Brotherhood in Death (In Death #42)(30)

By the time she pulled up in front of the shiny spear of the building, Eve was primed for trouble. A different doorman wore the polar bear suit and instantly jogged her way. Eve slammed out of the car, shot up her badge.

“We’re the police, and here on police business. That’s a police vehicle and it stays just where it is. You give me any lip over that, my partner here is going to arrest you for obstruction of justice and interfering in a police investigation, and arrange to have you hauled down to Central.”

He had a deep brown face against the snow white of the livery, and that face went carefully blank. “I didn’t say a word.”

“That’s smart. You need to clear us up to Edward and Mandy Mira’s apartment.”

Now he winced. “It just would be. Look, I have to follow procedure. You’re doing your job, right? I’ve got to do mine. I need to clear it with the Miras’ personal security.”

“Then do that.”

He walked toward the building, and had the grace—or the training—to hold the door open for them. “If you’ll give me a minute.”

He went to the same system used the night before, tapped in a code. “Hank, it’s Jonah on the door. There are a couple of cops here who—”

Eve nudged Jonah aside. “Hank, Lieutenant Dallas. Don’t screw around. You need to clear me and my partner up there, asap.”

“It could be my ass this time. She put you on the banned list.”

“She needs to talk to me. If she won’t let me up, she’ll end up hearing what I have to tell her on a media bulletin. Clear me up, tell her that.”

“Hell, it’s a crap job anyway. You’re clear. Jonah, they’re clear.”

“Copy that.”

“I know the way,” Eve told him, and walked to the elevator she’d used before.

“Fancy,” Peabody said when they stepped on.

“Eyes and ears,” Eve said.

“Really?” Humming to herself, Peabody looked around the car, sniffed the roses. “You get to use the new dojo much?”

“I’ve managed a couple times a week. I’m learning to be a bear, a rooster, a crane, a tiger, a dragon. It’s like the animal kingdom. But somehow it ends up being frosty by the time I’m done.”

“I could like being a dragon,” Peabody speculated, and the doors opened.

Hank gave them a pained look.

“She’s going to have the senator give me the what for when he gets back. You get three minutes, then she’s contacting the governor again.”

“I think she’s not going to do either of those things. Open up, Hank.”

He shook his head, but opened the doors.

Mandy stood, arms crossed, chin up, eyes filled with contempt.

“This is harassment. I’ll be contacting the governor and our lawyers in precisely three minutes ten seconds.

“Mrs. Mira, I regret to inform you that your husband’s dead. We’re sorry for your loss.”

Color hoisted like red flags on her cheeks. “What are you talking about? How dare you come here and say such a thing to me!”

“His body was found hanging from the entrance chandelier in the house on Spring Street. Visible evidence of physical violence was obvious. His body has been transported to the chief medical examiner, who will determine cause of death.”

Mandy lost the red flags, and all of her color—every shade of it. But her voice remained full and furious. “You’re a liar.”

“I am the primary investigator into your husband’s death, and as such have come here to inform you thereof. We understand this is a difficult time for you, but we have some questions. The answers may help us find the person or persons who murdered your husband.”

“Get out, get out of my house. You’re lying. You’re lying to upset me.”

“You know I’m not.”

When she swayed, Hank rushed over, took her by the arm. “Mrs. Mira, ma’am, you need to sit down. You sit down, and I’m going to get you some water.”

“You’re lying.” But this time her voice trembled.

Eve didn’t sit, but stepped over to her. The woman didn’t weep, but sat pale as ice. The shock in her eyes struck as genuine.

“My partner and I entered the house on Spring approximately sixty minutes ago and discovered your husband’s body. I’m a murder cop, Mrs. Mira, a ranked officer. I don’t lie about murder. Can you tell me if you know anyone who would want to kill him?”

“No one would do this. No one would dare.”

“Someone did this, Mrs. Mira. Someone dared. They hurt him, are you hearing me? They made sure he felt pain before they ended it. Who wanted to cause him pain?”

“I don’t know. Go away.”

Peabody made an attempt, her voice soothing, sympathetic. “Is there anyone we can contact for you, Mrs. Mira? Family, a friend?”

“I don’t want your help. Get out. Get out or I’ll have you thrown out!”

Hank rushed back with a glass of water. She grabbed it and flung it across the room. “All of you, get out!”

“You can reach me at Central if you have any questions or want to make a statement.” Eve turned, walked to the door. She glanced back once, saw that Mandy continued to sit, hands gripped together, eyes shocked but dry.