Chapter 17

Josh and Stacie had checked nearly every slophouse in the area. Not a single one had heard of Jenn or any other strange girl. “How many more of these places do we have left?” Josh asked.
“I think just the one,” Stacie answered. “Don’t worry, we’ll find your friend. We have plenty of time to get back before curfew,” she said while holding him. “I think we should get up and check that last place. I’m sure that we’ll find something there.”
The last house was even dirtier and dingier than the rest. Josh and Stacie rang the bell and asked to speak to the manager.
“No, there haven’t been any unregistered girls in here lately. And believe me, I’d know.” The old man seemed to have a sinister, worn look about him.
“Are you sure?” Josh pressed.
“I keep pretty close tabs on this place. I know everyone who comes and goes, and everything that happens here. These are my eyes and ears.” He pointed to the vast array of electronics around the place including several computers and a few cameras.
“Come on Josh, lets get out of here,” Stacie dragged him by the arm.
They were about to head for the art house, when a young scruffy looking woman in a blue shirt approached them. "Did I 'ear yer say yer were 'ave a lookin' for a bloke of yors 'oo weren't registerd?"
“Did ay ‘ear you say you ‘ere looking for a friend o yours ‘oo twasn’t registard?”
“Yes,” Josh answered. “Have you seen her?”
"I 'aven't seen 'er meself but I fink I might know somewhere she's been.
“Where?”
“Over on...” she paused and thought for a moment. “I'll show yer . I 'm about ter go there meself any road."
“Thank you very much,” Stacie said.
“"No problem. Cor blimey guv! But before we go do eever of yer 'appen ter have a fag?"
Josh stared for a moment.
"Right. A cigarette right, mate. Not a queer."
“I know what a fag is. It’s just that I haven’t seen anyone else smoking in so long, I was beginning to wonder if anyone did. “
"I kow wot yer mean. Almost no bloke does, now that it's practically illegal. By the chuffin' way the bleedin' name's Bethany, but yer can call me Bet. Cor blimey guv, would I lie to you? Nearly evry bloke does."
She led them to the same delapidated slophouse where Jenn had tried to stay. It was so shoddy and unkempt that they had passed it by earlier, thinking it was abandoned.
“Man, I thought this place was abandoned,” Josh said.
“No, it ain't” replied Bet. “It’s actually nicer on the inside, if yer can believe it.”

When they walked inside, they could see that it was warmer and more inviting, but still not a place someone would choose to spend the night.
Stacie walked up to the desk, “We’re looking for an unregistered friend of ours. We thought she might have tried to stay here. Her name’s Jenn Srauski.”
“There was a girl a few nights ago who wasn’t registered.”
“Do you know if that was her?”
“No, I wasn’t on duty then. The manager would know.”
“Can we speak to him?”
“No.”
“No? Why not?” Josh was outraged.
“He’s not here. He’ll be back tomorrow about three. You can talk to him then,” the clerk explained.
“Well, I guess we’ll have to come back tomorrow.” Stacie said.
“Is that it?” Josh was surprised.
“Look, Josh, it’s a good lead, and wherever she is, she’s safe.” Stacie tried to reassure him as she looked around for Bet. “Bet?”
“Yes?”she answered.
“You don’t have to stay here.”
"I don’t 'ave any credits,” she protested.
“You helped us, that should count for something. Besides, I’m sure my cousin and his friends could find a better place for you.”
Bet followed them out. “Now what?” Josh asked. “ Off to the art gallery.”
Stacie checked her watch. “I don’t think so, its too late to go there now. We should just head back.”
“I fought yer two were datin',” Bet asked.
"What?" Stacie said.
“Yer and uh..”
"Josh."
“Yeah, right, Josh.”
"I don’t know. Maybe,” Stacie said. “Why?”
“Because yer said yor cousin and 'is chinas could 'elp me.”
Stacie laughed. "Josh’s not my cousin. Josh and his friend Starr and I are staying at my cousin Jake’s apartment while we look for Jenn.”
“Thats a bit of blokes,” Bet said. “By the way, what’s your name?”
"Stacie."