Mysterious Mister Part V, a Historical Mystery Set in 19th Century New Orleans

Mysterious Mister Part V

Marguerite walked up to the Pink Rose with little trepidation. She had been there a few times to play in the card room and the Madame of the establishment or "house mother" ,as she preferred, was very business minded and Marguerite had come prepared, with plenty of coin.
She nodded to the burly doorman as he opened the heavy door for her. It took a moment before her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the inside. The walls were covered in dark, polished wood. The outside world could not be seen anywhere because what windows were visible were covered in heavy, burgundy velvet curtains. There were a couple of men reclining in the parlor watching two red hair girls who appeared to be twins dance to the music of a piano player who appeared to be enjoying the show as much as anyone. She stopped a women carrying a tray and asked if Ms. Pauline was in. She nodded and so Marguerite gave the girl her card and said she would be waiting at the bar.
The bartender was an older man with a wide, white mustache that covered both lips, spectacles that where incredibly thick, and a white shirt with gold suspenders. He gave her a once over before coming over.

He stood in front of her wiping a glass out with a ratty towel. "So you here looking for a job. I ‘spose Pauline’ll give you a try. You dress kind of funny, but there’s prob’ly a few fellers out here who like that sort uh thang."
His heavy drawl was a little hard to understand so she paused before she answered.
"Well thank you for your concern, but I am actually here as a private detective. I am looking for someone." She slid 3 shiny gold coins onto the bar top in front of him and watched his eyes grow wide as saucers. "Would you mind looking at a photo for me and tell me if you recognize them?"
He looked at the coins again, back to her, and back at the coins, grabbing them and dropping them into some unseen pocket. "I sure will."
She withdrew the sketch from inside her jacket pocket and held it up for him to view.
"Hmm" he paused "I say. He looks mighty familiar. I’d have to say I’ve seen him ‘round here a few times."
She gave him a dazzling smile. "Do you happen to remember the last time he was in here?"

Just as he was about to open his mouth a buxom blonde appeared from a side door. She was dressed impeccably in a crisp white blouse with a beautiful cameo and black silk skirt. Her hair was curled into dozens of ringlets that framed her face and hung to her shoulders. She had piercing grey eyes and a generous mouth. Although she had no wrinkles or outward signs of age, her eyes told a story of a long life and toughness that was unshakable.
"Ms. Hasting, would you please follow me into my office."
Marguerite knew that was an order so she obliged with do haste.
Pauline waited for Marguerite to sit before she quietly shut the door. Her office was small yet cozy. There was a intricately carved mahogany desk in the corner which Marguerite took a seat in front of. Pauline slid into her seat behind the desk and put her hands on her lap.
"Ms. Hasting, let me explain something to you. I am the sole proprietor of this business. Everything that is earned goes to me, everything that is lost comes from me. Do you understand?"
Marguerite nodded but didn’t speak because she had a feeling Pauline had more to say.
"I bought this building seven years ago, every penny I earned on my back. Whether that offends you or not is no matter, it is the truth. I was orphaned at five and I stole to survive until I started growing these," she looked down at her ample bosom "and I found a better paying position. Now, the point of this is that I intend to hold onto to this business and I cannot put up with some little two-bit detective coming in here stirring up trouble."
"But."

Pauline raised a hand to shut her up. "One of the reasons my business is successful is because of absolute discretion, meaning this is a place of total secrecy. Are you starting to catch my drift here?"
"Yes I follow perfectly. However, I too run a business whose successes and failures rest solely on my shoulders. I didn’t come here to stir up any trouble, I am simply trying to locate a thief who has caused my client to lose a very large sum of money. I am willing to pay handsomely for a few tid bits of information and no one will ever know where I got it from." She smiled hopefully.
Pauline sat quietly for a second thumbing casually at her cameo.
Marguerite emptied the entire contents of the bag onto Pauline’s desk revealing a heap of sparkling gold coins.
"Do we have a deal?"
Pauline swept the coins into a desk drawer.
"Yes, I believe we do."