Indulgence in Death (In Death #31)(51)

“What if Houston driving that night was rigged. It looks random, but what if the killer knew, or maybe played the odds it would be Houston?”

“It doesn’t feel that way, but okay.” Flip of the coin, Eve thought, but then again fifty-fifty odds weren’t bad. “Keep going.”

“One of these guys has some connection to Houston. Could be way back when the vic was getting in fights, in trouble. Could be more recent. Houston sees something he’s not supposed to see, hears something he’s not supposed to hear. He’s a driver, an overheard conversation, an exchange of money for illegal goods. Whatever. With the LC, it could’ve been jealousy, unrequited passion.”

“Neither of them are in her book.”

“Well, we know they—if it’s they—can diddle with ID. Maybe one or both of them used her services with a false ID. And okay, it’s all reaching way out,” Peabody admitted, “but why do a couple of really, really rich guys without any priors hook up to kill a couple of complete strangers?”

Damn good question, Eve thought. “Maybe they’re bored.”

“Jeez, Dallas.”

Eve glanced over at the dismay in Peabody’s voice, saw it reflected on her partner’s face. “You’ve been a cop for a while now, and in Homicide for a couple years. And you still don’t get people are just f**ked up?”

“Boredom as motive is more than f**ked up. I’ll buy maybe for the thrill, in part, but it just seems there has to be something under that. Jealousy, revenge, profit.”

“Then look into it. Seriously,” she added when Peabody frowned at her. “Maybe you’re right, and there’s some concrete motive here, some connection between killer or killers and victims we haven’t found. Find it. If you do, it opens things up. If you don’t, it narrows the focus. Either way it’s progress.”

“My own fork in the investigative road?”

“Whatever. Work on it, at Central, or take what you need and work at home. Carve out some downtime before your brain goes to mush.”

“Is that what you’re going to do?”

“I’m going to try to grab Mira, run some things by her, then I need to take what we have to Whitney. After that, yeah, I’m thinking I’ll work at home.”

They separated at Central, with Eve heading toward Mira’s office as she contacted the commander’s with a request for a report meeting. She geared herself up to confront Mira’s fierce gatekeeping admin but found a young, perky woman in the dragon’s place.

“Who are you?” Eve demanded.

“I’m Macy. Doctor Mira’s administrative assistant is out today. What can I do for you?”

“You can give me five minutes with Doctor Mira.”

“Let me see what I can do. Who should I say would like to speak with her?”

“Dallas, Lieutenant Eve.”

“Oh!” She bounced a little in her chair, and actually clapped her hands as if one of them had won a prize. “I know who you are! I read Nadine Furst’s book. It’s all just amazing.”

Eve started to dismiss it, rethought. “Thanks. Being able to consult with Mira made a huge difference in the Icove case. I’m working on a pretty hot one now. I could really use that five.”

“Give me one minute!” She all but sang it as she turned to her com. “Doctor Mira, Lieutenant Dallas would like five minutes with you if you’re available. Of course, yes, ma’am.” Macy beamed at Eve. “You can go right in.”

“Thanks. Ah, how long are you on the desk?”

“Oh, just for a couple days. I wish it was longer. It’s fun!”

“Yeah.”

Mira started to rise from her desk when Eve came in. “No, don’t get up. Five minutes tops. Could there be two?”

“I’m sorry?”

“No, my sorry. I’m thinking ahead of myself. Two murders, two killers. My cases.”

Mira frowned. “With the pattern, the repeat of element types, I have to conclude these murders are connected.”

“Connected, yeah, but two killers, working in tandem, working a set pattern.”

“Interesting. Again, the elements, the executions are so very similar, even the tone.”

“Yeah, and that could be deliberate. Involve number one through an employee, but you’re alibied because number two’s on that one. Then repeat, switching off.”

“A partnership.”

“Maybe even a business deal. I don’t know, not yet, but both Dudley and Moriarity ring my bell. They’re different types.” Despite telling Mira to stay seated, Eve paced the pretty office. “At least they projected different types when we interviewed them. But under it, they’re not that different. Rich, privileged, inherited wealth, inherited positions in major, long-standing corporations. And they’re friends.”

“Are they?” Mira queried.

“Yeah. Dudley confirmed that. Friends, but neither of them mentioned discussing this very similar situation they find themselves in with the other. That’s bogus. Both are alibied tight for the night of the murder connected to their company, and home alone on the other.”

“Mirrors then.” Mira pursed her lips, nodded. “And perhaps reflecting too close, which raised your instincts to suspect.”