Page 29 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

Maddie sat in her car waiting. She knew she’d be there. She’d picked a different pool car this time. An older one, but she still felt conspicuous. Afterall how many women hung around this area at night?

The girl sauntered up the road and Maddie couldn’t help but admire her. She was beautiful under it all, all the makeup, bad styled hair and cheap, revealing clothes.

She turned her engine on and slowly moved down the road towards her, letting her car almost roll rather than actually use the engine.

“What you after hun?” The girl said leaning over then her eyes widened. “Oh fuck off.” She muttered.

“I just want to talk.” Maddie said quickly holding out the £50 note she knew would get her attention. “And I’ll pay.”

“Urgh whatever.” The girl muttered opening the door and climbing in. “Drive then. You’re paying so you might as well act like a punter.”

Maddie smirked. “Tell me where to pull over.” She said as she pulled away.

“Just here. This is my usual spot.” The girl muttered, folding her arms across her chest and scowling all the same.

“Okay so your boss….”

“My pimp you mean.” The girl cut across her.

“Whatever you want to call him. We just need info. We know he’s running a whole load of girls and a lot of you aren’t even legal age.”

“Like you give a shit. It’s our bodies, we can do what we want thanks.” She muttered before looking around to see if anyone was nearby, watching.

“Oh I agree Dani but how much do you like handing over what you earn to him? And how much do you like his beatings too?”

“Fuck off.” Dani muttered.

“Look I’m not here to judge you, like you said I don’t give a shit what you do but I do give a shit about Marcus. He’s been trafficking girls for years. Some of them are far too young to know what sex is let alone be deciding to sell themselves.”

“What do you want from me?” Dani asked narrowing her eyes.

“I just want info. Marcus must be keeping these girls somewhere. Where is it?” Maddie replied.

“Like I know that.”

“Can you find out?”

“What you want me to just go and ask him? Sure that’ll end well. Me in a fucking ditch.” Dani stated and she looked around again as if to reassure herself that no one was there.

“Is there any way you can find out? Carefully I mean?”

“What’s in it for me?” Dani asked back.

“What do you want?”

The girl shrugged. “Maybe I want out.” She muttered.

“I can help you. I can get you out if you want that.” Maddie said.

Dani rolled her eyes. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” She stated.

“I mean it Dani, if that’s really what you want then I can help you but you have to help me too.”

“Let me think about it.” She muttered glancing around again and her eyes widened in horror.

“What is it?” Maddie asked seeing her face.

“Undo your trousers. Quickly.” Dani said and Maddie’s jaw dropped.

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