“I would like to help.” Jamal sat, his back arrow-straight, and folded his hands neatly on his lap. “Even if I hadn’t been instructed to give full cooperation, I would want to help. It’s my duty.”
“Well, that’s a refreshing attitude, Jamal. I’m going to record this. Peabody?”
“Yes, sir. Record on.”
“Interview with Jamal Jabar, regarding the attempted murder of Moniqua Cline. Casefile H-78932C. Dallas, Lieutenant Eve, conducting the interview. Also present Peabody, Officer Delia, as aide and Roarke as subject Jabar’s chosen representative. Jamal, you’re employed as waitstaff in The Royal Bar of the Roarke Palace Hotel. Correct?”
“Yes. I’ve been serving here for three years.”
“And last night, in that capacity, you served a couple in station five of your section.”
“I served four couples at that station during my shift.”
Eve took out the stills, held them up. “Do you recognize these people?”
“I do. They were in my section last night, at station five. They had a bottle of Dom Perignon ’56, beluga caviar with full accompaniments. The gentleman arrived at just before nine o’clock and was very specific in what we wished to be served, and how.”
“He arrived first.”
“Oh yes, nearly thirty minutes before the lady. But he instructed me to bring the champagne right away, and to open the bottle. He wished to pour himself. The caviar was to be served after she arrived.”
“Did he have a bag, black leather, long strap, with him?”
“He did. He didn’t wish to check it. He kept it on the booth beside him. He made one call on his ’link. I assumed it was to the lady as he was waiting so long for her. But he didn’t seem impatient, and when I stopped by to make certain he was comfortable and inquired if his guest was late, he told me she was not.”
“When did he pour the champagne?”
“I didn’t notice precisely, but when it was nearly nine-thirty, the glasses were full. She arrived shortly after that. And I realized—thought I realized why he had come so early if indeed she was timely. I assumed he’d been nervous as this was a first date.”
“How did you know it was a first date?”
“I would have guessed because there was an excitement, and a slight formality between them at the beginning. But I was sure of it as I heard her say how happy she was to finally meet him face-to-face.”
“What did they talk about?”
Jamal turned toward Roarke. “We’re not supposed to listen to the guests’ conversations.”
“You got ears. Hearing isn’t the same as listening.”
“No, it isn’t.” Jamal’s face registered his appreciation for her distinction. “When I served the caviar, they were speaking of art and literature, the way people do as they look for a comfortable spot to settle with each other. He was very attentive, but gentlemanly. At the beginning.”
“But that changed.”
“You could say they became very . . . at ease with each other very quickly. They touched, kissed in a way that indicated intimacy, or the willingness for it. If you understand me, Lieutenant.”
“Yeah, I follow you.”
“When I cleared the caviar, it was the lady who paid. This seemed distasteful to me as he had been the one to order.” He looked a little sheepish. “But she gave me a very generous tip. They lingered over the wine. She became, it seemed to me, quite aggressive. At one point . . .” He shifted in his chair, relinked his fingers. “I saw her hand under the table. And, well, in his trousers. As this is against restaurant policy, I debated reporting it to my supervisor. But then she got up and went into the ladies’ lounge. When she returned, they left.”
“Had you ever seen either of them before last night?”
“I don’t remember her, but we see so many people. The Royal Bar is a city landmark, after all. But I remember him.”
Eve’s head came up, just an inch. “How?”
“He’s been in my section before, that same station. Only a week ago, perhaps a little more. With another man. He didn’t look the same, but it was him. Last night, his hair was lighter and longer. His face different somehow. I can’t really say.”
“But you recognized him?”