Read Online Criminal Minds (Fox Meridian Book 4) by Niall Teasdale - Free Book Online Page B

to me. Make love. It’s something Sandoval never did.’
    20 th August.
    Walking was a little difficult. Nothing too bad, but Marie was still feeling a little uncomfortable when she was summoned to Sister Naomi’s rooms. Naomi presumably knew the class schedule and smiled when Marie walked in.
    ‘The discomfort passes quickly enough and you do get used to it, should you wish to entertain in that manner in the future,’ Naomi said.
    ‘I can’t imagine why anyone would, though I hear some men like it.’
    ‘Men imagine women do. Some actually do, but it’s like any other form of sexual activity: it depends upon your tastes. Sit, the chairs are quite comfortable.’
    Marie took a seat, thankful of the padding.
    ‘So, your time here is almost over,’ Naomi said.
    ‘I guess. I’m staying tonight, right?’
    ‘Your choice. We’ll be happy to have you. I’ve asked your instructors and they were all pleased with you.’
    ‘Well, I was trying to “live the role,” I guess. There was no point in being here if I didn’t get a feel for what it’s like to be a Sister.’
    ‘And do you think you have?’
    Marie nodded. ‘There’s the classes and the sex, of course, which is what most people think is what happens here. But there’s the sense of duty to the profession, and the friendship everyone seems to have. It’s serious and fun at the same time. I talked to a few of the licensed Sisters, about the job. Sister Demeter arranged for me to sit in the control room and watch some of the brothel feeds. It’s not always glamorous and it’s not always wonderful sex. I knew that from Sam before I came here, but I know more now. I know some of them only get through the day-to-day because they have their friends to help them through it. I can’t imagine what it was like before legalisation.’
    ‘I can,’ Naomi said. ‘My mother was a prostitute before it was legalised.’
    ‘I know. It came up.’
    ‘It was hard for her, but it never turned her hard which it did to some. Now, as then, it depends entirely on the woman, or man, turning tricks. Look at Sam. He’s been doing this for over a decade and he’s never lost what was essentially him.’ She frowned. ‘No, I lie. For a time, he was a little lost. He’s always been compassionate, caring, generous with his forgiveness, and as smooth as anyone I’ve ever met, of course. But he lost the capacity to enjoy the relationship between two people who care for one another.’ Naomi pointed at Marie. ‘You gave that back to him.’
    Marie shook her head. ‘No. Okay, maybe a little, but it was Fox. Fox gave me up when Sam decided he might want something more from me. It hurt her to do it, but she did anyway, because he’s her friend.’
    ‘I am going to have to make it a point to get to know your Fox better. She sounds like a very interesting woman.’
    Marie grinned. ‘I think she might like that, because you’re a very interesting woman too.’
    25 th August.
    Fox watched the preview screens in the control room with a slightly amused smile on her face. The subject matter was serious, but the dialogue was a little on the stilted side and about as accurate as vids got when it came to portrayals of cops at work.
    ‘Where’s your buddy, Daker?’ she asked over her shoulder.
    Nathan Shark, producer, smiled his gleaming, white smile. ‘At home, up to his eyeballs in rewrites.’
    ‘Oh?’
    ‘Uh-huh. Our Sister of Corruption came in and made a bunch of suggestions to improve the script. Adrian spent half an hour listening to her talking about her stay with them, moaned, and ran off to change things. We’re filming the stuff he doesn’t think needs to be rewritten from scratch first. Joys of editing, we can shoot in any order we like.’
    ‘I’m glad you were willing to accommodate Marie’s suggestions.’
    ‘Yeah, well…’ He lowered his voice. ‘She’s miles better than the other actors, she’s done the research, and we want this to work. This is our