AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What can I do for you, Mistress Jade?”
She laughed. “My reputation precedes me.”
“I know the city well, Mistress Jade, including Club Noir. I understand you have some information for me?” Montana flicked off the top of his pen, jerking a pad from his top desk drawer.
“More of a concern and given the recent murder of Mark Ramos, I fear one of my girls may have been hurt, or God forbid, worse.”
A chill trickled down the back of Montana’s spine. The identification of the victims had yet to be released pending notification of relatives. No one could have found out. Unless there was a snitch in the department. “Murder? I’m not following you.”
“Let’s not play any games, detective. Since you’ve obviously taken the time research my club, you’ve certainly investigated my background and realize I have very influential friends. They afford me information in exchange for anonymity. Mark Ramos was brutally killed, tortured. What you’ll soon learn is that he was one of my newest patrons. The blubbering girl who woke up next to his bloody corpse worked for me.”
He appreciated her direct nature and couldn’t help but smile. “Worked?” He sat up in his seat, the hair on the back of his neck standing up on end. The scene was for too reminiscent of the one a year earlier. The girl had already been questioned. She knew nothing given the drugs in her system.
“She’s compromised my organization. Therefore, she is no longer in my employ. However, I realize you’ll need to talk with her.”
“We already have and may do so again.” Montana heard the glitch in her voice. The lovely Mistress was only being but so truthful. “However, we are investigating his murder. If there’s something you know, evidence regarding the case, I suggest you tell me now.” The girl was of little use. Hysterical, she’d only been able to affirm she’d been with Mr. Ramos during the evening before. Her statement was marginally credible.
Jade exhaled.
After a few seconds he thought he’d lost her. “Mistress Jade, let’s cut through the bullshit. Do you have a suspect in mind? Is that why you’re calling, to do your civic duty?”
“Hardly, detective. I’m calling because one of my girls has gone missing. My instinct tells me there’s been foul play. You are well aware the BDSM community is a tight knit group. A call and subsequent business proposition were made from a relative newcomer to my club. He came highly recommended. Ordinarily I wouldn’t allow any of my girls to accept a private offer unless the Dom had been vetted out completely. I’m quite frankly worried you may have another victim on your hands.”
“Private?” Another victim? Her fear was evident in her breath sounds.
“Yes. Don’t be coy. Some men prefer to enjoy their particular kinks in total privacy. I offer the service for a hefty price,” Jade stated, her tone full of arrogance.
Now they were getting somewhere. He raised his eyebrows as he wrote several notes. A submissive for hire? Was she shitting him? This was nothing more than glorified prostitution. “Hold on here? You’re actually telling me you allow your employees to be hired out for private sessions?”
“What?” Grant asked under his breath.
“I’m a Domme, Detective, not a pimp. The men who come to my club and the few allowed privacy are required to follow rules.”
“Uh-huh. Of course. And what they do behind closed doors in nobody else’s business. Am I correct?” He’d heard just about every kinky freak show in the world of sex, but this was something new.
Jade merely chuckled, infuriating him.
Grant moved closer. “What are we dealing with?”
Montana shook his head. “I need the name of the girl as well as the…Dom.”
“Not over the phone. I’ll meet you tomorrow, my office on the fifteenth floor of the James Center, nine sharp. I detest tardiness.” Abruptly she hung up the phone.
“Well then.” Montana eased the phone into the cradle and swiveled his chair. “I think we have more going on here than just murder.” Would they be able to make the connection with the second victim? He suspected the answer would be yes.
“Spill it. What are we talking about?” Grant eased back against the desk.
“Our Mistress Jade knows more than she’s willing to admit on the phone and she has a swanky address for an office. The James Center.”
“S & M on steroids?” Grant laughed.
Montana rubbed his chin and flipped open the paper file. The pictures were graphic, the details depicting a methodical kill. Whoever had completed the deed knew what he or she was doing, and the act wasn’t done in anger. “My honest guess is we have a city full of men who crave the BDSM subculture.”
“Tell me something I don’t already know. I’ve heard even the mayor enjoys frequenting various locations in and around Shockoe Bottom.”
“Yeah?” Montana rose to his feet. “I have a feeling their secretive society is covering up a series of murders.”
“Series?”
