Bridget knew the lover would not be checking too hard on her. He was not ambitious, maintained a mundane job working for the council, but he provided company. He had his part to play in the agreement, and as long as he abided by the conditions, he was free to live with her rent-free.
‘Any luck with the video?’ Wendy asked after they had spent more than a few minutes nattering, making plans for another night out.
‘She boarded the train. Let me show you.’
All Wendy could see was a grainy screen with what looked like a dead fly in one camera, out of focus and blurry.
‘It’s not very clear,’ she confessed, not sure if it was her eyesight.
‘They never are. No one cleans the cameras. The pollution slowly builds up. Just squint your eyes a little, may help.’
Wendy squinted; it helped a little. All she could see was a woman vaguely matching the description getting into the third carriage of the Paddington bound train. Another five people appeared to get on as well, and they were clearly not middle-aged. One was male and old, the way he walked attesting to that fact. Another two apparently newlyweds, or newly enchanted with each other. The other two, children from what she could see. It had to be Marjorie Frobisher, although the face was concealed and the resolution on the camera did not help.
By the time they had finished looking at the video, it was too late in the day to return to Paddington Station. She had phoned Brian Gee, the self-confessed computer nerd, and sent him an email attachment with the three best stills taken from the Worcester Station video. She then called the station manager, a matter of courtesy, to thank him for his help and to suggest that perhaps they could catch up for a cup of tea tomorrow, her treat, which seemed a lame remark. He was British Rail – the tea was his, and he didn’t have to pay for it.
***
Christy Nichols had passed on to Farhan the details of who was involved in smuggling the two escorts into the hotel. He should have met with them first, and then Aisha.
He decided against meeting Olivia if he could. He saw her as a decent woman indulging in an unusual occupation to provide for her family, who would not have understood.
There had been pressure to reveal his contacts, a procedural requirement. He knew if there were an audit of the department, he would receive a severe reprimand. Not revealing the women’s identities would hamper his promotion prospects; giving their names would cause him a moral dilemma, as they had spoken to him in confidence.
Farhan understood that Detective Superintendent Goddard was not willing to rock the boat if it affected his ambition, but would turn a blind eye if it did not. Farhan had decided come what may that Samantha’s and Olivia’s true identities would remain concealed, but Christy Nichols knew the agency.
Marion Robertson, the principal of the agency, may not have felt such reluctance, especially if pressure was applied: legal pressure, running a house of ill-repute, profiting from the proceeds of prostitution, employing illegal immigrants. He was certain she was not guilty of any crime, certainly none that was too serious, but if pressured, those doing the questioning would almost certainly bring up the possible avenues of enquiry, and she would have other women on her books. Farhan knew the possibility of the two women being identified was strong. He had to let them know.
He phoned Olivia. She was not pleased to hear from him. He explained the situation and asked whether she had told Agnew. She said her identity was more important than a few hundred pounds, and besides, her husband’s financial situation had improved, and the need to prostitute herself was not as important, although they were looking at a bigger house to buy. Farhan saw that selling herself caused her no personal issues.
He explained the possibility of her identity being revealed. It caused her great alarm. He said that he would never reveal it, but others might. He advised her to consider her position, and if he thought her identity was soon to be revealed, he would attempt to contact her in advance. She thanked him. She sounded genuine.
Aisha was also disturbed when he phoned her, although initially she had been delighted. He had been honest with Olivia; he would be with her. Olivia meant nothing to him, Aisha did. They agreed to meet.
***
Farhan, personally involved, wishing he could be detached but knowing he could not, thought a better location than Hyde Park would be more appropriate. Aisha had taken a half-day off from work. She had something to tell him. He hoped it was not a confession.
A riverside hotel, overlooking the Thames with a clear
