Read Hooked for Free Online Page A

club.”
    “Could be another Benny Cooper. I’m sure he’s not the only one.”
    “He isn’t.”
    “Then what’s the prob―” She stopped and let out a long breath. After pushing aside her plate, she leaned back in her chair. “Oh, I see now.”
    “Right. She’s the o ne we pulled out of the harbor. Sarah Marshall, working name, Serena. She called about a week before she washed up. I checked out all the Benjamins and Bennys, but finally zeroed in on this particular Cooper because of his wife, Eileen.”
    “A former call girl. I get it. And now you think he’s involved in murder? That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it?”
    “That’s what we want you to find out. The Marshall woman could have been killed by a john, a jealous boyfriend. Lots of possibilities. One thing she didn’t do is commit suicide. Women don’t jump into the harbor to end their lives. Off a bridge, maybe, but they rarely drown themselves. They either take pills or,” Linc hesitated, “take a bath with a razor blade.”
    Tawny’s gaze lingered on him for a long moment before responding. “You’re probably right.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “And Benny Cooper would hire me, why?”
    Linc closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, expelling a quiet snicker. “An establishment like his would kill to have you. Any pimp dealing in high-priced call girls would.”
    Tawny didn’t flinch. Why would she? That’s what she was.

Chapter Five
    Three Stupid Words

    T awny picked at her grilled vegetables. She should have insisted Walsh wait until after dinner to tell her what he wanted her to do. Her hunger pangs gave way to nausea after hearing about the strangled girl, thrown into the harbor like chum.
    Tawny recalled the murders of other prostitutes over the years. Some were reckless in their choice of customers; others became targets of some psycho bent on ridding the world of immorality as he saw it. Jealous rage by an obsessed john or boyfriend accounted for a few more. Instinct guided Tawny to refuse second appointments with clients who possessed obsessive tendencies. Sometimes it was a tricky call.
    Walsh sat quietly. He didn’t eat either. “You know Benny Cooper more than as the husband of an ex-call girl, don’t you?”
    She moved a chunk of zucchini around on her plate. “Yes, I know him, but I told the truth when I said I never worked for anyone. If I had, it wouldn’t have been for Benny. It’s not that he skimps on money. He doesn’t like to think of himself as a pimp, so he arranges good jobs that pay well and the clients pay the ladies directly. He never handles their money, only his own.” She met his gaze. “So I’ve heard.”
    After sipping her Perrier, she said, “The problem is Benny likes to test his women on a regular basis.”
    “What do you mean test?”
    “Oh, come on. You know. A freebie. I don’t do freebies. No birthday presents, no Christmas gifts.” Walsh tried to act like her comment meant nothing, but he drew back enough to show it bothered him.
    “A real business woman, huh?”
    She chose to ignore the snide comment. She ran a business, and the business was her. She damn well wasn’t going to give it away. “You bet. Benny knows how I work…worked. He’d be suspicious if I went to him for a job.”
    “Then we’ll make him come to you.” Walsh took a big swallow of vodka. “No pun intended.”
    “You’re full of sarcasm. Is that what they teach you at the police academy?” She slapped down her fork. “Look, you approached me. You might not like what I did with my life, but it was my life, and it still is. If you can’t bring yourself to treat me with respect, then get it over with and arrest me on whatever charges you can come up with. Tax evasion? Fine. Prostitution? So be it. Then you can find someone else to do your dirty work.” She pushed her plate aside and got up. “I’m going to my room. I’d prefer you don’t handcuff me in the dining