Chapter Four

"Deal!"

Kyoka smiled triumpantly. If it had been a guy, Jess would have lost her temper almost immediately, however Ky's persistance was rather flattering.

The dectective was rather intrigued by the other woman's bold disposition. Hell, it wasnt everyday she ran into someone with the audacity to blackmail her. Honestly, it felt a bit refreshing being challenged, even in a literal sense.

"So do you like seafood?"

"What I like...," Jess slammed a hefty palm against the countertop, "...is putting criminals behind bars!"

With the other arm outstretched, Jess dangled a recent photo of Miss Daniels like bait on a hook. "Now tell me again, have you ever seen this woman?"

Ky stared at the picture for a brief moment. "Sure, who hasn't? Sarah was a part-time worker at the club until about six months ago."

The sudden shock on Jess' face must have registered because the minute the bartender's jaw fell open questions came flying out.

"Where is she? Is she okay? What are you not telling me?"

"I'm sorry, but the partially decomposed body of Sarah Daniels was discovered in an alley downtown."

The pain that bled from Ky's face felt like a solid punch to the gut. Jess was sympathetic but desensitized to the womans sorrow. Breaking the news to family & friends of the victim bad always been the worst part of the job.

"H-How, how did she die?"

"I'm not at liberty to disclose any further information on an open investigation."

Jess took Ky's wrist in a vice-like grip. "And this goes without saying, but you can't tell anyone else about this."

There was avid objection lingering within those luminous green eyes for a moment, then complete surrender.

"Okayyy, but just so you know, dinner is absolutely non-negotiable!"

"Fine. If it isnt an upscale restaurant with a gorgeous view of the bay I'll be leaving you with alot more than just the cheque."

"Sounds great. Pick you around seven."

"I'll meet you there. Text the adddress the this number." Jess handed over her business card & averted her gaze back to the laptop sitting on the counter. "Now that that's settled. Let's take a look at footage from the night Sarah was last seen."

Ky's eyes were as glued to the screen as she fingers were stuck to keyboard.

With her fingers crossed, Jess hoped there'd be enough on there for a search warrant, then it'd be up to the guys from forenesic to find any evidence tied to the case.

She had long suspected this business of having deep ties with the russian mob. Made sense, this was their turf & the owner of this club just so happened to be the relative of the infamous Bellagio twins.

Who knows, maybe Sarah saw something she shouldnt have & was made to pay with her life. One thing was clear, nothing was certain at this point so they'd have to dig until they found something concrete.

"The server has too many firewalls."

"Dammit, are you a hacker or not?"

"Are you a cop or not? I'm not tryna get arrested again."

"Just do it!" Jess insisted in a the usual stern tone she used among colleagues. "I'll take care of it."

"...Push-y," Ky glared at the screen as her fingers quickly danced across the keyboard. "I'm in!"

"That was quick!"

"What can I say, the talent's all in the fingers."

Jess snorted a laugh as she lowered her head to take a closer look. "Seems like every video from the night in question has been erased."

"So what do we do?" Ky asked innocently.

"Is it possible to obtain the files that have been deleted?"

"Maybe, but I'll have to get access to my boss' computer & it's locked in that office." Ky pointed her finger towards a set of double doors beyond the VIP area.

Jess hung her head in defeat. She already crossed the line by gaining unlawful entry into the club & to top it off she just coerced Ky into hacking the security servers. She couldnt possibly add breaking & entering to the list of felonies she committed today. Maybe it was finally time to call it a day & try again tomorrow.

"Thank you for helping me out with this." She whispered into the shell of the taller woman's ear. "I'll be sure to keep in touch."