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“ She likes it rough. It gums up her valves if you don’ t push the RPMs to the red line,” Frank advised. Eddie pushed the throttle. Frank enjoyed the ride. A half hour later they pulled into a high rise office parking lot.“ We are almost late Grandma,” Frank laughed.“ I’ m not sure why I’ m here?” Eddie asked, whipping into a parking space.“ To learn about building codes. The gentlemen you are about to meet are going to tell us what we can and cannot do in respect to what we want to do. They are not going to offer alternatives. That job will be left to you, primarily.”
The meeting ended and Eddie had his education in fire codes and building restrictions.“ That was a lot of information,” Eddie conceded, as they strode toward Frank’ s car.“ You asked good questions. Drive,” Frank said, opening the passenger door.“ I don’ t want to get shut down by some fire marshal before we open the doors,” Eddie said, getting behind the wheel.“ We won’ t. Steak for lunch?” Frank asked.“ I’ m just driving. But that sounds great.”“ Get to the North freeway. Let’ s see if we can make it before the heavy lunch or dinner crowd.” The car hit ninety on the entrance ramp.“ Much better,” Frank said, as Eddie navigated his way through slower traffic.“ This car was made for the Autobahn. She will do two hundred without a problem.”“ Have you driven her that fast?”“ One-eighty past a highway patrol car. I heard the whoop of the siren. He didn’ t even start his engine. I could have been anywhere by the time he caught me. If he clocked me again, I was pushing two-ten,” Frank said. The restaurant to which Frank directed him, was one Eddie had noticed but had never been, a fact he mentioned. Frank told him to order one of the specials the waiter would offer. He would not be disappointed and he was correct. When desert was offered, Eddie declined. Frank took the bill without giving Eddie the chance to see the total. He pulled a money clip and his phone from his pocket, stuffed some cash inside the binder and glanced at the text he just received. The waiter picked up the black leather folder. Frank said,“ The steaks were perfect and the service excellent, thank you,” and waved him away, before the young man had a chance to say a word.“ Are you in a hurry? I have to collect a rent,” Frank stated.“ Tanya won’ t be home for at least three hours. Need a driver?” Eddie asked.“ If you don’ t mind?”“ Where are we going?” Eddie queried. Frank detected an edge in his voice.“ This is an old friend. He rents one of my properties and if I don’ t stop by at least once a month, he holds the money until I visit. George operates a gentleman ' s club. I hope that does not offend you.”“ I’ ve been a couple of times. The last time was fifteen years ago.”“ They haven’ t changed. George is a little rough around the edges, but he is well connected. All you have to do is be polite, do what he asks, and don’ t believe any of his bullshit, there is a lot of that,” Frank said, with a smile. The valet took the car after handing Eddie the ticket. Eddie caught up with Frank at the door. He was chatting with a stocky guy holding a two-way radio. A gruff voice came through the small devise as Eddie arrived.“ About time that bastard showed up. Tell him he knows where to find me.”“ George says you will find him in his office,” the bald man with no neck, wearing a white double breasted suit and black t-shirt said, holding the door.“ I heard,” Frank said to“ Mr. Clean” as they entered. Eddie read the gold name tag on the white lapel“ Bruno” as he passed.
Earthshaking music filled the dark place. It took a moment for Eddies eyes to adjust from the bright afternoon sun to the dimly lit interior of the huge club.“ This way,” Frank tugged on Eddie’ s sleeve not sure he could be heard. Eddie nodded and followed. The girl on the runway, surrounded by tables and chairs, was moving to the music wearing a black g-string. Only half a dozen tables were occupied, by maybe eight guys. The tables around the outer perimeter were cast in shadows. Eddie caught movement from the corner of his eye and saw someone enjoying a table dance as they wound their way through the neatly arranged seating. A few scantily clad women sat near the bar talking and laughing.“ Fifteen years and it hasn’ t changed,” Eddie thought.