Naked in Death (In Death #1)(28)

“Send her in, Caro. Thank you.”

Again Caro pressed her palm to a slick black glass. “Go right in, lieutenant,” she invited as a panel slid open.

“Thanks.” Out of curiosity, Eve watched her walk away, wondering how anyone could stride so gracefully on three-inch heels. She walked into Roarke’s office.

It was, as she expected, as impressive as the rest of his New York headquarters. Despite the soaring, three-sided view of New York, the lofty ceiling with its pinprick lights, the vibrant tones of topaz and emerald in the thickly cushioned furnishings, it was the man behind the ebony slab desk that dominated.

What in hell was it about him? Eve thought again as Roarke rose and slanted a smile at her.

“Lieutenant Dallas,” he said in that faint and fascinating Irish lilt, “a pleasure, as always.”

“You might not think so when I’m finished.”

He lifted a brow. “Why don’t you come the rest of the way in and get started? Then we’ll see. Coffee?”

“Don’t try to distract me, Roarke.” She walked closer. Then, to satisfy her curiosity, she took a brief turn around the room. It was as big as a heliport, with all the amenities of a first-class hotel: automated service bar, a padded relaxation chair complete with VR and mood settings, an oversize wall screen, currently blank. To the left, there was a full bath including whirl tub and drying tube. All the standard office equipment, of the highest high-tech, was built in.

Roarke watched her with a bland expression. He admired the way she moved, the way those cool, quick eyes took in everything.

“Would you like a tour, Eve?”

“No. How do you work with all this…” Using both hands, she gestured widely at the treated glass walls. “Open.”

“I don’t like being closed in. Are you going to sit, or prowl?”

“I’m going to stand. I have some questions to ask you, Roarke. You’re entitled to have counsel present.”

“Am I under arrest?”

“Not at the moment.”

“Then we’ll save the lawyers until I am. Ask.”

Though she kept her eyes level on his, she knew where his hands were, tucked casually in the pockets of his slacks. Hands revealed emotions.

“Night before last,” she said, “between the hours of eight and ten P. M. Can you verify your whereabouts?”

“I believe I was here until shortly after eight.” With a steady hand he touched his desk log. “I shut down my monitor at 8:17. I left the building, drove home.”

“Drove,” she interrupted, “or were driven?”

“Drove. I keep a car here. I don’t believe in keeping my employees waiting on my whims.”

“Damned democratic of you.” And, she thought, damned inconvenient. She’d wanted him to have an alibi. “And then?”

“I poured myself a brandy, had a shower, changed. I had a late supper with a friend.”

“How late, and what friend?”

“I believe I arrived at about ten. I like to be prompt. At Madeline Montmart’s townhouse.”

Eve had a quick vision of a curvy blond with a sultry mouth and almond eyes. “Madeline Montmart, the actress?”

“Yes. I believe we had squab, if that’s helpful.”

She ignored the sarcasm. “No one can verify your movements between eight-seventeen and ten P. M. ?”

“One of the staff might have noticed, but then, I pay them well and they’re likely to say what I tell them to say.” His voice took on an edge. “There’s been another murder.”

“Lola Starr, licensed companion. Certain details will be released to the media within the hour.”

“And certain details will not.”

“Do you own a silencer, Roarke?”

His expression didn’t change. “Several. You look exhausted, Eve. Have you been up all night?”

“Goes with the job. Do you own a Swiss handgun, SIG two-ten, circa 1980?”

“I acquired one about six weeks ago. Sit down.”

“Were you acquainted with Lola Starr?” Reaching into her briefcase, she pulled out a photo she’d found in Lola’s apartment. The pretty, elfin girl beamed out, full of sassy fun.

Roarke lowered his gaze to it as it landed on his desk. His eyes flickered. This time his voice was tinged with something Eve thought sounded like pity.

“She isn’t old enough to be licensed.”

“She turned eighteen four months ago. Applied on her birthday.”

“She didn’t have time to change her mind, did she?” His eyes lifted to Eve’s. And yes, it was pity. “I didn’t know her. I don’t use prostitutes — or children.” He picked up the photo, skirted the desk, and offered it back to Eve. “Sit down.”

“Have you ever — “

“Goddamn it, sit down.” In sudden fury, he took her shoulders, pushed her into a chair. Her case tipped, spilling out photos of Lola that had nothing to do with sassy fun.

She might have reached them first — her reflexes were as good as his. Perhaps she wanted him to see them. Perhaps she needed him to.

Crouching, Roarke picked up a photo taken at the scene. He stared at it. “Christ Jesus,” he said softly. “You believe I’m capable of this?”