Page 72 of Angel

We don’t knock.

I am the first through the door and notice a pretty girl sitting on the bed, a sullen expression on her face as Charlie sits in the chair opposite, his legs crossed, his expression blank.

They look up as we enter and Sally groans.

“Fuck. What have I done?”

I jerk my head toward the door and Charlie leaves. His job is done.

Only the committee gets to stay. It’s always that way.

Nobody knows our identities, only committee members and we have a well-practiced routine that maintains the secrecy.

I take the seat and lean forward, my arms resting on my thighs.

I fix her with a dark glare.

“Tell us about the masked man who brought you here a few weeks ago.”

“That bastard.”

Her lip curls. “One of yours, I guess.”

I shake my head. “An imposter.”

“That figures.”

She rolls the gum around her mouth and sighs.

“I was up for it. I mean, that mask is a serious turn on. Anyway, we went to room eighteen and as soon as I walked in, he pushed me onto the bed. I went flying. It was seriously rough and then he beat me several times around the face. I remember screaming and he told me to shut the fuck up or he’d cut out my tongue. That did it. I’m not stupid.”

She sighs, leaning back, her elbows on the bed behind her, and grins.

“I don’t mind a bit of the rough stuff, but this was overkill. He ripped my clothes. I was pissed because I’d just got that top and I liked it. Anyway, he fucked me like an animal, rough, crude and rather pathetic if I’m honest. I made all the right sounds. I’m good at that.”

She winks. “You should try me sometime. I’m the best at what I do.”

“Cut the description. I get the idea.”

She shrugs.

“When he finished, he told me I was shit. Why couldn’t I be more like that actress, Sophie Clere? Beautiful and elegant. She was a lady, and I was trash. I took it. He’s probably right, anyway.”

I hate every minute of this and say almost softly, “Why are you on the streets? A pretty girl like you could make money by waitressing, bar work or working in a store.”

“Because it pays well. The hours are my choice, and I like sex with strangers.”

Ghost coughs to disguise his chuckle, and I hide my smile. Well, that told me. I kind of admire her honesty.

“He brought you here in a car. What can you tell me about that?”

“It was a Ford; a little rusty stick shift which I kind of love. I grew up with brothers who were car fanatics. It kind of rubbed off on me. It was an obvious wreck. I mean, the paint inside didn’t match the one outside. It was dirty too. Trash on the floor, the seats were slashed and there was some stupid nodding dog hanging from the mirror. It was kind of creepy because it only had one eye.”

“Anything else? You can tell us. No matter how small.”

She purses her lips and appears thoughtful.

“There were overalls in the back. I remember that. Green ones and a badge.”