Chapter 163: She's Not a Politician

I found an older ford, with the correct license plate number, so I was pretty sure it was her car. I had almost the full hour left, so I decided what the hell. I took a long look at her picture, then I went inside. I found her sitting at the bar alone, so I decided just to do it and get it over with.

"Joy, you don't know me, but my name is Maxine Stone. I am an investigator here in Aster. I need to ask you a couple of questions. I really could use your help, it is important."

"I recognize you from the TV ads. God you look different in real life." she said.

I laughed to put her at ease. "Well the guys doctored the hell out of the stills they use for the promos. Hell I wish I looked like the girl they have in those spots. I wouldn't have a bit of trouble getting laid," I said.

"I know, guys are so shallow," she said laughing. "So what is this about?"

"I just need to know, if you remember a guy your mom dated several years ago," I replied.

"Oh, who is that?" she asked.

"James Smiley," I said simply.

"That freak, yeah I remember him. He tried to screw me, when I was fifteen. When I told him to go away, he said my mom knew what he was doing, Of course, he came back. When he touched me a couple of weeks later, I got out of the bed and went to mom's room. I told her what he did. She threw him out."

"So you did tell your mom?" I asked.

"You bet I did," she replied.

"Did your mom call the police?" I asked.

'What for the old pervert didn't do anything new to me. He just touched my boob, boys had done that before. I just told mom to get him away from me. I didn't like him, even if he was nice to me."

"He got a lot of the girls like you to go along with him. You were smarter than most," I suggested.

"I might have gone along, if I hadn't just heard him fucking my mom. He thought that would turn me on, but it made me sick. I guess I was a bit of a prude at 14, even if I had been masturbating for a couple of years."

"Would you testify against him to help put him away, or at least get some justice for those he hurt," I asked.

"Not much I can tell, but if you think it will help, sure I would be glad to do it," she said.

"Good," I pulled out the digital recorder and had her tell the story again in her own words. The recording would do as a start, but I needed a real statement from her. Since she agreed, I left with the understanding that I would have Jen call her.

I left in a hurry and drove like crazy to get home before the hour was up. I drove fast but carefully. I never let the need for speed make me stupid.

When I got back to the apartment building, I stopped at the TV studio to see what Gwen had in mind. She answered the door in a torn tee shirt and very short shorts.

"Sweetie, don't you know it's still winter?" I asked.

"Actually it's nice and toasty in this apartment. I like to dress down," she informed me.

"Okay whatever, you are from a colder climate," I admitted. "So when is the call coming in."

"Hang around," she said. "I'll get him on the Video Phone."

Sure enough within a minute Mike was staring at me. "God I have missed you guys," he said.

"I missed you as well, Morris was just a camera man. You know I need more than that," I said with a laugh. "Your ten inches for instance." I looked at Gwen to see her reaction. I often wondered how close they really were.

"Right, ten inches, you are on something again, aren't you?" he asked with a laugh.

"Natural high," I said. "So what's the big deal that you needed a conference?"

"Two things, Gwen you will be happy to know, the network is sending one of their camera operators down to help out. You will have to do some training, but it should work out in the end."

"Whose end?" I asked with a laugh. Gwen laughed along with me, Mike did not.

"Here is the news I have for you Maxine. The Network wants you to set up a sting and let us film it. They want maximum entertainment value for their buck." he said.

"You know I don't take orders," I suggested angrily.

"This one could be fun. They are willing to send down some Actors to help you bring it off," he informed me.

"The problem is Mike, I'm afraid he is going to recognize me. He might recognize one or more of them as well." I replied.

"I have been watching and listening to your videos. You really are worried, I know. There is a little bonus with setting up the sting," Mike informed me.

"What would that be," I asked.

"The make up lady from their top show. The show is on break right now, so she has the time. She will give you some lessons and when she is finished, you will be able to fool anyone. They guaranteed it." he said.

"That's comforting, when he shoots me, I suppose I get a refund." I said with a smile he could hear, if not see.

"So what do you say?" he asked.

"Call me in a couple of days, and I'll let you know. If we need to go that way, the network can help us for sure." I said.

"To be perfectly honest, no matter what happens with the sting, the make up lady will be available to you, anytime between now and July. She said two weeks is all she needs."

"Are you kidding, has this woman seen me?" I asked.

Mike just laughed. "I'll call you in a couple of days though. We need a decision on the sting." He turned his attention to Gwen. "Gwen, the camera shooter will be there tomorrow on the noon flight from NY, you need to meet the plane."