Desperation in Death (In Death #55)(39)

Willowby shrugged. “And I’m not telling you anything much you haven’t already concluded. I’m probably not adding anything much by saying if whoever took them has a solid business model, financial backing, and contacts, those two girls would go for top dollar. With those looks, that age bracket? Eight to fifteen million on the block after some smart marketing.”

“Explain the marketing.”

“Photos, anywhere from provocative to hard porn. Same with some short vids. No penetration, so if they used a male partner, everything but that. Some girl-on-girl, some solo. We’ve come across actual brochures listing kids. They give them names like Candy or Hank, list their data, their skill set, set a price or, if it’s for auction, a minimum opening bid.”

“Can you copy those to me?”

“Sure.”

“Explain skill set.”

Willowby shifted, brought up her legs to sit cross-legged in the chair.

“They’re going to hype, but if they want to grow the business, want return customers, not overhype. Rate them on their skill in giving or receiving oral sex, coming or bringing to orgasm, fondling, masturbation, seduction techniques. If they’re dominant or submissive, or can do both, and all that. If they’re not selling or renting as virgins, how they rate as full sexual partners—vaginally or anally for the girls. More than one partner, group sex, role-playing.

“Then there’s Domestic Slaves, Pets, Whipping Boys, Party Favors.”

“Okay, wait.” Since she wanted it, Eve got them both more coffee. “Domestic Slave’s easy enough to figure. Round up the rest.”

“Pets, usually the younger ones, but not always. Somebody wants a kid they can dress up, play with, train, like a pet. Whipping Boys—girls there, too—for sadists. Somebody they can knock around, torment, torture. You know, had a bad day? Here’s your punching bag. Party Favors tend to be somebody they can pass around to guests and friends.

“Those probably aren’t going to look like our girls up there,” Willowby added. “Unlikely to be virgins, as rape would be part of breaking their will. Regular physical punishment, too. And they sure as hell aren’t going to put them in high-dollar silk underwear. Not enough return on the investment.”

“Not pretty enough,” Eve muttered and began to pace. “That’s where that came from. Okay. Not adolescent beauties who’ll draw top dollar. Kids broken down enough to serve other needs.”

“Rent ’em and rape ’em, buy ’em and beat ’em. I’d really like a shot at helping you crack this one open, Lieutenant. If I could work with somebody from EDD. McNab or somebody as good?”

“Work with how?”

“I’ve been working on prying open a door in the dark web, and I’m really close. I’ve got a handle, a persona, I’ve filtered in some data. I’m a rich bastard toying with the idea of buying a product. Just testing the waters, right? If I have some tech help on it, I really think I can break through, but I need that background solid. Any organization like this is going to do serious checking. I need to look like I’ve got the money to buy a prime product.”

“Have you cleared it with your LT?”

“He’s waffling some, so I’ve been putting most of my time on it when I’m off duty. A word from you would make a difference. Especially if Captain Feeney got on board. I’m close. I know I’m close. And one more thing? They had Mina Cabot for over eight months. She was thirteen. They had to be about ready for auction. She wasn’t the only one about to go on the block. They’ve got to have an auction coming up.”

“And if we’re right, they’ve lost two returns on their investment.”

“They need to recoup that. Not only bring in new girls, but prep any they have for sale. And I’ve got some street contacts. I already put the word out on Dorian Gregg. If she’s in New York, we’ve got a shot at finding her.”

“I’ll talk to your lieutenant, and to Feeney.”

“I appreciate it. Almost as much as this coffee.” She got to her feet.

“Why SVU? Why minors particularly?”

“Me? I had a perfect childhood, good as it gets. My dad’s uncle was a cop, in Queens. He had the best stories, like fairy tales to me. I wanted the Academy. My parents weren’t thrilled, let me tell you, but they gave me a year to get it out of my system. I didn’t. Then my second week in uniform, we find this kid, seven years old, beaten half to death. His father did it before he passed out drunk. Mother was doing her second round for fraud down in Virginia where she’d taken off when the kid was about five.”

She shrugged. “That was it for me.”

“Where’s the kid now?”

“Evan? Evan Hawkins. He was lucky. He had grandparents living upstate who wanted him, with no idea he even existed. He just graduated high school. He’s going to fricking MIT. Too many aren’t lucky, but now and again.”

“I’ll be in touch, and so will somebody from EDD.”

“Great. I’ll send you those brochures.”

When she left, Eve sat to update her notes and reach out to Willowby’s lieutenant.

When she heard Peabody coming, she rose.

“Read my updates. You can use my desk. I’m expecting some data from Willowby. I’ve cleared it so she’s attached to the investigation.”