Sterling’s throat went dry. “Hedy.”
The radiator hissed. She wasn’t used to saying it aloud or speaking of her in the past tense.
“So. Hedy was a prostitute?” said Andreas.
Sterling scowled. “She was asex worker, if that’s what you mean. She was a respected employee of the oldest profession, and had better manners than you.”
A mixture of comprehension and resigned acceptance washed across his face.
“Sorry,sex worker,right. Are you also, er, in this line of work?”
Beate kicked the side of his ankle. They were like a long-married couple who’d never consummated the arrangement. It reminded Sterling of her dynamic with Fernando.
“I’m not for sale, Detective. But don’t take that as a judgment on Hedy’s work. She had a lot to be admired for. She was the top girl under Madame Weiss.”
“Who?”
“Weiss runs Vienna’s most exclusive escort service. I thought all your kind knew her.”
He shot her a disapproving look.
“So, Mr. Lime was a client?”
“I’d assume, since he wasn’t her type.”
“What was her type?”
“No one I’d use the pronounhefor.”
Andreas put it together just before Beate leaned in to explain.
“So she was a, uh…” Andreas hesitated.
“A lesbian,” said Beate.
“Yes.”
He returned to his notes, straining with the pen like he’d forgotten how to grip one.
“Were you and Hedy involved?” he asked.
“We met the summer after my freshman year of university. You know how college girls are, so adventurous,” she said wistfully.
“So, yes?” he said.
“I’ve known a lot of people in this city, Detective, and beeninvolvedwith most of them.”
“How many people have you dated in Vienna?” he said, stretching out a hand cramp.
“Would you prefer the value as a number or a percentage of the overall population?” she said.
Andreas shook his head. “I’d prefer I hadn’t asked.”
“So. Tell us about the male victim, Mr. Lime,” said Beate.
“I know as much about him as any anonymous guest.”
“This isn’t helping us.”
