Holiday in Death (In Death #7)(49)

And Donnie Ray, she mused, the boy who’d loved his mother and had blown sax. Lived like a pig and had a smile like an angel. Puffed a little Zoner but never missed a gig.

And suddenly she had it, staring at the three faces of victims who never met.

The theater.

“Oh yes! Computer, bring up Personally Yours, data on Hawley, Marianna; Greenbalm, Sarabeth; Michael, Donnie Ray. Tile on screen, highlight professions and hobbies/interests.”

Working… On screen, requested subjects. Hawley, Marianna, administrative assistant, Foster-Brinke. Hobbies and interests, theater. Member West Side Community Players. Other interests —

“Stop, continue next subject.”

Greenbalm, Sarabeth, dancer…

“Stop. And Donnie Ray, sax player.” She took a minute, letting it process in her own mind. “Computer, run probability scan on killer selecting current subjects due to mutual connection or interest in theater and entertainment.”

Working…. With current data, probability index is ninety-three point two percent.

“Good, damn good.” And huffing out a breath, she answered her communicator’s beep. “Dallas.”

“Dispatch, Dallas, Lieutenant Eve. See the couple at 341 West Eighteen, unit 3. Possible assault attempt. Probability incident linked to current homicide investigations, ninety-eight point eight percent.”

Eve was already up and snagging her jacket. “On my way, Dallas, out.”

“It was just weird.” The woman was tiny, as delicate as the fairies that danced on the tiny white glass tree centered in the wide window of the old rehabbed loft. “Jacko gets too up about things.”

“I know what I know. That flake was wrong, Cissy.”

Jacko scowled as he tightened his arm around the woman’s shoulder. He’d have made four of her, Eve thought. He had to be six-three and two-fifty. An arena ball player’s build, a face tough as mountain rock. Scars dug in at the lantern jaw and over the right eyebrow.

She was pale as a moonbeam, he dark as midnight. His big hand swallowed hers.

The loft had been sectioned off into three main areas. Eve got a peek at the bedroom suite through the opening in wavy glass walls the color of peaches. The bed was enormous and unmade.

In the living area the long U-shaped sofa could have fit twenty people comfortably. Jacko took up space for three.

What she could see indicated easy money, feminine taste, and masculine comfort.

“Just tell me what happened.”

“We told the policeman last night.” Cissy smiled, but her eyes were shadowed with obvious annoyance. “Jacko insisted on calling them. It was just a silly prank.”

“Hell it was. Look.” He leaned forward, his tight scalp curls bobbing a bit. “This guy comes to the door, dressed like Santa Claus, carrying this big box all wrapped and ribboned. Does the ho-ho, merry Christmas deal.”

Anticipation curled in Eve’s gut, but she spoke coolly. “Who opened the door?”

“I did.” Cissy fluttered her hands. “My daddy lives in Wisconsin. He usually sends me something fun for Christmas if I can’t get out for the holidays. I can’t take the time this year, so I thought he’d arranged for Santa to drop in. I still think — “

“That guy wasn’t from your daddy,” Jacko said dampeningly. “She goes to let him in. I’m in the kitchen. I hear her laughing, and I hear this guy’s voice — “

“Jacko’s much too jealous for his own good. It hurts our relationship.”

“Bullshit, Cissy. You can’t tell a guy’s making you until he’s got his hand up your skirt. Jesus.” Obviously disgusted, Jacko hissed out a breath. “He’s moving in on her when I walk out.”

“Moving in?” Eve repeated while Cissy pouted.

“Yeah, I could see it. He’s moving in, got this big smile, this gleam in his eyes.”

“Twinkle,” Cissy muttered. “Santa’s eyes are supposed to twinkle for Lord’s sake, Jacko.”

“They sure as hell stopped twinkling when he saw me. He went statue, just stood there, gaping at me. Scared the ho-ho right out of him, I tell you. Then he takes off, like a f**king rabbit.”

“You yelled at him.”

“Not until after he started to run.” Jacko threw up his enormous hands in frustration. “Yeah, damn right I yelled then, and I took off after him. Would’ve had his ass, too, if Cissy hadn’t gotten in the way. But by the time I shook her off and got out to the street, he was gone.”

“Did the uniform who took the initial call take the security discs?”

“Yeah, he said it was routine.”

“That’s right. What did he sound like?”

“Sound like?” Cissy blinked.

“His voice. Tell me what his voice was like.”

“Um… It was jolly.”

“Jesus, Cissy, do you practice being stupid? It was put on,” Jacko said to Eve while Cissy, obviously insulted, sprang up and flounced — Eve could think of no other word for it — into the kitchen. “You know that fake cheer. Deep, rumbling. He said something like… ‘Have you been good little girl? I’ve got something for you. Only for you.’ Then I stepped out and he looked like he’d swallowed a live trout.”