‘Now, let’s see.’ She drummed her fingers on her chin and smiled at them both. ‘That stripper thought my Jake was some stud, and you’re a “pretty blond Italian”. Jake never has to see that stripper again, but you, you were being chatted up by one of your members! So, let’s see, you attend gay night, your gay accountant is there and you two are always together. Doesn’t look good from where I’m standing.’

Sharon watched the smile slide from Tony’s face. His jaw dropped and he looked at her.

‘Hey, Sharon, you don’t think they think that I’m, well, up for it, do you?’

‘Definitely, Tony, and it’s not the first time you’ve been called pretty, is it now.’ Sharon was enjoying her moment of winding Tony up. ‘You started this; maybe you had a hidden agenda.’ She burst out laughing and saw him take a sigh of relief. Tony swept his hair back, and gave her a cold stare.

‘Thank God that’s a secret men’s club, Tony, that’s all I can say. I’m never, ever going back to one of those nights again.’ Jake was emphatic; he’d seen more than enough.

‘We won’t have to, Jake, our work is done. We’ve accepted them and their secrets, and they are in two minds about us.’ Tony picked up his whisky and downed it in one. What a night it had been.

The next morning, while they were all checking the cash register receipts from the night before, the accountant filled them in on all the happenings.

According to him, all had gone well after they had left, and yes, people were asking questions about Tony and Jake. There seemed to be lot of interest in their activities. The accountant had said nothing, but by saying nothing to these men it seemed he had said an awful lot. The accountant found it quite funny. He seemed pleased that his own secret was out, and he could be himself.

A lot of the members had invited guests or friends to the special night, which was why it had been so busy. Afterwards, some of the men had simply walked into the lounge area, sat in the comfortable chairs, carried on drinking their whisky or brandy and smoking cigars, and started discussing business with their friends.

Looking at the accounts for the evening, they saw they had made a fortune.

‘It seems our time at the men’s club is over, Jake. It’s in good hands, and we’re not needed. The only time I’ll go back there is when I’m needed to do business. The cameras are in place, which gives us our insurance, and even you’ – Tony pointed at the accountant – ‘can also, now, be our eyes and ears.’

‘Don’t forget,’ said Jake, ‘Sharon’s there a lot, as well; her and Ashley are as thick as thieves. She also organises the female dancers, like she does here at the club. So, as you say, everything seems to be in order.’ Jake was relieved that he didn’t have to go back, which made Tony and the accountant chuckle to themselves even more.