Page 40 of Her Last Walk Home

‘If she paid for a photo shoot, I have no control over where she posts the pictures.’

‘Come on, Greg. Quit the bullshit. Laura was brutally murdered. You took her photo. You run this modelling photography lark as a front.’ She hoped he didn’t ask her to prove it, because she didn’t have the time for all that.

‘It’s just a dating site. It’s not illegal.’

‘I never said it was.’

He closed his eyes and squeezed the bridge of his nose before saying, ‘What do you need?’

‘Any records you have to do with Laura Nolan. And your employee database.’

‘Cathy out there is the only staff I employ.’

‘Really? How do you pay your escorts? You must have a register or database.’

His mouth dropped open. ‘I… I… This is ludicrous.’

She tapped the floor with her toe and waited him out.

‘Okay, okay. I register the girls on a consultancy basis. No wages.’

Bingo, Lottie thought. ‘I see,’ she said calmly. ‘But you must know who these “consultants” are?’

‘Look, they’re not really consultants, just… companions, but I still can’t give out their details without a warrant. GDPR and all that.’

‘And all that,’ she scoffed. ‘What if it’s one of your models who was brutally murdered?’

‘I still can’t give you anything.’

She decided to change direction. ‘When did you set up your business?’

‘Must be a year ago.’

‘Why did you delve into the escort line of work?’

‘I told you, it’s just dating, and it’s more lucrative than trying to find jobs for models.’

‘More lucrative for you? Or the “companion”?’

‘For everyone. It’s beneficial to those who don’t like online or traditional dating and those who don’t want to form a commitment. We match the client to an appropriate woman. And then they date. End of.’

‘Really? End of?’

‘Yes.’

‘That sounds like you are prostituting these women. You’re nothing more than a modern-day pimp, Mr Plunkett.’

His face reddened so quickly she feared he was about to have a heart attack. It took a few moments before he calmed himself in the stuffy silence. ‘I’ve done nothing wrong. I’d like you both to leave. If you have any further questions, you may direct them to my solicitor.’

Lottie extracted a slim file from her bag and slid a photo across the table towards Plunkett. ‘Recognise her?’

He didn’t look down. ‘I said, you need to go through my solicitor.’

‘Look at the photo, please.’ It galled her to plead, but she couldn’t leave empty-handed. And Boyd was as good as useless sitting mute in the corner. ‘You took that photo.’

Plunkett briefly looked at the image, then concentrated his eyes on his lap. He gulped, and she knew he recognised the woman in the photo.

‘Is that her?’ His voice was devoid of its earlier swagger. ‘The woman who was found dead yesterday?’

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