After a longer than expected walk along a trail in Joseph Perry Forest Park. The suspect bought us to a rather rundown hovel with a straw roof. It was not the brothel we had been expecting to find. It looked more like an abandoned building but there was smoke coming out of a chimney so the place was occupied. Before entering we asked the suspect (Miss Cassandra) if this was the "Showroom" she was taking us to
'This is Mistress Winnifred's house. We should go in. Mistress will be pleased to have new customers'
'Not so fast. Who else is here?'
'I expect Mistress Winnifred and Sabrina'
'No one else?'
'I don't think so. Those gentlemen we saw on the trail were the only other people here'
'What do you think Mike? Safe to enter?'
Mike didn't get to answer before a small pixie like woman came out. She was wearing a black leotard and boots similar to Miss Cassandra. She had oversized breasts but the strangest thing about the woman was her purplish skin. Did she have some sort of disease?
'Hello gentlemen, welcome to the house of the forest. I am Winnifred the proprietress. Come into the parlour and I will show you my wares'
I gave Mike a glance and he gave a nod of affirmation. We followed the two females inside. There we found a third female also dressed in a leotard and high boots. It appeared this was some sort of weird uniform. This third female was an extremely attractive brunette. She was sweeping the clay floor of the hovel with a broom. This was not the luxurious innards of a brothel that I was expecting.
'Sabrina, fix a drink for our guests. What would you like gentlemen? A refreshing ale perhaps?'
So that was Cassandra's sister. That family had good genes. 'Something nonalcoholic thank-you. We are on duty. Perhaps just some cool water'
The purple woman seemed surprised 'Duty? What duty is that? Are you soldiers?' That was a strange question. We were in uniform
I whipped out my badge and showed it to the strange woman 'Police madam. I am Sergeant Chad Baker and this is Officer Woods. What type of establishment do you run here?'
'Are you lawmen?' That was a stranger question
'Yes Madam'
'I sell charms. My speciality is an elixir that will make you irresistible to the fairer sex. Would you like a demonstration?'
What was this strange woman on about? 'Are you saying that you sell the charms of Cassandra and Sabrina?'
'I don't understand? The girls are my sales assistants, their duty is to bring in clients. Because of my location, I don't get a lot of passing traffic'
'Well we were called because your "Sales Assistants" were harassing picnickers in the state park. I didn't believe the complaints until I saw it for myself'
'The girls were commanded to be polite and deferential. Their choice of vocabulary is strictly controlled. I can't see how they could cause offence'
By now I was convinced that the purple woman wasn't running a brothel. But what was she running? Cassandra the beauty in red returned with an old fashioned goblet in each hand. She handed one to me and the other to Mike. It smelt like water. I took a sip. Yep cool fresh tasting water. I thanked the blonde. She blushed. 'Perhaps it is your clothing. The complaints we had were from women, they mistook your sales assistants for prostitutes. You are all dressed rather provocatively'
'Prostitutes? Oh No. My girls are innocent. I'm certain Cassandra is a virgin' Interesting that she did't say the same about her sister
'Then why the sexy outfits?'
'I understood these uniforms were attractive to men. It is men I sell my charms to' She actually seemed to glare at Cassandra.
'I would be sure that men would find your assistants attractive no matter what they were wearing. Could I suggest something more conservative? Perhaps more of a girl next door look? And while I'm giving advice, why here in the middle of the forest? If you are selling charms why not set up a stall in the market?'
'Thank-you for you advice Sergeant Chad. This is where I live, I cannot leave the forest myself. I will review the uniforms though. I have some ideas........... I think it is time I showed you my charms' The woman had a way with words. She clapped her hands and the brunette bought forth clay flask and gave it to the pixie. 'This is my speciality, It takes a long time to infuse. It is expensive but I feel you will be impressed'
'What is it?'
'That is my secret, all I will say is that I collect the ingredients from the forest' I must have looked sceptical. As you are lawmen I will allow you a free sample. One drop in your drinks will last for the evening. May I?' The woman held out her hand for the cup I was drinking from. I looked at Mike dubiously.
'I'm willing to give it a try' was his response. I thought it best that only one of us tried the potion. I decided I would refuse and observe.
'Mike can have a sample. I will observe. If he has any adverse effects I will arrest you'
'Very well' It will take about 10 minutes before we see results. The purple woman let one drop of her potion fall into Mike's cup. Mike seemed to have no hesitation. He drank from the cup.