Echoes in Death (In Death #44)(108)

“Fix this.” Kyle turned on his lawyer. “Now. I’m not going to sit here and listen to this bullshit.”

“Lieutenant, I’d like another moment to consult with—”

“I don’t want to consult,” Kyle exploded. “I said fix this, and fix it now.”

“Lieutenant, I require time to speak to my client off this record.”

Eve shrugged, rose. “Dallas and Peabody exiting Interview. Record off.”

Peabody blew out a breath. “He really thinks the lawyer can just wave a magic lawyer wand and make it all go away.”

“Because it happened that way before. He gets in a little jam, somebody takes care of it. A bigger jam, somebody fixes it. I expect we’ll uncover a lot of that.”

“The thing is, the lawyer looks shocked, but not really surprised.”

“Good eye, Detective. He is shocked, but as it comes out, bit by bit, he’s starting to think of things, remember comments or gestures or behavior. Maybe he remembers funneling money to a woman who cried rape or abuse, a woman he probably didn’t believe at the time. Or he believed her, but tidied it all up for his client.”

Eve stepped aside when Drummond came out.

“Ready?”

“I … I am no longer Mr. Knightly’s attorney of record.”

“Probably a smart move on your part.”

“His choice, not mine. Still, I’ve never handled a capital case. Kyle … he needs an attorney experienced in capital crimes. He needs a psychiatric evaluation. He—”

“You’re not his lawyer,” Eve reminded him. “He’s entitled to one, as experienced as he can get. He will be evaluated. Excuse me.” She stepped back to the door, glanced back at him. “How many women? How many did you pay off after he raped them?”

Drummond merely shook his head. He looked sick, Eve thought, physically ill. But he shook his head and walked away.

She went into Interview.

“Record on. Dallas and Peabody reentering Interview. Mr. Knightly, have you dismissed your attorney?”

“Dismissed? I fired his useless ass.”

“Do you wish to contact and engage other legal representation at this time?”

“Oh, I’ll get legal representation.” Contempt rolled through his voice, glittered in his sneer. “I’ll get the best lawyers out there, believe it.”

“Do you wish to contact a lawyer at this time?”

“I need to do some research, conduct interviews.”

“Very well. Peabody, arrange for Mr. Knightly to be taken back to his cell.”

“Bullshit. Bullshit. Bullshit! I want a hearing.” He jabbed a finger on the table. “I want a goddamn hearing, I want bail, and I want out. Now.”

“None of those things are going to happen. You can bring Mr. Drummond back in to represent you, contact another lawyer or representative, waive your right to legal representation at this time and talk to us, or go back to your cell. That’s the full menu.”

“I know my rights.”

“You should, we’ve read them to you twice. And I don’t believe we’re the first. Where in there does it say Kyle gets to go home because he wants to?”

“You think you’re smart.” He let out a crack of a laugh. “You think swaggering around with a weapon and an attitude makes you sexy? Durn played you sexy. It’s called acting.”

“Choose. Lawyer, another lawyer, waive the lawyer and continue the interview, or go back to your cell.”

“I’m not going back to any cell. Sit down. And you.” He pointed at Peabody. “Go find somebody who knows what they’re doing around here and get me a hearing.”

“No.”

His nostrils actually flared. “What did you say?”

“No. Anyhow, are you waiving your right to legal representation at this time? Because otherwise, you’re heading back, and I can go grab a snack. I missed lunch.”

“Ha ha. You’re the funny one, right? Nothing funny about you. And you need to lose ten pounds.”

“Ouch.” Peabody looked at Eve, made exaggerating sniffing noises.

“Waive legal counsel at this time,” Eve snapped. “Yes or no. Any word other than yes, I take as a no and you’re in a cell.”

“Yes.” A note of panic escaped before he sat back, shrugged. “Why the hell not? It’s not like you two worry me. Get me a drink,” he told Peabody.

“Gee, I’d be happy to. Would you like me to make you a martini?”

“Could you?” Knightly said with a fresh sneer. “Make it a ginger ale, on ice, twist of lime.”

With a snort, and a nod from Eve, Peabody left the room.

“Peabody exiting Interview. Where do you want to start, Kyle, at the beginning or at the end?”

“You’ve barely got tits and a teenage boy’s ass. Still … How many of the brass did you have to fuck to make it to lieutenant?”

“But we’re not here to talk about my sexual habits, Kyle. This is all about you. You’re the star of the show. This whole place is buzzing about you. I’ve never seen anything like it, not even during the Icove mess.”

She paused a moment, gave him a thoughtful study. “Jesus, Nadine’s going to be all over this, probably get another book, another vid out of it, especially with the whole Oscar deal right now. I mean, look at you.”