Born in Death (In Death 23)

“Bet your ass. That guy had guilt and fear plastered all over him. Could be we’ll find he’s just cheating on his wife or wearing women’s underwear.”

“Or both if he’s cheating with his admin. She’s definitely the alpha male in that duet.”

“You got that right. Stupid to lie about knowing Copperfield, and he was.”

“Puffed up. You know,” Peabody continued when Eve lifted a brow. “I’m too important to know the little people. And it’s a way of distancing himself from the big stew.”

“Big stew being murder.” She got behind the wheel, tapped her fingers on it. “They weren’t prepared. Never considered the cops would question them, so they went with first instinct. Deny everything. Let’s see if we can track down Lordes McDermott, get another angle on this.”

Peabody pulled out her PPC to get an address. “Got a place on Riverside Drive.”

“’Link number?”

“Right here.”

“Try it first. Let’s make sure she’s home, or where she might be if not.”

Lordes McDermott was not only home, but appeared to have no problem having her day interrupted by the police.

They were escorted into her home by a uniformed maid, and through a wide, two-story atrium into a spacious sitting room done in a bold contemporary style with flashing color, glinting metallics, and glittering glass.

Lordes looked comfortably at home in New York black, soft boots, dull gold jewelry. Her hair was short, near the color of a ripe eggplant, and worn with short, spiky bangs over a pair of sapphire eyes.

On the low glass table was a skinny white pot, three oversized white mugs, and a white triangular platter loaded with donuts.

“Don’t tell me cops, coffee, and donuts is a cliché.”

“It’s a cliché for a reason. Lieutenant Dallas, Detective Peabody.”

“Have a seat. You must be here about Bick and his Natalie. I’m damn sick about it. He was a lovely guy.”

“When did you last see him?”

“December fifteenth.”

“Good memory,” Eve commented.

“No, not really. I looked it up when I heard about what happened. We had a wrapping-up year-end business meeting right before the holidays. Here in this room, actually. He was a nice guy.”

“Did you know Ms. Copperfield?”

“I met her a few times. Bick brought her to a couple of dinner meetings at my request. I like knowing who the people handling my business are involved with. I liked her, too. They had that nice glow on together, anticipation. How would you like your coffee?”

“Black, thanks.”

“Light and sweet for me,” Peabody added.

“Are you talking to all of Bick’s clients?” Lordes asked. She poured the coffee with the gold wedding band on her hand gleaming. “I was surprised when you contacted me.”

“We’re talking to a lot of people. In fact, we’ve just come from speaking to Walter Cavendish. He’s a relative of yours, isn’t he?”

“Second cousin.” She wrinkled her nose, just a fraction, just an instant. Another tell, Eve thought. Lordes doesn’t much care for Walter.

“My cousin—Walter’s father—is one of the partners in the firm, London-based. I think that makes us second cousins,” she said with a thoughtful little frown. “Whatever, it’s one of those things. Help yourself to those donuts. I’m going to.” To prove it, she selected one loaded with colorful jimmies.

“Was it your connection with your uncle that sent you to the accounting firm, and then to Bick?”

“Mmm.” Lordes nodded, mouth full. “God, these are obscene. They’ve handled my financial affairs for years. After Miles died—the idiot—I inherited another bundle. I just let it all lay for a while, huddled in Europe. Then when I came back, I asked for a young, savvy account manager. I got Bick—and he was.”