Life On The Other Side: Bolt
Chapter Two;
Hayleigh
"You had a cute talk with DS Carter." Ben teased as they got in the car, Millie taking the driver's seat without Ben even noticing, too caught up in taunting her. "What was that about?"
Millie gave her slightly embarrassed smile. "Oh well, you know." It dropped. "He told us to be careful of Hayleigh Bolt, what did you think?" She rolled her eyes and got in, not missing that Ben looked thoroughly disappointed he'd missed out on some fantastic canteen gossip. "You gossip like a woman Ben."
"Oh come on, I do not." He protested, but it was half-hearted and he finished his sentence with a cheesy grin. Millie just shook her head and started up the car.
*
Three knocks. That was how many it took before a young redheaded woman answered the door. She gave them a smile, very false, and waved them inside. "What's this pleasure officers?"
"PC Brown and PC Gayle. We're here regarding a break-in down the road, where you at home this morning?" Millie asked, surveying the room before her. A small room, what she would term a waiting area, sat to her left. Stairs to the right led up to an area she couldn't see. She guessed the business took place up there.
"Yes, I was here. As were two of the girls, would you like to talk to them?"
Ben nodded. "If that's possible Mrs. Bolt."
The redhead smiled. "Please, it's Hayleigh." She led them through to the kitchen. "Cup of tea?" Both shook their heads. "I didn't hear anything, what time was it?"
"About nine. It was ten doors down." Millie faked the information, but it seemed to pay-off.
"Actually, now you mention it, I did hear a car speed off around that time. They made off in a car, yes?" Millie nodded. "Yeah, it was about ten-past, I'd just finished breakfast. I didn't see it, I'm sorry, I just remember hearing it. We're usually a quiet street, not used to hoons and joyriders. They usually stick to the main roads, so I recall it. My husband thought about giving you guys a call, but I thought it was useless. You have better things to do than chase up teens with too much spare time. Now I wish we had."
"Your husband? Is he here? Can we talk to him?" Ben asked, trying hard to look like he wasn't fishing for information.
Hayleigh Bolt shook her head. "I'm afraid not officers, he had some debts to chase up. You know how it is. There aren't too many banks that will lend to brothels." Her honesty shocked Millie, but then Hayleigh certainly seemed to the type that had long ago accepted her job wasn't smiled upon in nicer societies. That said; it was registered and perfectly legal. They adhered to clean conditions, something checked on almost every month by the authorities, and all the girls were over 18 with working VISAs. They knew the line of wrong and right and constantly danced on it, but not once had they crossed it. Hayleigh's rap sheet held a few cases of attacking her husband, but not once had he pressed charges. There were a few assault allegations, but they slipped off her like margarine in a frypan. She was untouchable, but with an anger problem that warranted recording, and she knew her way with words. She'd talk herself out of any situation, or flirt her way out, and she knew exactly what to say to get anything she wanted. "Did you want to talk to the girls? I think they were probably still asleep at nine though, I usually try not to wake them until about one, you know how it gets around here in the early hours."
"You were up early then, if you were up at nine." Millie commented, making small talk as Ben wandered off towards the lounge to look around.
Hayleigh just smiled. "Insomniac PC Brown, I wouldn't recommend it." She headed back towards the door and the PCs took it as their cue to leave. "If that's all, good luck in finding them. No one wants that type around here."
Ben joined them. "No, not at all. Thank you for your time Mrs. Bolt." He pulled open the door and let himself out.
Millie paused and pulled out her card. "If you do see anything else. If one of the girls or your husband mentions anything, no matter how small, give us a call. Okay?"
"You got it." She shoved the card in her back pocket. "See you." She shut the door behind them.
Ben glanced back at Millie. "Well that was a waste of time."
"Here's hoping the others had better luck." She replied as they headed back towards the car. She glanced back at the house to find Hayleigh Bolt watching them from the front window. She turned and walked away as Millie caught her eye. With a small frown, Millie turned and went on her way.
A/N: To Megan and h.g girl, thanks for the reviews. We'll get the MIX fan club going here soon enough I'm sure! Hope you're enjoying it. More coming soon.