The Red Light Girls (Unsolved Mysteries Book 2) by Kim Knight (most romantic novels TXT) 📗

preference for Red Light Girls according to her, and she has a date.”

Janssen turned back to her computer and ran Lucy’s name through the same search database.

“This just gets better.” She shook her head.

“What? What’d you find?”

“A record for shoplifting,” she said, “that is if it’s the same girl we’ve got on record.”

Janssen picked up the phone and punched the buttons. “Yeah, it’s me, get in here, will you, I need you to follow something up. Thanks,” she said to the other person on the line, then hung up the phone.

A few minutes later a knock at the door sounded—a single knock, followed by two short ones.

“Come in,” Janssen called out.

“Detective,” a uniformed officer shook inside the doorway. “You called?”

“Yep. Need you to follow up on a lead witness the name’s Lucy Hassen. Put in a courtesy call to her home. See if she’s the same woman who responded to Madeline’s newspaper appeal about the Sugar Daddies website.”

Janssen logged into the mirrored account, monitoring Madeline’s work email. She located the same correspondence, then sent it to the printer.

“Right okay. Will do.” The uniformed officer collected the sheets of paper from the printer, then left the office.

“Okay, now back to Chris.” Janssen took a sip of her tea. “I’ll handle him. Show me the rest of the emails.

For over an hour, Janssen poured over the email responses to Madeline’s appeal. Several women had come forward claiming to have been in contact with men from the site.

“We’ve got a lot to follow up on. Thanks for stopping by. I promise we’ll look into everything,” Janssen said satisfied there was enough evidence to purse the website and women linked to it.

“No problem. So, what happens next?” Madeline grabbed her laptop.

“Well, given the number of deaths and missing girls over the last few months, plus the conversations you overheard at the clubs, murders this week, and this new information.” Janssen pointed to Madeline’s laptop. “It’s time to get to work, starting with this Chris guy and Lucy.”

“I hope you catch the person responsible.” Madeline sighed.

“Me, too. Now, remember what I said, stay away from Chris. Go back to work on Monday and keep yourself to yourself. The police presence will still be outside your home, if needed.”

“How will I know who they are? Will they be in an issued car?”

“No. Unmarked. Don’t worry, even if you can’t see them, just know that they’re there for your protection.”

“Yeah, sure.” Madeline hung her head low.

“I guess we’re done here. I’ll be in contact. Thanks for being so persistent.” Her fingers moved over the keys of her keyboard, typing. “Now, let’s see what we find.” Janssen got to her feet.

Following suit, Madeline rose, packed away her laptop, then pulled on her jacket.

“I’ll see myself out,” Madeline called over her shoulder and headed toward the door.

Janssen continued to tap away at her keyboard, unfazed.

27

Odd Places

Detective Janssen

Later that afternoon…

“Hi, can I help you?”

“Detective Janssen.” She flashed her badge, then turned to her left. “And this here is Detective Gibson. We’re looking for Chris Visser. Is that you?”

Janssen glanced over the man who fit the description the witness had seen, as well as Madeline’s tip off.

He ran a hand through his curly hair, wild and unkept. Taking in his appearance, she assumed the bedhead was a direct result from sleeping late. After all, it was Sunday.

“Yeah, that’s me. What’s happened?”

“Mr. Visser, we have some questions for you.” Janssen glanced behind him into his home.

“Me? Why? What’s happened?”

“Can we come in?” Gibson leaned against the frame, the toe of his shoe over the threshold.

“Sure.” Chris moved to one side to allow the officials in, then closed the door. “Sorry about the mess,” he called behind them. “This way. Come on through.”

Janssen followed behind him, entering a small hallway that led to the living area.

She glanced behind her at Gibson, who was busy looking into the bedroom they had passed.

“Do you live alone, Mr. Visser?” She stopped at the threshold of the living area and glanced around at the mess.

“Yeah. Oh, uhm, sorry about the mess.” Chris moved an empty pizza box and beer cans to one side.

A little dog trotted around the corner, then proceeded to yap at her ankles.

“Do you mind.” She eyed the small furball.

“Let me put him in the other room. Take a seat. I’ll be right back.”

She and Gibson entered the room and sat on the sofa.

Janssen’s keen eyes roamed over Chris’ environment. It was what she would expected a typical bachelor pad to look like. It even had the latest technology plugged in, which added to the modern design of the decor.

“So, what’s up?” Chris took a seat opposite her, and pulled on a jumper.

“Mr. Visser, you’re aware of the missing girls, the Red Light Girls, right?”

“Of course, who hasn’t heard.” Chris shook his head. “It’s terrible, you need to catch that killer..”

Janssen smirked. “Do you know any of the girls personally: Zoe, Ana, Suzy, Donna—”

“No,” Chris interrupted. “I don’t, not at all. I don’t go to those clubs. Well, not often anyway. I don’t personally know any of them.”

“This is a personal question, but do you have a girlfriend?” Gibson scooted to the edge of the couch.

“Why? What’s this got to do with anything?” A blush rose from Chris’ neck and climbed to his cheeks. “Can you tell me what’s going on here?”

“Please ,just answer the question. Do you currently have a girlfriend?”

“I was seeing a girl, so, yeah. Well, maybe a few. I’m not proud of it, but I was seeing this one girl, then met another I really liked. What does it have to do with anything?”

“And how did you meet?” Gibson crossed a leg over his knee.

“Online through this website—it’s the best way to do it these days. I don’t always have time to go out and clubs are not really my thing.”

Janssen’s gaze met Chris’ at the confirmation of online dating. “What was the name of the site you met them on?”

“Match.com, the one everyone uses,” Chris