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TERRI HERNANDEZ ANDI split up the names for interviewing. It was the fastest, most efficient way to narrow down our suspects. Despite my belief that I was avoiding tunnel vision by looking at more suspects, I had to admit I really wanted to clear any doubt so we could indict one of the Bannings. That’s one of the first issues always raised in homicide trials: had we ever considered other suspects? Defense attorneys don’t care who actually committed the crime. Their only goal is to convince jurors their client didnot. Or, more accurately, to plant enough doubt in the jury’s minds to avoid a conviction.
I’d quickly cleared one of the names from the list. A guy who ran a bar in Midtown had hired a girl named Carly from The Girlfriend Experience three times to hang out at his bar and attract customers. He said she did a great job. Even had her personal phone number. He also had video surveillance of his bar that showed him at work during the time Estella Abreu was murdered.
I called Carly, who answered the phone, “Hey, this is Carly. Who’s this?” Her tone was flirtatious and friendly. I could see why men would want to talk with her.
I said, “My name is Michael Bennett. I’m a detective with the NYPD. I—”
Carly cut me off. She was not nearly as cooperative as Allie Pritz. “I have nothing to say to the police. I’m represented by Jonathan Berg. I’m going to call him now and tell him you called me. Please don’t call me again without going through my attorney.”
It didn’t faze me. People say things like that all the time. I made a note of the attorney’s name and figured I’d call him in a day or two. At the very least, Carly might give us some more insights into how The Girlfriend Experience worked. I had other things to worry about now.
Before I headed to the next name on the list—ironically a lawyer in Midtown—Walter Jackson texted me three more names he’d been able to figure out from the numbers on The Girlfriend Experience’s phone.
I was completely aboveboard during my next call. When the attorney answered his cell phone, I told him who I was and that it involved a homicide investigation. The lawyer, William Dexter, didn’t ask any questions. I thought about the old saying that a good lawyer never asks a question he doesn’t already know the answer to.
Even though he worked at one of the big corporate law firms in Midtown, Dexter told me to come on over to the office so we could talk. Killers usually aren’t that accommodating. Unless they think they’re much, much smarter than anyone else.
I could see why these big firms with an international presence charged so much money for everything. The firm had fourteen floors of a building overlooking Sixth Avenue. The lobby had dark hardwood paneling and marble floors.
The receptionist, a balding man about forty, had a neatly trimmed goatee that came to a sharp point under his chin. He looked up with his rimless glasses but didn’t bother to give me a smile as I stepped into the lobby. He said, “How may I help you?”
His tone made it clear he really wanted to say,You walked into the wrong office, moron. But I played the game and said, “My name’s Michael Bennett. William Dexter is expecting me.”
The man looked surprised that I had the name of one of his attorneys ready to spit out when needed. He called Dexter from his desk phone. Then he looked up at me and said, “William will meet you on the fourteenth floor. He’ll be waiting at the elevator.” The man went back to looking at something on his computer screen and completely ignoring me.
The elevator was a step down after the plush lobby of the law firm. Not that it was a terrible elevator. It’s just that in the two minutes I was in the reception area I’d sort of gotten used to marble floors and live plants.
William Dexter was indeed standing just outside the elevator on the fourteenth floor. He was a lean, good-looking guy somewhere in his mid-thirties. His longish brown hair was styled to look like he didn’t care about his appearance. His monogrammed shirt and silk tie told me otherwise.
We shook hands, and he led me down the hallway. The fourteenth floor didn’t have marble but was still a high-end office. It felt like every other room was some sort of conference room with a spectacular view and filled with real plants.
I said to Dexter, “You guys must have a great view of the parade.”
“Like any of us have time to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.” He finally turned into a lovely office with a view of a side street. He sat in a chair opposite me in front of his desk. He put on an earnest expression and said, “I appreciated you calling, but I’m not sure how I can help a homicide investigation.”
I said, “I don’t want to bring up anything that’s sensitive or awkward. But you called a phone number that’s used by a group of young women who act as dates or escorts.”
That question got a reaction. He calmly stood up and walked to the door. He closed it quietly, then came back to the chair.
Now I was really interested in hearing his response.
Chapter70
WILLIAM DEXTER BRUSHEDa stray hair from his face, then looked at me calmly. His expression didn’t change as he said, “The Girlfriend Experience, right?”
“Exactly.”
“I didn’t violate any laws. I never had sex with the young woman who met me. I just needed a date for corporate functions. I think I used her six or seven times.”
“Always the same girl?”
“Stacy. Yes. That’s the only name I have. A name and a phone number. Which you obviously have. Stacy wasn’t a homicide victim, was she?”
I shook my head. “We’re gathering background on people using the service. I also was hoping we could keep this conversation confidential until we make an arrest.”
“I’m sorry, Detective Bennett, but I never make a commitment like that unless I’m retained as a lawyer. I will say I have no reason to discuss this with anyone else.”
“I guess that’ll have to do.” I looked around the office. There were a couple of framed photos of Dexter running marathons. Clearly, the guy was athletic, educated, and had a good job. He also appeared to have decent social skills. I looked at him and said, “You seem pretty squared away. I’d think a lot of people would want to date you. Without charging you a fee.”
