This is Derby 2014
By jazz
- 426 reads
Michael looked at his reflection in the glass. He wasn't in the best shape
for forty eight; getting baggier around the eyes, and larger around
the middle, he was at that age when it didn't bother him yet he knew
he would have to do something about it. He rarely touched alcohol
these days and had long since given up smoking, maybe he ought to
take his sister’s advice and join a gym.
He sat down and ordered an Americano; black coffee was his weak point
and he surmised that that would have to go before long. He looked at
his watch and wondered where Toni was. They had agreed to meet here
at eleven, he had sent a text ( from one of the several pay as you go
phones he used) and wasn't going to send another; no need to look
needy or desperate.
He waited about twenty minutes when he saw her get out of the taxi. She
looked older than in the photograph she had sent him, he was not all
all shocked by her attire either, a new, well cut pair of jeans but
spoilt by a white t shirt that had seen better days and an open,
man's checked shirt that she had obviously borrowed from someone at
the last minute, it was crumpled and didn't go with the (probably
expensive) jeans. Her hair was dyed black but he could see that it
had been blond, once.
'Toni' she announced and sat down before he had said a word.
'I'm late but everyone says that about me'
'Michael introduced himself and asked if she'd lived in Derby long.
'No not really, been all over the place me; Brighton, Lincoln, Cardiff'
She stopped abruptly and said she'd been in Derby five years.
'You?'
'Always around here, am near Long Eaton now' Michael was never going to be
exact, get information out of her first. In fact he had lived in
several places around the East Midlands, but at the moment he was not
going to volunteer too much.
He noticed out of the corner of his eye that the taxi was still staying
across the road, always careful, Michael wondered if they were being
watched.
Toni could tell what he was looking at, Michael was happy for her to see
it, she said that the taxi driver was an old friend keeping an eye on
her and would go soon.
'Are you always suspicious?' Toni asked.
'I've learnt to be over the years, seen too much of human nature.. and have
become very judgemental'
Toni laughed.
'Me too.'
Her smile faded quickly and Michael saw a tougher side to her, she could
obviously drop the charm, or turn it on, in a second.
'Now, How many do you want?'
'You don't take long!'
'I don't..I'm a businesswoman'
'Ten, but how many at short notice?'
She lowered her voice.
'Yes I can get that number, any more may be difficult for a a few days ,
ten came in yesterday, I have four in a flat on Mercian Way another
six up in Chaddesden'
'How many do you actually have around the place then?'
Toni sat up, Michael was worried if she was getting suspicious herself.
'Don't piss me off … you want, I get, I'm not tourist information Mikey
boy'
'Okay okay. Cool it..ten I want and that will be fine, I can have the
clients in twenty four hours'
'Most people want instant'
'These people will pay well Toni'
She made herself comfortable and they ordered another coffee. The café
was still quite empty but more people were passing. Michael guessed
she would not want to stay here long.
Toni took of the shirt and Michael noticed that she looked out of
proportion, her arms were thin but at he shoulders she looked broad,
and he also noticed the scars on each arm.
'You can say something about them, people do..those days are long gone
though'
'I won't don't worry, not as if I haven't seen anything like that
before'.
'Where do your 'clients' want them? Hotel ? Or I can arrange a place for
them to visit'
'You really think of everything'
'Told you..I'm a businesswoman... the ten came in from Albania and
Macedonia..nice mix of ages, might keep one or two for myself'
'The people I know would want somewhere..let's say not too seedy'
Toni rested her chin or her hand.Michael was worried that he was asking
too much, people like this were usually not keen on having many
questions asked. There was an awkward silence
Michad finished his coffee but Toni had barely touched her second cup. Was
she too busy observing? She didn't strike him as the observant type,
just someone who wanted to make a deal and then disappear.
'I'll tell you what, you call me later with the exact number of clients and
how much and then I will arrange where they meet up.' She stressed
the 'I', wanting to make a point.
'Ten is what they want, that's no problem, and they'll pay'
Toni looked at her mobile and then he saw the taxi reappear.
'Nice to have met you Michael, it's been good to do business' She didn't
smile and didn't offer to shake his hand, she wanted to be away. She
didn't even notice that she left the shirt behind.
Michael waited until the taxi was well out of sight and picked it up and held
it to his face, it smelled of cheap cigarettes and cheaper perfume.
He got up, his back creaking slightly, he really should go to the gym
now, these aches and pains would get worse, and walked into the café
straight up to the till.
The young man smiled and nodded and opened up the door to the spacious
back room. Maria was sitting there with two males, he had not seen
either of them before but trusted Maria to bring along people she
knew could be relied upon.
'Well?' she asked.
'She'll phone me tonight and arrange where to meet, ten girls from Eastern
Europe,poor kids arrived yesterday. Mix of ages she said too'
'Great, we won't pick them up yet, we'll get them when you arrange.. good
work Michael'
'Entrapment won't come into it Inspector?' He asked
'No way, we have enough on lovely little Toni from other sources, just
want a rendezvous and then we can get to work..Derby in 2014 and
slavery still all round us'
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Comments
Yes, sad social state we live
Yes, sickening social state we live in. The brief interlude works well Jazz - so sad - you could afford to be clearer from the onset what clients are being sold to hook your reader quicker.
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