opened up her photo folder, and turned the screen to Ren. She started scrolling through photos she had taken of herself with different wigs, and sunglasses.
‘I guess I could go anonymous for a while. I’ll put them up on Facebook, see which look my fans like the best.’
‘Can you give me a description of the man who came to your house, and gave you that $20,000?’
‘Yes, but even I know that it won’t help you. He was like any other guy. Tall, thin, skinny face, short light brown hair, combed to the side. Black leather jacket, black jeans, black boots.’
Ren wrote it all down. ‘Thank you.’
‘Will I have to testify?’ said Tina.
‘I don’t have enough information to answer that,’ said Ren. ‘Now, I want to show you two photos.’ She handed her a photo of Mark Whaley. ‘Have you ever met this man?’
Tina stared at the photo. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘This one was different. It wasn’t an agency thing. I was just to go up to him, chat to him in the hotel foyer, in the bar, places where the hotel had cameras.’
‘Did he show any interest in you?’ said Ren.
‘No,’ said Tina. ‘Not at all. He showed me a picture of his kids. I pretended I was just a tourist, waiting to meet my mom and dad, that they were up in the room getting ready for dinner. He was a nice man.’
‘And was it the same man who gave you the $20,000 that asked you to do this too?’ said Ren.
‘Yes,’ said Tina. ‘He didn’t pay me extra for that.’
‘One more photo,’ said Ren. ‘Have you spoken to this man?’ She put down a photo of Taber Grace.
Tina looked away, slumping in the chair.
‘Remember, Tina, you are legally bound to tell me the truth,’ said Ren. ‘This man is not a law enforcement officer …’
Tina groaned. ‘Yes. He was here. He wanted to know about the congressman too.’
‘Is there anything else you can tell me about him?’ said Ren.
Tina shrugged. ‘No. He wanted to know the same things you did. The only difference was that he had a photo of the man who paid me.’
‘Well, he had four photos,’ said Tina, ‘and I had to pick the one who paid me. Which I did. But he didn’t tell me who he was or anything.’
‘Were they mugshots?’ said Ren.
‘No — they were just regular photos. But they’re ones that look like the person doesn’t know they were being taken.’
‘When did you meet this man?’ said Ren.
‘This morning. He’s not going to come back for me, is he? I mean, he told me not to tell anyone …’
‘No,’ said Ren. ‘He’s not going to come back for you.’ She stood up. ‘Tina, thank you for your time.’
‘No problem,’ said Tina.
‘So, what are you going to do now … with your life?’ said Ren.
‘I’m staying safe,’ said Tina. ‘Webcam probably. When I get back to my apartment.’ She pointed to herself. ‘No-one gets to touch this anymore.’
She rubbed the frayed cuff of her jacket. She looked at Ren. ‘Probably until I need new stuff, anyway.’
51
Ren went to Gary’s office when she got back. She told him what happened with Tina Bowers.
‘Gary, you have got to let me go talk to Shep Collier,’ said Ren. ‘Tina Bowers was paid off — Shep Collier
‘Where does Shep Collier live?’ said Gary.
‘Florida,’ said Ren. ‘Sarasota.’
Gary raised an eyebrow.
‘I wish he lived next door,’ said Ren. ‘I have zero interest in getting on another flight, even if I do end up in warmer, more glamorous climes …’ She paused. ‘I just have a feeling Collier will talk to me,’ said Ren.
Gary waited for more.
‘It was just … it was how he was on the phone with me,’ said Ren.
‘That’s it?’ said Gary.
‘My bag is still packed,’ said Ren. ‘This will be an easy transition.’
‘OK, go,’ said Gary. ‘But, Ren — Shep Collier stood up in front of America and admitted this. Can you trust what this girl is saying?’
Ren stopped at her desk, and sat down to type up her conversation with Tina Bowers. Paul Louderback called as she was finishing.
‘Well, you were a big hit with my girls,’ said Paul.
‘Aw.’
‘They thought you were “so cool” …’ said Paul.
‘Well, you can tell them I thought
‘I know …’ said Paul.
‘You are allowed to take some credit for how your kids turned out,’ said Ren. ‘There was a little hesitation in your voice, there.’
‘Marianne has done the heavy lifting,’ said Paul. ‘I … well, I don’t know what exactly I contributed.’
‘That’s ridiculous.’
‘So, what happened with Whore du Jour?’ said Paul.
‘Shep Collier was framed,’ said Ren. ‘Tina Bowers didn’t sleep with him. She was paid $20,000 to say she did.’
‘Any idea who’s behind this?’ said Paul.
‘I’m flying to Florida in the morning to talk to Shep Collier,’ said Ren.
‘Can I come?’ said Paul.
Ren smiled.
‘I hope you didn’t mind Wednesday — that I didn’t tell you the girls were with me,’ said Paul. ‘I’d been sitting there, thinking, “How am I going to talk to the girls for two more hours?” I love them so much, and I’d be just fine sitting there quietly with them, but that’s not what they want. They would have gotten bored, and I would hate the idea that spending time with me was a duty. You came along and you were able to talk to them about movie stars, and clothes, and computer games, and pop singers.’
‘Were we at the same table?’ said Ren. ‘They were just excited to be there with you. They adore you.’
‘Thanks,’ said Paul. ‘And you weren’t the only big hit. They seemed to take quite a shine to Ben Rader.’
‘In fact, they thought you and Ben would make a great couple,’ said Paul.
‘Kids adore Ben,’ said Ren.
‘He’s quite the charmer,’ said Paul.
Ren kept working until late. Until she got a call from Naomi.
‘Ren, get your butt into Gaffney’s. I’m here with your office, and they’re talking work and sport. Like that’s
