23. Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Someone Unexpected Gains Entry

E rnie always exercised extreme caution with new faces that came up to the entrance of The Temple of Venus. “Good evening, sir. May I be of service?” Ernie – always polite and professional.

“Good evening, my good man. I wish to enter V enus. What is required? I am to meet one or two gentlemen here this evening.”

“Who are the gentlemen?” Ernie changed his stance from his hands behind his back to bringing his hands folded in front of him.

“That would be Lord Stephen Blackwood. From time to time he is with another lord. I have the worst time recalling his name. Widower.” The man smiled and nodded as a sort of confirmation.

“Yes, I know of whom you speak. Now, sir, as awkward as it may be, you must have at least four hundred pounds and something with your name and address to enter. You must have proof. If you would be kind enough to show me proof of the money and your name and address, you will gain entry.” Ernie maintained a commanding stance.

“I understand. Allow me to give you my card.” He handed Ernie his card, then reached into his waistcoat and pulled out over five hundred pounds.

“You will leave two hundred pounds with me. Upon such time as you are ready to leave, I will return the two hundred pounds. If that is agreeable, you are free to enter,” Ernie looked down at the man’s card, “Mr. Thistlewood.”

“I understand completely.” Thistlewood handed the doorman two hundred pounds, Ernie looked over the money, then opened the door to the club.

“Have a good evening, Mr. Thistlewood.”

Thistlewood entered the main room making note of the exits, the card rooms, and the private rooms. He walked up to the bar and sat down. He smiled at the bar wench. “Good evening, lovely lady. Might I get a scotch from you?”

She smiled at him. He had a nice-looking face. “Yes, sir. Any brand in particular?”

“Whatever you have that is best. I don’t drink cheap scotch.” He smiled at her rather flirtatiously.

“I can get that for you.” She reached for a bottle from the back bar and poured him a shot.

He laid down a fifty-pound note. “Could I buy one for you, pretty lady?” He would be nice but not pushy.

“Might I be able to have it later?” She asked.

“That is understandable. Let me pay for our drinks and keep the rest for you to buy something pretty.” He attempted and successfully started a conversation with the gentleman sitting to his left. The man offered Thistlewood join him for dinner at Lynn’s, on Fleet Street. Thistlewood graciously declined, explaining he had eaten prior to coming to Venus. The gentleman stood, shook Thistlewood’s hand, and expressed the hope to see him again.

Thistlewood asked the bar wench for another scotch, paid with another fifty-pound note, and offered to buy her another drink. He then engaged another gentleman at the bar to lessen the bar wench’s suspicion that he might be vying for her affections. At some point, he began to ask questions about the ‘ladies’ available for male entertainment. He asked what each lady had to offer, and if he knew their names. The bar wench, overhearing the conversation, asked. “Is there something or someone in particular that you might be looking for, sir?”

Someone told me about a doxy here, a little bit older, but good at her job. Name is Linda, Brenda,…”

“Do you mean Glenda?” The bar wench offered.

“Yes, I think that is her name. Is she here tonight?”

“Oh…no, …sir.”

He chuckled. “She must be doing well. Maybe another time.”

The bar wench canted her head toward the end of the bar. He stood and walked down as she leaned over it; he turned his ear toward her mouth. “I am not supposed to say anything, but Glenda was murdered.”

“Oh, my goodness. How tragic. Where did it happen?” He looked genuinely disturbed by this news.

“It happened here, but not by a customer. I don’t want you to worry about anything happening here. The Bow Street runners suspect the murderer was someone that she knew. But please don’t say anything. I could get in trouble for sharing. I would not want to see you waiting for her.”

“Yes, I see. Good to know. Thank you for sharing that with me. I will have to hire someone else. Who might you recommend?”

“Terry Thompson is quite good at the same thing that made Glenda so popular.” She gave him a wicked smile. “If you know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do. Is she here tonight?” He asked. What the hell.

“Yes, let me see if she is busy.” The bar wench left the bar and Thistlewood sat back down.

I’m going to kill that bitch. Why the hell did she come in here and kill Linda? Four pounds a week? Yes, I will be happy to return the favor. Then I will take the lovely little Stevie and sell her as I have a dozen others. The men in Europe and the Middle East love pretty British white girls. I should get much more out of her by selling her and I can quickly dispose of her.

The bar wench returned. “Terry is in the third room on the left. Right down that hall.” She pointed in the direction.

“Does she have a standard cost?” He thought he had better ask.

“She is negotiable. Depends on what you want and how much you want.” She smiled at him again. This time he picked up his change and walked down the hall.