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women are taken aboard his ships and transported for sale.”
    “But I don’t know … ”
    “Lie. You’re good at that.”
    “Dutch knows I lie. Fact is he won’t believe me no matter what I say.”
    “Imply that Trey is involved. Dutch will do almost anything to protect his business and everything to protect his brother.”
    “S’pose I do. S’pose I even manage to get Dutch to come here. He’d never bid in that auction, and he wouldn’t be stupid enough to believe claims of a virgin whore. ’Sides bidding in your auction would ruin the lily white reputation he’s been building as a respectable business man.”
    “Ruining that reputation and his business along with it is exactly the point. You will get him to come here tomorrow night. If you don’t, the consequences will be unpleasant and potentially fatal. If Dutch doesn’t actually bid in the auction that’s fine, but it must look like he’s bidding. You manage that; I’ll manage the rest.”
    Trahern took a swift drink that emptied his glass then poured another. “Consequences?”
    “Need I remind you that I still hold the evidence that you murdered Father Lucas Conroy’s sister?”
    The judge’s glance turned hard. “No one has to remind me of my part in her death. But nobody cares about that old accident.”
    “They’ll care fast enough when I show them where the body is buried and prove the dead woman’s identity. You and I may despise that crusading priest, but most of San Francisco loves him. They think he’s a saint, and anyone known to harm him or his would suffer the wrath of the entire city.”
    With each word, Trahern grew paler. “You wouldn’t.”
    “I would, and you know it. Now are you going to do what I ask?”
    “Don’t seem to have much choice, but twenty-five dollars isn’t enough.”
    “Twenty-five dollars is more than you’ve had in your pocket in years.”
    His color returned, and his mouth firmed. “Don’t matter. I want a hundred for getting Dutch here and two hundred for making it look like he’s bidding on your virgin whore.”
    Cerise lifted her glass to the judge then bent her head to hide her smile before she drank. Three hundred was a pittance compared to the satisfaction of ruining Dutch Trahern and the profit she’d make from auctioning off the supposed Mrs. Smithfeld’s virginity.
    Cerise set down her empty glass and leaned in toward the judge. “Excellent. Now here’s how we’ll work the auction.”
    Shortly after Judge Trahern’s departure, Cerise once again admitted Bessie into the parlor. “Did Mrs. Smithfeld examine the dildo and ben wah balls?”
    “No, ma’am. I gave her the box, but she didn’t open it while I was present.”
    “What about the Kama Sutra and the kerisu?”
    “She opened the books and tried hard not to look surprised at the drawings and photographs.”
    “Did you offer to help her learn more?”
    “She declined my help, Madame.”
    “Did Mrs. Smithfeld ask any questions at all?”
    “She read some of the Kama Sutra book you like so much, but she seemed more interested in the photographs at the back of the kerisu book. The ones you had that photographer woman take to match the drawings in the front.”
    “How did Mrs. Smithfeld react? Was she shocked or afraid?”
    “Oh no, Madame,” Bessie shook her head. “Miz Smithfeld was real curious and friendly like, even wanted to know about the photographer. Didn’t seem scared at all.”
    “Fascinating.” Cerise filed the information for examination with the report the Chinaman would deliver. “How long ago did you leave her?”
    “Ten minutes. She was about to step into the bath you told me to provide.”
    “You’ve done a good job, Bessie. I want you to continue to encourage Mrs. Smithfeld’s friendship and report your conversations to me. I’ll make certain you receive a reward in your pay.”
    “Thank you, Madame.”
    “You may go now.”
    The maid left, and Cerise turned to the wall that adjoined the