Jake and Mia settled into the rhythm of life in the canyon, but the days stretched into weeks, and the weeks into months. Their cover as coal workers held, but only just. The mine owner never returned, and with each passing day, the whispers about them grew louder, the suspicion thicker.
They spent their time searching every nook and cranny of the settlement, the abandoned shacks, the rusted machinery, the scattered farms and fields that clung to life along the canyon's edge. They asked careful questions, pretended to be interested in the local gossip, and listened for any mention of Dirty Joy. But no matter how hard they looked, he was nowhere to be found.
Still, they refused to give up. The canyon had a way of swallowing secrets, and Jake and Mia were convinced that Dirty Joy was hiding somewhere in its labyrinth of rocks and shadows. They pieced together clues from overheard conversations and furtive glances: a man matching Dirty Joy's description had been seen near the old well, a stranger had bought supplies from the general store and vanished, a light flickered in a distant shack at odd hours.
But the most persistent rumor was about the brothel. It was the only one in the settlement, a ramshackle building at the far end, run by a woman who kept to herself. The locals called her "the Madam," but whispers suggested she was more than just a business owner. Some said she was Dirty Joy's wife, that she ran the place as a front for his operations.
Jake and Mia decided to investigate. They knew it was risky - the brothel was a place of secrets, where outsiders were not welcome. But if Dirty Joy was hiding anywhere, it was likely with his wife, in the one place most people were too afraid or too embarrassed to look.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the canyon walls, Jake and Mia made their way to the brothel. The air was thick with the scent of sage and dust, and the sounds of laughter and music drifted from inside. They hesitated at the door, then stepped inside, hearts pounding.
The interior was dimly lit, the air heavy with perfume and smoke. A few men sat at a bar, nursing drinks and watching the women who moved through the room. At the far end, a woman with sharp eyes and a confident stance stood by a curtained doorway. She watched Jake and Mia as they entered, her gaze calculating.
Mia approached her, trying to sound casual. "We're new here. Just wanted to see what the place was like."
The woman.....the Madam.....smiled, but her eyes were cold. "Welcome," she said. "But you're not from around here, are you?"
Jake shook his head. "Just passing through. Looking for work."
The Madam studied them for a long moment. "Well, you're welcome to stay. But remember,this is my house. My rules."
Jake and Mia nodded, sensing the warning in her voice. They knew they were on dangerous ground. If Dirty Joy was hiding here, his wife would do anything to protect him.
As they settled into a corner, they watched and waited, hoping for a glimpse of the man they had spent months searching for. The brothel buzzed with activity, but Dirty Joy remained hidden, a shadow in the canyon's depths.
Still, Jake and Mia had a new lead. If Dirty Joy's wife was running the brothel, then he was close. They just had to wait a little longer and be ready for whatever came next.