Holiday in Death (In Death #7)(85)

“Guy’s pretty busted up,” Feeney commented. “Wonder if he’s crying over his sister, or his lover.”

“Yeah, it’s a puzzle all right.” She stepped into the elevator and requested the street level. “So, how did our man know she’d be alone tonight? He wouldn’t have tried her if he’d thought Rudy was with her. Not his style. He knew she was alone.”

“Someone she knew. Could’ve been watching the place. Could’ve called and checked.”

“Yeah, he knew her. Knows them both. And I don’t think she was one of his true loves.” She stepped out into the lobby, turned toward the doors. “She breaks pattern there. Piper isn’t on any of the match lists. He went for her to keep us focused on Rudy. Here’s how it plays for me.”

She paused while they climbed into the car, Eve taking the wheel. “He knows we’ve had Rudy into Interview, that I like him for the murders. He’s got a couple to make up anyway, since he missed with Cissy and the ballet dancer. He’s smart enough to know if he gets Piper, we’re going to run Rudy again. It just follows. This wasn’t for love, it was for insurance.”

Feeney leaned back, reaching into his pocket for his nut bag before remembering his wife hadn’t let him carry it to the party. He huffed once. “He knows her, she knows him. Maybe that’s how he got in.”

“She wouldn’t have opened the door to a stranger, and she sure as hell wouldn’t have opened it up to some guy in a Santa suit. We need McNab to run those discs.”

“You know what I think, Dallas. I don’t think we’re going to find any discs.”

Feeney was on the mark. The uniform on the scene reported that the security cameras had been shut off from the main control at nine fifty.

“No sign of forced entry,” Eve said after an examination of the locks and palm plate. “She goes to the door, looks out, and sees a familiar face. Opens right up. We won’t find any internal security discs either.”

She stepped into the apartment. A white tree festooned with crystal ropes and balls stood in front of the windows that faced Fifth. There were stacks of prettily wrapped gifts under it and a single white dove where traditionalists would have put a star or an angel.

There were shopping bags scattered from just inside the doorway to the first arch off the main room’s right. She could see Rudy coming in, hearing his sister, dropping the bags on the run. Following the trail, she crossed the soft white carpet and moved through a second seating area set up for screen viewing.

More white. Soft fabric chairs in ecru, tables with glossy surfaces in ivory tones. Clear bowls and urns were overflowing with white flowers.

It was, Eve thought, like stepping into a cloud.

Smothering.

Beyond the sitting area was a fitness room, equipped with sunken spa, air weights, a mood tube, and a multi-setting treadmill.

“Bedrooms are at the far end,” she pointed out. “Even at a run it would take Rudy several seconds to get in from the front door.”

She turned into a large bedroom. The privacy screen was drawn over the window, letting the night in, and keeping prying eyes out.

Along one wall was an enormous white counter where hundreds of colorful bottles and pots and tubes were arrayed. A queen of vanities, Eve mused, scanning the triple mirror and ring of lights. Two padded chairs, she noted, side by side.

They even painted their faces together.

The bed was heart shaped, which made her want to roll her eyes. Scrolling chrome tubes framed it like icing on the side of a cake. Roped restraints dangled from four points.

“He didn’t take his toys away with him.” Eve crouched down to examine the opened silver box on the floor. “We’ve got all kinds of goodies, Feeney. Here’s the pressure syringe.” She tapped it with a sealed finger. “The tattoo works, and this is pretty special.”

There was a box inside the box. It was simulated wood, about two feet in length. When she opened the lid, three tiers shuffled out. It was neatly packed with Natural Perfection enhancements.

“I don’t know much about this kind of shit, but this doesn’t look like civilian stuff. It looks like a pro’s.”

“Ho, ho, ho.” Feeney bent down and picked up a snowy white beard. “Maybe he came dressed for the party after all.”

“I say he got her down, then dressed himself up. Habit.” Eve leaned back on her heels. “He gets in, tranqs her. Once he’s got her in here, restrained, he takes the time to deck himself out. He does the tattoo, makes up her face the way he wants it, all the while neatly storing his tools away. No mess. When she comes around enough to know what’s going on…”

Eyes narrowed, Eve stared at the bed, brought the scene into her mind. “She comes around. She’s disoriented, confused. She struggles. She knows who he is. It shocks her, scares her, because she knows what he’s going to do. Maybe he talks to her while he’s cutting off her clothes.”

“Looks like this was a robe.” Feeney lifted neat strips of a filmy white material.

“Yeah, she’s home, comfortable, in for the night. She’s probably excited knowing her brother’s out buying her presents. Now she’s naked, terrified, staring up at this face she knows. She doesn’t want to believe it’s happening. You never want to believe it.”