Strangers in Death (In Death #26)(106)

“Take us through it.”

“It had to be late at night. After midnight, but before one. I’d use the remote to shut down the security, then I’d use the passcode and go inside. I—I had to seal up first. Straight up the stairs, to the bedroom. The door would be closed, and he’d be sleeping facing the door. He’d have taken a sleeping pill because she’d replaced his nightly vitamins with them. I had to…I had to take off his pajamas, use the rope—the rope she told me to buy—on his wrists and his ankles. I was supposed to give him a dose of male sex enhancer, and…God, put the rings on him, and some of the lotion. Set out the toys. He’d wake up some, and that was good. I’d see what it was like. It would make it better for all of us. Then I was to put the rope around his neck, tighten it. Watch, watch until I knew he was dead.”

She drank again, three small sips. “I was supposed to take it off after, the rope, but leave it there. Then go down, through the house, through the kitchen, and take the security tapes. That would make it look like I’d been there before, that it was all an accident—like it was his own fault. I was supposed to walk out, turn everything back on—the security, then walk all the way to the subway on Fifth.”

“What about the ’link, the discs?”

“She was to contact me on it at two. It was supposed to be done by two, but it wasn’t. I couldn’t…Then she called, and she was so angry. So I did it. I did what she said, except I couldn’t stand the idea of him knowing, and I used the medication I’d gotten from the doctor to help me sleep, and I couldn’t watch him die, so I ran out.”

“Where’s the ’link, the discs, the remote?”

“I was supposed to put them in a recycler on Fifth. But I forgot. I can’t even remember getting on the subway, but I must have because I was home. I didn’t remember about them until the next day, after my kids came home from school. They stayed at a friend’s the night before, because I couldn’t leave them alone. And I guess I always knew I’d do what she told me. I was afraid to put them in a recycler near the house. I was afraid to keep them in the house. I didn’t know what to do. I shoved the bag in the closet because I couldn’t think. ”

“Do you still have them?”

“I was going to take them to the park today, where the kids practice. I was going to put them in the recycler there. But you came.”

Eve signaled Baxter, who rose and strode out of the room. “Detective Baxter has left Interview. Has she contacted you again, Suzanne?”

“No, not since that night—that morning. It’s like a dream. I was walking, walking—after—and she called on the ’link. She said: ‘Well?’ And I said I’d done it. And she said, ‘Good girl.’ That’s all. ‘Good girl,’ like I’d finished my chores. I killed him. I know he was a monster, but I think she’s one, too.”

“You think?”

“What’s going to happen now? Can you tell me what’s going to happen now?”

“We’re going to go back over the details. What kind of vehicle did she drive?”

“A black one.”

“Do better.”

“It was black and shiny. Expensive. I don’t know about cars. I’ve never had a car.”

“When you were walking with her, the day you were going to the market, did you see anyone you know?”

“I don’t know many people. Ned didn’t like—”

“Stop it,” Eve said sharply, and Suzanne jerked straight. “You know your neighbors, at least by sight, the people who run the market, your children’s friends, their parents.”

“I guess I do. I don’t remember. I was so surprised to see her, and Ned had just…”

“No one spoke to you?”

“Just Ava. It was really cold, and I was looking down—the way you do.”

The way you do, Eve thought. “Was the car on the street or in a lot?”

“A lot. An auto lot.”

“Which way did you walk?”

“Ah, um…West because we went right by the market, and then we crossed after a few blocks, and walked north. I think maybe on Seventh. Maybe. I’m not sure.”

“Which rest stop did she use?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know. They all look the same, don’t they? I was sick.”

“How long were you gone? No, don’t give me that ‘I don’t know shit,’ Suzanne. What time did you leave for the market?”

“About nine-thirty.”

“What time did you get home?”

“It was almost noon. I had to take the bus. She dropped me at the transpo center across from the tunnel, and gave me bus fare. I had to take the bus back.”

“How long did you wait for the bus?”

“Only a few minutes. I got lucky. I got off and walked back to the market. Mr. Isaacs said how he thought I wasn’t coming in that day.”

“Mr. Isaacs?”

“He runs the market, and I always go on Mondays, before ten. He said how I looked tired, how I should try to get some rest, and he gave me pop treats for the kids. I forgot that. He gave me treats for the kids. He’s a nice man. He and his wife run the market. I went home, and I put everything away, and I thought, ‘None of this is happening. It’s not real.’ Then I got sick again, because it was. I have to tell my kids. I don’t know how.”