You Do What You Have To - 33

 

 

Micky leaned closer to see what Robin had brought up. "How the hell does a guy explain to his wife why he has a huge charge on his card from an escort service?"

 

"I'm sure there are a myriad of excuses, like 'It was a business expense for a client, dear.' or 'Remember the bachelor party I went to? I paid for the stripper and the guys all reimbursed me.'."

 

"Uh-huh. As if she'd believe him."

 

"You never know," Robin said with a grin.

 

"So, getting back on track, how do I contact them?"

 

Robin tapped his lip then nodded. "If I can get a man I met to recommend you…"

 

"Someone who already uses them to meet adolescents?"

 

"Yeah. He's one of Tanzer's 'special' clients. I met him when Mackenzie and I were at Mackenzie's club. As a matter of fact, it's how I found out about Tanzer in the first place. The guy was three sheets to the wind, took me aside and bragged about how he could get me a job where I'd make a small fortune since I was so young."

 

"Why didn't you take him up on it? Then you'd have Tanzer dead to rights."

 

"Because Tanzer's not who I'm after. I'd have to leave Mackenzie to do it, since there's no way he'd allow me to work for Tanzer and still be with him. He expects his boy toys to be faithful and makes it very clear what will happen if they aren't."

 

"He'd kill them? You?"

 

"That would be the preferred option in my opinion. According to rumors, one of his boys tried to pick up extra money on the side. Mackenzie beat the shit out of him, dosed him up on heroin then the kid disappeared. If I were to make a guess, he's now a sex slave in some overseas house."

 

Micky gulped. "No wonder you didn't take the man up on his offer."

 

"No kidding. If I can get in touch with him, though, he might be willing to sponsor you at Yours Truly."

 

"If he does, I can try to convince the kid they give me to tell me how he ended up there. I can promise him he'll be protected if he'll come with me to talk to you, and that will be another nail in Mackenzie's coffin."

 

"A very rough plan, but it could work if Mackenzie's the one who sold him to Tanzer."

 

"Sold, like in money changed hands?"

 

Robin chuckled dryly. "For damned sure Mackenzie doesn't just donate kids to Yours Truly. He sells them and might even get a cut of what a client pays for one."

 

"How soon can you get in touch with the man you mentioned?"

 

"It depends if Mr. Irving's at the club tonight. I think he's a fairly regular customer."

 

"Uh-uh. If you do go there and Mackenzie's there, he'll want you to go back home with him."

 

"Probably. But if you… No, you can't come with me. Someone might recognize you."