Seeking Justice

Seeking Justice

Copyright © 2015 by Rivi Jacks All rights reserved.

First Edition: April 2015

Cover design:
Double J Book Graphics

Formatting:
Streetlight Graphics

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.

A loving thank you to my husband for always being here for me.

Special Thoughts

Thank you to my Street Team, Rivi’s Rebels! Y’all are amazing women and I thank you for your friendship and constant support. It means the world to me.

My PA Laurie Schmidt Lee, Michelle Engler, Jessica Johnson Welch, Jacquie Denison, Leigh Ann Panorelli, Melissa McCarty, Suzette Warren, Lisa Molina, Kristie Farrell Root, Crystal St. Clair, Melanie Harrell, Michelle Berndt, Nancy Young, Linda Delaney, Rachel Rae Palmer, and Lea Winkelman. Y’all are kick-ass pimpers!

Thank you, Jessica Johnson Welch, Jacquie Denison, Michelle Engler, and Rachel Rae Palmer for your killer teaser designs. I love them.

An additional thank you for the support from these ladies, Teo Reaman, Joanna Hoover, and Tonya Ridener.

Chapter One

“C
ait!”

I jump, dribbling tea down the front of my blouse. I frantically brush the drops away before they seep into the fabric.

“Where have you been? Valerie’s on the war path, and she’s looking for you.”

“What?” I set my teacup down and stand, reaching to close my laptop, grabbing up my phone. “Why didn’t you call me, Paul?”

He follows me out the door. “I did. It went straight to voicemail.”

I look down at my phone to see that I haven’t turned it back on since my interview that morning. “Shit!”

“Yeah, she’s fit to be tied.”

“She’s always fit to be tied,” I mumble.

“Yeah, but this time she’s been shut up in her office all morning with people. Something’s up.”

I look over at my close friend and co-worker, Paul Sims. We hired on at Query Magazine the same day and struck up an immediate friendship, smart enough to see allies in each other. Two years later, Paul and his wife are my best friends.

We round the corner and come face to face with Valerie’s secretary.

“It’s about time!” she hisses. “Next time you decide to disappear, do me a favor and do it on my day off.”

“I’m here now, Pat.”

She steps quickly over to Valerie’s office and knocks softly. “Cait’s here, Valerie.”

“I’ll talk to you in a bit,” Paul says as he heads on down the hallway.

I step into the editor of Query Magazines office, leaving the door open, hoping she’ll yell less if she knows people can hear her.

“Shut the door, Caitlyn.”

So much for that idea.
I do as bid and then sit in the chair facing her desk.

Beating me to the punch before I have a chance to apologize, she asks, “Did you lose your phone?”

“Sorry, I forgot to turn it back on after my meeting with Adams.”

She gives me a raised eyebrow as she shuffles papers lying on her desk. “How did that go?”

“Not well. I think he’s a—flake.” She cocks her brow a notch higher. I shrug in answer as if that says it all. At her continued scrutiny, I fess up. “He’s a disgusting pig.” She’ll just have to take that answer and leave it as I’m not about to repeat what the slime ball said to me.

“Tell Paul I said he’s now on Adams. I have a new assignment for you.”

I sit up straight at once feeling apprehensive. Valerie is acting out of character. One: she never pulls you off an assignment since she expects you to do your job. No matter what. Two: She’s not yelling at me. She always yells especially if she’s waited half the day to do so. And three: Valerie is never out of character.

She reaches across the desk to flop a file down in front of me.

“Liam Justice.” I reach and pick up the file as she continues. “Owner of one of Chicago’s most elite private clubs. Patronized by politicians and world dignitaries alike.” Her tone is slightly mocking.

I flip through the information she’s provided which includes a batch of pictures of various people. “Which one is Justice?”

“We don’t have a good image of him.” She stands and leans across the desk to sort through the photos, sliding one away from the rest. It’s a long distance shot of an individual on a sailboat. It’s hard to discern anything about the man in the grainy picture. “There doesn’t seem to be
any
clear photos of Mr. Justice. He’s afforded a level of privacy that is certainly attributed to the company he—entertains.”

“Yeah, but still, in this day and age, it’s unusual—” I gasp softly, and my head jerks up. “He’s Mafia?”

Valerie rolls her eyes. “No, Caitlyn. He is a legitimate business man.”

“So, you just want to do a story on the mysterious Mr. Justice? Find out what makes him tick.”

“There are rumors about his background but nothing definite. In the last twelve years, he’s made quite a name for himself and his club. Membership to The Justice is highly coveted.”

I look up from the file when she doesn’t say more. “So, do you want me to investigate those rumors or why membership is so highly coveted?” I’m a little confused; Valerie usually gets right to the point.

She leans forward in her chair her fist coming down on her desktop making me jump. “I need someone in there who can keep an eye on what’s happening, watch to see who is coming and going, and find the hell out about Justice’s past!”

O-kaay, she’s in Valerie mode now. I feel a little less apprehensive. A little.

“Valerie, what’s going on here? You evidently have plenty of resources available on Liam Justice.” I hold up the extensive file.

“I’ve waited a year, and now a position has become available at The Justice.” She pulls a paper from her desk drawer. “They advertise for their kitchen, restaurant, and nightclub help in the newspaper. He’s an equal opportunity employer.” She smirks as she slides the paper to me.

Wow. There’s a nightclub?

“I’ve made an interview appointment for you.” She hands me a business card. “Tomorrow at three, the position is for a hostess.”

I take the card and glance at it briefly. “Anyone else I’m looking for?” I know there’s something more here.

“Not, in particular. You’ll be undercover on this one, Caitlyn.”

“You’re kidding,” I scoff.

“Not at all. Here’s your cover.” She slides another file to me. “It’ll be like a vacation, Caitlyn, you won’t have to come into the office,” she says wryly.

“Will I have to move?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

My eyes run over the cover information she’s given me. “This is my real info!”

“Except, for where you’ve previously been employed. Read the info, Caitlyn. We’ve covered all the bases in case someone gets inquisitive about you.”

“Why would… ” I take a deep breath to control my irritation. Something is setting off the little voice that tells me not all is kosher here. I’ve learned to trust that little voice. “Valerie—” I pause knowing I need to be careful how I say this. “You’ve never knowingly sent me into a dangerous situation, but you’re making me nervous here.”

Sighing heavily, she stands and moves to her small liquor cabinet in the corner where she pours a measure of her favorite bourbon into two glasses. We’ve had drinks in her office before, but usually it’s after hours.

She hands me a glass, reclaiming her chair before downing her drink. She sets the empty glass down.

“The Justice House is a sex club.”

I give her a long blink. “Excuse me?” My voice comes out in a squeak.

“You heard me, Caitlyn.”

I set my untouched drink on her desk. An equal measure of shock, anger, and dread roll over me. “I’m not the person for this assignment, Valerie. I don’t do sex clubs. I can’t even begin to tell you how little I know about that scene.”

“Oh, come now, I know you go out clubbing with Paul and a few of the others.”

“Not to sex clubs!” I stand, shaking my head. “Get Tish, she’ll do a better job.”

“Sit down, Caitlyn. The Justice isn’t the type of place that Tish frequents. It’s a class act, and you my dear girl are the investigator for the job. End of discussion!”

I hate it when she says that. “Valerie, I know nothing about—”

“The position is for a hostess… nothing more. Even if Justice allowed his employee’s access to that part of the club, they wouldn’t be able to afford the membership. Rumor has it joining can set a person back sixty thousand a year.”

Shit.

My mind scrambles. “Valerie, I know nothing about being a hostess—”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Caitlyn! You greet people. I’m sure you can handle it. I need info on Justice and who frequents Justice House. I need someone who is quick on her feet, can fit in, and can retain information to bring back to me. You.” She stands to pour herself another drink.

If she thinks to convince me by stroking my ego, she’s mistaken. “I can’t do it, Valerie. I wouldn’t be comfortable in that type of environment.”

She turns slowly, her expression smug. “You will if you want to continue working here.”

My mouth opens in surprise. I enjoy working at the magazine, but if that’s how it has to be, then I will start looking for another job tomorrow. I think she reads my mind as her next words finish that idea.

“Do you think you would like working at a fast food chain? Because, with one phone call from me, that will be the only type of work you will find in this town. And I can definitely make sure you will never work in journalism anywhere in this country.”

I know she’s serious. She has those types of connections. I pick up my neglected drink and down the contents in one gulp. The fiery liquid makes me choke, and my eyes tear.

Damn it!
I’m going to work in some sleazy sex bar.

I close Valerie’s office door behind me, taking a moment to pull my jumbled thoughts together.

“You okay?” Pat asks as she looks up from her computer.

“Yeah.” I step to her desk. “Pat, who did Valerie have in her office this morning?” I ask quietly.

She casts a glance toward the closed door. “Two suits. And she was expecting them,” she whispers back.

My eyes widen in surprise. “Cops?”

Pat nods. “Maybe. She had me hold all of her calls.” She raises her brow indicating how unusual that was in itself. “They were in there three hours, and when they left she started trying to contact you.”

I nod. “Thanks, Pat. I’ll talk to you later, I need to find Paul.”

“Sounds like you may need to drag out the ol’ whip and practice a bit.”

“That’s not funny, Paul!” I give him the evil eye, and then smile at his wife Julie when she giggles. We’re having drinks at our favorite little corner bar, not far from Paul and Julie’s place.

“It’ll be okay, Cait,” Julie says. “It kind of sounds like it might be a good time.” Now it’s my turn to giggle at the look on Paul’s face. “You know… with all the gorgeous people.” She gives me a wink. “I’ve heard it’s one swanky place. One of the girls in the office had the chance to have dinner there, and she said the whole estate was incredible. Although I am now wondering just what she was doing there, but since you’re only hiring in as a hostess for the restaurant… why not have fun with it?” She shrugs. “Easy-peasy.”

I give her a long blink. She makes it sound so simple, and I wish she were right. I look at Paul and shake my head slightly, motioning to Julie with my thumb.

“I know. Why do you think I fell in love with her?” He leans over to give her a kiss, and I smile fondly at them. They were only a couple when I first met Paul, but they’ve been married a year now, and I will be forever grateful to Julie for not being jealous of the friendship between her husband and me.

Julie steps away to speak to an acquaintance, and it doesn’t take Paul long to bring up my new assignment.

“Cait, all kidding aside, you’re not really worried about this assignment are you?” He meets my gaze, his eyes full of concern.

“I think this whole expose’ Valerie wants to do on Justice is a coverup.”

“You think she’s lying to you?” Paul finishes his beer and holds the bottle up to catch the waitress’s attention.

I shift in my chair. “Maybe not lying exactly—but there’s more to this than her wanting to uncover the guy’s background. She has quite a file on him even though she insists that he’s shielded by the big shots he knows. She insists she has no good photos of him, but I don’t believe her.”

Paul shrugs. “So something’s throwing up a red flag. You know how Valerie is. Look him up on the web.”

I laugh. “I thought about that, I’ve just not had the chance yet.”

“Cait, I am a little worried about her asking you to report on who comes and goes. If it’s as she told you, and there are all manner of people utilizing the Justice for their nefarious needs, some of those people might be willing to do anything to keep their squeaky clean reputations intact.”

I inhale deeply. He’s not saying anything I haven’t already said to myself.

“You know, we all just keep assuming that I’m going to be hired for this job.”

Paul gives me a raised brow as he accepts a fresh beer from our waitress. “You’ll get hired, Cait. You said Valerie has a cover for you, and I’m sure it’s a doozy. She wants you there; she won’t leave anything to chance.” I know he’s right. “I’ve told Valerie I’m helping you on this one.”

I give a sharp laugh. “You did! What did she say?”

He grins. “She said I’d best be worried about Adams, that you said he was some kind of ballbusting predator.”

We’re both laughing, our party mood restored when Julie rejoins us.

“Oh, Cait!” Julie grins mischievously. “Myles asked about you the other day. Kind of hinted around that he was going to call you.”

With raised brow, I shake my head. “Not going to happen, Julie.”

She laughs. “That’s what I told him, but he acted like he didn’t hear me. Just kept on talking about what a fun time the two of you had and how he couldn’t get you out of his head. So, look out.”

Crap.
Myles Lee worked for the same advertising firm as Julie, and she fixed us up on a blind date, not knowing his true nature. I spent the entire time at the restaurant where we had dinner, fighting him off. It was embarrassing. The night finally ended when I hauled off and slapped him in the taxi on the ride to the theater. He demanded that the cab driver pull over and then kicked me out of the cab. That was two months ago, and if he thought I’d go on another date with him, he was crazy.

“Stay away from that guy,” Paul says before turning to his wife. “You too! It would take little provocation for me to punch him.”

“Oh, my hero,” Julie says, batting her eyelashes at him.

I call it an early night since I have a job interview to prepare for.

Paul nudges my shoulder as we wait for my cab. “You’ll be just fine, Cait as long as you don’t catch the eye of some Dominatrix.” I frown. “A female dominant,” he explains, rolling his eyes.

“I told you I don’t know anything about that kind of… stuff!” I playfully punch his arm.

“Paul, stop teasing Cait.” Julie gives me a hug. “Call, and let us know how the interview goes.”

“Yeah, I want to hear
all
about it,” Paul teases, his arm going around my shoulder for a quick squeeze. “You’ll be fine, kid.”

My cab arrives, and we say our good-byes. I settle in for the short ride home, watching out the window as the city lights stream by. I wish it could be as easy and painless as Julie would have me believe and if it were just a new job as a hostess—maybe. But it’s not. I will be snooping and lying to people, doing what I do best, uncovering their secrets.

And that little voice that I usually listen to is still nagging at me.