The Steel Kiss (Lincoln Rhyme 12)

"And what's that?" Holbrook asked.

"You were courteous enough to suggest we might pursue other defendants, though none of those worked out."

The in-house counsel sounded wary as he said, "No, I didn't think that seemed likely. After all, Midwest Conveyance was the company that was responsible. I admitted that. And I'm sorry we aren't able to help your client, the widow."

"Didn't seem likely," she echoed. "Still, you never suggested the one company that might be a viable defendant."

Silence.

"You know whom I'm talking about, don't you?"

"What's your point, Ms. Archer?"

"That you didn't tell us about the second switch that opens the access panel."

"Second switch?" His tone suggested he was stalling.

"That's my question, Mr. Holbrook. Who makes it? How does it work? We need to know."

"I really can't help you, Ms. Archer. I should go."

"Did you know that Lincoln Rhyme, the other consultant on this case, has worked most frequently with the NYPD and--"

"We're not in that jurisdiction."

"And, I was going to say, with the FBI too."

"T

here are no state or federal crimes involved here. There are confidentiality agreements that preclude me from talking about companies we're in a contractual relationship with."

"You've just confirmed that there is a second switch that could open the access panel."

"I... Well. I'm terminating this conversation. I'm going to hang up now and--"

"--and after you do, I'm calling Sandy Frommer and suggesting she and her lawyer hold a press conference about Midwest's lack of cooperation in finding who really was responsible for her husband's death. I'll suggest they use the phrase 'cover-up.' I'm guessing that wouldn't play well in bankruptcy court, especially among creditors who'd love to get their hands on the personal assets of the executives of the company."

A sigh.

"Help us out here. She's a widow with a son. I believed you when you said you were sorry. Go the next step and tell us. Please. Who makes the second switch?"

"Do you have time for leisure reading, Ms. Archer?"

She was frowning. A glance at Rhyme. She said, "Occasionally."

Pages rustled, Rhyme could hear.

The lawyer said, "I myself am a big fan of Entertainment Weekly. And Fly Fishing Today. But I still find time for Industrial Systems Monthly. I enjoyed the March issue particularly. Pages forty and forty-one."

"What--"

"Goodbye, Ms. Archer. I will not pick up if you call back."

He disconnected.

"Good," Rhyme said. "From Boston Law?"

"Legal," she corrected. "But, no. I was vamping."