Reunion in Death (In Death #14)(98)

"Fifty-one percent of it. Would you like to have the rest?"

"That just lowers the probability. She doesn't want to get that close to you yet. Then again..." Eve considered. "She might get a real charge out of it. Pop in, get buffed up, pop out, all the while imagining that in a little while she'll be eliminating the guy who owns the majority share. Yeah, let's run this one."

She slammed into the same reluctance, Italian-style, with the assistant reservations clerk. "Are you having trouble reading the warrant?" Eve demanded. "It comes in a variety of languages, and one of them must be yours."

The clerk was young, gorgeous and more than a little frazzled. "No, signorina."

"Lieutenant. Lieutenant Dallas, New York City Police and Security. I am investigating multiple homicides. You may, at this moment, be harboring a murderer in your facility. How do you figure your other guests are going to feel about that?"

"Villa de Lago has very strict policies regarding guest privacy."

"You know what, I have very strict policies, too." She shot a hand out, caught Roarke in the belly as he stepped forward. She wasn't having him smooth the way. "And so does international law. Would you like me to list what the penalties are for interfering with an international warrant?"

"No, Signorina Lieutenant. I do not feel I am authorized to proceed. I would prefer you speak with the reservations manager."

"Fine. Dandy. Make it snappy."

"It would've been snappier," Roarke pointed out, "if you'd let me speak to her."

"My way, Coffee Boy."

Obliging, he poured the last of the second pot into her cup.

"Lieutenant Dallas." Another woman came on-screen. She was older, and equally gorgeous. "I am Sophia Vincenti, the reservations manager. I apologize for keeping you waiting. I have your warrant here. Please understand my assistant was only following our policy in protecting our guests from any privacy violation."

"I'd think it would be just as important to protect your guests from the possibility of dipping into the hot tub with a murderer."

"Yes. We will, of course, fulfill the demands of the warrant. You have our full cooperation. Perhaps in the interest of sparing innocent guests you could tell me the name of the party you're seeking."

"I can't be sure what name she'd be using. It's likely whatever it is, the initials are J and D."

"Just one moment... Lieutenant, we have three guests with reservations in the stated time period with those initials. Justina D'Angelo is expected next week. I know Senora D'Angelo personally. She has been a guest here many times."

"How old is she?"

"Lieutenant, this is a delicate area."

"Come on."

"She admits to fifty, and has so admitted for ten years."

"She's clear. Number two."

"Jann Drew, expected at the end of this month. She is a new guest. Let me pull up her file for you."

"This is more like it," Eve stated and sat back sipping coffee.

"Lieutenant, Ms. Drew lists her address in Copenhagen. She is booked for ten days, and will be joined by a companion for the last three."

"I'm going to have my assistant run her while you give me the data on the third."

"This is a Josephine Dorchester, and is also a new guest. She arrived only last night and is booked through tomorrow."

The back of Eve's neck prickled, and she leaned forward. "Where did she come in from?"

"She lists her U.S. address as Texas. She has our premiere accommodations. I was on duty last night when Ms. Dorchester arrived. She is very charming."

"Thirtyish, athletic build, about five foot, four inches."

"Yes, I-"

"Hold on." Eve snapped the 'link to wait mode. "Josephine Dorchester," she called to Roarke. "Texas. Run her fast, get me her passport ID. It's her. I know it's her."

"On your wall screen," Roarke responded as he came back in from his office. "You've locked her, Lieutenant."

Eve watched as Julianna's image, still blonde, still blue-eyed, flashed on-screen.

"Hello, Julianna." Eve switched the 'link back. "Okay, Signorina Vincenti, listen carefully."

...

Fifteen minutes later, Eve's teeth were bared as she snarled threats at the Italian police. "I don't care what time it is, I don't care how long it takes you to get there, I don't give a damn if you're short-staffed."

"Lieutenant, I cannot make a move without a proper warrant, and even then, it will take some time. Such matters are very delicate. The woman you seek is a U.S. citizen. We cannot arrest and hold a citizen of the United States simply on the request of an American police officer via a 'link transmission."

"You'll have your paperwork within the hour. You could be there within the hour and pick her up as soon as it's in your hand."

"This is not proper procedure. This is not America."

"You're telling me. Stand by. I'll get back to you." She broke transmission, surged to her feet. "How fast can we get there?"

"Knowing the meanderings of red tape, faster than your Italian counterpart will."