Delusion in Death (In Death #35)(87)

“Is that so?”

“It is. But before that occurred I had occasion to familiarize myself with some of the data—during the early stages of our internal investigation. I want to say to you that I’m very sorry for what happened to you, and very sorry the organization I represent was culpable, was heartless. Was wrong.”

“It’s done,” Eve said flatly.

“Yes, it’s done. I wonder, should our positions have been reversed would I have agreed to work with you. I don’t know the answer.”

“You weren’t part of it.”

“No, nor was the man I answer to. Director Hurtz is an honorable man. Our business is often secretive and fueled by deception, so I couldn’t work for less than an honorable man. But you have no reason to know or believe that.”

“I know and I believe over a hundred and twenty people deserve justice. I’ll use any tool, weapon, or means at my disposal to make certain they get it.”

“I’m determined to help you make certain.”

“Then we’re good.”

She waited while Teasdale answered her ’link. “Yes, thank you. Interview B, please. The Callaways are here,” she said to Eve.

“Then let’s dig out the tools.”

17

The Callaways, Russell and Audrey, sat on opposite sides of the table in Interview. She looked nervous; he looked belligerent.

He’d have been in his seventies, but she could clearly see the man Audrey Hubbard had found attractive. Russell emanated strength, steadiness, and a no-bullshit toughness.

“Mr. and Mrs. Callaway.” Eve kept her tone and her step brisk as she moved to the table, sat. “I’m Lieutenant Dallas, and this is Agent Teasdale. Thank you for coming.”

“Don’t see we had much choice.” Russell gave her a hard stare out of faded blue eyes. “Your people come onto the farm, right onto private property and say how we gotta go with them to New York City. Nobody tells us a damn thing, just get and go. We got squash to harvest.”

She could safely say it was the first time she’d heard that used as a complaint or excuse in Interview.

“And we’ll try to get you back to that quickly. We’re going to record this interview.”

“Can I get you anything before we begin?” Teasdale asked. “Coffee, water, a soft drink?”

“We don’t need anything.” Russell folded his arms, set his squared, weathered face into pugnacious lines.

“Record on,” Eve said. “Dallas, Lieutenant Eve, and Teasdale, Agent Miyu, in Interview with Russell and Audrey Callaway. I’m going to read you your rights.”

“We haven’t done anything. Russ.” Audrey reached across the table for her husband’s hand.

He gave hers an impatient pat. “Don’t worry. They’re just trying to scare us.”

“Why would I want to do that?” Eve read them both their rights, asked if they understood.

“We’ve got the right to mind our own business, too. And that’s what we do.”

“I appreciate that, Mr. Callaway. But in minding your own business, I suspect you’ve heard about the two incidents here in New York.”

“It’s all over the screen night and day, isn’t it?”

“I imagine so.”

“It’s nothing to do with us.”

“No? Your son, Lewis Callaway, was in On the Rocks, the bar where the first incident took place. He left minutes before it happened.”

“Lew was there?” Audrey clutched at her throat and the small gold cross she wore there.

“You didn’t know?” Eve leaned back, rocking slightly on the back legs of her chair. “Reports on the incidents are all over the screen, you have a son who lives and works not only in New York, but within blocks of both locations. You didn’t think to contact him, make sure he was okay?”

“I—”

“How are we supposed to know all this happened near his work or his place?” Russ demanded. “We don’t know the layout of New York. We’ve never been here before, and don’t much like being here now.”

“You’ve never come up to visit your son?” Teasdale asked them, in the most pleasant and sympathetic of voices.

“He’s the one moved to this godless place. We don’t have the time or wherewithal to come hieing up here. He comes home to visit.”

“Is he all right?” Audrey asked. “I tried to get a hold of him, but he didn’t answer. He texted me back last night, just to say he was fine, and he was busy. But you said he was there, at that place where it happened.”

“That’s right, with some coworkers. One of them died there.”

“Oh.” Again she closed her hand over her cross. “Rest his soul.”

“He lost other coworkers there, and at the café where the second incident took place.”

“Oh, this is terrible. Russ, we have to go see him. He must be very upset.”

“Not upset enough to tell you he lost someone he’d worked with for years. Someone he’d just had a drink with.”

“He’s got no cause to worry his mother.”

“Maybe not, Mr. Callaway, but it strikes me his mother was already worried. That’s why she tried to contact him. When’s the last time you saw or spoke to him?”