Moon Shadow
Chapter Nine
“Hhmm.” Captain Hutchinson pondered. “You’re right. There are some very interesting connections surrounding Mr Riner’s and Mr Parker’s death and the club Moon Shadow. Very interesting.”
“I spoke to one of my street informants, small time crim, Dawson Leery. He says Moon Shadow has been known for some ‘funny’ business. I don’t think it is your normal, legit stripper club.” Joey advised the Captain.
“And when you put together what Drue and Chris recently dug out about Moon Shadow it makes an intriguing picture. Okay, Pacey, Joey neither of you have been to Moon Shadow have you?”
Both of them nodded ‘no’.
“And neither of you actually spoke to Miss Holt?”
“Drue and Chris got there before we could.” Pacey replied somewhat sourly.
“Okay this is perfect. Pacey are you still friends with that stripper Anna Evans?”
“We keep in touch.” Pacey replied as Joey shot a surprised look at Pacey.
“Good. I think it’s time you and Anna got reacquainted. I want Anna to teach you all her dance moves. You’re going to go undercover as a male stripper for Moon Shadow. With Riner’s death there should be a vacancy.” Captain ordered
“Do you think this is such a good idea?” Joey protested.
“I think this is a wonderful idea.” Captain replied. “Joey you’ll act as a customer in Moon Shadow. While Pacey is taking dance lessons with Anna I want you to become a regular customer at Moon Shadow. Check out the place, maybe take a few of the other female officers with you the first time. By the time Pacey joins as Moon Shadow’s latest stripper I want you to be a regular and friends with Miss Louisa Holt. Meanwhile Drue and Chris can be the public face of the investigation.”
*****
“Captain’s orders suck.” Joey complained to Pacey.
For the past few days things had been awkward between the two. They hadn’t really spoken unless absolutely necessary and while Pacey had tried to talk to Joey outside work she had adamantly refused to speak to him, insisting on keeping everything purely professional. Pacey was beyond frustrated and a little hurt. He realized that Joey didn’t want them to be split up, neither did he, but their personal relationship was too important to just give up on. Pacey knew he was in love with Joey and all he wanted was a chance, a chance for a relationship. A chance to discuss things through. Yet Joey was shutting him out and it hurt.
“Actually I think Captain made a wonderful suggestion. It’s going to be nice to see Anna again.”
“Really.” There was an edge to Joey’s voice. “Well, I’m sure the two of you will enjoy catching up not to mention all those dance lessons that Captain has ordered.”
“Yes. I’m sure we will.” Pacey sniped back.
*****
“He’s cute.” Jen pointed out at the stripper that gyrated near Joey.
Handing the man several notes with a plastered smile on her face, Joey faked appreciation at the nude body that danced around her. Joey’s companions whistled loudly and Jen voiced loud words of appreciation and encouragement at the stripper. And all Joey could concentrate on was the knowledge that Pacey was meeting one Anna Evans for dinner tonight to get ‘reacquainted’ and to start his dancing lessons.
Anna Evans.
The blonde bombshell that Pacey had dated for around five months.
Joey had been sincerely surprised that the relationship had managed to last that long. She also remembered sourly how Pacey had boasted Anna’s skills in bed.
“She’s probably one of the best I’ve ever had. And all that dancing does her body wonders. Lithe, graceful, sexy…flexible.” Pacey enthused.
“Okay. Way too much information that I really didn’t need to know.” Joey complained.
“But I thought we shared everything, Jo. No secrets between us remember?” Pacey teased.
“There is what is known as a statue of limitation.”
“Don’t worry Jo. I doubt me and Anna would ever be as good as you and I in bed.”
“Well you’ll never know since we’re never going to sleep together.”
Of course now Pacey did know and he had probably decided that Anna was far better Joey thought somewhat sourly. Joey could just picture Anna draped all over Pacey as she taught all those ‘dance’ moves.
*****
“Ouch!” Anna complained as she rubbed her sore foot.
“Sorry.” Pacey muttered apologetically.
“Don’t understand how you can be so un-coordinated.” Anna exclaimed. “It’s not natural. It really isn’t.”
“This is stupid.” Pace grumbled.
“Okay. I don’t remember you normally being this bad at dancing. Not to mention you’re so grumpy.” Anna commented.
She frowned as if in deep in thought. “I think I know exactly what you need to feel better.”
Grabbing two glasses and a bottle of tequila, Anna smile broadly. “Let’s do shots.”
Contemplating the broadly smiling blonde and the two shot glasses in front of him, Pacey shrugged before gulping down the drink.
*****
The night had progressed slowly with several women of the Boston PD enjoying
the entertainment at Moon Shadow. From what Joey could discern they seemed to
have made the impression of rich, bored women looking for a little fun on a
‘girls’ night out’. The manager of Moon Shadow had been very
welcoming and accommodating, hoping to gain potential regular customers amongst
the group.
Joey had spotted Miss Lisa Holt mingling throughout the club, dancing and drinking and flirting with the dancers. She seemed to have a preference for the tall, dark, handsome ones. Something that should work in Pacey’s favor.
Carefully and discreetly looking for an entry, Joey introduced herself to Miss Holt. They hit it off over a bottle of wine and began discussing men and their attributes. There was something that was incredibly likable about Miss Lisa Holt that Joey couldn’t quite explain and hadn’t really expected. Joey found herself drawn into conversation, giggling like a school girl over the comments that Lisa made. Lisa was very similar to Jen only more vulnerable, more drunk, more unstable and volatile, also a little too reliant and dependent on men for her happiness. Still, on the whole, Lisa Holt was likable and Joey found herself warming up to the woman.
Through their chatter and conversation the night suddenly and quickly began to disappear, Lisa and Joey exchanged phone numbers and decided to arrange for lunch. Then with Jen and the other women from the Boston PD, Joey exited Moon Shadow.
Driving home and entering her dark apartment, Joey wondered what Pacey was up to. Crawling into bed, part of Joey wished he was there beside her. Instinctively she found herself pressing her speed dial, which automatically rang Pacey’s number. There was no answer. Joey comforted herself to sleep with the thought that Pacey had probably been asleep and did not hear the phone ring although with their jobs it was highly unlikely. Joey refused to think of the possibility that Pacey might have stayed over at Anna’s.
*****
His shirt was unbuttoned and Pacey could feel the gentle caress of hands trailing up and down his chest. He fumbled with the edge of her shirt and heard the soft, feminine moans as he felt lips sucking on his neck.
Everything was burning up, intensifying. The heat, the intimacy…everything.
As the hands played with Pacey’s zipper, reaching downwards, Pacey felt a deep throbbing within him.
He pulled away.
His head hurt. Too much alcohol consumed. And now he was fumbling with Anna Evans on her black, leather couch. Anna moved closer towards Pacey and he pulled back. It was just wrong. He was drunk and he was hurt and she was the wrong girl.
There hadn’t even been desire on his part. No raging hard on. Nothing. He had just reacted, accepted Anna’s kisses because he was drunk and he was in pain and he was lashing out at Joey. Only Joey wasn’t here. And that was where he really wanted to be, with Joey. Not with Anna Evans, no matter how beautiful and no matter what they had shared in the past.
“I’m sorry.” Pacey apologized lamely.
“Nothing’s going to happen tonight?” Anna asked incredulously.
“I don’t think it would be a good idea, Anna.”
“Don’t think. Just act.” Anna moved in for another kiss.
Pacey pushed her away and stood up. “I think I should leave.”
“What’s wrong?” Anna pouted.
“Nothing. Everything. I just have to go. I’ll see you tomorrow for another dance lesson, okay?”
“Tomorrow then?” Anna asked seductively.
“Go to bed, Anna.” Pacey replied softly. “We’ve both had a little too much to drink and this isn’t what either of us want. Or need. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Pacey left the apartment then, knowing that no matter how far it had gone or could have gone, and no matter how drunk he or Anna might have been or could have been…in the end nothing would have eventuated. The idea of being with somebody other than Joey was incomprehensible. Still the fact that things had gotten a little carried away at Anna’ left Pacey feeling guilty. He drove to Joey’s with the intent of talking everything through. He wanted to know where they stood, wanted Joey to know just how much he cared for her. Loved. How much he loved her.
When he arrived in front of Joey’s
apartment Pacey noted that all the lights were dark. It was 4:21am in the morning.
He couldn’t go up. So instead Pacey stared up at Joey’s building,
locating the window to Joey’s home. He sat until morning, staring at the
window.