Chapter 7
"Some of the girls from Abalone Escort Service ended up in the employ of Pleasant Company. Your best bet is to hook up with them. Here are some old photos from 2006. Maybe you can get some info from one of these girls."
Alex clapped her hand on Bobby's shoulder. "See? I told you I could hook you up."
He chuckled, but his eyes checked hers for a moment. Bobby took the card off to a quiet room and made the call. Fryar turned to Eames. "I've got an informant who might be able to check out some of these girls, too."
Bobby returned. "They'll see me at 5. I can select my date for the night."
They'd secured a hotel room for the night and were using it for surveillance. Bobby straightened his tie and stood in front of Eames for inspection. She brushed some lint off his lapels, and rested her hands on his chest for a moment. "Watch your back," she said.
"That's your job," he teased.
Her laughter was in her eyes, but she was visibly tense. "I got you," she assured him.
"I know." Their quiet conversation ended, Bobby tucked the pack of cigarettes and lighter in his hidden pocket and checked his wire with the others. Once they confirmed they could hear him, he announced to the others, "Let's do this."
With one more glance at Alex, he walked out and down the street. At the end of the block, he checked his wire again. Receiving no phone call from Alex, he continued on his way.
"Robert," he said to the manager. "Robert Green."
"Good evening, Mr. Green. Welcome to Pleasant Company. Have you hired an escort before?"
"N-no," Bobby said. "I just… heard it was a… I heard it was a good idea."
"And what are your interests in women?" She asked. "We find that our clients have a much more satisfying experience when they choose an escort who they find physically attractive."
"I… I like all women," Bobby said. He had to get her to let him see the ladies' faces, so he could talk to someone who was linked to the senator. "I wouldn't… I wouldn't know what to tell you. I like… I like beauty."
At first she appeared frustrated, but then she smiled. "Just a moment, Mr. Green." She disappeared for a few minutes, leaving Bobby by himself with two very muscular bodyguards. Then she returned, followed by at least 8 beautiful women of all ages, ethnicities, and shapes. Bobby licked his lips and smiled. "Uhm…" he looked at their faces carefully, then wandered to the back of the group and stood before a gorgeous African American with an ample bosom. "Hello, are you available for the night?" He asked her.
She smiled and the manager nodded and sent them on their way. As the woman slipped her cape over her bare shoulders, he held the door for her and they stepped outside.
Bobby walked her down the street and into the closest hotel. She followed him to a room, and he couldn't help but notice she seemed disappointed. Bobby shut the door, then turned to her. "You… you wanted dinner, didn't you?" he asked.
"Most men at least spring for dinner."
He smiled at her. "I can do that," he said. He knocked on the door between the room they were in and the next. The door swung open, and Alex walked in with a pizza box, her badge shining from her belt.
Bobby's date sighed.
"Don't worry," Goren said. "If you're clear of warrants, you're not under arrest. We are investigating a case, and we're looking for information," he said.
Alex held up a diet and a regular soda and the woman took the diet one. Within minutes, she had a slice of pizza on a plate. Alex read off the records she'd gotten from Fryar. "Naomi Bonham," she announced, and the girl looked up in surprise. "You worked for Abalone Escort back in 2006."
"Y-yeah?"
"Do you remember getting hired to attend Senator Tungstall's parties?"
"Oh, yes," she said, and smiled. "Those were very good nights. He hired us to fill the room, and we weren't even expected to… to get close to anybody. Easy money," she said.
"Did you know the other girls well?" Alex asked.
"Most of them. I worked for Abalone for three years."
Alex glanced at Bobby, who leaned in and used his gentlest voice. "We found a woman's remains in Tungstall's old house. Do you recall if any of the girls went missing around September of 2006?"
"Greta." She said it without hesitation. She looked at both of them, and tears welled in her eyes. "Greta is dead? Oh, poor Greta!"
Bobby showed her a pile of snapshots. "Is… is Greta in any of these photographs?" He asked quietly.
They allowed her to sift through the photographs. "There," she finally said. She pointed to a woman, tall, with blond hair and blue eyes. "She was my friend," she said, and tears fell.
Alex handed her a tissue and got all the information she could from Naomi.
It was a late night, and while most of Bobby's brain was obsessed with the case, another sizable portion was thinking about Alex. He wasn't ready to call it a night, but he did so that he could accompany her home for a nightcap.
Now they sat over her kitchen table, and he could see a trace of melancholy in her eyes again. "It was difficult for you, stepping back into Vice," he said.
"You don't have to interrogate me, Bobby. What do you want to know?" She asked, shooting from the hip, as Alex always did.
He smiled with embarrassment. "Habit," he said.
"Yeah, I know."
"What was the private chat with Wells about?"
Alex frowned and swallowed. "Remember that undercover assignment I told you about?" He nodded. "Something happened to me during that assignment. I was pulled out, and… Wells just wanted to make sure I was okay."
"What happened?"
She held out her hand and he took it. Alex closed her eyes and turned her head, holding her breath for a moment before she finally said, "I was raped."
She felt his grip tighten on her hand. Bobby said nothing, but his heart was pounding in his ears.
Alex still avoided eye contact, but she spoke again. "Cap just wanted to know I was okay, working a case with call girls and coming back into Vice Squad."
Bobby slid out of his seat and got on his knees on the floor, to force her gaze to meet his. He held out his arms and she sank against him, comforted by his strength and acceptance.
