Velvet Haven Read Online Free PDF Page B

shiver caught her unaware and she couldn’t hide it before the detective saw. He was studying her as he popped the gum in his mouth.
    “We talked about a man she had met,” Mairi said. “She said his name was Aaron. She seemed . . . happy. She said he was nice. Treated her right. Took her out to dinner and bought her stuff.”
    “He was older?”
    “Yeah. But it’s common for these girls to look for older men. They want security. To know they can be taken care of.”
    He’s so hot. He’s a total gentleman, and, wow, is he good in bed. Way better than any guys my age are. He knows how to make me feel good, you know? His name’s Aaron . . .
    Mairi shivered again. The similarities were there: the same name, the same age. But Mairi had nothing more to go on, no proof that Lauren’s Aaron had been the same Aaron who had stalked and terrified the hell out of her friend Rowan two months ago. It could be coincidence that both Rowan and Lauren had met a man named Aaron. Still, Mairi found herself wondering if Lauren had met her Aaron while he was visiting his niece at Our Lady, just like Rowan had.
    The detective coughed, catching her attention. “Ah, she didn’t happen to mention anything about being into the kinky stuff, did she?”
    Mairi shook her head. “But I know she was into the rave scene. She and another friend used to sneak out of the house and down to the dockyards to the warehouse district. It’s only a block away from the home. I’m sure that’s where she met up with this guy.”
    “You ever seen this?” He was holding up what appeared to be a bud of some sort. Mairi took it, knowing right away what it was.
    “Thorn-apple. It’s a deadly narcotic, part of the nightshade family. It’s hallucinogenic and it apparently heightens sexual arousal.”
    “And how do you know that, Miss MacAuley?” the detective asked with a smile.
    “You wouldn’t believe the shit that crosses this threshold, Detective. I’ve seen just about everything, and drugs that get people off are the least of the weird. Trust me.”
    He laughed, then reached for his pad. “Do ravers use this?”
    “Along with neo-pagans, occultists, rich people looking for a rush, and kids trying to be cool by experimenting.” Mairi paused. “Any chance that goth club over in the East End might have something to do with this? It’s close to Our Lady, and it’s the right sort of scene for drugs like this.”
    “Velvet Haven?” he asked, obviously surprised. “I doubt it. The owner, Rhys MacDonald, is careful to stay within the law. He gets raided regularly and we never find anything. Besides, she’s obviously underage. She’d never get past security there.”
    “She would if she was with a VIP member.”
    “Not at Velvet Haven she wouldn’t. I know MacDonald. He doesn’t want trouble. Customers who are VIPs are given that privilege because they don’t cause shit. VIP status isn’t bought like at other clubs. It’s given, by him. That’s how he keeps things in line.”
    “You hear stories,” she murmured, trailing off. “I just thought—”
    “Yeah, well. It’s just a bunch of freaks getting their rocks off playing dress up. There certainly isn’t any of this crazy shit going on,” he grumbled, waving his hand toward the body. “I can tell you that much.”
    Shoving his notebook into his pocket, he said, “I’m heading over to Our Lady in the morning to check her file. If I have any more questions I’ll be in touch. If you think of anything that might help us, anything she might have said, give me a call.” He handed her his business card, his brow arching when she took it with her right hand, leaving her scarred wrist safely out of grabbing distance. Thankfully, he didn’t comment or question her further; he just turned on his heel and left her alone with the dead body of Lauren Brady.
    God, what a waste. Mairi reached into the stainless-steel cupboard for a white plastic body bag. Pulling on a pair of gloves, she