June 24th 1921

It is nearly six in the evening as Lucia’s car with Alex in the driver's seat arrives at the New Bristel Social Club. The club had been open for around an hour, though Lucia wanted to avoid the early birds who arrive soon after it opened, or the employees arriving.

The club is in a rather new three-story building on the outskirts of the social district that has sprung up to accommodate the wealthy university students, studying at New Bristel University. While past the club lay the upper-class portion of the city. The location being obvious as from what Lucia heard, the club tried and with mixed success attracted the wealthy. 

Though Lucia wasn’t here to enjoy herself, rather she was here to question the owner of the establishment about his ties to Howard Hayes.

Though Alex parked the car in the parking lot next to the club, Lucia put on her game face as she made sure her clothes were in order. That being a suit coat and shirt with a navy blue skirt. Her normal clothes also won’t look too out of place in the club.  Alex meanwhile is wearing a classic suit and tie. Lucia took a look after she walked around the car. After which, she looked over, and to Alex's grumbling, she fixed his tie which was off slightly. 

After that was done, they made their way to the entrance which was two nice-looking wooden doors with metal handles. Alex graciously opened with mockingly saying “Ladies first.” 

Beyond the door lay an entrance area. Noting the rather expensive appearances with fancy tiled floors and complex wood paneling. Alongside the faint sound of a band, coming from beyond the door at the other end of the reception area. The entrance room is mostly empty with a coat hanging station to the right and in the center lay, what Lucia assumed to be a welcome desk slash check-in area. Accept members and those with valid reason. While the tough-looking dude leaning against the wall politely or impolitely asked everyone else to leave.

Lucia made her way to the check-in desk, which was manned by a young man with a rather generic appearance. Though he was rather well dressed, with a suit that is provided by the establishment. 

When he spots Lucia he raises an eyebrow, though he waits for Lucia to speak, most likely to avoid making assumptions. The glorified bouncer is eyeing Alex critically, though he doesn’t stop leaning against the wall.

Lucia meanwhile steps in front of the welcome area with Alex standing behind her, “Hello, I am here to speak with the owner, Ethan Fletcher.” After which the mood freezes with the man behind the desk eye’s narrowing in the corner of her eye. Lucia sees the bouncer's hand inch closer to his hip. Most likely reaching for a gun. 

Without looking away from the receptionist Lucia speaks, “If you don’t want to end up in the hospital or a casket, I would move and keep your hand away from the gun. The same applies to you as well.” The last part is aimed at the receptionist.

“What business do you have with him and how do you know he owns this club, that isn’t a fact that is made public.” The receptionist says, slowly and deeply, with an implied demand for answers.

Something that is ignored as Lucia pays no heed to the man's tone as she responds,” How I know is none of your concern. As to why I have several questions that he has answers to.”

The man pauses, seemingly warring with himself before, finally coming to a conclusion. As he walks to the man taking coats to hold on to while their owner is at the club.

After which the man nods and heads away. The receptionist heads back to Lucia, “We will see if he is available and willing to talk to you.” The man says rather coldly. To which Lucia simply responds, “Very well.”

The next five or so minutes are spent with Lucia and Alex waiting off to the side, waiting, watching as the Spotinst welcomes several people in. All of them seemed well-to-do men, though none that Lucia recognizes. 

Then the man returns, whispering something. The receptionist curtly nodded before turning to Lucia and Alex, “Follow him.” He says looking at the coated collector. Who is sporting a rather annoyed look?

Lucia nods before starting to follow the coated collector who shows them to a door next to the coat collecting areas. Instead of the main entrance that the guests go through. Alex follows behind her as they make their way through a set of hallways. During the walk, Lucia wonders what they were thinking about what was spoken between the two at the entranceway and why they were allowed to meet with Fletcher, though Lucia supposed that was because they knew his name.

The walk continued with Lucia going up a rather bland set of metal stairways eventually landing at a rather ornate part of the second floor. The guide eventually stopped at a door, a rather nice oak door, before knocking. Then slightly opening the door to whisper something, before opening the door fully and wordlessly letting them in. Lucia nods, at enters, being greeted by an ornate office. One that is rather large, with bookshelves adorning the left side of the room. With a nice leather chair and a small wooden table with a lap on top of it.

In the center of the room, there is an expensive wooden desk with a matching office chair. Where a middle-aged man with well short slightly greying brown hair is sitting, Behind him lie two ornate windows overviewing a rather nice view of the social district of New Bristel.

Behind Lucia, she hears the door close behind Alex who has moved to the side of the room.  The man finally speaking, his face guarded, “I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage, you know who I am and my ownership of this establishment. A fact that, while not a secret per say. Is not something that is not advertised to the public or to most of the patrons. So would you might I know of your names and reason for the meeting.” He says in a rather neutral manner not letting any emotion through.

Lucia thought about how she would phrase it, quickly deciding how she would frame the encounter. Since it would be unwise to tell him the full truth. 

“ My name is Lucia Belladras and the man with me is my bodyguard Alexander Bronhert. As to why we wanted to meet. As you may know, I work as a private detective and on occasion consultant to the police. Well,  on a case we are working on came across one of your patrons, Howard Hayes when we were going to search one of his tenant's rooms. When he tried assaulting an officer accompanying him. So the police had to arrest him and while searching the room they found that you were an acquaintance of his. The police asked me if I could talk to you, as it would cause less of a disturbance and be more tactful. Then having several uniformed officers come asking about you and your relation to Howard Hayes.”

Fletcher's face stayed mostly emotionless for most of it, only briefly fading at both her and Hayes's names. Though for different reasons Lucia assumes. Though when she does say the name of Hayes, Lucia detected a bit of panic that was swiftly shattered. 

Fletcher eventually responds,” I suppose your right, it would make a scene if police officers were inquiring, though do you know why he tried to assault the officers.”

Lucia shakes her head, “No, all I know is that when they went meet him in his office. To announce the search warrant and ask for his assistance in unlocking the room with a master key. Partway through, Hayes tried to pull a gun on the officers but was swiftly detained. “

Fletcher then put up a rather disingenuous face of concern, “That's concerning, I can’t imagine why he would do such a thing.  I hope no one was hurt?”

Lucia had to fight to prevent her from rolling her eyes at the fake sympathy. “No, thankfully no one was injured, though the police were wondering if you could shed any insight into the matter to see if we can find out why he would do such a thing,”

Fletcher nodded “Sure what would you like to know.”

“Well first can you tell us how you met, and what was the nature of your relationship as he doesn’t seem the type to visit this establishment?” Lucia asked professionally.

Fletcher gave a small smirk at the last part, “Your right, he isn’t the type to go to these establishments. We met in school and while we don’t see each other as much as we used to. We mainly keep in touch by letter. Though we do meet up once or twice a month for lunch and it's occasionally in one of the private rooms here.”

Lucia nods, as she realizes that seems to be at least partly true though far from the entire truth. So Lucia decided to push further leaving the other name for last.

“Do you know if Hayes has any reason why he would react so negligible to the police, any negative encounters any beliefs that he had?” Lucia said studying Fletcher's expressions, finding it unreadable.

“No, I don’t, know why he would react such badly. I can’t think of a reason why. I would if I could but I can’t” Fletcher says shaking his head, his hands fidgeting with a pen,  With the constant clicks being a slight annoyance. Lucia nods, deciding that she doesn’t have anything else to ask other than her inquiry on Martin Vance.

“Very well, one last question. You were not the only person we found he was communicating with a Martin Vance, do you know who he is? Is he another childhood friend since your name is mentioned several times?” Lucia asks, with Fletcher's mask dropping for a brief second, panic strewn across his face. Though only momentarily as he stitches back together an impassive face.

“No, I don’t remember anyone with his name. I suppose we could have gone to school together. Though it's been so long that I have forgotten.”

It's a bald-faced lie, though it would be unwise to call it out on him. As Lucia doubts he would stay peaceful if pushed. Which Lucia would rather that it remain, as fighting her way out with handguns. Sounds unappealing so Lucia lets it slide.

“That's ok, I do apologize for wasting your time,” Lucia says, though Fletcher doesn’t relax like she thought he would, rather he remains tense.

“It’s fine if anything I apologize for not being able to help more,” Fletcher responds in a faking an apologetic turn.

“That's ok, we shall see ourselves out. Have a good day, Mr. Fletcher.” Lucia then nods her head leaving the room, Alex in tow. They quickly follow the steps they took to come here. Before leaving the building and heading back to the car. 

Though as Lucia is about to pass Alex she whispers, “ Don’t take a direct route and watch out for people following. We spooked him and he might want to have us silenced.”  At this Alex nods grimly.

The drive home takes about three times as long as Alex had to shake several cars, tailing Lucia.