute or an exotic dancer. Not that there's anything wrong with either of those professions,” I said.

Jackie nodded. “I don't know what to tell my mother.”

“Tell her the truth. You tracked her to a winery in Carson City, but she quit that job, and no one knows where she went. If your mother wants to know more, than she can hire a private detective. You have a life to get back to.”

“I just wish we could find this Parker person. We might have to go back to Pahrump and see if anyone knows more.”

I did not want to go back to the brothel, but I'd cross that bridge when we came to it. “Let's just go home.”

“Home,” Jackie huffed. “I'm not even sure where that is anymore.”

After checking out of the motel, we headed to the chartered plane. They were able to schedule us for a return flight back to Vegas sooner than we had originally requested. As we were about to board the plane, though, Jackie stopped dead in her tracks.

“What?”

She was staring at a poster that was tacked up to a support pole. I went over and looked. It was advertising a new burlesque review. There was a large martini glass and a picture of Jackie's sister sitting inside it. She wore long black gloves and was hanging over the rim of the glass suggestively. Opening night was tonight.

At seven p.m.

“You can't,” I said.

“I can't risk losing her again,” Jackie said. “I know she'll be performing here tonight.” She ripped down the poster and folded it into her purse. “I'm sorry. You can go back without me.”

I pretty much had to. I had a lot of shit going down at the bar. I wanted to talk to Paulie and Ginny as soon as possible.

“How long is the show running for?” I asked.

“It didn't say on the poster.”

“Call up the box office and find out.”

“Why?”

“Because you can damn well put yourself first for once. Let's go and get you to your audition and we can come back tomorrow.”

Jackie bit her lip. “I can't.”

“You can.”

“I'm going to lose her again.”

“Let me see that poster?”

She frowned. “Why?”

“Please?”

Jackie handed it to me as if she was afraid I would tear it up. Scanning it, I pointed out a name. “Parker Templeton, producer.”

She let out a shaky breath.

“We found Parker. If Lisa bolts, we'll be right behind her. But I don't think she will. She's got the guy. She's got the show. Where else is she going to go?”

“Is there a problem?” the flight attendant called from the portable stairs leading up to the plane. “We need to be wheels up in five.”

“On our way,” I said.

“I shouldn't,” she said.

“You should. It's one day.”

“I should be there for her opening night.”

“No. She knows you’re in Nevada. If she wanted you there, she would have called.”

“Do you think she's going to go full nude and she's embarrassed? Maybe that's why she didn't call.”

I stared at the flyer again. “Nope, they're serving alcohol. Two-drink minimum.”

“That sounds familiar.”

“Wine only. From Carson City Wineries.”

“The owner lied to us.”

Miles shrugged. “She might not have known. Maybe Lisa worked there to find out how to get a good price out of her or was hoping for an employee discount.”

“That would explain why she didn't know who Parker was. He couldn't very well admit he’d sent in a spy.” Jackie rubbed her forehead.

I put my arm around her and hustled her toward the plane. “We'll come back tomorrow.”

“This is getting really expensive, this back and forth. I should save the money and just stay here. It's not like I'm going to leave New York to become a showgirl.”

Her words hit me hard, but I didn't let her see it. I needed her to get into the plane. “That's beside the point. You wanted to know if you could do it. This could be your only chance.”

Jackie sucked in a deep breath. “You're right.”

I let out the sigh I was holding as she entered the plane and strapped in.

“You'll come with me tomorrow, right?” she asked as we taxied down the runway.

“No,” I said. “I've got a bar to run.”

“Oh,” she said in a small voice and turned to the window.

I didn't give a shit about her selfish bitch of a sister and I had no desire to see Jackie and Lisa get into it. A part of me wanted to go for moral support and to soothe any hurt that Lisa could cause. But I needed to start distancing myself instead of deluding myself. Jackie wasn't going to leave her family or New York. Certainly not for a guy who owned a titty bar or a small part in an off-strip casino show. Who was I kidding? Jackie could dance on Broadway and fulfill her dream. I was just a vacation fling. Vacation flings didn't get involved in messy family situations.

I looked over at Jackie to see if she wanted to talk more. But her eyes were closed.

I guessed that was for the best.

Chapter Eighteen

Jackie Mitchell

I sat on my bed in the Wynn trying not to hyperventilate. My audition was still several hours away. My mind was going a mile a minute. I was worried that Lisa was going to slip away and disappear. I was hurt that Miles wasn't going to go back to Carson City with me tomorrow. Although I didn't really blame him. I had taken enough of his time with the wild goose chase Lisa had led us