Holiday in Death (In Death #7)(91)

“I don’t know. I can’t believe this. You’re sure?”

Eve kept her eyes level and cool. “I’m sure.”

“But he adored Piper. He was her consultant, hers and Rudy’s. He did all their work. He called them the Angel Twins.”

“Who else is he close to? Who does he talk to about his personal life? His mother?”

“His mother? She died last year. He was devastated. She had an accident and she died.”

“He told you she had an accident?”

“Yes, she fainted or something, in the bathtub. Drowned. It was awful. They were really close.”

“He talked to you about her?”

“Yeah, we worked together, put in a lot of hours here. We’re friends.” Her eyes filled. “I can’t believe what you’re telling me.”

“You’d better believe it, for your own safety. Where would he go, Yvette? If he’s scared, if he can’t go home. If he needs somewhere to hide.”

“I don’t know. His life was here. The salon, especially after he lost his mother. I don’t think he has any other family. His father died when he was a kid. He didn’t call me. I swear he didn’t.”

“If he does, I want you to contact me immediately. Don’t play games with him. Don’t meet him alone. Don’t open the door if he comes to your place. I need to get into his locker, and interview the rest of the staff.”

“Okay. I’ll fix it. He hasn’t been acting weird or anything.” Yvette dashed a tear from her lashes as she rose. “He was all pumped up about Christmas. He’s a real softie, you know. And last year, losing his mother put a cloud over the holidays for him.”

“Yeah, well, he’s making up for it this time around.” Eve stepped into the staff room, and glanced briefly at a beefy consultant gulping down a mint-green nutri-drink.

“He’s changed the combo,” Yvette murmured. “He’s got it blocked. I can’t open this without his new code.”

“Who’s in charge around here with him gone?”

Yvette blew out a breath. “That would be me.”

Eve drew her weapon, tilted her head. “This’ll open it, but you have to give me assent for forced entry.”

Yvette simply closed her eyes. “Go ahead.”

“On record, Peabody?”

“Yes, sir.”

Eve adjusted the setting, aimed, and fired at the lock. The gun gave a muffled blast, sparked. Then metal sheered away and crashed to the floor.

“Jesus, Yvette, what the hell?”

“It’s cop business, Stevie.” She waved a hand at the gaping consultant. “You got a nine thirty buffer. Go on and set up for it.”

“Simon’s going to be pissed,” he said with a shake of his head as he left the room.

Stepping to the side so Peabody could get the right angle on record, Eve tapped a finger on the pull. “Shit.” She winced and sucked her fingertip. “Too hot.”

“Try this.” Peabody handed her a neatly folded handkerchief from her pocket. Their eyes met briefly.

“Thanks.” Using the cloth, Eve covered the pull and opened the locker door. “Santa was in a hurry,” she murmured.

The red suit was balled up and shoved into the locker. High, shiny black boots stood on top of it. Reaching down, Eve pulled a can of Seal-It out of her bag, coated her hands. “Let’s see what else we’ve got.”

There were two cans of disinfectant, a half case of herbal soap, tubes of protective cream, an over-the-counter gadget that promised to destroy germs with high-frequency sound waves. She found another box of tattoo works along with templates for several complicated designs.

“This nails it.” Eve took out a thin sheet with stylized letters:

MY TRUE LOVE

“Bag everything, Peabody, and arrange for a pickup. I want it all in the lab within the hour. I’ll be in that treatment room doing the interviews.”

She didn’t get anything more from the staff. Simon had been loved and appreciated by his people. Eve heard words like compassionate, generous, sympathetic.

And she thought of the horror and pain in Marianna Hawley’s eyes.

The drive to the hospital to check on Piper was made in silence. Though the new vehicle’s climate control pumped out pleasant heat, the air seemed very chilly.

Fine, Eve thought. That was just fine. If Peabody wanted to walk around with a stick up her ass that was her problem. It wouldn’t affect the work.

“Bounce a call to McNab.” Eve stepped into the elevator, stared straight ahead. “See if he’s got any more on possible locations for Simon. Then see if Mira got the personal data.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You call me sir again in that snotty tone, I’m going to belt you.” With this Eve marched off the elevator and left Peabody scowling after her.

“Status on Piper,” Eve said and slapped her badge on the counter at the nurses’ station.

“Patient Piper is sedated.”

“What do you mean sedated? Did she come out of the coma?”

The nurse wore a colorful tunic crowded with spring flowers and a harried expression. “Patient Piper regained consciousness about twenty minutes ago.”

“Why wasn’t I contacted? Her chart was supposed to be flagged.”