‘Does anybody these days?’
‘Well, some girls are still willing to screw without a condom, provided the man can provide a recent clear HIV and STI test.’
Bliss shook his head in bewilderment. He told her about his conversation with Marta Lsenko. ‘Sounds to me as if having a sideline income outside of the agency has become a common practice for these girls.’
Burton nodded. ‘Things change rapidly in this business. And yet, somehow they stay horribly the same. It’s still tomming around at the end of the day, only now it’s tiered. These escort agency girls operate at a completely different level from your usual brasses. They’re meant to look good all the time, so they have to agree to regular drug tests, there’s no smoking allowed, and their alcohol intake is kept to a bare minimum. They need to be both classy escorts at a restaurant and dirty whores in bed. Many have regular clients who buy them gifts and treat them extremely well. They’re a bit like mistresses, in some ways.’
‘So the complete opposite of how they treat girls at the lower end of the scale.’
‘Entirely. Those poor women are still kept supplied with drugs and force is used to keep them hooking, not to make them secure. Compared to them, these top-rate escorts lead a pampered life.’
‘So why the need for that bit of extra income on the side as well? Pure greed?’
‘For some, perhaps. This Lsenko girl sounds as if she may be one of those. Others… I think they do it for that spark of genuine liberation. A token gesture of defiance aimed at the people who run them.’
‘A gesture that can get them killed.’
She wagged a finger at him. ‘That’s the other side of the coin. If this isn’t a punter gone wild – which it still could be, I’ll remind you – then I suppose you’re going to be looking long and hard at Drake’s organisation.’
‘Funny you should say that.’ Bliss outlined the result of their visit to the house in Orton Malbourne. ‘It’s where the investigation took us,’ he explained. ‘I wouldn’t be doing my job if I turned a blind eye to what we know is going on right under our noses. You should have heard Ashton banging on about it afterwards. He couldn’t understand why we allow them to operate out in the open like that.’
‘Ashton?’
‘Our ERSOU liaison.’
‘Oh, him. He’s young. He’ll learn.’
‘He’d better do so fast. At the moment he’s a fucking massive albatross and my raft is in danger of capsizing.’
‘Ignore him.’ Burton snapped her fingers. ‘No, in fact, don’t. Do the exact opposite. Use him, Jimmy. You know you’re on dangerous ground working this while Drake’s appeal is ongoing.’
‘Fuck Drake!’
‘Thank you, but I’ll give that a swerve if you don’t mind. And I’m thinking more about the CPS and the various legal niceties involved. What you’re doing quite legitimately as part of your new investigation could be regarded by others as harassment. Working something against him and his business enterprise while they are adjudicating his verdict and sentence is not something they are going to welcome.’
‘Which is tough. They’re going to have to get over themselves. I go where the case takes me. You know that better than most, Ange. You’d do the same.’
She nodded. ‘You’re right. I would. But I don’t have a gazillion beady eyes watching me closely, waiting and perhaps even praying for that one final slip-up.’
Silence hung in the air between them for a few moments. Bliss hiked his shoulders. ‘I like it that you care about me, Ange. I do. But I can’t ignore this path we’ve gone down.’
‘I’m not saying you should. But you have an NCA investigator at your disposal. Use him. Have him run this down. I sent him the images, so he’ll be chasing those up anyway. Have him do your donkey work for you. You do the thinking, you come up with the strategy. But when the time comes for action, you press his button and if there’s shit to wade through, you let him get his shoes dirty.’
Bliss laughed. ‘You always did have a lovely turn of phrase.’
‘Am I interrupting anything?’
Bliss and Burton snapped their heads around. In the doorway stood Emily Grant, one hand clutching a shopping bag, the other holding her door key. Bliss had not heard her come in. He made the introductions as each woman took the measure of the other.
‘I’ve heard a lot about you,’ Burton said to Emily. ‘You’re an anthropologist, is that right?’
‘These days, yes. Forensically speaking. And you work with Jimmy?’
‘Not as such. I’m strictly sex crimes; we consult with various units as required. In fact, it’s been a few years since Jimmy and I last worked together.’
‘But you are at the moment, I take it?’
‘Sort of. Not sure how much my team and I will be needed. I think he wanted to pick my brains, that’s all.’
Emily looked around. ‘Has he even bothered to offer you a cup of tea?’
Burton smiled. ‘I’m sure he would have got around to it eventually. I’ve not been here long.’
‘In that case, please do take a seat and make yourself comfortable. You two continue your chat and I’ll put the kettle on. Tea or coffee? Or I’ve got some of those instant mocha drinks if you prefer?’
‘The mocha sounds good. Thanks.’
When Emily stepped out of the room, Bliss felt Burton’s eyes drilling holes into him. He met her gaze, which widened. ‘I see she has her own key. Must be serious, Jimmy.’
He shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t read too much into it if I were you. With my hours, it makes sense for her to be able to come and go as she pleases.’
‘Oh. I got the impression… you two aren’t living together?’
‘No. It’s a more practical arrangement this way, that’s all.’
Burton nodded as if she didn’t quite know what to believe. ‘Either way, I’m pleased
