Ellie was again sat in the dressing room of the club, her two shows were over and she was cleaning herself up ready to go home.
‘Great spots today Ellie.’ said Alfonzo entering the room. He was, thought Ellie, about fifty-years-old. He had thinning black hair, (obviously dyed) which had a bald spot in the centre at the top. He was only five-feet tall but wore thick heeled shoes to add a couple more inches; he was fat and sweated profusely even when standing still.
‘Thanks Alfie,’ she said smiling at him through the mirror.
She called him Alfie because she knew he liked it.
‘By the way… Alfie, did you think anymore about that raise I asked for?’ Ellie watched his expression change in the mirror as he dabbed his forehead with his handkerchief.
‘I was thinking…’ he said in reply. ‘I could take you out for dinner sometime and we could… ya know, kinda discuss it, like.’ he then wiped over his face and neck.
Ellie stood up reaching for her coat. ‘Forget it Al, I’ll work tomorrow, and then I’m gone!’ she said matter-of-factly.
Alfonzo stood up and wiped his head once more. ‘Okay okay,’ he said raising his hands in defeat. ‘You win; you get the raise starting Monday.’
‘Thanks Alfie,’ she said bending and kissing him on his head. ‘Thought you’d see it my way. Oh one other thing, no more schoolgirls' uniform. Give it one of the other girls.’ then she left.
Ellie waved to another dancer as she walked out and into the alley at the side of the club. When she reached the street she saw two police patrol cars and what could only have been an unmarked parked outside Louigis’ café. She knew him fairly well so she went over to see what had happened. ‘I hope it wasn’t a hold-up!’ she thought. When she reached the other sidewalk she saw two policemen leaving the café.
‘Hey Frank.’ she called. Frank was one of her regulars, when he was off duty of course.
Frank started towards Ellie and she saw a grim look on his face. ‘It was a hold-up. And Louigi had been shot!’ she knew it!’ That’s when she saw he was carrying some books, Alicias’ books. Ellie felt her heart stop, her chest became very tight and it was difficult for her to breathe. She steadied herself on one of the police cars with her left hand.
Frank passed the books to his colleague and took hold of Ellies’ upper arms to stop her from falling. ‘Ellie,’ he said trying to snap her back. ‘Come on, let’s go inside and sit down.’
Inside Louigis’ Frank sat Ellie on a chair and he sat beside her. ‘Hey Lou, can we get some water over here?’ he called out.
‘What’s happened, where’s Alicia?’ Ellie couldn’t believe she was saying these words, it sounded like someone else, not her.
‘We think she may have been… kidnapped.’ Frank said finding it hard to say the words.
‘Think, you think. What do you mean… think?’ shouted Ellie in disbelief.
Frank took hold of her hand. ‘Louigi said she ran through his kitchen and when he followed her out the back…’ Frank knew this next bit of information was going to be a bombshell. ‘When he followed her out back, he saw two men put her in their car and drive off.’
Frank thought he would spare her the full details. ‘We found this near the entrance to the alley.’ he showed Ellie a white rag, although it was dry now it had been soaked with chloroform.
Louigi brought over a glass and a jug of water. ‘Ellie, if there is anything—.’
Frank looked up at Louigi, Louigi nodded once and moved away.
‘Find her Frank, find her for me.’ she pleaded looking straight into Franks’ eyes.
Frank nodded solemnly knowing they were still looking for eight other young girls that had been abducted recently, and had gotten nowhere.
He passed Ellie a business card. ‘Look Ellie, give these guys a call. They’re old friends of mine, tell them I sent you. They’re good Ellie, very good. In the meantime… you’ve got the whole of the Richmond police force looking as well.’
Ellie took the card, although not really taking in what was being said to her.
