Stormwind (The Storm Chronicles Book 3) by Skye Knizley

or a membership.”
    “Excuse me?” Raven asked.
    “You do not have a warrant and are not members of the club,” the maître’d replied. “I’m sorry, but club rules are very strict on membership.”
    Raven grabbed the man’s tie and yanked him halfway across the podium. “You listen to me, little man. I happen to know you don’t require membership and this club is on city property. My badge means I can come in and ask questions pertaining to a police investigation. Now do you want to allow us entrance or am I going to arrest you and drag your skinny butt to jail? My lieutenant would love it if I made an arrest instead of shooting someone.”
    She let go and the tall man loosened his tie and took a deep breath. “My apologies, officers. Please enter and enjoy your stay.”
    “Thank you,” Raven replied.
    Levac opened the door and Raven ducked under his arm to enter the lobby. What she saw was red. Red, red and more red. The carpet was red, the round benches were covered in red leather, the hostess desk was red leather…the black lacquer walls made the red stand out in bright and somewhat annoying contrast.
    Behind the desk was a painfully thin young Asian woman with waist length black hair. She was wearing a red dress the same color as the leather decor matched with black fingerless gloves. She smiled and beckoned the two detectives closer.
    “Can we arrest people for bad taste?” Levac asked as they crossed the lobby.
    Raven shook her head and whispered back, “No but with our luck they’ll have to redecorate after we leave anyway.”
    They reached the hostess’ desk and the lithe woman smiled another warm greeting. “Welcome to Club Black. I’m sorry, but we do have a strict dress code, business dress is required.”
    Raven placed her badge on the desk. “We’re not here for a martini. Is there a manager around?”
    The hostess examined Raven’s badge for a moment then handed it back. “Of course, Detective Storm. One moment.”
    The young woman typed some keys on a pad in front of her and spoke softly into the Bluetooth device connected to the strap of her dress. After a moment she turned her attention back to Raven and Levac.
    “Ms. Hisakawa will be with you in a moment. Please feel free to have a seat.”
    “We appreciate your cooperation,” Raven said. “Thanks.”
    The pair took a seat on one of the circular benches and Raven tried not to feel like a little girl waiting at the doctor’s office. Something about the décor unnerved her.
    A few minutes later an Asian woman entered from the bar. She was dressed in a smart black pantsuit and boots. At her neck was a red gemstone that carried on the club’s theme of red and black. It made Raven want to vomit.
    The two detectives stood and the manager extended her hand to each of them. “I am Noa Hisakawa, manager of Club Black. You are Detectives Storm and Levac? What can I do for you?”
    “Ms. Hisakawa, is there somewhere we can talk more privately?” Levac asked.
    Hisakawa bowed and turned away. “Of course, please follow me.”
    She turned toward a piece of wall that looked just like every other piece of black lacquered wood, however at Hisakawa’s touch the wall opened to reveal a short staircase and a well-lit office.
    “Please, make yourselves comfortable,” Hisakawa said, standing near the door.
    Raven stepped down into the office, followed by Levac and finally by Hisakawa who allowed the door to close behind her.
    The office was similar in style to the club, however here it was all black and white. A black desk was centered in the octagonal room in front of a white leather chair. Two more chairs of matching leather sat opposite the desk and a white sectional sofa sat against the far wall. Raven and Levac took seats in the chairs near the desk while Hisakawa sat behind the desk. She leaned forward and steepled her fingers, her red nails clicking against each other.
    “Now, Detectives, how can I help you?” Hisakawa asked.
    Levac