Survivor In Death (In Death #20)(75)

“Roger Kirkendall.” Eve showed her badge.

She smiled, showing white, even teeth. “I'm sorry, Mr. Kirkendall isn't with us. May I inquire as to the nature of your business?”

“No. Where is he?”

“I believe Mr. Kirkendall is traveling.” Despite the clipped response, the woman's tone never altered. “Perhaps you'd like to speak with Mr. Lu, his partner. Should I inform Mr. Lu that you'd like to speak with him?”

“Do that.” She turned, rescanned the room. “Pretty kicked for a dojo. Must do a hell of a business. Not bad for former Army.”

“Mr. Lu will come out and escort you. May I serve you some refreshments? Green tea, spring water?”

“No, we're good. How long have you worked here?”

“I've been employed in this capacity for three years.”

“So you know Kirkendall.”

“I have not had the pleasure of meeting him.”

One of the screens slid open. The man who came out wore a black gi, with the black belt around it scored in a way that told Eve he was a master.

He was no more than five-eight in his bare feet. Like the woman, his head was hairless. And like her, he put his palms together and bowed.

“You are welcome here. You inquire about Mr. Kirkendall. Do you require privacy?”

“Never hurts.”

“Please, then.” He gestured to the opening. “We will speak in my office. I am Lu,” he told them as he escorted them down a narrow white hallway.

“Dallas, Lieutenant. Peabody, Detective. NYPSD. What are these rooms?”

“We offer privacy rooms for meditation.” He bowed to a white robed man who carried a white pot of tea and two handleless cups on a tray.

Eve watched the man slip through one of the sliding screens and close it behind him.

She caught the sounds of hand-to-hand ahead. The slap of flesh, the thud of bodies, the hiss of breath. Saying nothing, she moved passed Lu and walked to another opening.

The studio spread out, in sections. In one she saw a class of six executing the sharp, silent movements of an elaborate and graceful kata. In another, several students of various ranks fought under the supervision of another black belt.

“We instruct in tai chi, karate, tai kwon do, aikido,” Lu began. “Other forms and methods as well. We offer instruction to novices and continuing instruction and practice to the experienced.”

“You offer anything but tea and meditation in those privacy room?”

“Yes. We offer spring water.” He neither smiled nor seemed insulted by the question. “If you would like to examine one of our meditation rooms, not currently in use, I would only request you remove your boots before entering.”

“We'll leave that for now.”

He led her through another doorway, into a small, efficient, and attractive office. More low tables and cushions. Painted screens on the walls, a single white orchid bowing out of a red pot.

His desk space was stringently ordered with its compact d and c unit and a miniature 'link.

“Would you care to sit?”

“Standing's fine. I need to speak with Kirkendall.”

“He's traveling.”

“Where?”

“I can't tell you. He is, to my knowledge, traveling extensively.”

“You don't know how to reach your partner?”

“I'm afraid I don't. Is there a problem that involves my business?”

“He lists this as his address on his official data.”

“He does not live at this address.” Lu's voice remained smooth and untroubled. “There is no residence here. I fear there is some mistake.”

“When's the last time you spoke with him?”

“Six years ago.”

“Six years? You haven't spoken with your partner in six years.”

“That is correct. Mr. Kirkendall approached me with a business opportunity that I found interesting. At that time I owned a small dojo in Okinawa. I was afforded this by some success in tournaments and instructional discs.”

“Lu. The Dragon. I recognized you.”

There was the faintest of smiles, the slightest of bows. “I am honored.”

“You kicked some serious ass. Three-time Olympic gold medalist, world record holder. They use some of your vids at the Academy.”

“You are interested in the art?”

“Yeah, especially when it's executed by a master. You were undefeated, Master Lu.”

“The gods favored me.”

“Your signature flying kick didn't hurt either.”

A gleam of humor brightened his eyes. “It occasionally hurt my opponent.”

“Bet. What business opportunity did Kirkendall bring to you?”

“Partnership, with considerable funds, this location, and the freedom to operate this school personally. His money, my expertise and reputation. I accepted.”

“You don't consider it odd that he hasn't come to check up on you in six years?”

“He wished to travel and not to be encumbered by business. He is, I believe, eccentric.”

“How does he get his cut?”

“The business reports and figures are sent to him electronically, as is his share of the profits, which goes to an account in Zurich. I am sent confirmation of the receipt of these. Has there been some difficulty with the funds and their transfer?”