The Pension
Copyright© 2017 by Fofo Xuxu
Chapter 9: Questions
With suitcases and bags packed, they were ready to check out of the hotel.
Rebeca was anxious to return home, feeling much better since she left the hospital three days earlier. She was there for four days, receiving intravenous fluids on a continuous 24-hour basis the entire time, going through tests and evaluations. Most of the other women were released after only two or three days of treatment and evaluations.
The receptionist behind the polished marble-top counter refused to print their bill nor accept Clara’s credit card. She and Rebeca had stayed in one of the best and most expensive hotels in the city for three days, taking advantage of all the services and in-room perks. Clara didn’t understand the refusal and almost took it as a rebuff. She demanded to speak with the hotel manager. He explained with cheerful expressions and symphonic gestures that they did not have to pay anything. All their expenses were on the house, and Clara and Rebeca were always welcomed to return.
The doorman was more than happy to take their luggage outside and, before returning to the lobby, gave them a gallant salute. Detective Obermoser was parked at the front entrance waiting to take them to the airport. Clara told her about the confusion checking out of the hotel and didn’t understand the special treatment and deference they got from everyone.
The detective gave her the day’s newspaper where a headline was spread across the front page in large bold letters announcing that High Society Citizens Arrested for Sex Crimes. Under the headline, mug shots of nearly two dozen men were plastered. Among them, Clara recognized the alluring Italian. She squeezed her legs together as an unexpected tingle rippled between her thighs; a latent reaction that her body had still not forgotten him. She sighed inwardly and knew she could not indulge in such fickle feelings.
When the investigative team had searched the house, they found a stash of photographs of women tied up, being tortured and sexually abused; the faces of some of the arrested citizens clearly identifiable. The house quickly became known as the Sex Slave Club. However, the biggest of all finds was a notebook that listed the members of the Club, dates and amounts paid to commit their perversions. Since the alleged crimes were inadmissible to stand bail, they had to remain in jail during the whole criminal proceedings.