Read Online The Immorality Clause by Brian Parker - Free Book Online Page A

knows about and approves of their use of a completely safe and sterile establishment like the Diva.”
    I held up my hands. “I’m sorry…again. I just don’t have any experience with pleasure droids. I guess I have some preconceived notions that I need to move past.”
    “Please. It’s insulting.”
    I was used to being the one in charge, but Paxton had taken the reins out of my hands a few times during this interview. I needed to reestablish control so I could get this moving forward; I still had to drive all the way out to Leonidas tonight.
    I cleared my throat. “So it wasn’t out of the ordinary for Mr. Wolfe to go with Kelly and he’s there for two or three hours, about every other week.”
    “I’ve already said that.”
    “I know; just want to make sure that I’ve got my facts straight.” I paused and checked my notes, looking for the next number. “Did he often engage in activities outside of the bed?”
    “I don’t see what that has to do with him getting killed.”
    “I’m trying to determine if there was a difference in his routine. So far, it seems like the victim followed a set routine after he found someone he liked.”
    “I honestly don’t know,” Paxton replied. “That’s not something I keep track of. You could have my tech folks pull her memory logs about that particular client, but without a court order, I’m not going to grant you access to any of Kelly’s files that don’t pertain to Mr. Wolfe.”
    She’s starting to close off. I needed to regain her trust. “I know this is uncomfortable for you, Paxton. I don’t mean to be so invasive with some of these questions.”
    The mistress looked past me to a point on the wall. “I understand. You’re investigating a murder,” she replied woodenly.
    I tried to put on a caring expression. “Are you okay?”
    “Yes. I’d just like to get this over with and move on.”
    “Okay, I’ve only got a few more background questions I need to ask.”
    “Go ahead,” she stated.
    “You’ve mentioned that the owner promoted you and that they finally purchased the upgraded model. Who owns The Digital Diva?”
    “Thomas Ladeaux. He owns our club and a few others in Easytown.”
    I knew it. The corporation that was listed in the database was a front. Tommy Voodoo always seemed to pop up when anything rotten happened in Easytown. Problem was we could never pin anything on the guy. In addition to clubs, he also owned the Marie Leveau Shipping Company and a construction company.
    “Do you happen to know what other clubs?” I asked. Andi could easily look it up in the public database for me, but I wasn’t talking to her right now.
    “Let me think. He owns the Show ‘n Tail and Art’s Performing Center.”
    “Those both feature pleasure droids, right?”
    “Yes, but they still run the CS90, maybe even the CS86 over at Show ‘n Tail—that place makes my skin crawl. He also owns The Stud Farm, a homosexual-oriented club—”
    “Yeah, I know about The Stud Farm; that’s one of the places where we’ve had another murder.”
    Miss Himura shrugged so I continued, “It’s just interesting that two of Ladeaux’s clubs have now been the scene of a murder.” I put Ladeaux on my list of people to talk to on Monday, Tuesday at the latest.
    “He also owns Megasonic.”
    “The thumper club on Jubilee Lane close to the highway?” I asked to verify.
    “Yeah, same one. There are a couple of smaller bars along The Lane, and he owns ViewDoo’s.”
    ViewDoo’s was the magic-themed strip club that greeted motorists immediately after they exited Chef Menteur Highway going into Easytown. Yet another classy business establishment. Ladeaux was a busy man.
    “Oh,” she said. “He also owns The Cigar Box.”
    “In the French Quarter?”
    “Yeah, it’s the first club he’s opened that isn’t in Easytown.”
    Damn . I’d attended several work functions at The Cigar Box. I wondered if anyone in the department knew that the biggest