Free Death by Beauty by Gabrielle Lord Page B

buy this place.’
    ‘She was a smart woman,’ said Gemma, remembering Shelley and her spunky spirit. ‘Naomi, have you heard anything about some
     guy who targets girls?’ she asked. ‘Spikes their drinks and then takes them somewhere and attacks them. There’s no sexual
     interference, at least in the case we know about. He uses an instrument, could be some kind of syringe. Just leaves a puncture
     mark.’
    ‘Is he infecting them with something? HIV?’
    ‘We don’t know yet. The victim’s had the first blood test. We won’t know for sure until the second one. But get this: while
     he carries out the attack, he wears vampire teeth.’
    ‘You’re joking.’
    ‘Dead serious. Angie McDonald brought a girl around to see me. She’d been assaulted by this man. I saw the mark and the bruising
     on her neck. What started out like a date-rape story ended up like Dracula. I was wondering if you’ve heard of any similar
     attacks.’
    ‘We’ve had our fair share of ugly mugs, but vampires …?’ Naomi’s voice trailed off, then she frowned, putting her glass down
     on the kitchen table. ‘Hang on, one of the kids
did
saysomething weird. Last week, something to do with a vampire. I just thought the ice was getting to her.’
    ‘When did it happen? Did she talk about an assault?’
    ‘Yes, but I didn’t take all that much notice about the details. It was after our precinct meeting – Angie was there, and the
     sex-workers outreach – and we were having coffee and biscuits.’
    ‘Can you remember anything more?’
    ‘I’d just started chatting to this kid when she told me the story. I presumed she’d been off her face at the time of the attack,
     and I kind of switched off.’
    ‘What’s her name? Where can I get hold of her? What did she say?’
    ‘I don’t know her real name, but her working name is Brie. She hangs out near the Forbes Street square. Gets around in thigh-high
     boots and shorts. She’s a nice kid. I remember her saying a vampire had attacked her. I just said, “Sure honey, can I get
     you another coffee and a Tim Tam?”’
    ‘Naomi, if you could track her down, I’d be really grateful. I’m not quite as mobile as I used to be – with Rafi, I mean.
     I’ll do what I can, and I’ll have a look for her now on my way home.’
    ‘Look out near Forbes Street or the corner where the Ferrari showroom used to be and the block around there,’ Naomi suggested.
     ‘That’s where she generally works.’

    Gemma headed slowly down William Street, eyes scanning each side of the road, and drove up and around to the area near the
     Forbes Street steps. A couple of girls were standing there: one could have been a tranny, tall and broad shouldered, with
     muscular legs ending in high heels, and a thick blonde wig; theother a thin woman in a black halter, short skirt and thigh-high boots. She was lighting the tall blonde’s cigarette as Gemma
     pulled up and called out to them from the car window. ‘I’m looking for a girl called Brie. Either of you know where she is?’
    ‘You a cop?’ called the thin girl.
    ‘No. I just want to talk to her. About an attack on her last week.’
    ‘We haven’t seen her this week,’ said the blonde. ‘She said she was going to Melbourne. But yeah, she said she was spooked
     over some weirdo who attacked her. She wanted to get away from him.’
    Gemma fished out two of her cards and handed them to the women. ‘Here you are. You can check out my bona fides with Angie
     McDonald. If you see Brie or hear from her, please ask her to contact me. I may be able to help her.’
    ‘You’re a private investigator,’ said the thin girl. ‘She’s not in trouble, is she?’
    Working the streets and using ice might be considered trouble already in certain circles, Gemma thought. But she shook her
     head. ‘She could be. But not from the law. And not from me. I’m trying to get information about the man who attacked her.’
    ‘That’s good. If it means