Free The Redeemed by Jonas Saul

much better knowing how close he came.”
     
    Vicky reached the restaurant’s door and opened it for Sarah. Once they were seated and had ordered coffees, Sarah asked about Mercedes.
     
    “Before I answer,” Vicky said, “what’s your interest?”
     
    A police cruiser pulled out, the lights reflecting off the restaurant’s window. Sarah wondered why no one offered Vicky a jacket to cover up. Maybe she’d been doing this so long she was comfortable being half exposed.
     
    “We’re not sure yet, but we think Mercedes is involved or has knowledge about the priest killings.”
     
    “What kind of knowledge?” Vicky asked.
     
    “No idea.” Sarah smiled. “Gotta ask her.”
     
    “Are you being smart with me?”
     
    “I’m looking for Mercedes. You ask me for what kind of knowledge. Until I ask Mercedes, I have no idea what she knows or doesn’t know. So no, I’m not being smart with you.”
     
    “Mercedes works for Miles. She’s in this parking lot every night after midnight and works till dawn. The only nights she’s not here is when Miles lets her stay a whole night with one guy.”
     
    “And she’s not here tonight,” Parkman said.
     
    Vicky shook her head and looked down at a busted nail on her finger. She pulled on it for a second, then met Sarah’s eyes.
     
    “Mercedes might be in trouble.”
     
    “How so?”
     
    “There’s a guy who’s been coming around lately. Big guy. Loads of cash. Takes her for the night. She comes back with handcuff marks on her wrists. I’m worried for her, but Miles doesn’t care. As long as he gets his cut.”
     
    “When was the last time you saw her?” Parkman asked.
     
    “Two nights ago. She wasn’t here last night, either.”
     
    The waitress set three cups of coffee in front of them. “Will there be anything else?”
     
    Vicky shook her head. “No thanks.”
     
    The waitress walked away as Sarah pulled the cup to her lips and sniffed the aroma before sipping.
     
    “No cream or sugar?” Vicky asked.
     
    “None.”
     
    “Me too.” After a sip from her cup, Vicky said, “I think Mercedes is afraid of her customer. At least that’s what some of the girls were saying.”
     
    “How so? Did you hear why?”
     
    “No.”
     
    “Have you seen this guy?” Parkman asked. “Can you give us a description?”
     
    “I can do you one better. I followed her two nights ago to see where the client was taking her.”
     
    Sarah sat up in her seat. “Really? Take us there.”
     
    “I think he detected the tail. I lost them a few blocks from where he lives.”
     
    “How do you know you were close to where he lives? You could’ve lost them before they jumped in a car and drove to the other side of the city.”
     
    “He was pulling out his house keys when he noticed me. After putting the keys away, they kept walking. After two blocks, and a couple fast turns, they disappeared.”
     
    “Then take us to where you lost them. Walk us the exact route.”
     
    “You can walk that far on a crutch?”
     
    “Don’t worry about me. Mercedes’ life may be in danger. And if she’s involved with the priest killer in any way, if we don’t find her, more priests are going to die.”
     
    “Do you know her real name?” Parkman asked.
     
    Vicky lifted her coffee with both hands and said, “Evelyn Wynn. Her name is Evelyn, but the client always calls her Eve.”
     

Chapter 12

    Outside the restaurant, Vicky followed them to their rental. The authorities had cleared out of the parking lot already.
     
    “Your team works fast,” Sarah said.
     
    “We already had the list of charges prepared as we were set to arrest Miles and his crew tonight. I was talking to Jessica when you walked by us. I was about to pop the question to her.”
     
    “Pop the question?” Parkman asked.
     
    “If she would testify against Miles. If not, I would have arrested her out front, away from his sight. My backup was minutes away, as you now