Read Online City of Secrets by Kelli Stanley - Free Book Online

listen. I don’t have time for you. I don’t think you know a fucking thing beyond whatever truck driver is going to get drunk enough to be rolled for a blow job. You’re a middle-aged slut with no prospects and no future, and if you weren’t a piece of shit of a human being, I’d feel sorry for you. As it is, my pity extends to five bucks. Take it or leave it.”
    Sheila backed up into the makeup counter. Sank to the stool, eyes venomous.
    â€œSome do-gooder. How the hell do you know what we go through? Who the hell are you to judge?” Her breath came out in tattered heaves, and she grasped at the robe, pulling it tight. Dropped her eyes, dropped her voice.
    â€œAll right. Five bucks.”
    Miranda counted out five singles, laid them over the blue-backed cards. Sheila eyed the money greedily but didn’t get up.
    Miranda said. “What do you know?”
    â€œTerrell Jacobs’ place. One of the animal trainers. Name’s Henry Kaiser.”
    â€œWhat about him?”
    She walked over and picked up the money, sat back on the stool, and faced Miranda. “He’s a fucking bastard, is what he is. A beater.”
    â€œDid he beat Pandora?”
    â€œShe went out with him. Came to work with bruises for the next week. They stopped when she quit seein’ him.”
    â€œHow long ago was this?”
    Sheila shrugged. “I don’t know. Coupla months ago, maybe. She was smart enough so’s it only took once.”
    Miranda nodded. “Thanks. I’ll be back later to see Lucinda.”
    â€œShe don’t know any more than—”
    â€œThen she won’t get any more than you did.”
    â€œYou’re some cheapskate bitch.”
    Miranda turned back from the door, looked up at the blond woman. Spoke softly. “Fuck you, Sheila. And the eight goes on the nine of clubs.”
    She closed the door behind her and met Loretta’s eyes.

 
    Six
    The brunette stared at her, half in awe. She was at least ten years younger than Sheila.
    A tinny radio was playing “All the Things You Are” from behind one of the other doors. Miranda was sick and fucking tired of the breathless hush of evening.
    â€œWell, Loretta? Got anything to tell me?”
    The younger woman glanced down the hallway. From around the corner by the stage, a few whistles and whoops signaled appreciation for whatever model was posing.
    She whispered. “Did Sheila tell you about—about Henry?”
    â€œYeah. When did you go out with him?”
    Loretta looked down at the cement floor, kicked at a piece of pink chewing gum.
    â€œLast year. Right before we closed up. He was workin’ the Monkey Speedway part-time then, still with the Christy Brothers Circus.” She glanced at Miranda, looked away again. “I tried to warn Pandora.”
    â€œAnd she didn’t listen.”
    The girl nodded. Suddenly pulled down the terry-cloth robe from her left shoulder. “He left me with this.”
    The skin on her shoulder was puckered and scarred, a scaly pink.
    Miranda put out a finger, touched it gently. “What did he do?”
    â€œTried to—to brand me. I thought he was playing around.”
    â€œJesus.” Miranda took a deep breath, pulled the girl’s robe back over her shoulder. “Thanks, Loretta.”
    The brown-haired girl looked at her anxiously. “You won’t tell, will you? I’m just—I’m so ashamed.…” Her lip quivered while she wiped the tears with the back of a Pan-Caked hand.
    â€œI won’t say a word, but don’t ever let some sonofabitch hurt you and blame you for it.”
    The girl nodded, sniffling. She murmured. “My real name’s Ethel.”
    Miranda patted her on the other shoulder. “Ethel, do you know if Pandora was Jewish?”
    Large brown eyes flew open, surprised. “They said she was.”
    â€œWho’s ‘they’?”
    â€œOh, I