Chapter 6: The Vodka Lounge.

The Vodka Lounge was one of those high-class joints where you only found 2 types of people, the extremely rich and the extremely powerful. There was always this line of men and pretty girls trying to get in, because they all knew, that if you got into the Vodka Lounge, the contacts a person could get in there can set you for life.

Back when I and Silas were just detective with shiny new badges following the take over of Dogtown by Vadim, we were apparent regulars here. Back then of course this place was under different management. Now it was run by Mylene Rivers. The Russian’s mistress, and also part of the reason I wanted to come here. The other part being I needed to meet with Vadim personally before I went to his manor.

Having come with Silas I assumed we wouldn’t need to wait in the statutory line of losers and wannabes. And I was partly right it seemed. Everyone knew Silas from the Russian side and we got in through the back entrance, without the statutory gun scanning. I guess Vadim trusted Silas to not shoot someone in his club. Though if it were up to me I would ensure that if anyone, Silas was the last person to carry a gun into a crowded place. His ability to make enemies was overshadowed only by his ability to keep friends. And with the friends he had, none of his enemies dared to cross Silas.

We got down to the usual drinks and conversation. Silas agreed that the best place to get information would be this, since we already had Mike’s word that no one from the Italians was after Mylene, this was indeed the best place to start digging. But the real reason I came to the Vodka Lounge was nowhere in sight.

“Stop looking for her, Vic” Silas caught me looker over my shoulder for the nth time. “Mylene rarely shows up for such small things. She has people who manage the club for her.”

“Well Vadim owns this joint, and as far as I remember he gave it to Mylene to manage. So chances are that she’s somewhere here.” The argument was somewhat invalid, since Vadim didn’t give Mylene the club to manage as much as he gave it to her as a gift. Talk about high-maintenance.

“Even if she does show up, this would be the worst place to talk with her, the joint is swarming with mob people, and Vadim has his eyes everywhere.” Damn Silas and his clear logic.

“Well if it isn’t the two hard asses of days-gone-by.” The voice was familiar, there was no way a person forgets that voice once he’s heard it. Especially, when you’ve already heard it voice that morning.

I turned around from my drink and Silas did the quick nod to warn me. Since we were in the force we had a few decided movements which alerted each other. This one was particularly a way of saying; “Stay cool or the shits gonna hit the fan.”

“Sergey, how goes the killing business?” Not a good way to start a conversation with someone like Sergey.

“Business is good, nothing changes in a day, you know that Vic. So what brings the two old dogs out of retirement? A quick night out? After 2 years off the map?”

“For the record, I never ‘retired’ in the first place.” Silas had to throw a wisecrack. “I just shifted professions, which I believe you know very well, Sergey.”

“Yea yea, we know all about your little ‘business’. The boss keeps reminding me how good your business is going. And how ‘useful’ you are to us.” Sarcasm was dripping from those words. “But if you ask me, there’s a million other people out there who can do your job just as well. If you know what I mean.”

“I would love see one of these others people do my job even half as well, Sergey. You keep forgetting your business of killing works because of my business of supplying. Maybe I should remind Vadim how many foot-soldiers he has who can kill people just as well.”


The ice between the two of them could have frozen water. I had a feeling that in spite of what Silas said, he was probably going to cause the shit to hit the fan. I was just thinking of a way to get the situation under control when my prayers got answered.

“If both of you worry about your businesses so much, maybe you should consider what would happen to my business if either of you were to get shot here.” The voice was what I was waiting for, as I heard Mylene speak directly to both Silas and Sergey. “Do you know what happens to my business if either of you do get shot here?” I assumed this was one of those rhetorical questions.

“Nothing. Nothing at all. You die, and the only thing I have to clean up is the bloody mess you leave behind. So why don’t you both put your testosterone away and have a drink.” The way in which Mylene spoke was one of authority. Like a lioness going back to the pride and keeping every rowdy lion under her control. It was intimidating to say the least. Maybe that’s the reason I felt like the prey when her eyes fell on me. “Hello, Vic. Been a long time since we’ve seen the likes of you around town. What brings the old dog out of retirement?”

So this was how she was gonna play it. Guess it was better anyway. What with Sergey here breathing down Silas’ neck, and the place crowding with the crème de la crème of the underworld, its best to keep a late night visit to a retired detective a secret. “Nothing, I was approached by a certain individual who had an enticing enough offer to get me out of retirement. I was just hoping to run into him here and provide a little update.” I just hoped that Mylene would get what I meant.

“Well, dear Vad is busy tonight. He’s got some personal business to attend to. Maybe you could tell me what it is and I’ll pass on the message.” Perfect. Now the only thought in my head was how do I get her for a private conversation. “Why don’t you step into my office after a bit? I’m sure this isn’t a conversation for eavesdroppers.”

“I’ll make sure to send him along.” Damn you, Silas. Why on earth did he want to end this conversation?

“You do that.” Mylene’s reply was the epitome of casualness, she walked towards Sergey and said something completely inaudible and moved on towards her office. Whatever she said, worked. Sergey melted away into the crowd without so much as a backward glance.

I took the time to turn on Silas. “Well thank you for that, partner. Why’d you get rid of her like that? I was trying to have a conversation there.” Silas seemed unfazed and effectively ignored everything I was saying. This only helped in confusing me further, which was not at all helpful.

“If I were you, I’d keep a close eye on who goes into that office before you. Us being gone for a few years doesn’t change the fact that people hold grudges, and many of those people are here tonight.” He had a point, just looking around the room made me realize how many people here I had crossed paths with, and how many had come off worse for it. “Don’t do anything stupid that’s gonna get us both killed here.”

“You’re one to talk. Mr. Keep-it-cool. Why’d you have to go and piss all over Sergey’s happiness for? He’s tied with Vadim now, he’s no longer that measly foot soldier we put behind bars. Crossing him has consequences, those which we can do without right now.”

“I never crossed him alright? He was the one who’s got it out for me. Ever since Vadim took him to replace Miroslav he’s been walking around like he owns the damn town. He’s just a henchman, replaceable. You and me, we’ve been around since he didn’t even know who Vadim was. We earned our respect Vic, or did you forget that? I’m not gonna let some cocky prick show me down.” It was obvious this wasn’t the first face-off between the two. I wasn’t sure what had Silas on edge concerning Sergey, but I knew he would tell me when the time was right.

“Anyway, your drink seems to be running a little low. Why don’t you check up on your clientele and I’ll get us refills.” Still lacking that tact.