3

Gerry followed Sandra across the car park as he thought about the case which had made him wonder why he had even become a copper. He sensed rather than saw Sandra stop next to her car.

"Gerry?"

Hi

"Those girls."

"What?" Sandra waited, knowing Gerry well enough to know when he was going over something in his mind. "What about them?"

"Both were young, intelligent women. Neither needed to go on the game."

Sandra unlocked the car as she thought about what he had said. "They worked in the sex trade but never actually sold their own bodies. Odd? Maybe? But not unheard of."

"But why do it? Back then there were student grants . Debts were nothing like they are nowadays." He got into the car as Sandra shrugged.

"Neither were IVDU. Both had no criminal records, if they hadn't died we would never have found out about them." Gerry continued. "Normal girls with good families. Never understood what they were doing."

"Well." Sandra drove out of the car park. "Students did have debt back then. Nothing like today but still."

"You'd not turned Tricks to fund Uni though."

"No." Sandra shot him a sidewalk glare. "Bar Work, cleaning. We did what we had to but then I went to Hendon." She drove towards the other side of the city. Gerry nodded.

"It was only the posh kids what went to Uni in my day. Money already there for them. Weren't fair if you ask me."

"I didn't." Sandra smirked. "Just hope Sasha and Steve are having more luck with the former madam."

Xxxxx

"Old yer horses!" Sasha raised an eyebrow as Steve smirked. The woman yelling at them had a beehive that would have been fashionable in the. 60s, cigarette hanging out other mouth and a leopard print dressing gown that had clearly seen better days. "Sorry duck, my grandson thinks he's Lewis Hamilton! Slow down Peter! Lucy! Sort him out! What can I do for you two?"

"I'm DCI Sasha Miller and this is my colleague Steve McAndrew. From UCOS." Sasha held up her warant card for the older woman to inspect.

"Lovely . Bet yet Mum is proud. No idea what hat UCOS is. Nor do I want to."

"Unsolved Crimes and Open Case Squad." Steve clarified. "1981 and 1982 you were arrested for living off immoral earnings. Went to prison for it in 1990. Three months?"

The colour drained from her face as she realised why the police were there.

"This is to do wiv them girls. Those poor girls."

"Yes it is." Sasha held her gaze. "I think you can help us. It's time you started to talk."

Xxxxxx