Page 39 of Cooper’s Passion

Both women looked at the picture, but shook their heads.

“Sorry, she doesn’t look familiar.”

“Never seen her,” the second woman confirmed.

“Thanks,” Cooper said. “Have you noticed any weird guys in the area lately? Maybe somebody who’s interested in a tall, blonde woman?”

One of the women glanced at Anita. “You mean like her?”

Anita nodded in Cooper’s stead. “Yes, like me.”

“No, sorry. Wish I could help,” the prostitute said.

“All right,” Cooper said. “Thanks for talking to us.”

“Take care of yourselves,” Vanessa said.

Cooper took Anita’s hand, and together they walked next to Vanessa, who was leading them onto another side street.

“Don’t worry,” Vanessa said. “This is just the beginning. There are a lot more sex workers we’ll talk to tonight. Somebody is bound to have seen something.”

They moved from corner to corner, talking to prostitutes as well as homeless people, showing them Janet’s picture, and asking if they’d come upon a man who’d been interested in tall, blonde, blue-eyed women. Anita understood now why Cooper had suggested to go on a tour with Vanessa. Prostitutes noticed things other people didn’t, and they often were good judges of character. Their lives depended on it. They also looked out for each other, watching each other’s backs. But with every hour that passed as they walked through all the areas where sex workers hung out to pick up customers, she became more disillusioned about finding a lead. However, in the absence of a better idea, she continued trotting along.

“I know it’s frustrating,” Cooper said, squeezing her hand. “But until we find the white van, we have no other leads.”

Vanessa glanced at them. “And now that we’ve alerted a whole bunch of people what to look out for, I’m sure we’ll get some information. The girls all have my phone number. If I get a tip, I’ll pass it on.”

“Thank you, Vanessa,” Anita said with a grateful smile. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to do this with us.”

“It’s all part of my job to keep people safe on the streets. The sooner we find that bastard, the better for everybody,” she said, then nodded at Cooper.

The look the two exchanged was laden with something Anita couldn’t interpret. Was there something between them? No, that couldn’t be. Vanessa had clearly noticed that Cooper was holding Anita’s hand during their walk, indicating that they were intimate. Vanessa had looked entirely unconcerned about that fact, which had to mean that she didn’t care about Cooper in a romantic way. But she could also sense that the two had lots in common and seemed to know each other very well.

“How long have you done this job for Scanguards, Vanessa?” Anita asked.

“About ten years?” she replied. “I kind of fell into it after I finished my bodyguard training at Scanguards.”

Surprised, Anita stared at her. “You did the bodyguard training like Cooper? So that’s how you met? During your training?”

Cooper chuckled. “Actually, I was already finished with my training, when Vanessa started. We’ve known each other since we were kids.”

Vanessa nodded. “My parents work at Scanguards too. My mother runs the medical clinic there, and my dad is the second-in-command.”

“Oh, wow. I didn’t realize that. That’s quite a coincidence that your parents and Cooper’s parents work at the same place as you both. I always thought it was unusual that I followed into my father’s footsteps and became a cop.”

“It’s not that unusual. It happens a lot among our friends,” Vanessa said. “My brothers are bodyguards for Scanguards too. It’s a great company to work for.”

“It must be.”

Vanessa pointed to the next intersection. “This way. I think I see Candy and Ginger.”

“Where are we right now? I think I’m lost,” Anita said.

Cooper motioned to his left. “Down there is the Financial District, and a few blocks this way is Lower Nob Hill and the Theater District, and Chinatown is just around the corner.”

Anita smiled at him. “It looks so different at night. During the day, I can almost find my way around without a map. Almost.”

“The longer you’re here, the easier it’ll get to navigate the city.”