Naked in Death (In Death #1)(72)

“See you.”

“Eve. You should have gloves.”

She decoded the door, tossed a quick smile over her shoulder. “I know — but I just keep losing them.”

Her up mood lasted until she walked into her office and found DeBlass and his aide waiting for her.

Deliberately, DeBlass stared at his gold watch. “More banker’s hours than police hours, Lieutenant Dallas.”

She knew damn well it was only minutes past eight, but shrugged out of her jacket. “Yeah, it’s a pretty lush life around here. Is there something I can do for you, senator?”

“I’m aware there’s been yet another murder. I’m obviously dissatisfied with your progress. However, I’m here for damage control. I do not want my granddaughter’s name linked with the two other victims.”

“You want Simpson for that, or his press secretary.”

“Don’t smirk at me, young woman.” DeBlass leaned forward. “My granddaughter is dead. Nothing can change that. But I will not have the DeBlass name sullied, muddied by the death of two common whores.”

“You seem to have a low opinion of women, senator.” She was careful not to smirk this time, but watched him, and considered.

“On the contrary; I revere them. Which is why those who sell themselves, those who disregard morality and common decency, revolt me.”

“Including your granddaughter?”

He lurched out of his chair, his face purpling, eyes bulging. Eve was quite certain he would have struck her if Rockman hadn’t stepped between them.

“Senator, the lieutenant is only baiting you. Don’t give her the satisfaction.”

“You will not besmirch my family.” DeBlass was breathing fast, and Eve wondered if he had any history of heart trouble. “My granddaughter paid dearly for her sins, and I will not see the rest of my loved ones dragged down into public ridicule. And I will not tolerate your vile insinuations.”

“Just trying to get my facts straight.” It was fascinating watching him battle for composure. He was having a rough time of it, she noted, hands shaking, chest heaving. “I’m trying to find the man who killed Sharon, senator. I assume that’s also high on your agenda.”

“Finding him won’t get her back.” He sat again, obviously exhausted by the outburst. “What’s important now is to protect what’s left. To do that, Sharon must be segregated from the other women.”

She didn’t like his opinion, but neither did she care for his color. It was still alarmingly high. “Can I get you some water, Senator DeBlass?”

He nodded, waved at her. Eve slipped into the corridor and dispensed a cup of bottled water. When she came back, his breathing was more regular, his hands a bit steadier.

“The senator has been overtaxing himself,” Rockman put in. “His Morals Bill goes before the House tomorrow. The pressure of this family tragedy is a great weight.”

“I appreciate that. I’m doing everything I can to close the case.” She tilted her head. “Political pressure is also a great weight on an investigation. I don’t care to be monitored on my personal time.”

Rockman gave her a mild smile. “I’m sorry. Could you qualify that?”

“I was monitored, and my personal relationship with a civilian reported to Chief Simpson. It’s no secret that Simpson and the senator are tight.”

“The senator and Chief Simpson have a personal and a political allegiance,” Rockman agreed. “However, it would hardly be ethical, or in the senator’s best interest, to monitor a member of the police force. I assure you, lieutenant, Senator DeBlass has been much too involved with his own grief and his responsibilities to the country to worry about your… personal relationships. It has come to our attention, however, through Chief Simpson, that you’ve had a number of liaisons with Roarke.”

“An amoral opportunist.” The senator set his cup aside with a snap. “A man who would stop at nothing to add to his own power.”

“A man,” Eve added, “who has been cleared of any connection with this investigation.”

“Money buys immunity,” DeBlass said in disgust.

“Not in this office. I’m sure you’ll request the report from the commander. In the meantime, whether or not it assuages your grief, I intend to find the man who killed your granddaughter.”

“I suppose I should commend your dedication.” DeBlass rose. “See that your dedication doesn’t jeopardize my family’s reputation.”

“What changed your mind, senator?” Eve wondered. “The first time we spoke, you threatened to have my job if I didn’t bring Sharon’s murderer to justice, and quickly.”

“She’s buried,” was all he said, and strode out.

“Lieutenant.” Rockman kept his voice low. “I will repeat that the pressure on Senator DeBlass is enormous, enough to crush a lesser man.” He let out a slow breath. “The fact is, it’s destroyed his wife. She’s had a breakdown.”

“I’m sorry.”

“The doctors don’t know if she’ll recover. This additional tragedy has his son crazed with grief; his daughter has closed herself off from her family and gone into retreat. The senator’s only hope of restoring his family is to let Sharon’s death, the horror of it, pass.”