Barrington was still asleep when Lewis got back to the apartment, which was just as well. After the encounter with Lucy in his office Lewis was in no mood for nor was he even capable of guilt free sex. The whole encounter with Lucy had disturbed him on two accounts, one because She reminded him so much of Trillium, particularly in that environment, and two because he found himself growing weepy at the merest thoughts of her.
He kept coming back to the same question, was it possible for a billionaire to fall in love with a sex-trade worker? Was it possible? Yes, he decided it was absolutely possible. And not because she was obliging for he had no shortage of that. He missed her. Not the presence of someone, not anyone, but her, specifically her. He didn't care if she never walked past him naked again; he didn't care if she never had sex with him again. He needed her to be around him. He needed to find her.
Having been repeatedly frustrated by the response from the Agency she worked for and racing through his options he decided on the most immediate solution as he entered his home office. Lewis picked up the phone and called the local Precinct. “Detective Colt please.”
“One moment…”came the reply which was followed by what seemed like several months of electronically generated musical tones of no particular melody then a click.
The click was followed by dead silence lasting long enough for Lewis to wonder if he'd been disconnected. “Hello?” He said.
“Hello, Colt here.”
“Detective Colt this is Lewis Ricker.”
“Ah, Mister Ricker, working on another mystery novel sir?”
“Ah… no sir.” The tone said enough, Colt became serious, professional.
“Is there a problem sir?”
“Well, a friend of mine has gone missing.”
“How long has this friend been gone sir?”
What was it now? Three days? “Since Wednesday.”
"It's not abnormal for people to take trips or visit friends and relatives.”
“Yes Detective, I understand that.”
“Are you sure this person is missing?”
“My friend was in a bit of a state on departure and she knows practically no one in town and she's…” Silence.
“Sir?”
“Detective my friend is what you would call a professional. An escort.”
“A prostitute, sir?”
“Yes.”
“You want me to help you locate a prostitute, sir?”
“Mister Colt. I'm hoping you can help me locate a 'friend' who also happens to be a very high priced prostitute.”
“Are you involved with this person, Mister Ricker?”
Lewis stopped at that, Trillium had been with him for months, exclusively with him for at least a month. Except for the money they were in an exclusive relationship, that much was certain. Colt spoke again. “Sir?”
“Yes Detective, I'm still here.”
“You didn't answer my question, sir.”
“Mister Colt. I care a great deal about this person, whatever her career, whatever the circumstances of our meeting that fact remains. I am very worried about her and would consider it a huge personal favour if you could assist me.”
“Department policy, sir…”
“I understand Detective. Can you help me?” This time the pause was on the other end.
“What is her name, sir?”
“Trillium Lejoy.”
“I mean her real name, sir.”
Lewis stopped. He couldn't remember her real name. Had she even told him? Wait, it was…
“Hanna.”
“Hanna?
“Yes. Yes, Hanna...” He searched for the last name.
“I need the full name, sir.”
“Officer..., Detective Colt. I'm sure if she had been apprehended or admitted to any place, hospital or otherwise that your data base will have her listed.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, either there's going to be a match for 'Hanna' or there isn't.”
“Sir, there are three hundred and twenty two matches for the first name 'Hanna' in STATESTATS Central Affects DataBase. Sixty seven more for 'Hanna' as a last name.”
“Central Affects?”
“Yes sir, every listing of all detainees, arrestees, admitees to hospitals, clinics and the morgue.”
“34 years old, blonde, medium build, around 160 cm high?”
“79 within that range, sir.”
“I see...” Lewis said flatly.
“I don't find any matches for 'Trillium' or 'Lejoy' at all, sir.”
“I understand, Mister Colt. Thank you.”
“If you can think of the last name sir, her real last name, give me a call. I'll be more than happy to try and help you.”
“I appreciate that, Detective.” The phone was off before he set it down. Lewis sat there dully trying to think of something that he could do.
For a moment he thought of going back to the CONEDEX Building and reviewing the tapes but unless she said where she was going directly to a mike that wasn't going to tell him anything. According to the security records she left the building alone and heading directly from his office down the private elevator to the carport, that meant she wouldn't have been seen by anyone else.
Turning to face the panoramic view of the skyline before him Lewis was flat struck by the realisation that despite everything he had he was empty without her.
