Jess had put a lot of thought into the tryout appointments for her potential escort agency additions. To make them feel more authentic, she rented a hotel room. She also wanted to establish the high-end feel that she believed appropriate for the style of her operation. I appreciated that as I pulled up to the valet at the St. Regis, near River Oaks. It was a perfect choice. The hotel's bar had a longtime reputation for being a hooker pickup spot. Jess came with me, wanting to observe from the lobby how Alix would make her entrance before heading up to our room.

We checked into our junior suite, which...