PASSIONS OF CRIME

Surprise!

Twelve – Surprise!

"This is the place," said Jennifer, pointing to a house in Huntingon Street. They parked the car and got off a second later.

"Take your gun." Said he to her.

They went and knocked on the door.

"Miss Simmons?" said Tony.

The door was answered by a girl in her twenties some time later.

"Yes?" asked she.

"I am Antonio Connor. This is Officer Jennifer Frankland. We need to talk to you."

"Oh God," she sighed, still not opening the door completely, "does it have something to do with my clients? I really don't know if I can reveal any information..."

"Can we come in?"

It was then that she realised they were outside the whole time.

"Oh yeah, sorry." She opened the door, "My apologies, I'm not used to cops coming at my door unless they want my services."

"That's alright. Now Andrea, can I call you that?"

"Go ahead."

"Okay. Andrea have you ever had a client by the name of Daniel Sierra?"

There was silence.

"Does- does this information have to be revealed to you guys?" asked she.

"Listen to me, we're at war with these people. And if you don't help us, we're gonna lose this one. Could you please co-operate?"

She adjusted herself in her seat.

"Danny told me to never reveal anything about him to anyone." she replied.

"Danny's dead."

Jennifer looked at Tony. She hadn't expected him to throw this information to a complete stranger so offhandedly.

"What?" asked the girl.

"You heard me. He's dead. Your secret's safe. Now can you tell us?"

"I don't know."

"Come on, Andrea. Don't do that. We've come all this way to your house and all we hope for is a little bit of assistance. Is that too much to ask?"

Jennie saw that the girl was hesitant. She reached over to hold her hand.

"It's okay," she consoled her, "we're not telling anyone."

"I- I met him some years ago." Andrea began, "He'd come as a client. Said that he could keep giving me money until I needed it. He asked only for secrecy, he trusted me to hide the fact that he was one of my clients. We spent many nights together, but that was about it. He'd come at around eleven and leave by seven the next morning."

"So you spent roughly eight hours together?"

She nodded.

"How frequent was this?"

"Twice a month." Was the answer, "Sometimes thrice."

"Okay. Now Andrea I know that your profession isn't exactly being a spy but do you have any information about any of his businesses? Any rackets he controlled? Any deals he set up?"

She shook her head before replying, "I'd heard his name, of course. But I was never involved in that part of his life."

"Are you sure you know nothing?"