M. Arlidge - Pop Goes the Weasel

‘It’ll be my pleasure.’

‘In the meantime, we have to work harder to find the others. “HappyGoLucky”, “Dangerman”, “fillyerboots”, “BlackArrow” – I want them hunted down. Someone out there knows where we can find Angel.’

‘Sure. Do you want me to take the lead -’

‘Yup. Run them to ground and I’ll rendezvous with you back at the nick. But drop me in the city centre first.’

Charlie looked up, intrigued.

‘I’ve got a date that I’m keen to keep.’

They walked down the lonely corridor, her plastic, high-heeled boots squeaking with every step she took. Trailing just behind, Tony took her in. ‘Melissa’ was far more attractive than he’d expected her to be. Long sleek legs encased in shiny black boots, a tight backside, a sensual, full-lipped face framed by a short black bob. Tony knew not all prostitutes were yellow-toothed junkies but he was still surprised at how well presented she was.

He had picked her up at Hoglands Park, a skateboarders’ hangout in the north of the city that was virtually deserted at night. He’d radioed in as he approached the venue and later had spotted the tail car in his rear-view mirror, as they’d headed south towards the docks, but still he felt a spike of fear now that he was alone with her. They had driven in silence to the Belview Hotel, a down-at-heel B &B that wasn’t fussy about its clientele. Tony had paid for the night up front, then they’d headed to the first floor. En route, they’d passed a middle-aged man descending in the company of a half-dressed Polish girl. He had looked straight at Tony, who’d dropped his eyes to the floor, unwilling to be drawn into this unpleasant camaraderie.

Soon, they were inside room 12. Melissa slung her bag and coat down on the only chair in the room, then sat down on the bed.

‘So what can I do for you, Paul?’

She stressed the last word, as if she knew it was a lie.

‘I’m all yours.’

She smiled a broad, sexy smile, full of mischief. Tony was surprised to feel a twinge of desire for this acquiescent plaything and sat down on the chair to hide the beginnings of an erection.

‘I like to watch,’ he replied as calmly as he could. ‘Why don’t you do your thing for a while and we’ll take it from there?’

She looked at him curiously. Then:

‘It’s your money, honey,’ she replied, shrugging.

Taking the hint, Tony reached into his wallet and pulled out £150. Pocketing it, Melissa lay down on the bed.

‘Do you want me to keep my boots on, while I…’

‘Yes.’

‘Good. I like it better that way.’

Melissa let her hands wander over her body. She had a muscular, toned physique that was certainly fit for purpose and the more she got into it, the more Tony desperately wanted to look out of the window. It was absurd really. He knew he had to play the part and keep his eyes glued to her. He knew, in spite of his now full erection, that this was just part of the job, a set-up designed to yield valuable information. And yet he still felt extremely uncomfortable, the level of his arousal surprising and alarming him.

As Melissa feigned her way to climax, she urged him to get involved, to treat her how she deserved to be treated. Tony had to think on his feet to avoid physical contact, instead firing off a volley of obscenities to bring her to ‘orgasm’. She was a good actress – anyone listening in would have assumed she’d just had the greatest sexual experience of her life. Afterwards, she re-clothed herself, shooting a look at the cracked clock on the wall.

‘You’ve still got ten minutes left, baby – do you want me to suck you off?’

‘I’m fine. Can we talk?’

‘Sure. What you want to talk about?’

‘I wanted to ask if we could do this again.’

‘Of course. I’m always up for fun.’

‘You been doing this long?’

‘Long enough.’

‘You like it?’

‘Of course,’ she replied. Tony knew she was giving him the lie she thought he wanted to hear.

‘Ever have any trouble?’

‘Now and again,’ she replied, not looking him in the eye.

‘How do you deal with it?’

‘I’ve got ways. But usually there are other girls around.’

‘To keep an eye out for you?’

‘Right. Do you mind if I use the loo, honey, I’ve got to be out again soon.’

She walked off to the bathroom. Moments later the toilet flushed and she emerged, making straight for her coat and bag.

‘Could I pay you for some more of your time?’

She paused.

‘You want me to do it again?’

‘No, no, I just want to talk. I… I’m alone in the city. I won’t see my family until the weekend and I… well, I just like to talk.’

‘Ok,’ she replied, sitting down on the bed.

Tony fished another £50 from his wallet and handed it over.

‘So where are you from?’

‘Lots of places. But I was born in Manchester if that’s what you mean.’

‘Still got family there?’

‘None that are worth bothering with.’

‘Right.’

‘How about you, Paul? You from round here?’

‘Born and bred.’

‘That’s nice. Good to have a home.’

‘You live near here?’

‘Just stopping with a friend. As long as I’m getting work, I’ll stay put.’

‘Are you making decent money?’

‘Pretty good. I’m more open-minded than some.’

‘Do you ever work with other girls?’

‘Sometimes.’

‘Do you do threesomes?’

‘Sure.’

‘There’s a girl I’m interested in hooking up with. Angel. Perhaps you know her?’

Melissa paused, then looked up.

‘I’m not sure you want to get to know her, honey.’

‘Why not?’

‘Just trust me, you don’t. Besides, there’s nothing she can do for you that I can’t.’

‘But if I wanted a threeso-’

‘I can find you another girl.’

‘But I want Angel.’

Another long pause.

‘Why?’

‘Because I’ve heard good things about her.’

‘Who from?’

‘Other guys.’

‘Like hell you have.’

‘Sorry?’

‘This is your first time, isn’t it? You’re as green as they come.’

‘So?’

‘You don’t look the type to be jawing with other fellas about what toms like me get up to.’

Tony was surprised to feel affronted, but gathered himself.

‘Ok, maybe I am new, but I know what I want. I’m happy to give you cash if you can set it up.’

‘What have you heard about her, then?’

‘Just that she likes to be hit, denigra-… abused, you know. She’ll let you do things that other girls don’t.’

‘And who’s told you about her?’

‘Guys.’

‘Guys?’

‘You know, other g-’

‘Who?’

‘People I’ve chatted to -’

‘Give me their names.’

‘I don’t really -’

‘Give me their names.’

‘Er… I think one was called Jeremy. And -’

‘Where did you meet them?’

‘Online.’

‘How?’

‘On a forum.’

‘What was the name of the forum?’

‘I can’t remember the name -’

‘And you want to meet Angel?’

‘Yes!’

‘Because you want to question her? Like you’re questioning me?’

‘No, no,’ Tony replied, but he had hesitated a nanosecond too long and he knew it.

Melissa was already on her feet.

‘A bloody cop. I knew it.’

‘Melissa, wait.’

‘Thanks for the chat and the cash, but I’ve got to go.’

Tony put a hand on her arm to stop her.

‘I just want to talk to you.’