Morse was obviously struggling to recover his dignity. He veered his gaze to hers and nearly managed an arrogant sneer. “Now, now, sources are protected. Let’s not forget the Constitution.” Patriotically, he laid his palm over his heart. “Now, if you wish to comment on, contradict, or add to any of my information, I’d be more than happy to listen.”
“Why don’t we try this?” she said, shifting gears. “You found Louise Kirski’s body—while it was still warm.”
“That’s right.” He folded his mouth into grim lines. “I’ve given my statement.”
“You were pretty upset, weren’t you? Jittery. Shot your dinner in the bushes. Feeling better now?”
“It’s something I’ll never forget, but yes, I’m feeling better. Thanks for asking.”
She stepped forward, backing him up. “You felt good enough to go on air within minutes, to make sure there was a camera out there getting a nice close-up of your dead associate.”
“Immediacy is part of the business. I did what I was trained to do. That doesn’t mean I didn’t feel.” His voice trembled and was manfully controlled. “That doesn’t mean I don’t see her face, her eyes, every time I try to sleep at night.”
“Did you ever wonder what would have happened if you’d gotten there five minutes sooner?”
That jarred him, and though she knew it was nasty, and personal, it pleased her.
“Yes, I have,” he said with dignity. “I might have seen him or stopped him. Louise might be alive if I hadn’t been caught in traffic. But that doesn’t change the facts. She’s dead, and so are two others. And you don’t have anyone in custody.”
“Maybe it hasn’t occurred to you that you’re feeding him. That you’ve given him just what he wants.” She took her gaze from Morse long enough to scan the room and all the people who were listening eagerly. “He must love watching all the reports, hearing all the details, the speculation. You’ve made him the biggest star on the screen.”
“It’s our responsibility to report—” Morse began.
“Morse, you don’t know shit about responsibility. All you know is how to count the minutes you’re on air, front and center. The more people die, the bigger your ratings. You can quote me on that one.” She turned on her heel.
“Feel better?” Roarke asked her when they were outside again.
“Not a hell of a lot. Impressions?”
“The newsroom’s in turmoil, too many people doing too many things. They’re all jumpy. The one you talked to initially about Nadine?”
“Rigley. He’s a little fish. I think they hired him for his teeth.”
“He’s been biting his nails. There were several others who looked ashamed when you made your little speech. They turned away, got very busy, but they weren’t doing anything. Several more looked quietly pleased when you took a couple layers off Morse. I don’t believe he’s well liked.”
“Big surprise.”
“He’s better than I’d thought,” Roarke mused.
“Morse? At what? Slinging shit?”
“Image,” Roarke corrected. “Which is often the same thing. He pulls out all those emotions. He doesn’t feel any of them, but he knows how to make them play over his face, in his voice. He’s in the right field and will definitely move up.”
“God help us.” She leaned against Roarke’s car. “Do you think he knows more than he’s put on air?”
“I think it’s possible. Highly possible. He’s enjoying stringing this out, particularly now that he’s in charge of the story. And he hates your guts.”
“Oh, now I’m hurt.” She started to open the door, then turned back. “Hates me?”
“He’ll ruin you if he can. Watch yourself.”
“He can make me look foolish, but he can’t ruin me.” She wrenched the door open. “Where the hell is Nadine? It’s not like her, Roarke. I understand how she feels about Louise, but it’s not like her to take off, not to tell me, to hand a story thi
s size to that bastard.”
“People react in different ways to shock and grief.”
“It’s stupid. She was a target. She could still be a target. We have to find her.”