“So,” Jesse said. “We don’t want to do that if you don’t make us. What we want is Garner.”
She stared at both of them.
“What do you want Alan for?”
“Do you know a girl named Billie Bishop?” Jesse said.
“No. Why are you after Alan?”
“He might be involved in a homicide we’re investigating,” Kelly said.
“Alan wouldn’t kill anybody.”
Kelly sighed and took his handcuffs from his belt.
“Dawn Davis,” Kelly said. “You are under arrest for prostitution. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney to assist you during questioning…”
“Hey, come on,” Dawn said.
“Turn around,” Kelly said. “Put your hands together behind your back.”
“Hey. No. Wait a minute, what do you want to know?”
“Is Alan Garner your pimp?” Jesse said.
“Well, he’s not really a pimp. I mean, you know. He’s nice.”
“Does he arrange for you to meet men, and does he take a portion of the money you receive for sexual favors?” Jesse said.
“Yes.”
“How’d you meet him?”
“Alan?”
“Un-huh.”
“Around,” she said.
“He pick you up?” Kelly said.
“Yes. He bought me lunch, and we talked. He was really nice.”
“Were you soliciting?”
“No.”
“Did he pick you up near the shelter?”
“Yes. It’s like we were going along in the same direction and we started talking.”
“He initiate?” Kelly said.
“What?”
“He start talking first?” Jesse said.
“I don’t know. I guess so. I wouldn’t have just started talking to some guy.”
“Unless you’d become a working girl,” Kelly said.
“I wasn’t then, honest to God.”
“That start with Garner?” Jesse said.
“I guess so.”
Both men were quiet. Kelly put the cuffs back on his belt at the small of his back.
“He said, like, where did I live, and I go, like, I’m staying at the shelter. And he says did I run away. And I said, like, of course and he says he’s helped a bunch of girls like me.”
She was talking to Jesse. Even though he’d sworn at her when they first came. Now he seemed much nicer than the other cop that was going to handcuff her. The other cop looked mean, like he might be laughing at her. But Jesse had kind eyes and he leaned forward, nodding gently, like he was interested in her.
“And?” Jesse said.
“He got me this place to stay.”
“You pay the rent?” Kelly said.
“No,” the girl said. “I don’t. Alan does for me. He gives me money, too.”
“He ever come on to you?”
“No. He’s never been like that. He’s really really nice.”
“Do they give money to you?”
“The men I meet? No, I guess they give it to Alan.”
“You like Alan?” Jesse said.
“Alan’s the nicest person I’ve ever met,” she said.
