Memory in Death (In Death 22)

“I don’t understand.”

“We’re not finding anything with those numbers. Actually, there are too many numbers. Do you think you could’ve gotten them mixed up, or added some?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Her hands fluttered up from her lap. “I was so sure. I kept repeating them over and over, like he said to. I even said them in my head after… after he left. But I was so scared. What should we do? What can I do?”

“We could try hypnosis.” Eve took a sip of coffee, met Mira’s eyes over the cup. “That’s another reason I brought Dr. Mira by today, so you could meet her, feel comfortable with her if we went this route. Dr. Mira often assists the department with this kind of thing.”

“It could be helpful.” Mira picked up the ball. “We could, under hypnosis, take you back to the abduction, take you through it, while making certain you feel safe and secure.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I just don’t know. Hypnosis.” She reached up, tangling her fingers in the trio of thin gold chains she wore around her neck. “I don’t know. The idea scares me some. I need to think about it. It’s hard right now to think of anything but Bobby.”

“It would be a way to help us find whoever killed Bobby’s mother.” Eve pressed a little harder. “And knowing the person responsible has been identified, apprehended, and will pay for what was done helps the healing process. Dr. Mira?”

“Yes, that’s very true. Why don’t I send you some information so you can see how this is approached? Help you understand the process a little better.”

“That’d be okay, I guess. But gosh, I don’t know. Just the thought of going through that again, even in my mind. It really scares me. I’m not strong like you,” she said to Eve. “I’m just ordinary.”

“Ordinary people do extraordinary things, every day.” But Mira smiled, rose. “I’ll get you that information, Zana, and I’d be happy to talk with you again, if you think I can help.”

“Thank you so very much. Thank you. Both of you.” Zana got to her feet, held out both her hands to Eve. “It means a lot to know you’re working so hard for us.”

“I’ll be in touch. I’ll arrange for transportation to the hospital. Someone will call up when it’s here. I’m going to try to get by to see Bobby, but if I don’t make it, give him my best.”

“I will.”

Eve waited until they were on the elevator. “What’s your take?”

“I don’t know how helpful I’m going to be to you. Her actions and reactions are well within the expected range. Her responses plausible. I will say that—with your voice niggling in my ear—they were a bit too textbook. But the textbook was written simply because of these actions and reactions to trauma and violence.”

“She balked at hypnosis.”

“So do you,” Mira pointed out. “It’s often the first reaction to the suggestion.”

“Me going under isn’t going to help find a killer. If she’d agreed to it, I’d‘ve lost a million-dollar bet with myself. She had popcorn last night.”

“Comfort food.”

“And a bottle of wine’s in there, nearly empty.”

“I’d be surprised if she hadn’t had a few drinks.”

“You’re right,” Eve said irritably. “You’re not being helpful. She had herself a big, fat breakfast, and I’m betting she hit room service for a nice meal last night.”

“Not everyone goes off food with stress. People often use food as comfort, often overeating, in fact, to compensate. It can swing either way, Eve. We both know what you’ve got is instinct, and no evidence. Not even circumstantial at this point.”

“Shit. See if I give you a ride home next time.”

Eve got off the elevator, headed straight for security. “Have you got those room service orders?”

“I do. Nothing from your men. Our guest ordered roast chicken with new potatoes and carrots. She also had a starter of crab salad, and ended with key lime pie. A bottle of merlot went with that, as well as a bottle of spring water.”

“Good appetite,” Eve commented.

“Yeah. Sounds like she’s working to keep her strength up.”

Eve heard the cynicism, appreciated it. “I’m going to want a record of any calls she made on the room ‘link.”

“I thought you would. Three outgoing. One to the hospital last evening, two to the hospital this morning. No incoming.”