CHANDELIER

PROLOGUE

The chandelier overhead was sending splinters of light down to shine on every corner of the room.

Making the room swim in several colors. The loud music was making my head ache. That splash of colors shining everywhere, made me feel giddy. 

How do people stay all night here and not develop hearing problems?
To even think that I had felt excited coming here was something else altogether.

The strippers on the stage were doing their best but I was also doing my best not to stare too long and get distracted.

It’s not every day that you’re required to do something totally out of your line.
My target was getting a lap dance and I must say that whoever is doing that for him is really talented. The way she dilates those hips must have taken her months of practice to master. I take a sip of my whiskey, swirling it round my tongue before swallowing it.

If what I heard was at all true, then a murder had taken place here.  Just last night. And I presume that half of all these men, drinking water inside beer bottles are cops trying their best to fit in. I nod at one whom I recognized and he nods back, gently smiling at the blond trying to grope him. He looked so uncomfortable.

But looking around once again, at the sweating bodies on the dance floor and then to the strippers, whoever managed this place must have done a hell of a job to keep the murder hidden and still stay in business.

‘You want to dance, handsome?’ I shook my head before I turned to look at the owner of the feathery voice. What!  Who comes to a club dressed like that?  How did she even get in?
‘I have my ways’. She said giggling, flipping her red hair back behind her shoulders.

I had no idea what she was talking about and I think my expression must have told her because she gestured to her outfit and giggled again. ‘I meant my outfit. You were looking at me with that confused look on your face, so yeah, I have my ways. But it’s not really inappropriate for a club, don’t you think?’ she said, looking at the black knee length leather boots, short red skirt and black bra she had on.

The corduroy jacket she was wearing on top of everything was totally useless because she didn’t need to cover anything. She was naked as it seems. Her outfit was totally club worthy.

I didn’t mean to be rude but I really needed to focus. Ignoring her, I glanced back to where my target was. The dancer was still on his laps, straddling him, her hands around his neck. Things were definitely going to get out of hands if he doesn’t hold himself.

I watch him stuff dollar notes into her bra and into her panties. I smirked. This man sure knows how to play.
‘My name is Susan. Thanks for asking.’ I draw my attention back to the girl beside me. ‘I didn’t ask.’ I snapped. Annoyed.  I was working for God’s sake and the least thing I needed right now was a distraction.

‘You didn’t ask but you should have. So, I’m giving it to you for free. If you’re playing hard to get, just drop it. I don’t want to get into your briefs, not that you’re not handsome’, she ran her gaze down my body lazily, ‘you’re hot which is definitely how I like my men. Hot. Sexy. Untouchable’, she meets my gaze, ‘but I can touch you if you want. I don’t mind running my fingers through that forest of tattoos’.

I grunted. If I ignore her for long she would probably get pissed up and leave. I still had my glass of whiskey in my hand. I twirled my left fingers on the rim of the glass, watching patiently.

The dancer is up now and she is leaving. Indicating that she was finished. He gives a curt nod to the man beside him, who I assume is his friend or something. Both of them stands up together and heads towards the exit. I finish my whiskey and stand up to follow them.

‘You’re not about to leave me alone here, are you?’  She said, batting her long dark eyelashes at me. Who still does that? I thought. Giving her a mock salute, I head to the exit doors fast so I don’t miss him.

Outside, the cold breeze hits me. Slamming me like a trailer, not that I have any experience of that sort. It took me a while to button up my coat and look around. Trying to figure out which direction they had turned to.

Only that…
Something was wrong. I gripped my scarf hard. Why were their steps wobbly? I asked myself. For someone who just got a lap dance from an experienced dancer, he sure was walking like…he was dying.

I run towards them, just in time to catch him before he hit the ground. I know a dead body when I see one and I don’t need anyone to tell me that this one‘s about to die if I don’t get help soon.
I pull out my phone from my coat and dialed 911.