But he didn’t move toward his ’link. “I haven’t done anything.”
“For starters, you’ve lied on record to an investigating officer. Call your attorney.”
“Wait, wait.” Rubbing a hand over his mouth, David paced the room. “It isn’t necessary. It isn’t necessary to take this that far.”
“That’s your choice. Would you care to revise your previous statement?”
“This is a delicate matter, Lieutenant.”
“Funny, I’ve always thought of murder as a crude matter, myself.”
He continued to pace, working his hands together. “You have to understand the business is in a tenuous position at the moment. The wrong kind of publicity will influence certain transactions. In a week, two at the most, it will all be resolved.”
“And you think I should hold off on all this until you get your financial ducks in a row?”
“I’d be willing to compensate you for your time and your discretion.”
“Would you?” Eve widened her eyes. “What sort of compensation are you suggesting, Mr. Angelini?”
“I can swing ten thousand.” He struggled for a smile. “Double that if you simply bury all of this for good.”
Eve crossed her arms. “Let the record show that David Angelini offered a monetary bribe to investigating primary Lieutenant Eve Dallas, and the aforesaid bribe was refused.”
“Bitch,” he said softly.
“You bet. Why were you at Channel 75 last night?”
“I’ve never said I was.”
“Let’s cut the dreck. You were recorded by gate security entering the property.” To emphasize, she opened her bag, took out the hard copy of his face, tossed it on the table.
“Gate security.” His legs seemed to fold from under him and he groped into a chair. “I never thought—never considered. I panicked.”
“Slicing someone’s jugular can do that to you.”
“I never touched her. I never went near her. Good God, do I look like a murderer?”
“They come in all styles. You were there. I have documentation. Hands!” she said sharply as her own jumped to her shoulder harness. “Keep your hands out of your pockets.”
“Name of God, do you think I’m carrying a knife?” Slowly he drew out a handkerchief, wiped his brow. “I didn’t even know Louise Kirski.”
“But you know her name.”
“I saw it on the news.” He closed his eyes. “I saw it on the news. And I saw him kill her.”
The muscles in Eve’s shoulders bunched, but unlike David she was good at the game. Both her face and voice were bland. “Well then, why don’t you tell me all about it?”
He worked his hands together again, linking fingers, twisting. He wore two rings, one diamond, one ruby, both set in heavy gold. They clinked together musically.
“You have to keep my name out of this.”
“No,” she said evenly, “I don’t. I don’t make deals. Your mother was a PA, Mr. Angelini. You should know if there are going to be any deals, they’re going to come through that office, not me. You’ve already lied on the record.” She kept her tone flat, easy. It was best when working with a nervous suspect to ease them in. “I’m giving you a chance to revise your previous statement, and again reminding you that you have the right to contact your attorney at any time during this interview. But if you want to talk to me, talk now. And I’ll start, to make it easy for you. What were you doing at Channel 75 last night?”
“I had a late meeting. I told you that I had one and canceled. That’s the truth. We’ve been—I’ve been working on an expansion deal. Angelini has some interest in the entertainment industry. We’ve been developing projects, programs, features for in-home viewing. Carlson Young, the head of the entertainment division of the channel, had done
quite a bit to bring these projects to fruition. I was to meet him in his office there.”
“A little after business hours, wasn’t it?”