A local bar down the street.

Ava closed the front door of the penthouse behind her and Angel. They made their way to the elevator as their heels echoed off the marble floor with each step. Ava agreed with Angel on going out after such a long trip, but managed to convince her to make it low key. They found a decent bar with favorable reviews only a couple streets away. The elevator made the familiar sound with the doors opening shortly after. As the silver metal doors closed, both women saw their reflections.

Ava suggested that they both dress a bit more on the conservative side. They need to make a scene at the clubs for the mission, not at a bar on their off time. She scanned her reflection, making sure her purple blouse revealing a bit of cleavage still went with her blue jeans and black leather jacket. Ava brushed the sides of her red hair, making sure it looked like she didn’t just get off of a flight as she saw Angel do the same. Angel wore a satin maroon dress that was pretty short, but didn’t show off too much nor wasn’t fitted to her curves. The elevator door opened as both agents made their way into the lobby and past the same doorman from before.

There weren’t too many people out on the streets. Granted it was late and not yet the weekend so it shouldn’t be that surprising. Both women entered the bar. The place wasn’t packed but definitely more people than Ava was expecting. They snagged two stools at the bar and quickly ordered drinks. Ava looked out of the corner of her eye to catch the stares of a few of their fellow patrons. She chuckled to herself knowing that not many of the other people in the room were expecting the looks of her and Angel in there. The bartender carefully placed both full glasses in front of the agents.

“So where are you two fine ladies from?” asked the bartender in a friendly tone, guessing correctly to use English versus the more common Romanian tongue.

“The states,” Ava responded, “both on vacation and making a quick stop.”

“Very good,” replied the bartender, “and no offense, hopefully you leave sooner than later.” Both female agents’ faces turned puzzled at the comment. “Oh I’m so sorry, let me clarify. Rumor has it that there have been some…mysterious disappearances in the area. I would stick together and not stay out too late,” the older man suggested.

“Oh really?” Angel asked, playing dumb, “any places steer clear of, just to be on the safe side?” The bartender, who introduced himself as Florin, began to go over all the rumors he heard and places to avoid. Ava wasn’t surprised to hear Florin mention the places that were way off the beating path or in bad areas of town. However her ears perked up when Florin mentioned the two clubs from the dossier.

“Now there’s nothing wrong with the last two,” continued Florin, “but the same people speaking of those rumors say that the girls went to those two clubs before they went missing.” Angel and Ava made eye contact, knowing either of those two would be the next stop tomorrow. Ava then excused herself and went to the restroom. After finishing up, she made her way back to her stool when she looked out the window and froze.