Judgment in Death (In Death 11)

“What is your connection with Detective Taj Kohli?”

“Kohli?” He continued to smile, the hard glitter bright in his eyes. “I’m afraid that name doesn’t ring a bell. I do have acquaintance with many in your profession, Lieutenant. I am a strong supporter of the men and women who serve. But that particular name. . . Wait, wait.”

He rubbed a finger against his lips, and damn him, she heard the light chuckle. “Kohli, yes, of course. I heard about the tragedy. He was killed recently, wasn’t he?”

“Kohli was on the task force that busted your New York warehouse and cost you several million dollars in goods.”

“Mr. Ricker was never legally connected to the warehouse, labs, or distribution center in New York City, which was discovered by and closed down by the New York City Police and Security Department. We object to the statement claiming otherwise being read into this record.”

The lawyer’s voice droned, but neither Ricker nor Eve bothered to glance in his direction.

“It’s most unfortunate that your Detective Kohli was killed, Lieutenant. Am I to be questioned every time a police officer meets a tragic end? It could be construed as additional harassment.”

“No, it couldn’t, as the request for this interview was granted without condition.” Now she smiled. “I’m sure your fleet of lawyers will verify that. Kohli worked details, Mr. Ricker. He was good at details. As a businessman, and man of the world, I’m sure you’ll agree that the truth is in them—and the truth has a way of surfacing, no matter how deep it’s buried. It just takes the right person to dig it out. I have a real fondness for the truth and a serious objection to having a fellow officer executed. So finding that truth, and finding the person who killed Kohli—or arranged for it—is going to be a personal mission of mine.”

“I’m sure it offends you to have had your colleague murdered, and brutally, in an establishment owned by your husband.” Excitement jangled in his voice, just a little off-key. “Sticky, isn’t it, Lieutenant? For both of you. Is that why you’re troubling me with veiled accusations rather than calling your own husband into Interview?”

“I didn’t say the murder was brutal or that it took place in an establishment owned by Roarke. How did you come by that information, Mr. Ricker?”

For the first time, he appeared flustered, his stare going blank, his mouth drooping. All six lawyers began talking at once, a buzz of noise that was no more than cover and wasted air. It gave Ricker time to compose himself.

“I make it my business to know things, Lieutenant. My business. I was informed that there was an incident at one of your husband’s properties.”

“Informed by who?”

“Another associate, I believe.” He waved a hand idly, but it curled into a fist before it rested on the arm of the chair again. “I can’t recall. Is it against the law to have that information? I collect information. A kind o

f hobby. Information on people who interest me. Such as yourself. I’m aware, you see, that you were raised by the state, found in considerable distress when you were but a child of eight.”

His hand uncurled as he spoke, but his eyes grew brighter. Hungrier, Eve thought. Like a man anticipating a particularly fine meal.

“Raped, weren’t you, and quite violently. It must be difficult to live with a trauma such as that, to reconcile yourself to such viciously stolen innocence. You don’t even have your own name, do you, but one given to you by a harried social worker. Eve, a rather sentimental choice, indicating the first woman. And Dallas, a practical one, reflecting the city where you were discovered, broken, bruised, and all but mute in a filthy alley.”

It did the job. It took her back, slicked her insides with illness, chilled her bones. But she never took her eyes off his face. Never flinched. “We play the cards we were dealt. I collect information, too. Mostly on people who disturb my sense of style. Dig up all the data you want on me, Ricker. It’ll only help you get a good, clear picture of just who you’re up against this time. Kohli’s mine now, and I’ll find the who and why and how for him. Depend on it. Interview end,” she said, and picked up her recorder.

Even as his lawyers erupted with warnings and objections, Ricker clicked off the hologram. If possible, he was paler than he’d been when she’d come in. “Be careful, Lieutenant. Those who threaten me meet unpleasant ends.”

“Look at my data again, Ricker, and you’ll see the unpleasant doesn’t worry me.”

He rose as she did, took a step forward in a way that had her bracing and hoping, hoping he’d lose control just for an instant. An instant would be long enough. “You think you can pit yourself against me? You think your badge is power.” He snapped his fingers in front of her face. “Like that, you can be gone and forgotten.”

“Try it. And see.”

Muscles worked in his face, but he drew himself back. “Perhaps you believe, mistakenly, that your connection to Roarke will protect you. He’s weak, gone soft and sentimental, and over a cop. I had plans for him once. I have different ones now.”

“You’d better take a closer look at your data, Ricker, and you’ll see I don’t and never have needed anyone to protect me. But I’ll tell you this: Roarke’s going to get a real kick out of knowing just how much you fear him. We’ll have a good laugh over it, over you, later.”

When she turned, he grabbed her arm. Her heart leapt in anticipation as she looked up coolly. “Oh, please do,” she murmured.

His fingers dug in once, viciously, the nails drilling into her flesh before they released. Control? she thought. No, he wasn’t nearly as controlled as he believed he was.

“I’ll show you out.”

“I know the way. You’d better get to work, Ricker, make sure you’ve covered your tracks. I’m going to be turning up every rock you crawl under. I’m going to enjoy it.”

She strolled out, unsurprised to see the servant droid hovering close by and smiling homily. “I hope you enjoyed your visit, Lieutenant Dallas. I’ll see you to the door.”

As she walked away, Eve heard the unmistakable sound of glass smashing.