Page 39 of Delivering David

“Something like,” Kristopher agreed. “What can you tell us?”

“I have this regular customer I’ll call Joe,” Mandy began after trading glances with Miller. “He’s a nice guy, but his wife has some medical problems, and he has some needs, so we’ve got a twice a month arrangement. Last Monday night, he showed up as usual, but he’s drunk, and I mean skunk drunk. Talks about how it’s not right to treat kids that way, and someone should do something. I got some coffee in him, and he sobered enough to tell him he’d found out a friend was a short-eyes.”

“Short eyes?” Bailey repeated.

“Prison slang for pedophiles,” Miller interpreted. “Go on, Mandy.”

“So, Joe starts talking about he overheard this so-called friend talking about some big party on New Year’ Eve with lots of catered food and live bands where lots of these short-eye types are coming because there’s gonna be some kind of kiddie swap or auction or something like that.”

“What else?” Kristopher asked. Beside him, Suzanne sat perfectly still.

“Joe found a list on his friend’s desk with all these initials with checks on it. Stupid prick left it right there for God and everyone to see.” Mandy’s tone turned scornful. “It was full of letters and numbers, some kind of code for whoever is coming, or is already here.”

“Did Joe show you the list?” Suzanne asked, leaning forward.

“He did.” Mandy took a small, zippered bag from her purse, opened it, and extracted a folded piece of paper. “When Joe passed out, I wrote all this down.” She handed it to Miller and said, “I don’t know if it will help, but maybe you guys know someone who can make sense of it?”

“Are folks on the street talking about it, Mandy?” Miller asked. His voice and expression were carefully neutral, but Kristopher could only imagine at his professional excitement.

“They sure are, but like real hush-hush,” Mandy said. “That most people going to this shindig think it’s just a fancy party. But the kids will be in a secret room that you can only get into by special invitation. Geez, that’s one party I’d hate to be at when the bust goes down. And that’s all I know.”

She swiveled in her chair to look at Miller. “Now. How soon can you get me out of town?”

“I’ve already spoken to someone at Operation Phoenix,” Miller said. “Soon as we’re done here, we’re moving you to a safe house in another part of the state. No one is going to find you.”

“Okay,” Mandy’s tone was doubtful.

“Operation Phoenix helps get women in trouble or danger out of town and start new lives,” Suzanne told her. “It’s a great program. I’ve traveled with them once or twice.”

“Honest?” Mandy demanded and grinned when Suzanne gave her two thumbs up.

“Just one more thing, Miss Mandy,” Kristopher said. “Have you heard any names mentioned about who’s behind this?”

“No, just that most of them are top dogs who think no one would ever suspect them ‘cause they’re high-powered folks who think their shit don’t stink. Using kids for pleasure makes me sick.”

“Us too,” Kristopher said quietly.

“Sergeant Miller, if you’ll let me have Miss Mandy’s piece of paper, I’m going to contact one of BP’s code breakers,” Bailey said. “Might save you some time.”

He started to leave but Mandy reached out and touched his arm. “Are you a Marine?”

“Yes ma’am,” he said.

“My daddy was a Marine,” she said wistfully. “Everything went to hell once he died in Iraq. Momma died, my little sister got put into state care and I hooked up with some freak which is why I’m where I am today.” She looked at Bailey again. “You kind of favor him. He was a good man and a good Marine.”

“We mourn when we lose one of our own, Miss Mandy,” Bailey said softly, taking her hand. “I’m sorry we weren’t there for you and your family after his sacrifice. The Marines are one, big family and we’re supposed to take care of our own. I’m sorry we failed you.”

Still holding his hand, Mandy rose and saluted. “Semper Fi, Marine,” she said.

Tears pricked Suzanne’s eyes as the now former Marine returned the woman’s salute. “Semper Fi, Miss Mandy.” He was clearing his throat as he left

“Anything else?” Miller asked.

Mandy stared at Kristopher and snapped her fingers and she said, “I know you! You’re that cop that busted Bobby, Harvey McClintock’s son about five years ago. The one who’s partner got killed in that shoot-out after that. What was his name? Sam or Simon–

“Sydney Phillips,” and Suzanne heard the pain in his voice.

“Yeah,” Mandy nodded. “I remember the both of you. Grant here too. Some cops are hard on us working girls, but you guys were always nice to us.” When Kristopher remained silent, Miller said, “Let’s go, Mandy.”

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