Dark in Death (In Death 46)

A woman, dark hair coiled at the nape, some sort of magnifier hanging from a fancy chain around her neck, came out of the back, started toward a station.

She spotted Eve and Peabody, shifted direction.

She looked to be about sixty, Eve judged, with perfect makeup and a trim black jacket over pegged pants.

She wore sensible shoes.

“I’m very sorry, this is an employees-only work area. Can I escort you back to the store?”

Eve drew out her badge. “We need to speak with the supervisor.”

“You are. I’m Conchita Gomez. How can I help you?”

“Lieutenant Dallas, Detective Peabody. You once employed an Ann Elizabeth Smith.”

“That’s correct. Ms. Smith left Dobb’s employ several months ago. May I ask what this is in reference to?”

“We’re looking for Ms. Smith for questioning regarding an investigation.”

Gomez kept her voice low, under the hum of machines. “Your badge said Homicide.”

“That’s correct.”

“Is Ann a suspect in a murder?”

“We need to locate Ms. Smith.”

“I don’t know how to help you. She did good work here, was paid well. When she handed in her notice, I was surprised, and asked her if there was a problem. She only said she had other priorities and needs. I offered to request a raise for her, but she refused, in her way.”

“Her way?”

“Head down. ‘Thank you, but I’ll finish my current alterations before I leave.’ I hated to lose her, as her work was exemplary.”

“And otherwise?”

“Painfully shy, I suppose. She didn’t mix well. I run an efficient department, and we can be extremely busy. But good working conditions, community, contented employees help foster that good work and efficiency. Ann was efficient and creative. I wouldn’t describe her as content.”

“Any outbursts?”

“From Ann?” Gomez patted at the coil at the nape of her neck. “Absolutely no. Although I sensed something simmering in her silence. She rarely spoke to anyone.”

“Where’d she work?”

“Last station, left. I know she did side work. Most of them do. I look the other way as long as it doesn’t interfere with the work assigned here.”

“Do you know specific customers? It could be important,” Eve added when Gomez hesitated.

“I can’t say I know, but I certainly have an opinion.”

“I’d like a list of your opinions.”

Dark eyes registered surprise, but the voice stayed smooth. “All right. Let me look through my files and compile that for you. It is opinion, not concrete.”

“Understood. I’d like to talk to the other seamstresses.”

“Not all of them knew her. Ming, in Ann’s former station, came on after Ann had left. And Della only last month after our cherished CeCe retired. First station, right.”

“If I could interrupt the work for just a few minutes.”