It has to be, Elodie said. This isnt a small operation. Theres a girl like me on half the campuses in the city, mostly the schools with girls who look like you and me. We bring candidates to our contacts, who decide if youre a good fit. They dont have time for girls who arent sure. There are benefits if you do welltravel, that kind of thing. But you need to show Rico that youre committed.

Rico?

Thats my contact. He doesnt like it when I waste his time so I dont. Ive brought him twelve girls since January and hes taken on nine. Thats a solid record. I dont want to mess it up. So are you up for this or are you gonna chicken out when it gets real?

I dont chicken out, Hannah said, flashing her best Im in smile. It seemed to work.

Good. Ill meet you in the guest lot after school. Take this stuff, she said, handing over a plastic bag.

Whats in here? Hannah asked.

Some hair ties, barrettes, and a Catholic schoolstyle miniskirt. After school lets out, put your hair up in pigtails and put the barrettes in. Wear the skirt. You want to sell yourself from the second he sees you. Its too bad you dont have braces.

Sorry, Hannah said.

Thats okay, Elodie replied, not picking up on the sarcasm. Just giggle and squirm a lot. Even Rico can be played if you know what he likes.

Hannah nodded. If there was one thing she was good it, it was playing people.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

So Jensens in the clear? Karen asked in disbelief.

Jessie had just returned to Central Station and was sharing what shed learned at the estate with Karen and Jamil.

If Brittany is to be believed, then yes, Jessie answered. And I didnt get the impression that she was making it up.

Is this Brittany? Jamil asked, directing their attention to an image on one of the four monitors on his desk in the research room.

Jessie confirmed that the woman, scantily clad and splayed out on a bed beside Rance Jensen, was her.

Then that just about seals his alibi, Jamil said. This is from Jensens Instagram, posted at two fifty-seven a.m. on Sunday morning. I wasnt sure it was legit until now. But there are three others just like it that suggest he was quite busy at the time of the murder. Shall I show them to you?

Thats okay, Jessie said. Ill take your word for it. Any better luck on Percy Avalon?

Not yet, Jamil said. Im still searching but it doesnt look like he posted anything at all that night.

Sounds like we may have to do some real-life, in-person questioning of the guy, Karen said, clearly more excited by the prospect of getting back in the field than poring over social media accounts.