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“Detective, what in the fuck are you doing in here?”
“Dying,” I moaned.
“Oh, let me help—”
“Don’t you dare come in here, Razai.”
“Choosing death over assistance? I see how it is.”
I adjusted my position so the water stopped pelting me in the face. Finally, the proper rage activated. Through the shower curtain, where a shadowy blob of Razai waited, I snarled, “What the hell are you doing here?”
“You weren’t picking up your phone, so I came to find you.”
“You can’t just barge in at any time,” I said, wincing and pushing myself up to a seated position.
“I know, I know, but I have important news. Redford solidified the meeting.”
This made me straighten. “Details.”
In the silhouette through the curtain, Razai sat down on the toilet lid. “Tonight at the Red Barrow. It’s a strip club near Bryant Park, and we have a reservation. With a catch.”
“Which is?”
“I’m the only one invited.”
I paused and then continued massaging the conditioner into my hair. “That’s bullshit. I have to talk to them myself.”
“Well, that’s not going to happen. Unless you’re undercover.”
“I am undercover.”
“Not as a teacher, you silly goose.”
“Silly what—” The meaning hit me, and I groaned, “Aw, fuck, really?”
He said, “What, like it’s so bad? It’s the only venue they agreed to, and trust me, it took some negotiating.”
“This is bullshit and you know it.”
“Will you just listen to the plan first?”
“Fine.”
“Right. We’re meeting in a private room. Redford should be bringing two colleagues with him. He’s specified that the meeting is off if I bring someone or record anything, and…”
I rose angrily and started rinsing my hair. Tilting my head back was thankfully not painful, though my hip hurt like hell.
I waited. And waited. But no answer came. He had better not be drunk or something. What was with him?
“Well?” I demanded as I scrubbed soap into my loofa and started massaging it over my chest and shoulders.
Razai cleared his throat.
“What? Fucking hell, spit it out. The details of the meeting tonight. You know, the thing you broke into my bathroom to tell me about.”
“Course. Sorry. Uh, the club is seen as neutral territory, since no one group sells there. That also means that neither of us have any weight to throw around. No favors to ask. They don’t want to be seen with me, so they’re specifically making sure it doesn’t happen around people they know. The plan is that I will reserve a room ahead of time and inform them which one to go to, then they’ll meet me there. The room must be reserved with… an entertainer.”
I could see the lumpy, shadowy shape of him rise and draw closer.
