"You know what he's going to work out, baby. He's going to work you out of your panties."

"I'm no fragile little flower, Leen. So maybe I let him play around a little. If I do, maybe I can put him off a few days."

"Then what?"

"I don't know! Christ, how did I get into this?"

"Lot, call me right after you talk to him, okay? We'll be home tonight. I can hock my engagement ring for almost $1,200. Or I could sell my Toyota, maybe get $2,000."

"Oh, Leen, I couldn't let you do that. I'll find a way out of it."

"I'd do it for you, babe."

"I know you would, but I won't let you. I'm gonna think about this and call you tonight, okay?"

Charlotte Albers replaced the receiver and inspected her slender body. Some white guys got their kicks with black girls.

It was worth a try, even though she knew her price was steep. She was attractive, had a good figure and big breasts, but would he go for the deal?

A half-hour later she was dressed and had done her makeup to show off her big eyes to best effect. She wore a low-cut white dress. She hoped to hell the bait was good enough.

She stood in Jody Warren's pricey cliff-top condo overlooking the Willamette River. Warren laughed again and shook his head.

"Let me get this straight. You can't pay, but you'll give me two nights in the sack for $625 a night?"

"That's right.. If you buy me, you pay what I'm worth."

"Not a chance. You owe me $1,250, and tomorrow at six it goes to $1,500. I want my money."

Jody Warren was short and fat. His face was pocked from acne. His hair was stringy, messy and long. He wore a dirty T-shirt that barely covered the big gut, white and hairless, that protruded above his tight blue jeans.

His zipper was half open.