‘This is becoming an unfortunate habit, Lieutenant.’ Redford took his seat at the interview table. ‘I’m expected in New Los Angeles in a few hours. I trust you won’t inconvenience me long.’
‘I believe in backing up my data. Wouldn’t want anything or anyone to slip through the cracks.’
She glanced toward the corner where Peabody stood, looking her officious best in full uniform. On the other side of the glass, Eve knew, Whitney and the prosecutor watched every move. She nailed it down here, or very likely, she’d be nailed herself.
She took her seat, nodded to the hologram of Redford’s chosen counsel. Obviously, neither Redford nor his attorney believed the situation was serious enough to warrant an in-the-flesh representation. ‘Counselor, you have the transcript of your client’s statements?’
‘I do.’ The pinstriped, tough-eyed image folded his manicured hands. ‘My client has cooperated fully with you and your department, Lieutenant. We agree to this interview only to finalize the matter.’
You agreed to it because you don’t have a choice, she thought, but kept her face bland. ‘Your cooperation is noted, Mr. Redford. You have stated that you were acquainted with Pandora, that you had a casual and intimate relationship.’
‘That’s correct.’
‘Were you also involved in any business dealings with her?’
‘I produced two direct-to-home screen videos in which Pandora played a part. Another was under consideration.’
‘Were these projects successful?’
‘Moderately.’
‘And outside of these projects, did you have any other business dealings with the deceased?’
‘None.’ A faint smile touched his mouth. ‘Other than a small speculative investment.’
‘A small speculative investment?’
‘She claimed to have been laying groundwork for her own fashion and beauty line. Of course, she needed backers and I was i
ntrigued enough to invest.’
‘You gave her money?’
‘Yes, over the course of the last year and a half, I invested just over three hundred thousand.’
Found a way to cover your ass, Eve noted, and leaned back in her chair. ‘What’s the status of this fashion and beauty line you claim the deceased was implementing?’
‘It has no status, Lieutenant.’ He lifted his hands, let them fall. ‘I was duped. It wasn’t until after her death that I discovered there was no line, no other backers, no product.’
‘I see. You’re a successful producer, a money man. You must have asked her for a prospectus, figures, expenses, projected earnings. Perhaps a sample of the products.’
‘No.’ His mouth tightened as he looked down at his hands. ‘I did not.’
‘You expect me to believe that you just handed her money for a projected line you had no information on?’
‘It’s embarrassing.’ He lifted his eyes again. ‘I have a reputation in the business, and if this information gets out, that reputation would certainly suffer.’
‘Lieutenant,’ the counselor interrupted. ‘My client’s reputation is a valuable asset. This asset will be damaged if this data goes beyond the parameters of this investigation. I can and will secure a gag order on this portion of his statement to protect his interests.’
‘Go right ahead. This is quite a story, Mr. Redford. Now, do you want to tell me why a man with your reputation, your assets, would commit three hundred thousand dollars to an investment that didn’t exist?’
‘Pandora was a persuasive woman, a beautiful one. She was also clever. She skirted around my request for projections and figures. I justified the continued payments because I felt she was an expert in the field.’
‘And you didn’t learn of her duplicity until after her death.’
‘I made some inquiries - contacted her business agent, her representative.’ He puffed out his cheeks and nearly succeeded in looking sheepish. ‘No one knew anything about the line.’
‘When did you make these inquiries?’