Salvation 2035

Chapter 23- Uncertain Traitor

『Nick』

     "So, Cromwell, how did you become a pimp?" I inquire. 

     It's morning, and she's driving me to where she's got all sorts of vehicles to help me track down Keisha. Yeah, going with this crazy bitch is kind of an awful idea, but I'm in too deep to back out now.

     "Before I was a warden, I was a cop who generally dealt with women," she explains. "I came across all of these women selling themselves on the streets, and given that they could be murdered at any given point, I figured that I could give them a bit of a hand."

     "That actually seems like not a bad idea," I admit. If they're already doing it, I guess giving them a building to do their thing in without the risk of violence is a pretty noble thing to do.

     "Of course, prostitution is a crime, so I came up with a system sort of like house arrest where I put a collar on them that I said would kill them if they left the city," she says with an eerie calmness. "Of course it would only give them a little shock, but nobody was brave enough to try."

     "I see," this is where her general insanity comes in.

     "We agreed that instead of a prison sentence they would work for me, splitting the profits, until their sentence is over. I ensured that all of their clients had no prior criminal records and no diseases, so it would be silly to reject this kind of offer, and many saw it that way too." This is... incredibly morally difficult. On one hand, she's giving them a safe place to do their business, but on the other... I can't help but feel opposed to it. Is it all that bad if the prostitutes want to be there? Not really, I guess. Maybe it's just what they want to do in life? But then again, this is Cromwell. I bet she never takes off their collars and just keeps 'em there forever. I think the problem I have with this is that it shouldn't be a substitute for a prison sentence.

    "What about the people that didn't want to be prostitutes, but were doing it for survival?" I ask.

     "They went to prison just like any other person who refused my deal would. Also, not everyone that works for me was a prostitute before they got there, " she says nonchalantly.

    "What about Akatsuki?"

     "After being a cop for a while, I applied to be a warden at a medium-security prison. I thought my days of siphoning people into my business was over, but then he came along and I offered the deal, to which he accepted." Looks like we've arrived at the garage. Awaiting us are some of her thugs who I get the great pleasure of working with. "He would have been a great investment if he didn't wuss out."

     "Huh," I frown. I can't believe this psycho's trying to justify trafficking a fucking child. And here I am on her side. We step out of her vehicle.

     "Here," she tosses me some keys. "Don't disappoint me."

     "Yeah," I unlock one of the cars. I honestly imagined that they'd be all black, but they're just random cars off the street, by the looks of it. I guess this way is a lot more discrete. Cromwell has already driven away, but the goons haven't budged.

     "You're the one in charge, huh?" one of them inquires.

     "I guess. Who are you guys?"

     "Bounty hunters," a woman steps forward. "We catch those fugitives, we get paid." I wasn't promised any cash reward. Cheap bitch.

     "Well, let's get this show on the road," I declare. "Follow my lead. I know where they are."