The Whiskey Files

FOUR

There was a familiarity as Salem walked into the bar. A simple path he walked every time on his way inside, to a seat at the end of that burned cherry wood bar where he sat every night like an assigned seat and wasted away in drink after drink. This place was more like home than his office was.

The moment he took his seat he saw Benny shake his head and make his way on down to Salem. Taking a long look at the man who was bleeding and turning black and blue before his very eyes.

"Jesus, what the hell happened to you? Better yet, I probably don't want to know." He waved a hand, "Remember I ain't running a charity here, Sal. I'm done with tabs for you. You pay me up front or you ain't drinking." Benny said, rather matter of fact.

There was a sigh from Salem as he pulled out his wallet, going through the leftover bills in there from the night before. There wasn't much, not when a shot was over five dollars a piece and that wasn't even for the mid-shelf stuff. He slapped down some money on the table and Benny started pouring out a double of Jack on the rocks.

As long as it was whiskey or bourbon over ice, it didn't matter. It all led him to the same place. Numb. Exactly how he wanted to be as the past infiltrated his senses. As all the cases he once had filled his mind and Susanna's voice whispered faintly in his ear.

It was all he had now, the drink and the past and as he down the glass in front of him and had another double poured out, he found himself reminiscing about that past as he held that cold glass up to his temple.

Case File 123: Veronica Blum

Most cases weren't as easy as Nikki Hall had been. Most needed some work, some charming finesse and that was how Salem preferred it. To make him work for his reward, which was not just a juicy paycheck at the end of the line, but an opportunity to get his dick wet as well.

Veronica had taken a few weeks to get under her skin and into her pants. Starting out with running into her at the casino she favored. She loved gambling and that was how he got her. At the poker table, making eyes at her from across it as he had pulled up a chair and called her bluff.

He didn't win, of course. Not that first night. He had owed her about two grand before he bowed out with a smile and a good game.

Returning the next night only to take her for four thousand dollars.

She hadn't been impressed by that, but he bought her a few drinks and eventually they got to talking about anything and everything. From what games they liked to play to the weather they most enjoyed. They talked till the dawn of a new day had started and beyond that, well into a new day.

They exchanged numbers and met up frequently at the casino to share games together.

Blackjack. Roulette. It didn't matter. They challenged each other. He'd stand close to her, letting her smell his pheromones and the whiskey on his breath as the addiction to gambling spurred them on throughout the night.

Then they were sharing meals together.

She hadn't held out for long after that. Every move he made was calculated enough to get her to see the fantasy and romance in his everything, all surrounding that casino like a fairytale. From that first exchange of glances at the poker table to the meal in the restaurant just on the other side.

"Salem, I need you. I want you."

It was all she had had to say and he had known she would say it. Had counted on it.

They didn't waste time any more with games as they got to their hotel room and, as she had freshened up in the bathroom, Salem had set up all the equipment. Small cameras and microphones that he kept hidden on his person; all pointed straight at the bed.