Chapter 29: Into the shadows
Isabel awoke with a jolt, her mind immediately racing back to the images on the flashdrive. Her determination solidifiedas the swung her legs out of bed, her thoughts fixatedon
ne thing–abhouse. Whatever lay within those neon–It walls held the key to the questions gnawing at her, and she was done waiting
quickly treshening up, she slipped on a casual Moose and jeans, hoping to blend in. But as she stepped into the hallway, she spotted Marten by the open kitchen, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. His lace lit up as he saw her.
“Isabel!” he greeted, a wann smile breaking across his face. “Care to join me for breakfast?
Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t anticipated ninning into him this morning, and she needed to leave soon if she wanted any chance at finding the Clubhouse without raising his suspicions. But she forced a smile and nodded, making her way over to him. She couldn’t act too rager to leave.
“Coffee” he offered, pointing her a cup before she could answer
She took it feeling its warmth radiate through her hands as she sat beside
side him at the bar.
“So,” Matteo said casually, leaning against the counter. “You look like you’re off somewhere today. Anywhere interesting?
She paused, trying to keep her expression neutral “Oh, just meeting a friend. Another journalist I met the other day. He offered to share some of his experiences here.”
His gaze sharpened, though he kept his smile. “Anyone I know?”
Isabel shook her head quick, doing her best to appear casual “No, I don’t think so. He’s just passing through. It seemed like a good opportunity to get an insider perspective.”
Matteo’s expression reloved slightly, and he nodded. “As long as it’s not…Don.”
“No, definitely not Don,” she replied, forcing a light chuckle.
I again.”
“Well,” he said, setting down his mug. “Just be careful our there, alright? And back before the stroke of nine. No slipping out without an escort a
A flicker of hesitation crossed her face, but she quickly masked it. “I’ll be back before then,” she promised. “But about the escort… I’d really prefer to go alone. It’ll just be a quick Haschip, then I’ll be back”
Matteo gave her a long, searching look. Then, with a small sigh, he pulled a set of keys from his pocket and held them out to her. “If you’re going solo, take something safe. Here.”
Isabel’s eyes widened as she took the keys, recognizing the Chevrolet logo. “You’re giving me acar?”
“Let’s call it a loaner,” he said with a faint smirk. “A black Chevrolet Camaro. Parked right outside. Just try not to get into too much trouble.”
She managed a grateful smile, her heart thumpis, Matteo. I’ll be careful. I promise.”
With that, she turned, the keys cool and solid in her grip. She couldn’t afford to let the guilt gnawing at her get in the way. Whatever Mattes was hiding, the answers lay at Clubbouse. And today, she’d find them.
The city streets bustled around her as she drove the sleek Camaro through winding alleys and crowded plazas, keeping an eye out for any signs or landmarks that matched the ones from the flash drive. She took in the scenery with purpose, knowing she had only a limited time before Matteo would expect her back.
At first, finding the Clubhouse seemed straightforward. She asked a few passersby, her Italian carefully rehearsed. But each time, people either looked away or muttered something unintelligible before hurrying off. Some ignored her entirely, their expressions darkening at the mere mention of the place.
She tried not to let the apprehension build as she wandered deeper into the city, pulling her jacket tighter around herself as the air grew colder. The Clubhouse felt like a ghost, a hidden part of the city that no one dared to acknowledge. It made her even more determined.
As she continued down a narrow street, her eyes scanned the faces around her, desperate for a lead. That’s when she noticed a woman leaning against the side of a building, a cigarette balanced between her fingers. She was older, with a hard look in her eyes, and as Isabel approached, she seemed to size her up.
Isabel hesitated but took a step closer. “Excuse me. I’m looking for the Clubhouse.”
The woman’s gaze sharpened instantly, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. She took a slow drag from her cigarette, blowing the smoke to the side before speaking. “You’ve been asking around about that place, haven’t you?”
“Yes, 1-”
Isabel felt a prickle of unease but nodded. “Yes,
The woman grabbed her arm, pulling her closer, her voice barely a whisper. “Not here That’s not something you talk about in the open. Do you know how many people you’ve already asked?”
Isabel swallowed, realizing how reckless she might have seemed. “L.. I didn’t think it would be a problem.”
“Of course, you didn’t,” the woman scoffed, glancing over her shoulder as someone might overhear. “If you want to know about the Clubhouse, you’ll have to come with me be warned–you may not like what you find.”
Achill ran down Isabel’s spine, but she kept her expression steady. This was her only chance, her lead The woman burned, her yoke low and steady. “If you want to know about the Clubhouse follow me!
