Shattered (Michael Bennett #14)(53)

“It’s a good way to throw people off.”

“I noticed your badge is from the NYPD. What brings a detective from New York all the way down to Washington, DC? I hope it’s not just to ask me some questions. The high-tech contracts I work on really have nothing that could be criminal.”

“I actually wanted to ask you a few questions about Emily Parker.” Now it was my turn to spring a surprise. And it clearly wasn’t the surprise she had been expecting.

I thought I might have to catch her at the edge of the Lexus. Instead, she turned, set down her briefcase, and leaned on one of the car’s driver’s side doors.

Reggie Balfour said, “I’m sorry, still mourning. I’ve been so upset since I read about Emily. How did you know we were friends?”

“Her sister gave me your name. They were close, and Emily apparently spoke fondly of you.”

“We had fun hanging out. Good dinners, the occasional cigar—Emily was great. Sometimes it’s tough to find another professional woman who shares my mindset. She made me laugh. She got me.”

“When was the last time you saw her?”

Reggie Balfour looked off into space, concentrating. Then she shrugged her shoulders and said, “I’m not really certain. Maybe three months. I might’ve talked to her on the phone, but I didn’t see her.” She looked at me and asked, “Why is an NYPD detective working on a homicide in Washington, DC?”

I explained that I was a personal friend of Emily’s, then fudged a little bit, saying that I was helping the FBI with the investigation. “I’m also closer with her family, so I’ve gotten more personal leads. That leaves the FBI open to investigate other angles.” That seemed to satisfy her.

Reggie explained that she and Emily had met at a professional women’s group about two years ago. “There was a rumor that Emily and I were lovers. Emily thought it was funny and told me not to stop it. She got a kick out of people talking about her. She said it was like performance art. That was one of the reasons Emily was linked to so many people. She was an interesting and entertaining friend. But she didn’t care about labels. She didn’t care what people thought of her.”

“Were you aware of any threats against her or any concerns she had?”

“No, none at all. In fact, she seemed to be pretty stable in her relationships.”

We chatted for a few minutes more. I picked up a little bit here and there I might find useful later.

I asked, “Was there a reason you hadn’t hung out with Emily in the last three months?”

She hesitated, and the pause filled me with anticipation. Anytime someone hangs back during a casual interview, pay attention for a spill of something interesting.

Finally, Reggie said, “She was spending a lot of time with other people.”

I said, “One of the advantages of me doing part of the investigation is that it is completely confidential. I won’t even make notes of our conversation. I’ve spoken to her family, and I know about some of her relationships. I don’t want you to worry about repercussions.”

Reggie visibly relaxed. “You probably heard she was close with Robert and Rhea Steinberg.”

I nodded.

“Emily was really committed to them. To their relationship.”

“Both of them?” I tried to keep my surprise hidden. I don’t think I did a very good job.

Reggie smiled. “Yes, Detective, both of them. Might sound shocking to you. I assume you’re married with children. And that kind of multiple-partner relationship can be hard to get your head around. I know that Emily loved the Steinbergs. Maybe Rhea more than her husband. And to tell you the truth, I have no idea what she saw in that entitled little brat.”

“You know the Steinbergs personally?”

“I would say I know them personally but not socially. The justice is a little bit of a loner, and his wife believes most people are beneath her. I guess that’s the best way to describe it. I never saw Emily around them. I don’t know how they interacted. But I’ve talked with Rhea plenty of times. I’ve had to put up with her long soliloquies about her ‘art.’” The air quotes around art told me what she thought of Rhea Wellmy-Steinberg’s talent.

Reggie’s confirmation of what Justice Steinberg had tipped to, that Emily and both the Steinbergs were in a relationship, changed my thinking a little bit.

“It doesn’t sound like you’re a fan of Rhea.”

“She’s not an enemy. She just never impressed me. I know she’s got a law degree from Columbia. Not something an idiot can achieve. But her interpersonal interactions are usually all about her. I never understood what a smart woman like Emily saw in an empty bottle like Rhea.” Reggie shrugged. “I guess the heart wants what the heart wants.”

That’s when I started thinking about the possibility of Justice Steinberg’s sister, Beth Banks, being jealous of their relationship with Emily.





Chapter 70



I did have some access to databases. Bobby had given me a password to get into a state police site that showed tolls someone might pick up driving on several of the paid highways. There was a chance I could get lucky and run one of my suspects’ license plates and find a hit. But it would have to be a hit on the day Michelle Luna was murdered in Baltimore.