“What were you doing?” Tracy repeated.
“What do you think we were doing? Playing Scrabble? Dear oh dear, poor Tracy. Has it really been that long?” Elizabeth laughed. “I’m not a nun and Jeff’s certainly no monk. We were enjoying ourselves. You interrupted us in London all those years ago. So let’s just say we made up for lost time. I’m not in business with Jeff. Our relationship is based purely on pleasure.”
The pain seared through Tracy like a hot poker. It wasn’t just Jeff, although God knew the thought of him with this cold, calculating, horrendous woman hurt like hell. It was the embarrassment. The shame. The truth was, it had been that long. After Jeff’s betrayal, Nicholas had filled the void left in Tracy’s heart. But the sexual side of her, the romantic, passionate life that had once meant so much to her? That had gone forever. Elizabeth Kennedy had taken it from her. That was what Tracy couldn’t forgive. It was that that made today a victory for Elizabeth, not for her. Elizabeth might be going to jail. But it was Tracy who was serving a life sentence with no parole.
With a huge effort of will, she managed to control her emotions.
“You say you care about Jeff. If that’s true, you should want to help clear his name.”
Elizabeth frowned. “I don’t follow.”
“Everyone knows you work with a partner.”
“Who’s everyone?”
“This is me you’re talking to,” said Tracy. “At least three of the jobs you pulled off could not possibly have been done alone. I know that for a fact.”
“And which three might those be? Hypothetically, of course. Your friends on the other side of that glass have nothing on me other than what they discovered tonight.” Elizabeth waved mockingly at the mirror. “Let’s not insult each other’s intelligence by pretending otherwise.”
Tracy said, deadpan, “Hong Kong, Chicago and Lima.”
Elizabeth nodded but said nothing.
“What if Rizzo’s right and your partner is the one killing these girls?”
“He isn’t right.”
“Are you sure? Because someone is killing them, Elizabeth. After each of your jobs. For all we know, he might be out there right now, looking for his next target.”
Elizabeth looked thoughtful. There was a long pause. Jean Rizzo held his breath.
Then Elizabeth said, “Let’s say I have a partner. And let’s say I give you his name. What do I get in return?”
“You don’t get anything,” said Tracy. “Other than clearing Jeff of suspicion and potentially saving another woman’s life.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No deal. I want my lawyer here and a plea deal in place. I’ll serve no more than a year for tonight’s robbery. Sorry. Attempted robbery.” She bowed dramatically to the audience behind the mirror. “No other charges will be brought against me.”
Tracy burst out laughing. “You’re out of your mind! They’ll never agree to that.”
“Then they don’t get their name.”
The door opened. Jean Rizzo asked Tracy to step out.
In the anteroom, Tracy told the assembled agents, “You heard her. I tried, but without a deal she won’t talk. Not yet, anyway.”
Milton Buck looked at his boss.“I say give her the deal.”
Tracy’s eyes widened. “What? No! Are you insane? You’d let her walk away from this?”
“She’s the monkey. I want the organ grinder.”
“I agree.” Jean Rizzo’s voice was low but firm. “I’m sorry, Tracy, but Buck’s right. Elizabeth Kennedy hasn’t killed anyone. It’s her partner we need.”
In desperation, Tracy turned to Special Agent Soltan. “You can have both. She’ll give you that name if you keep up the pressure. Maybe trade it for a shorter sentence . . . But a year? And dropping all charges? You’re just rolling over. She’s playing you! All we need is a little time.”
“We don’t have time,” said Jean. “What if he’s in New York right now? He could kill again in hours.”