‘It will kill my father if the truth comes out. He has a weak heart.’
‘Then follow my advice. Is that clear?’
‘It’s clear, but this is a time we should be together, not apart,’ she said.
‘That may be, but it’s not possible. Believe me, I will be thinking of you. I can only hope that this is concluded soon.’
‘Will it be?’
‘I’ve no idea. We’re floundering at the moment, not sure what the significance of the missing woman is.’
‘You’ve never mentioned that before.’
‘I’m talking out loud, that’s all.’
‘Are you saying Marjorie Frobisher is the key to this?’
‘She worked with Sutherland, knew Sally Jenkins, and she disappeared before the murders started. It’s suspicious.’
‘Maybe she knew she was being targeted?’ Aisha said.
‘Until we speak with her, assuming she’s still able to speak, we’ll not know.’
‘There’s something about her early history,’ Farhan said.
‘Maybe I can help?’
‘Maybe you could.’
‘Give me some details,’ she said. Farhan realised that he was in error, but Aisha was a smart woman, legally qualified, and she may find something the experts had missed.
‘Until we know what this information is, I don’t think we are any closer to solving it.’
‘Send me what information you have that is relevant, some dates, and I’ll scurry around. That way we can keep in touch, even if only by phone.’
***
Two minutes after ending his conversation with Aisha, Farhan arrived at Marion Robertson’s office. ‘I need to put my case forward before you judge me out of hand,’ she said.
‘I’m here with an open mind. If you help me, then maybe I am able to help you. Are we agreed?’ he said.
‘I had no option but to give one of the names.’
‘Olivia?’
‘Yes.’ Farhan could see the woman was not as relaxed as at their previous meeting. She was moving around the office, unable to sit down. Farhan had chosen to sit on a chair close to her desk. He needed her to be calm.
‘Please sit down.’ He took the initiative and made two cups of tea using the machine in the corner. For several minutes, nothing was said.
‘They threatened to expose me.’
‘Who did?’
‘The two men who came here.’
Farhan realised that if the woman had been threatened, then maybe she had no alternative. She certainly seemed less sure of herself, almost demure as she sat behind her desk. The assuredness, the inner calm, no longer apparent. He suggested they sat in more comfortable chairs.
‘It may be best if you tell me the full story,’ Farhan said calmly.
‘I am ashamed of what I did.’
‘You had no problem with supplying women for sex.’
‘I’ve never had any qualms about this business. There has never been any serious trouble. I always reasoned that it was a necessary service, and no one was hurt.’
‘Were you an escort once?’
‘For many years. It’s a long story, but I never sold myself on a street corner, and there were never drugs involved.’
‘And now?’
‘The mobile phone, the one with the gold case that you observed last time. That was given to me for services rendered, not some other woman. He is a wonderful man, very decent, very generous.’
‘Why did you give Olivia’s details?’ Farhan realised that he had not been shocked by Marion Robertson’s revelation.
‘Is she alright?’ She seemed genuinely concerned. Farhan was certain it was not a pretence. Some of her self-assuredness had returned. She sat easily in the chair. Farhan, in charge of the situation, made another cup of tea for the two of them.
‘Hopefully, she will be all right.’ He was unsure if he should elaborate just yet. He was aware that Olivia and her husband were buying airline tickets and were planning to leave within two days. If Marion Robertson had been pressured, then maybe she could be pressured again. What she didn’t know, she couldn’t tell.
‘I can only hope she accepts my apologies.’
‘Maybe, in time.’ Farhan said. Olivia did not seem a vengeful woman; a little contrite about what she had put her husband through, but it was clear that she had no great issues with selling herself if it looked after her family. Farhan was certain she would do it again, but it was not for him to offer an opinion.
It made him reflect on Aisha. I hope she does not think of prostitution in the same way as Olivia, he thought. He determined to ask her the next time he saw her. He felt he could forgive her for past sins, but future sins? That seemed too much to consider.
‘Will they find out where she lives?’ Farhan decided not to answer the question. He had found Olivia’s home address and he knew that anyone else determined would find it with little trouble.
‘I said to both women that I would protect their identities to the best of my ability. I intend to do that if it is indeed possible.’
‘And is it? she asked.
‘I’m not certain yet.’
‘Are you able to protect me?’ Marion Robertson looked unsure of herself again.
‘Do you need protection?’
‘The two men.’
‘What can you tell me?’
‘They threatened me.’
‘It’s best if you describe their visit here. It was here, I assume?’
‘Yes, in this office.’
‘I’ll record this conversation. Is that okay with you?’
‘Yes, that’s fine.’
Farhan placed his mobile phone on the table, on record. He knew he would have to write a report afterwards – easier to record now and play back later.
‘Marion, please commence. Take your time and take a break if you need.’
‘I could do with a glass of water.’ Farhan poured one for her.
‘Last week, Thursday, mid-morning, I was in the office. I had just arranged for one of my girls to meet up with an overseas client. He’s a regular when he is in the
