“Appearances can count. One of these days, you might consider replacing that desk of yours with a workstation like this one.”
She frowned at the dark, shiny surface of the U-shaped console, its built-in D and C unit and sleek control panel.
“I like my desk.”
“Yes, I know.” He kissed her lightly, then pointed to a table at the rear of the room. “Have a sandwich.”
“We have sandwiches?”
“Eat. You can station yourself at the desk, if you like. Knowing you, I assume you’ll be on your feet most of the time. Your interview subject can be placed at any chair, or the sofa. The unit here, and the wall screen are both fully op
erational should you need them.”
Slick, she thought. Very slick. “It has to be recorded.”
“It will be.”
Because he pointed at the table again, she picked up a sandwich. “Let’s bring Peabody in first.”
He nodded, used his own ’link.
“Peabody.” Peabody’s face went glowy at the sight of Roarke. “Oh, hey. Hi!”
“Hi. The lieutenant would like you to join us.”
“Okay. Wow. I’ve never holo’d before.”
“I’ll be gentle,” he said and made her giggle. “There. I have you. Initiating.”
Little dots of lights swirled, then the swirl became Peabody.
“Oh. Gee. That was easy. It didn’t feel weird.” She looked around, blinking. “It is weird, but it didn’t feel weird. What’s that?”
“What? It’s a sandwich.”
“Oh, it’s a panini. It really looks good.”
“There’s more over there. Help yourself.”
“Thanks.” Peabody turned to the table, reached out, and her hand passed straight through sandwich and tray. “That was just mean. I can’t help myself because I’m not really here. But I am here. I don’t understand holo-science. Every time McNab tries to explain it to me, my brain goes to sleep.”
“Let’s leave that to the geeks and be cops. Finish the contacts, get the waivers. I’ll connect with the PD again, then we’ll bring her in.”
It was weird, Eve admitted, but it was also smooth and efficient. In moments, she had the former public defender sitting in her programmed office.
“I appreciate the time, Ms. Drobski.”
“It’s no problem. I’d like to get this business resolved as soon as possible. It’s unnerving.”
“I’m sure it is. Your safety, and the safety of your family is a priority.”
“You have viable evidence that I—or my family—is being targeted? Evidence that substantially links this jeopardy to a defendant I represented more than twenty years ago?”
“You’re thinking like a lawyer. I’m thinking like a cop. Which one do you want to trust your life to, and the lives of your family?”
The woman shifted either in discomfort or annoyance. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
“You were shown an artist rendering of the suspect. Are you still certain you’ve never seen this man before? On screen image, Darrin Pauley.”