Ceremony in Death (In Death #5)(52)

“I’m sorry to meet you under such sad circumstances. Isis told me you were a very strong and purposeful soul. I see she was right, as always.”

She nearly blinked at his voice. It was a deep, creamy baritone any opera singer would have wept for. She caught herself watching his mouth move and imagining a ventriloquist’s dummy. It wasn’t a voice that should have come out of that body and that face.

“I need to talk to you both as soon as possible.” She glanced around, wished for a discreet way to slip out and conduct an interview. It would have to wait. “This is Roarke.”

“Yes, I know.” Isis offered a hand. “We’ve met before.”

“Have we?” His smile was politely curious. “I can’t imagine forgetting meeting a beautiful woman.”

“Another time, another place.” Her eyes stayed on his. “Another life. You saved mine once.”

“That was wise of me.”

“Yes, it was. And kind. Perhaps someday you’ll revisit the county of Cork and see a small stone dance alone in a fallow field… and you’ll remember.” She slipped the silver cross she wore off her neck, handed it to him. “You gave me a talisman then. Similar to this Celtic cross. I suppose that’s why I wore it tonight. To close a circle.”

The metal was warmer against his hand than it should have been, and it stirred something in cloudy memory he didn’t care to explore. “Thank you.” He slipped it into his pocket.

“One day I may return the favor you did me.” She turned to Eve then. “I’ll speak with you whenever you like. Chas?”

“Of course, whenever it’s convenient for you, Lieutenant Dallas. Will you attend our ceremony? We’d very much like to share it with you. Night after next. We have a small place upstate. It’s quiet and private and, when the weather cooperates, perfect for outdoor rites. I hope you — ”

He broke off, his stunning eyes going dark. His thin body shifting to what Eve recognized immediately as a guard stance. “He’s not one of us,” he said.

She glanced around, spotted a man in a dark suit. His face was cell-block white and framed by a black wedge of hair. The suit was expensive, his skin wan, making him appear both sickly and successful.

He started toward the viewing box, saw the group already there. In one jerky move he turned on his heel and hurried out.

“I’ll check it out.”

She was moving quickly when Roarke caught up with her. “We’ll check it out.”

“It would be better if you stayed inside with them.”

“I’m staying with you.”

She only shot him a frustrated look. “Don’t cramp my style.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

The retreating man was nearly at a run as he hit the door. Eve only had to touch his arm to have him jolt. “What? What do you want?” He whirled, pressing the door for release, backing out of it into the rainy night. “I haven’t done anything.”

“No? He sure looks guilty for an innocent man, doesn’t he?” She took a firmer grip on his arm to keep him from rabbiting away. “Maybe you should show me some ID.”

“I don’t have to show you anything.”

“It’s not necessary,” Roarke said smoothly. He’d gotten a better look now. “Thomas Wineburg, isn’t it? Of Wineburg Financial. You’ve nabbed yourself a deadly type here, Lieutenant. A banker. Third generation. Or is it fourth?”

“It’s fifth,” Wineburg said, struggling to look down his narrow nose at what his family would consider new and not quite decent money. “And I’ve done nothing to warrant being accosted by a police officer and a financial rogue.”

“I’m the cop,” Eve decided glancing at Roarke. “You must be the financial rogue.”

“He’s just mad because I don’t use his bank.” Roarke flashed a wolfish grin. “Aren’t you, Tommy?”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Well, then, you can talk to me. What’s the rush?”

“I — I have an appointment I’d forgotten. I’m quite late.”

“Then a couple more minutes won’t matter. Are you a friend of the deceased’s family?”

“No.”

“Oh, I get it, you just like to while away a rainy evening at a viewing parlor. I’ve heard that’s the coming thing for singles.”

“I — I’d mistook the address.”

“I don’t think so. What did you come to see? Or who?”

“I — ” His eyes widened when Isis and Chas stepped out. “Stay away from me.”

“I’m sorry, Dallas. We were concerned when you didn’t come back.” Isis turned her exotic eyes on Wineburg. “Your aura is dark and muddy. You dabble without belief. Toy with power beyond your scope. If you don’t change your path, you damn yourself.”

“Keep her away from me.” Straining against Eve’s grip, Wineburg cringed back.

“She’s not hurting you. What do you know about Alice’s death, Wineburg?”

“I don’t know anything.” His voice went shrill. “I don’t know anything about anything. I mistook the address. I have an appointment. You can’t hold me.”