Murderous Profession Read online

  “This is our comfort zone.” Veronica said behind her. “It’s a safe and controlled environment that allows our staff and their clients to get a feel for one another. Through the double doors under the overlook is a spa that offers jacuzzi tubs, steam rooms, and massages. Several of our staff members are licensed masseurs, so we offer these services as well as our usual offerings.”

  Billy snorted softly. “With a happy ending, right?”

  Eliza turned around at the right moment to see a blunt expression come to Veronica’s face as she replied, “Sometimes, yes, but more often than not, no. Sometimes, Detective, a cigar truly is just a cigar.”

  She turned her focus to Eliza. “Shall we continue?”

  They left the area overlooking the comfort zone and entered a spacious hallway. The music from the comfort zone could still be heard here, but the lighting had drastically changed. Though the light in the overlook had been dim, you could at least see what was in front of you. The corridor, on the other hand, was lit by wall sconces that emitted black light, barely illuminating the hallway. Despite the poor lighting, Eliza could tell there were at least a dozen doors lining both sides of the hall.

  Soft, thick carpet silenced their footsteps as they walked, but the lack of sound was barely a footnote to Eliza. She was too busy trying to read the small nameplates that were mounted by each door.

  When she read the one bearing Angelique’s name, Eliza asked, “Does every member of your staff have a room on site?”

  “Yes. Per state and federal laws, firms must provide each professional with a safe and clean place to conduct business for security and protective reasons,” Veronica said in a matter-of-fact tone.

  Eliza nodded, but the explanation brought up the question of why Angelique would be seeing clients at her apartment. “Ms. Hillbrand, I’m not sure whether you would know the answer to this or not, but why would one of your staff members see a client at their private residence?”

  They reached the end of the long hall, and Veronica opened the lone door that was there, leading them into an impressive and well-decorated corner office. As they crossed the room to get to the seating area inside it, Veronica said, “While our staff does have access to personal rooms here, as well as specialty ones, they are not required to conduct all business on site. Since sex work has only been legal for two years, some professionals continue to hold on to the old ways of doing business.”

  The explanation made some sense to Eliza, yet she couldn’t understand why a licensed sex worker would put themselves at such unnecessary risk when they had a secure place to go to instead. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Later, after she and Billy had finished speaking with Veronica, she would mull it over.

  Eliza and Billy sat down on the couch, while Veronica eased herself into an oversized armchair. The sitting area in Veronica’s office was almost identical to the reception area out front, except the furniture and rug were black, and there was less art on display.

  When they were all settled, Eliza asked, “Would you happen to know if Angelique Robinson conducted business at her home frequently?”

  Veronica gave her head a slight shake. “I would not. Where business is conducted is at a staff member’s discretion. They do whatever is comfortable for themselves and their clients.” A faint smiled played at Veronica’s lips. “Our job, Detective Miller, is to give clients a good experience. That is our primary concern—along with the safety of our staff.”

  “Did Angelique ever report a hostile or violent client?” Eliza inquired, not caring what the organization’s primary concern was.

  Veronica studied her intently, but her sharp gaze had no effect on Eliza. “Not to my knowledge. As you know, Detective, there are steps that must be taken if a client shows signs of aggression or becomes violent. Even a mere threat can result in a client being blacklisted.”

  Eliza knew the laws, and she knew them well, because she had to. They were in place to protect sex workers and their clients, but that didn’t mean sex firms followed the laws to the letter. “How long has Angelique worked for you?”

  Veronica drew in a measured breath, then released it. “Detective, before I answer this question, you’re going to have to tell me what your interest in Ms. Robinson is. Has she done something wrong? If so, I need to know. I’ll have to report it to the licensing board.”

  There was never a good way to tell someone that a person they knew had been murdered, so Eliza took a second to wall off her emotions, then in a neutral tone, she said, “She was murdered, either earlier this evening or sometime today.”

  Eyes widening with shock, Veronica covered her mouth with her hand. “No,” she said with a slight shake of her head. She dropped her hand from her mouth. “Impossible. Angelique is a kind soul who goes out of her way to help people. There’s no way someone would want to kill her.”

  “I know this comes as a shock, but we’re going to do everything possible to get her justice,” Eliza said gently. “Any information you can provide us with would be greatly appreciated. Do you know if she was scheduled to meet with any clients today?”

  Veronica shook her head as she pushed herself out of the armchair. “Appointments are solely maintained by staff members, with the exception of new clients. Those get set up by Stephanie,” she said as she walked over to a drink cart sitting off to the side of seating area. “Having staff members maintain their own appointments provides clients with some anonymity, and all professionals must keep their records in a secure location or log them in a code that isn’t easy to decipher. It keeps a client’s identity from being compromised.”

  That explained the planner on Angelique’s desk. However, the explanation brought up another point, which Billy beat Eliza to.

  “Federal and state laws mandate that all sex firms and freelancers are to keep records of their clients for instances just like this,” he said. Eliza picked up on the aggravation in his voice.

  Veronica took a sip of the drink she had made, then her lips twitched up in a brief smile. “We do have a list of registered clients, and I can give it to you right now, but clients are not attached to a particular staff member due to their varying tastes.”

  Eliza found that particular detail annoying, but Veronica willingly handing over Pleasure Inc.’s client list without a warrant lessened her irritation. “If you could get us that list, it would be much appreciated.”

  Veronica walked over to her desk. “I must warn you, detectives, we have over two hundred clients, so I do not envy you for the task you’re about to undertake.”

  The triumphant smile on her face brought Eliza’s irritation back to life. Veronica made a call to Stephanie’s desk and told her to have the client list ready upon Billy and Eliza’s departure.

  When the call was over, Eliza asked, “How long has Angelique been at Pleasure Inc.?”

  Veronica returned to the seating area and sat down in the armchair she had vacated. “She has been—or had been—with us since we started a year and a half ago.”

  “Were you two close?”

  Veronica shook her head. “No, not really. We would speak occasionally about business, but nothing more than that.”

  Trying to get a better understanding of Angelique’s time at the firm, Eliza asked, “How did she find out about Pleasure Inc.?”

  Veronica took a drink from her glass, then said, “She was referred to us by one of our other staff members. It worked out well for us. We strive to cater to all our clients’ sexual needs and appetites.”

  “I’m going to assume you’re alluding to BDSM?” Eliza asked, recalling the bruising on Angelique’s body that Devon had told her about earlier.

  “Among other things,” Veronica said with a slight nod. “However, I do believe Angelique specialized in a taboo area, but she may have expanded.”

  “Taboo area?” Eliza repeated, not understanding.

  Veronica took another sip from her glass. “Taboo; as in scandalous and forbidden.”

  Eliza
tried not to get irritated with her. “I’m asking what is considered taboo.”

  Veronica’s eyes surveyed Eliza before a knowing smile slowly appeared on her face. “Detective, I’m not certain you want to know the answer to that.” She finished off her drink, then rose from her chair. “I do hate to cut this short, but I have a dinner to get to. If you need any additional information, you can contact either me or Stephanie, and we’ll be glad to assist.”

  Billy and Eliza stood up, and Eliza said, “We would like your security footage from over the last week.”

  Veronica stared at her for a brief second, then a polite smile broke out on her face. “I can accommodate that request, Detective, but it will take some time to get those discs. They are stored by our security company. Once I do have them, they will be couriered to your station. Be advised that our security footage only covers the open areas of the floor, and none of the private ones.”

  “I understand,” Eliza said as she and Billy followed Veronica out of the office.

  The three of them walked down the long corridor and across the overlook as they headed back to the reception area. When they were standing by Stephanie’s desk once again, Veronica shook Eliza and Billy’s hands and said, “It was a pleasure to meet you, and again, if you need any help, call. You can leave your card with Stephanie. Have a good night, detectives.”

  Veronica went back through the door, and it shut softly behind her. Eliza had a few thoughts about Veronica, but decided to wait until she and Billy were alone before voicing them.

  “Detectives,” Stephanie said, “here are all of Pleasure Inc.’s clients.” She held out a thick tan envelope. “I’ve slipped Ms. Hillbrand’s card inside the envelope for you.”

  Eliza took the envelope, then gave Stephanie her own card. “Thank you for all your help. Enjoy your evening.”

  Billy and Eliza walked out of Pleasure Inc. and headed for the elevators. Eliza hit Billy in the gut with the thick envelope Stephanie had given her.

  He grunted, and she said, “I’m not sure what to make of Hillbrand.”

  “I think she’s a frigid—” Billy cut his sentence short when Eliza shot him a deadly glare. “Never mind. I thought the laws regarding client records were meant to provide transparency and protection? I mean, what’s the point in keeping them if prostitutes can maintain separate books that may or may not give any information?”

  “Licensed sex workers,” Eliza corrected. “I agree. What I do know is that Angelique didn’t keep her appointment book locked up, but it was full of abbreviations and acronyms I couldn’t understand, so her clients were protected.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “But this also means our job just got a hundred times harder.”

  Billy groaned. Eliza joined him, but made the sound inside her head.

  “This means we’re going to have to work through this entire stack,” Billy whined as Eliza pushed down button for the elevator. “It’s gonna take us weeks.”

  The elevator arrived, and they got on it. “Let’s hope the computer geeks found something on her cell and laptop,” Eliza said, pushing the button for the building’s lobby.

  “So back to the station?”

  Eliza nodded. “Yeah. We have to write up the initial report, and I want to look over that other case one more time before we wrap it up.”

  “All right.” Billy sighed. “I thought legalizing sex work was supposed to stop this type of thing, or at least provide better accountability.”

  “Legalization doesn’t stop murder,” Eliza pointed out, then added, “I think this case is going to show us the dirty side of legalization; something the lawmakers didn’t even think about when they enacted all of this.”

  Billy mumbled, “I hate getting dirty.”

  Though she agreed with him, Eliza chuckled. If this case turned into a convoluted one, she wasn’t going to be happy.

  2

  The next morning, Eliza walked into the bullpen feeling like the day would be a great one. She had gone to the gym, eaten a good breakfast, and made it to work on time. She was ready to face whatever the day threw at her. The first thing she planned to work on was Angelique’s phone records.

  Billy had been working on getting them last night, but when she realized it would take several miracles for them to get the information, Eliza had decided to call it a day. The tech department was still going through Angelique’s phone and laptop. At this rate, it would be next winter by the time they finished with the devices.

  Billy was already at his desk when Eliza reached hers, stuffing his face with some pastry.

  “I hope you choke on that,” she commented as she took off her coat and hung it on the back of her chair.

  Billy pretended to choke on his food, and Eliza picked up the package sitting on her desk, ignoring him. Once he had finished eating the bite in his mouth, he gasped. “You were just gonna let me choke to death?”

  Eliza opened the package and smiled at him. “When you’re acting like a gross pig, most definitely.”

  “You are the worst partner ever.” Billy frowned. “What’s that?”

  Eliza pulled two books that were in sealed evidence bags from the brown envelope. “From the crime scene guys.” A piece of paper fell out of the envelope and she picked it up. It was a note from Devon. After giving it a quick read, Eliza said, “Looks like Devon found a second book filled with names while going through Angelique’s things.”

  “What’s in the other one?” Billy asked as he rose from his chair and walked around to Eliza’s desk, leaning against it.

  Eliza held up the planner she had found on Angelique’s desk the night prior. “Well, I know this one is her appointment book. Each date has a time and some acronym or abbreviation next to it that makes no sense.”

  She opened the evidence bag and pulled out the book Devon had found, and began to flip through a few pages. There were names, phone numbers, addresses, and preferred payment methods—which were all cash—written on the pages that she skimmed.

  “This is a client list,” Eliza said with a frown. “Why would she have a separate client list if Pleasure Inc. kept client records for her?”

  “Beats me,” Billy said with a shrug. “I got the records from her cell phone company this morning.” Eliza looked up at him, and Billy continued. “The last call she made was to a Dax Collins, four hours before her body was discovered. They called each other pretty frequently.”

  “Boyfriend?”

  “Perhaps.”

  Eliza contemplated this new piece of information. She glanced at the clock on her desk phone; it was almost ten. She flicked her eyes toward Billy as she pressed her lips together and continued to think about what they should do next. “What’d you find out about him?”

  Billy pushed off of her desk and moved back to his. He picked up a notepad and started reading off the notes he had made about Dax. “Dax Collins, twenty-eight, licensed sex worker, but he doesn’t work for a firm. He lives on Madison Avenue.”

  Eliza’s left eyebrow arched upon hearing where Dax lived. It was a dramatic difference from Angelique’s neighborhood.

  Billy grinned when he saw the expression on Eliza’s face. “Yeah, that was my reaction too. But that’s all I got about him. No priors. No tickets. All in all, the guy is clean, which I find weird since he’s a prostitute.”

  “Sex worker,” Eliza corrected, but she agreed with his line of thinking, which was scary. Before sex work had become legal, the workers that had engaged in it ran the risk of getting some sort of charge from something as simple as jaywalking to solicitation itself. Why Dax Collins didn’t have any was something she wanted to figure out.

  She bit the inside of her lip, contemplating if she and Billy should go see Mr. Collins or not. Letting out a thoughtful hum, she looked at Billy and asked, “You up for paying Mr. Collins a visit?”

  Billy grunted and said, “Hell yeah I am. It gets us out of having to read through Pleasure Inc.’s client list, and I’m curious to see what his place looks l
ike.”

  Going through the client list wasn’t at the top of Eliza’s agenda either, but she knew they would have to do it eventually. She sighed. “When we do come to that bridge, we’ll cross-reference the names on that list with the ones listed in Angelique’s client book. Hopefully, her personal list is a complete record of all the clients she saw.”

  “Sounds like a pipe dream, Miller.”

  “I said hope,” Eliza sniped as she glared at him. “Come on, let’s go visit Mr. Collins.”

  She and Billy put on their coats, then left the station.

  ◊◊◊

  Getting out of the car, Eliza stared up at the all-glass building that jutted into the sky. Being a New York native, she was used to the skyscrapers and tall buildings that made up the city, and they usually didn’t impress her, but this one did. It seemed classier than the others, and screamed expensive as hell.

  Next to her, Billy let out a low whistle. “You think he comes from money?”

  Eliza continued to stare up at the building. “I’m not certain, but I’m sure living here costs more than what we make in a decade.” She lowered her head and began to make her towards the entrance.

  The revolving door spun into the lobby of the building, and Eliza noticed several black domes mounted on the ceiling, hiding what could only be security cameras. In the middle of the beautifully-decorated lobby was a circular desk with a security guard sitting in the center of it. She and Billy approached the desk, both producing their badges for the guard to look over.

  “Detectives Miller and Chilowski,” Eliza announced. “We need to speak with a tenant by the name of Dax Collins.”

  “Dax?” the middle-aged black man said with a chuckle. “Detective, I’m sure whatever has happened or has been said it isn’t true. Dax isn’t a troublemaker.”