‘Knew her, knew the setup.’
‘Had to,’ Feeney agreed. ‘I can’t find any blips on the discs from Justin Young’s building security. I’ve got them going in about one thirty, and her going out again at ten or twelve the next day. Nothing in between. But . . .’ He paused for effect. ‘He’s got a back door.’
‘What?’
‘Domestic entrance, through the kitchen to a freight elevator. No security on the freight. It goes to six other floors and the garage. Now, the garage has security, and so do the other floors. But . . .’ Another pause. ‘You can also take it to the rear utility, ground floor. The maintenance area, and security’s very spotty there.’
‘Could they have gotten out unobserved?’
‘Could have.’ Feeney slurped coffee. ‘If they knew the building, the system, and if they were careful to time the exit to avoid the sweep in maintenance.’
‘Could put a different light on their alibis. Bless you, Feeney.’
‘Yeah, well. Send money. Or just give me these muffins.’
‘They’re yours. I think we’ll have to talk to our young lovers again. We’ve got some interesting players here. Justin Young used to sleep with Pandora and is now intimately involved with Jerry Fitzgerald who is one of Pandora’s associates and her top rival for queen of the runway. Both Fitzgerald and Pandora are after a screen career. Enter Redford, producer. He’s interested in working with Fitzgerald, has worked with Young, and is sleeping with Pandora. All four of these people are partying at Pandora’s, at her invitation on the night she’s killed. Now, why would she want them there, her rival, her ex-lover, and the producer?’
‘She liked drama,’ Peabody put in. ‘She enjoyed friction.’
‘Yeah, true. She also liked causing discomfort. I wonder if she had something she wanted to rub their faces in. They were all very calm in interview,’ she recalled. ‘Very composed, very easy. Let’s see if we can shake them up.’
Eve glanced over as the panel between her offices and Roarke’s slid open.
‘It wasn’t secured,’ he said as he stopped on the threshold. ‘I’m interrupting.’
‘It’s all right. We just need to finish up.’
‘Hey, Roarke.’ Feeney toasted him with a muffin. ‘Ready to strap on the old ball and chain? Just a joke,’ he muttered when Eve scalded him with a look.
‘I think I’ll continue to hobble along well enough.’ He glanced at Peabody, lifted a brow.
‘Sorry. Officer Peabody, Roarke.’
At Eve’s introduction, he smiled, crossed the room. ‘The efficient Officer Peabody. It’s a pleasure.’
Struggling not to goggle, she accepted the hand he offered. ‘Nice to meet you.’
‘If I could steal the lieutenant for just a moment, I’ll get out of your way.’ He laid a hand on Eve’s shoulder, squeezed. When she rose to go with him, Feeney snorted.
‘You’re going to swallow your tongue, Peabody. Why is it just because a man’s got the face of a devil and the body of a god, women get all glassy-eyed?’
‘It’s hormonal,’ Peabody muttered, but she continued to watch Roarke and Eve. She’d developed an interest in relationship games recently.
‘How are you?’ Roarke asked.
‘I’m fine.’
He cupped Eve’s chin, dipped his thumb lightly in its dent. ‘I believe you’re working at it. I have some meetings in midtown this morning, but I thought you’d want this.’ He handed her a card, one of his own, with a name and address scrawled on the back. ‘It’s the off planet expert you asked about. She’ll make time for whatever you need. She already has the sample you gave to me, but would like another. Cross-testing, I believe she called it.’
‘Thanks.’ Eve slipped the card into her pocket. ‘Really.’
‘The reports from Starlight Station—’
‘Starlight Station?’ It took her a moment. ‘Christ, I forgot I asked
you. My mind’s not cued.’
‘It has a great deal to do just now. In any case, my sources tell me Pandora did quite a bit of socializing this last trip - which is usual. There didn’t seem to be anyone in particular she was interested in. At least not for more than one night.’