Sharp Turn - Marianne Delacourt [38]
She hunched over defensively. ‘I was in the lounge with Kate. Audrey went past to open the door and didn’t come back.’
‘Didn’t you think that was strange?’
‘Why should I?’
‘The door was left open. Did you hear her fall?’
‘I was listening to my iPod.’
‘Uh-huh.’ I took a stab at being a bit more provocative. ‘How did you get on with Audrey?’
‘Fine.’ Her aura stayed tight and hard.
‘What about Madame Vine?’
‘Fine.’
‘Can you think of anyone who might want to hurt either of them?’
‘No.’ This time sulphur sparks ignited in her aura like a match had been lit.
‘Okay, thanks.’
‘That all?’
‘Yes.’
She gave me a suspicious look then got up and left.
Lena appeared almost immediately at the door, as if she’d been hovering.
‘Could I speak to you privately?’ I said.
‘Certainly, come to the office.’
I followed her the short distance down the corridor and stayed standing when she closed the door and sat at her desk. Audrey’s adjoining office door was open, her things still in place.
‘What do you know about Louise’s background?’ I asked.
She thought for a moment, pressing her temples as if to relieve a headache. ‘She’s from Victoria, a student who found she couldn’t live on her allowance. Many of my girls come to me because of that problem. She’s been here nearly two years and I’ve never had any problems with her. Her other details are on file. Was there something in particular?’
‘Could I review the file, particularly her previous job history? And, if you have it, a list of her clients since she’s been here.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘Fortunately, I actually keep those sorts of records. Not all establishments do.’
‘Wonderful. I have to run to an appointment. Could you email them to me?’ I gave her my address. ‘I’ll be in touch soon.’
‘Do you think Louise is involved in what happened?’
‘I’m not saying that. I just need to check some things out. In the meantime, don’t treat her any differently to anyone else. By the way, do you have a “no drugs” policy among your employees?’
She frowned. ‘A very strict one. It’s one of my criteria for job selection.’
‘Your security guard, Leonard Roc, how did he end up working here?’
‘Leonard was trained by Instant Security. He came very highly recommended.’
‘I assume they run background checks?’
‘Scrupulous. I’ve used them before and always been very pleased with their standards.’
‘So you know he had a previous drug conviction?’
‘Leonard is quite reformed. I believe in giving people a chance to change their lives.’
‘Fair enough but, on that note, you might want to have a word with Kate about changing hers.’
She pursed her lips and nodded. ‘Thank you.’
Wal and I swapped stories on the way back to Liv’s.
‘Len reckons it hadta be someone who’s been there,’ he told me. ‘You know, with the girls. Someone who knew to get him out the back so they could get a clear shot on the dead chick. Knew she’d be the one to answer the door.’
‘Audrey,’ I said automatically.
‘Yeah.’
‘Sure seems that way,’ I said. ‘I need you to check out a company called Instant Security for me. See what you can find out about them – who the owner is, what their reputation is like.’
‘That where Len came from?’
I nodded.
He chewed his lip but gave his begrudging grunt of agreement. ‘Still think you’re barking up the wrong tree, boss.’
‘We’ll see,’ I said. ‘Meanwhile, I’m going to do some background on one of the girls there. Got a feeling about her.’
Wal gave me a sideways glance. ‘You got more than that, don’t ya?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘’Bin talking to Liv. She reckons you’ve got second sight or somethin’.’
I almost ran off the highway. ‘What?’
‘She reckons you don’t just read folks’ body language, you see things about them as well. Colours and shit.’
How the hell did Liv know that? It wasn’t something I’d ever talked to her about. I mean, she knew I was a bit erratic sometimes but . . .
‘You believe that?’ I asked, stalling.
‘Yeah, reckon I do. Seen you react real quick sometimes, like you can tell shit’s gonna happen before it does.’
I bit my lip. The only people who knew