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have been too late. Alissa learned word processing, project management, Photoshop, a few programs that got her executive-assistant jobs in high tech. She was playing it straight, working her way up from the bottom, unlike her mother. It was her way of rebelling. But she never succeeded in completely escaping Wendy.”
    â€œWhere does Alissa work now?”
    â€œShe’s a kind of hostess.” Rod still wouldn’t look at me.
    â€œYou’ll have to tell me where. Tomorrow I’ll interview her manager and her coworkers. I’ll find Erika.”
    A calm seemed to settle over him. His shoulders relaxed and for the first time he looked me directly in the eye. The words came evenly spaced, as if from a computer. “She works for Silicon Glamour Associates.”
    â€œWhat is that, some kind of agency?”
    â€œThat’s exactly what it is.” Rod looked visibly lighter.
    â€œIt’s an escort agency,” I said. Things were falling into place. “She’s assisting executives in a different way now.”
    An incongruous, high-pitched giggle emitted from Rod’s mouth. His arms unfolded and he pressed his hands to the sofa as if trying to levitate. “An escort. How stupid of me. Yes, I suppose that’s what she is. It’s not what they call themselves. And it’s not what you might assume.”
    â€œWhat do they call themselves?”
    â€œAssociates.”
    â€œAnd you hire them to accompany you on social occasions.”
    â€œYou’d be amazed at how people look at you differently when you’ve got someone as smart and beautiful as Alissa on your arm. She made a difference in the Plush Biologics deal.” He spoke as if letting me in on a great find. “But it was more than that with her. We had a chemistry. We genuinely liked each other.”
    I phrased my next question delicately. “What else is in her job description?”
    Rod missed it. “Charm. Warmth. Alissa had them down.” A bitter strain came into his tone. “I suppose she can just turn that on and off. Some charm algorithm is coded into her neural circuits. Here comes Rod, flip on the charm. He’s such a sucker for it.”
    â€œI thought you said there was something real between you.”
    Rod gave a helpless shrug. “So did I. Or do I. I’m not sure which.”
    â€œWhat about the guy who came to your door today—is he connected to this agency?”
    â€œYes,” Rod answered. “He works for Silicon Glamour. He was looking for Alissa.”
    â€œDoes anyone else know about Alissa’s real job?” I asked.
    â€œMike. He brought her in the first time. He’s been the one pushing this whole image change, as you know.”
    â€œWell, it might be just as well to keep her out of the film. And away from Monday’s dinner, too. People will ask questions. They might ask the same questions I am now. Are you sure you want me to find her?”
    â€œYes! Without qualification. Bill, it seems I’ve failed to make you understand that nothing supersedes this. For me personally, but also for the company. Forget about shooting more film tomorrow. Alissa promised to be at that dinner. I want her to be there.”
    â€œAll right. Rita will do her best to have the film ready on Monday. But I take you at your word—the cut may be very rough. Meanwhile, I’ll start looking for Alissa first thing in the morning.”
    â€œThank you.” Rod slumped back into the recesses of the couch. “The last thing she said to me was, ‘Have faith.’ That was a week ago.”
    â€œWhat do you think that meant?”
    Rod shrugged. His body was drained. His pale eyes had turned inward.
    I touched his arm. “Well, it sounds like good advice. Let’s go with it.”

3
    Rod did not want to go to Silicon Glamour. I’d told him I’d go by myself, but Rod said I’d never get in without an introduction.