Robert B. Parker’s Damned If You Do

10

Rumor is she fronts a high-class call-girl ring,” Healy said. “Her influence is considerable.”

“If you know that, how is it she stays in business,” Jesse said.

“We don’t have exact proof. Her ventures are moving targets and difficult to pin down.”

“Meaning?”

“She’s mobbed up.”

They were sitting in Healy’s office drinking coffee and nibbling Oreo cookies from a box on Healy’s desk.

“She’s very well protected,” Healy continued. “And her associate is connected big-time.”

“Her associate?”

“Rumored to be a key player in the Mob’s sex-trade operations.”

“Who?”

“Thomas Walker,” Healy said.

“Elegant-looking black guy?”

“So I’ve heard.”

“I may have met him.”

“Not many have. He keeps himself well secreted.”

“He presented himself as her bodyguard.”

“Nice,” Healy said. “You manage to keep the oddest company.”

“I do, don’t I?”

“So your new best friends have pledged to help in trying to identify the dead girl?”

“They have.”

“Well, anything they can do is probably a whole lot better than anything I can do. You’ll let me know?”

“You’ll be the first.”

“I suppose it’s unnecessary for me to remind you that these are dangerous people.”

“It is.”

Jesse stood, reached into the box, and grabbed another Oreo.

He grinned at Healy and left the office.

“What do we know,” Jesse said to Molly. He had called her from his cruiser.

“Golden Horizons has been sold twice in the last eighteen months.”

“Who owns it now?”

“A company that’s primarily invested in senior-citizen residences and assisted living facilities.”

“What company?”

“Amherst Properties.”

“The same Amherst Properties that made headlines earlier this year when it was cited for questionable patient practices?”

“One and the same.”

“Do you know where they’re based?”

“In Amherst.”

“Massachusetts?”

“No. East Timor.”

“Massachusetts,” he said again.

“Yes.”

“Can we get a list of the officers of this company?”

“I already have.”

“Can you put it on my desk?”

“I already did.”

Jesse didn’t say anything.

“Was there anything else,” Molly said.

“Nicely done, Molly.”

“Thank God I have some redeeming qualities.”

“Amen,” Jesse said, and ended the call.