Her Discord Group

"Huck can verify," she said.

"Yeah, sure. Your John can verify. Sorry, sweetcheeks. Neither of you is getting out of this even if you have the same wild story."

Nicole sighs. She's silent for a very long time as she considers her options. And then she remembers the Discord app on her phone. She didn't love the idea of exposing her group to police scrutiny, but it was the only way she could show it was all roleplay. "My phone. That group of people I told you about? I can show you the chat. It's time and date, so you'll know it's legit."

The detective isn't interested in humoring the sex worker, but he knows he should give her a chance at the least. He unzips the personal item bag and slides out Nicole's phone. He slides it over to her.

Nicole nervously unlocks her phone. She notices she has several unread texts. A couple from Alfie and at least three from Ana Marie. She doesn't have time to look. She opens the Discord app. She quickly switches her status to "invisible." Opening her group chat, she scrolls until she finds the first discussion about Huck. "I have, like, privacy rights still, right? This won't be entered into any public records or anything?"

"Are you asking for a lawyer?"

Nicole had waived her phone call because she didn't want to alert anyone. "N-no. Not yet."

"In that case, let's see it."

Nicole slides over her phone. He picks it up and starts reading. She quietly watches his facial reactions as he scrolls down the chat. "Holy shit, girl...what the Christ?"

"It's just...for fun...consensual adults. Nothing illegal."

He keeps scrolling. "Maybe some potential indecent exposure charges."

"It was usually in the woods. I swear. This was a..."

He smiled and laughed. "You might want to slow your roll, honey." He nods upward at the camera. "You're not being charged with anything yet. So one of these 'consenting adults' in your group. Can they vouch for you?"

"Sure, most could."

"Who knows the most about what you have going on with Huckford?"

Was His name Huckford? Putting that shocking revelation aside, she decides RevBlueJeans probably knows the most. "ReverandBlueJeans."

"Forever in Blue Jeans? Like the song?"

"No, Reverand. Reverand Blue Jeans. He's not really a Reverand. I don't think, but yeah, he's the one."

"Alright, do you have his phone number?"

Nicole shakes her head. "No, our group is mostly anonymous."

He taps on the screen a couple of times. Then he scrolls. He turns the phone toward Nicole. "Not very anonymous if you show so much of yourself, WhoreFromHome."

Oh, God. He found her media folder in the Discord group. There she was, mouth open, tongue out, clothespins on her nipples, and impaled on one of her Bad Dragon toys. "I mean," she replied sheepishly, "we don't share names."

He laughed. "I can see why Huckford likes you. You're freaky." His eyes go up to the camera again, and he clears his throat, sitting straight in his chair. Nicole doesn't know if she should be flattered or not. "Anyway, here's what you'll do." he starts typing in her phone. "I'm giving you all of my contact information. You will send a direct message to this ReverandBlueJeans and explain your situation. Tell him to call me as soon as possible to verify this group and what you've said about your 'free use' lifestyle. If he does that, we'll revisit the charges."

Nicole brightens up. She knows RevBlueJeans isn't going to love calling a cop, but at least she might get out of here without ending up on the sex offender registry. She takes her phone and types furiously. The detective sits back. He intensely stares as she types. With a satisfied breath, Nicole sends the message. "It doesn't look like he's on at the moment."

"No problem. I'm sure the ladies in the can will make space on the bench. Let's go."

"The can?"

"Well, yeah, you're still under suspicion. I can't have you wandering around the station, and I won't babysit you in my office. You'll bench warm in the lock-up until Mr. Blue Jeans calls me."

Nicole follows. She notices he doesn't put her phone back in the evidence bag. Instead, he puts it in his pocket. She doesn't say anything.

He leads her down a long hall to a holding cell. A half dozen women occupy the cell. "I'll be back when I hear from your friend," he locks the door behind Nicole.

The time in the cell isn't awful. The women mostly keep to themselves. One offers tips on how to be a hooker safely and not get caught. The most challenging part is the wait. There's no clock, so she can't see how long it is until the detective finally returns.

"Spoke to your Reverand. Let's go."