AC05 - Death Mask by Kathryn Fox

can barely read and write. Sex education has never been a priority, and you know that as well as the rest of us. They’re young, fit and red-blooded. Women hound them. Face it, most of these boys would screw a knot in a piece of wood.’ Buffet glanced up at Masterton again. ‘Judging by today’s reaction, most of what was taught was news to them.’
    Anya didn’t recall seeing Buffet, but he could have been in the ballroom.
    Kitty Rowe took up the brief. ‘Catcher, as you heard, a rather delicate situation has arisen today that we would like you and Doctor Crichton to investigate. For the sake of the league and our team, we agree this should remain private until more facts are known. An incident occurred at the Rainier Hotel that allegedlyinvolved five of our most valued players. A young woman has accused them of assault. Of course, we have no idea if there is any veracity to the claim but feel it is in all of our best interests if you could discreetly review the medical evidence, talk to the police – and perhaps the woman – and let us know if you believe there could be a case to answer, or if these players are a legal liability.’
    Anya was expecting the incident to be raised but felt uncomfortable giving advice to Linda Gatby
and
the owners. She would have to consider the victim’s privacy first.
    In Anya’s experience, the number of women who voluntarily had sex with a group of sportsmen was very low. Footy chicks, as they were known in Australia, were a particular breed of women, akin to rock groupies, but they did exist. Some didn’t even mind being degraded and humiliated. One biography she knew of described how famous soccer players would make naked women hop like bunnies, or crawl around the floor barking, just for laughs. The reality was that there were a very small number of women prepared to do almost anything to say they had slept with someone famous, rich or powerful.
    Masterton refilled his coffee. ‘We spend a fortune each year preparing for the draft. In his capacity as a private investigator with the league, Catcher assists us in background checks on some of the players we hope to bring to our team. Our handpicked doctors thoroughly assess them for potential susceptibility to injury. What we would like from you, Doctor Crichton, is your professional opinion as to whether these men have committed a serious crime, and the chances of them being brought to trial. We are looking at stricter morals clauses in our contracts with the intention of enforcing them to reduce the escalating costs of defending criminal charges.’
    Anya suspected that being female also helped give the public the impression that the owners were committed to finding out whether their players had committed gang-rape. She had a feeling her involvement would not stay secret for long, if the club wanted to set itself apart as family-friendly and respectful of women.
    Anya had a lot to think about before she could give them a full answer. How long she wanted to stay in New York was the obvious first question. She told Masterton she would find out what she could in the short-term, providing it did not impinge on the victim’s rights. It sounded vague, but she couldn’t promise any more at this moment. The trio nodded, accepting that for now.
    Anya collected her bag and left. Ethan remained inside for a few minutes, then joined her out by the elevators.
    Once they were outside on the street, he asked, ‘What did you think of Masterton?’
    She dared not say what she really thought about him being a smarmy peddler of his version of religion, but didn’t quite stay as diplomatic as she intended. ‘I can see him doing well preaching to the converted.’
    Ethan laughed and Anya felt a natural warmth between them. For the first time she noticed that he laughed with his eyes as well as his mouth.
    ‘Those three can be intimidating but it helps to know what’s at stake. Despite winning the championship, the Bombers are haemorrhaging