Page 79 of Terminal Voyage
"Commissions. She took a few jobs where the client paid her directly.” He paused. "I don't mean to be that guy, but I think she's off in Europe somewhere, partying, avoiding the world. Wouldn’t be the first time she's done that. Anya loves to disappear and reinvent herself.”
“Anya?”
"Yeah. That's her name. Katherine Anya Moreau.” After a pause, he said, "Actually, I think her middle name was Anne, but she changed it to Anya to be more refined. That's what she went by to her friends. I told her she should have used it as a stage name, but she wanted to keep it for herself.”
“Do you know how she got down to Corazón Bay?”
“On Declan's boat,” Nico said.
I felt vindicated. "What was she doing on Declan's boat?”
The line went silent for a moment. "I don't know what she did when she was on his yacht. You'd have to ask her that.”
He seemed a little defensive.
"Was she dating Declan?”
"If that's what you want to call it."
"I don't know. Why don't you tell me what you'd call it?”
"What are you getting at?”
"I'm trying to figure out what happened to Anya. Do you want to help me?”
He hesitated. "Are you recording this phone call?”
My brow wrinkled with confusion. "No. I'm not recording this phone call.”
"You understand how these things work, don't you?”
"What things?”
"Do I need to spell it out for you?”
"Yes. That would be nice."
After a long pause, Nico said, "Anya is a pretty girl. I represent a lot of pretty girls. So does every other agency in this town. There are a million more girls all over the world. It's a competition for the prettiest. And they all want to be on top. But there are only so many pages in the magazines. And there is always someone prettier.”
"It’s a tough business, but I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”
"Work had gotten a little thin for Anya. There is a limited window for a model. She was aging out.”
"How old was she?”
"25. That's the upper end of the spectrum.”
I may have been a little slow, but I put it all together. "She was paid to be aboard Declan's yacht.”
"It's a win-win opportunity for everybody. The girls get to make a little extra money, the clients get entertainment, and sometimes the model gets a new campaign or a husband.”
"We’re talking about prostitution."
"Whoa! Whoa! I did not say that. No one ever said that word.These girls are paid for their time. That's all they're paid for. Just like any other modeling gig. I am an agent, not a pimp.”
"Certain favors are expected.”
“I don’t know what’s expected,” he said, playing dumb.
