Page 2 of The Kingpin's Call Girl

Well, I’m protecting her now. But I need to find her first.

I force myself to turn around. I glance at the corner booth, and sure enough, Dardan is staring at me. I know it’s him from the pictures Bender showed me.

I hold the stare suggestively long, but inside, I’m trembling. There’s a reason cops don’t send civilians into undercover work. Like maybe they’re terrible at it!

Charges dropped, sister located,I remind myself as Dardan licks his lips. I just have to get invited to the table.

I turn back to my drink, giving the bartender a nervous smile like he’s my last lifeline to civilization. In truth, I left civilization the minuteI walked into this place. They could shoot somebody in the face here, and the busboys would clear the body away with the empty glasses.

The bartender slides a small bowl of nuts my way.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

He picks up a glass and wipes the rim.

Growing up, my sister and I were the only ones who ever remembered each other’s birthdays. At some point, we made a vow to always sing Happy Birthday to each other. No matter where we might be, the call would be placed, and the song would be sung. If one of us is dead, the other goes to the grave and sings it.

But when I tried to call Mary on her birthday two weeks ago, her number was out of service. I tried again and again. I tried her friends.

Nobody had seen her.

I went to her last apartment in a shabby high-rise “with a view of Rikers Island!” Mary once joked. Her angry, drug-addled Irish roommate said she owed rent. He couldn’t remember when exactly he’d last seen her. Three weeks ago, maybe.

I filed a missing person’s report, but the person taking down the info couldn’t have been more disinterested.

I finally headed to Emerald Avenue down in Southeast Bronx. Mary would work the street there when she needed cash; my plan was to show Mary’s picture around.

That’s when Bender and his partner arrested me.

I pleaded with them and swore I wasn’t a hooker. I explained how desperate I was to find my sister and that a solicitation charge on my record would destroy my dreams of being a high school history teacher.

Right before I was booked, Bender took me aside and said he’d found a way to get me out of the jam I was in... if I did this thing for him.

It sounded easy enough at the time.

I check my phone to make sure it’s got reception and that thesound is turned up. Bender is going to call me at 1:20 a.m. to get me out of here. He promised that he’d personally come into the place if he had to. Three hours.

“What if this guy wants to exchange money for sexual favors before 1:20 a.m.?” I’d asked.

Bender said it wouldn’t happen because “the chatter” said they’d be hanging out until dawn working out plans. But I could always make an excuse and leave.

I catch Dardan’s eye in the mirror and look away.

Don’t seem too eager,Bender told me.A little bit of resistance is part of the package you’re selling.

Just as I’m gathering my nerve to walk over, Dardan appears beside me. “She’ll have another.” He puts money on the bar. “What’s your name, honey?” His breath smells of mint and onions.

“Honey,” I say.

He leans in closer. “Well, isn’t that convenient.”

I go for a Mona Lisa smile.Don’t be eager.

“You looking for a date?” he asks.

“You a cop?” Bender told me to ask that.

“I look like a cop?” he asks.

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