page49 (1/2)

‘I don’t care if you’re the Queen of England, you’re not going in, little pussycat’

‘Did you say Evanoff?’ the expressionless bouncer cuts in suddenly

‘Yes’

The bouncer as laughing at his own joke stops abruptly

‘You’re Nikita Evanoff’s daughter,’ he repeats incredulously

‘That’s right’

‘Got any ID to prove that?’

I hand over my driver’s license

He looks at it ‘I’ll just hold on to this for a minute’

‘Of course,’ I say coolly

He unhooks the red rope and stands aside ‘I’ue’s behavior, Miss Evanoff,’ he says in Russian ‘He didn’t knoho you were and lish’

‘Of course,’ I say graciously

‘Perhaps you’d like a drink while I tell him you are here’

‘Thank you, no,’ I say

As I follow hi bouncer, ‘Who the hell is Nikita Evanoff?’

I don’t hear his reply

‘Please wait here,’ he says, and disappears into a dark door

I look aroundsad and desperate about the wonets but connected only by the currency of money I watch a woman on a pole

‘Come this way please,’ the bouncer says close to my ear

I follow hi a darkened hallway, the sounds of our footsteps on the wooden floors creating an eerie feel I feel ain At the end of the halle take a lift to the top The door opens to a large room that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a French palace It is a startling contrast to the rest of the club

‘I’ to have to frisk you, I’m afraid,’ he says politely

I hold my arms out as he brushes his hands down hs He stops at my knees He is very professional about it, and I feel as cold as ice