Irrefutable Evidence: A Crime Thriller by David George Clarke Read Free Book Online Page B

of “Oh, solly, solly,” together with much bowing. She graciously bowed her head in return while glancing at the desk where, as the lift doors closed, she was relieved to see Michael engrossed in his usual on-screen card game.
    As she walked through the car park towards Henry’s car, she once again made sure she was in the field of view of the CCTV behind her — it was show time and she wanted to tease her future viewers. Before starting the car, she removed the side-handle baton from the holdall and stowed it in the netting pouch attached to the rear of the front passenger seat, angling the handle so that she would be able to reach round the headrest to grasp it.
    Four minutes later she turned into Forest Road West, having taken main roads from the city centre to ensure that the car would be recorded on several traffic cameras. Two hundred yards along the road, she slowed the car, her eyes scanning the parked cars, the pavement, the road and the side roads. She knew the anti-prostitution squad would be active on a Friday evening but fortunately, at this moment, there were no obvious patrols. She lowered the passenger window, flashed the headlights once and immediately saw a movement from the shadows on her left. The girl walked purposefully towards the car, although her eyes were quite deliberately looking elsewhere. As the car slowed to a halt by her, the girl bent towards the window.
    “Klaus,” said Amelia, and the girl slid into the car.
    The Nissan sped off to where the road became Forest Road East, continuing on to the end where it turned left into Mansfield Road, the A60 that headed north out of the city towards the town of Mansfield some fifteen miles away.
    The traffic was light but Amelia remained vigilant. She didn’t want to be stopped for any reason with an obvious hooker in the car.
    “Where we go?” said the girl, her voice harsh, suspicious.
    Amelia glanced at her. “Fasten your seat belt,” she instructed.
    Miruna’s head shot round. “You a woman, stop car now! You cop?”
    Amelia forced a smile. “Hey, cool it. I’m not a cop. I’m just a girl looking for some fun, that’s all. Is that a problem? Surely you’re not fussy?”
    “Cost more. I don’t usually go with women.”
    “Not usually, perhaps, but you have done.”
    “Of course.”
    “Well then, it’s not a problem.”
    “OK, but pay more.”
    “Naturally, but I want a good time.”
    She reached over and lightly brushed a hand over Miruna’s right breast. “Nice,” she said.
    “Hey, stop that. No touching yet.”
    “Relax. And remember, I’m paying you well.”
    “Why you dressed as man?”
    “I should have thought that was obvious. If you’d seen a woman driving the car, you wouldn’t even have got in.”
    “Where we go?”
    Amelia smiled. “Somewhere quiet and private out in the countryside. It’s a great evening. I thought we could have some fun under the stars.”
    “You crazy.”
    “Have you ever been out to the woods with your clients?”
    “You joking. All they want is quickie in dark alley. Ten quid for blow job, twenty for screw up against wall. Finish in few minutes.”
    “Well, I’m going to be paying you more than you normally earn in a week for a relaxing night you’ll remember. And if you’re clever, you won’t have to give it all to your pimp.”
    She put a hand on the girl’s knee.
    “The question is, Miruna, are you up to it? I hope you’re not going to disappoint me.”
    The girl threw her head back and gave a haughty flick of her hair.
    “I’m the best. Look at me, young, slim, good tits — real, not silicon like most of those tarts — no disease. You’ll have your fun.”
    She paused, looking sideways at Amelia. “You give me money first?”
    Amelia laughed. “I wondered how long it would take you to demand that. Look in the glove box, there’s a couple of hundred. You’ll get the rest later.”
    Miruna snapped open the box and took out ten folded twenty-pound notes that