Page 41 of Her Last Walk Home

‘Do you know her?’

‘I remember her now. I took her photo a few months back. She wasn’t really interested in the work involved with modelling. She said she was hard up for money as she needed a deposit to apply for a mortgage, so I told her about other options available to her here.’

‘What else can you tell me about her?’

‘I already told you, I can’t give out personal information.’

‘She’s dead. I have to catch her murderer. I need your help.’

‘Okay, so. She went on a date. Two nights ago. It was her first time.’

‘Who was this date with?’

He scowled. ‘You know I can’t share that without a warrant. If you give me a minute, I’ll get Cathy to print off Laura’s information for you.’

‘Ask her to email it to me too.’ She passed over a card with her work details.

He went out to the reception area, card in hand.

Lottie turned to Boyd. ‘You’re too quiet. Have you nothing to contribute?’

‘You’re doing a good job getting under his skin. I didn’t want to break the flow.’

‘You’re just great.’ Sarcasm laced her words and he caught it.

‘I was observing Plunkett. He’s cagey as hell.’

Plunkett returned and handed a single typed page to Lottie. ‘That’s all I have.’

‘I could have got that from her mother.’

‘Well, now you can compare this to what her mother tells you. I’m sure there will be discrepancies. Young women have been known to provide me with false details.’

‘I’d have thought you’d have to verify them?’

‘As much as I can, but I’m not running a detective agency.’

Lottie bit back her retort. ‘What can you tell me regarding Laura’s date from two nights ago? Who was he and where did they meet?’

‘I’m repeating myself here, but I honestly can’t say who she was matched with, sorry. And I’ve no idea where they went.’

‘How do you get paid?’

‘I get a retainer.’ He paused, hand in the air. ‘You could check her bank account. See if any extra money was paid to her from the client. But I don’t get involved in that sort of thing.’

‘What would this extra money be for?’

‘I’m sure you can use your imagination, Inspector.’

‘Is it a regular occurrence? These extras?’ Her stomach roiled. If this was the case, it pointed towards the women being more than just escorts, and if so, Plunkett was in the shit.

‘Not that I know of.’

She glanced at the page with Laura’s details and was unable to see anything she didn’t already know. A wasted exercise. She really needed to know who Laura had been with the night she died. She’d have to get that warrant.

Boyd hung back while she went to the door. He picked up a business card from the desk. ‘How do you advertise your escort… I mean dating agency?’

‘My website has an enquiry tab. I also run a closed Facebook group. You send a message requesting to join.’

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