Chapter 18

Shane walks into the bar alone…with the key to the room that Denbo may be hiding in…..in her pocket.  Cindy had kept the key.  It was in her jewelry box…not because of any feelings she may have held for the time she spent with Double D, but because it’s such a unique, old fashioned key. 

Shane sits at the bar and looks over the space.  She wanted to keep her actions as predictable and close to her regular bar behavior because she didn’t know if Denbo may be watching her on the cameras.

A few minutes later, Helena and Sam arrive as a couple.  They look around for Gabby.  It would be unusual for Helena to walk into the competition’s bar and not check in with the owner.  There’s an etiquette to maintain.

Sam watches as the undercover police officer, Molly, approaches Shane.  They want to get to the back room and the best way they could think to do it is to have Shane take a girl back there. 

Carmen wasn’t thrilled with the idea of  Shane getting up close and personal with another woman…. in public or not….but she was willing to go along with anything that could get Denbo in custody and help Bette and Tina to be safe.

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Dawn Denbo is sitting at the screen watching over her bar.  It’s a Sunday night, but the place is jumping.  She watches as Helena approaches Gabby and begins talking to herself.

"If those 2 nosy bitches are here…then Tina may be alone now.  Look at Gabby grinning like an idiot.  Does she think she has anything to do with the success of my club??"

Denbo is finding it harder and harder to maintain a complete thought.  She takes another xanax and tries to relax.  Suddenly she sees Shane at the corner of the bar…almost out of sight. 

"If 3 of them here, this is a good time to try to talk to Tina again."

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Shane takes her ‘partner’ for the night by the hand and they walk nonchalantly toward the back of the club.  Sam follows discreetly and Helena stays with Gabby….distracting her from what may go down in her club.

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Dawn’s attention is distracted from the screen, while she gathers up her bag for another trip to see Tina.  She can’t wait to see Tina again.  The worst part of losing her job months ago was losing even the smallest amount of contact with Tina.  She misses everything about her……the smell of her perfume….her soft, honey dripped voice….her tender, gentle manner.  Not being able to see Tina at school anymore has taken its toll on her…and she doesn’t know how much more she can take.  She takes her bag and heads for the door.

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Shane and Molly are just outside the door when they hear a scratching noise and door opens.  Denbo steps out and almost comes face to face with Shane.  Molly pushes Shane out of the way and draws her weapon.

"Police!!  Stop where you are….drop your bags and raise your hands….NOW!"

Denbo throws one of the bags at Molly, then turns to run in the opposite direction.  She turns just in time to see Sam hit her in the face with the heel of her hand.

Sam stands over her, looking at the blood come from her nose, "Next time, the police tell you to ‘Stop’….you might want to ‘Stop’.  You crazy, fucking whack job."

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Gabby watches as the police invade her bar.  She’s throwing a fit and demanding to see warrants.  She watches as the paramedics take a handcuffed Denbo out the front door on a gurney.  She’s pissed off and cursing at Sam, screaming about all the bad publicity she’ll have to deal with tomorrow.

Sam looks at her, "You really should be more worried about the possibility that you’ll be arrested for aiding and abetting a fugitive.  Bitch.  Now get away from me."

Helena just looks at Gabby and smiles.

"You should also be more careful about who you invest your money with, darling.  After news of this arrest circulates around the community and Denbo is incarcerated….you’re going to be in a world of financial hurt.  So sorry, love."