“Do better.”

“It was black and shiny. Expensive. I don’t know about cars. I’ve never had a car.”

“When you were walking with her, the day you were going to the market, did you see anyone you know?”

“I don’t know many people. Ned didn’t like—”

“Stop it,” Eve said sharply, and Suzanne jerked straight. “You know your neighbors, at least by sight, the people who run the market, your children’s friends, their parents.”

“I guess I do. I don’t remember. I was so surprised to see her, and Ned had just…”

“No one spoke to you?”

“Just Ava. It was really cold, and I was looking down—the way you do.”

The way you do, Eve thought. “Was the car on the street or in a lot?”

“A lot. An auto lot.”

“Which way did you walk?”

“Ah, um…West because we went right by the market, and then we crossed after a few blocks, and walked north. I think maybe on Seventh. Maybe. I’m not sure.”

“Which rest stop did she use?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know. They all look the same, don’t they? I was sick.”

“How long were you gone? No, don’t give me that ‘I don’t know shit,’ Suzanne. What time did you leave for the market?”

“About nine-thirty.”

“What time did you get home?”

“It was almost noon. I had to take the bus. She dropped me at the transpo center across from the tunnel, and gave me bus fare. I had to take the bus back.”

“How long did you wait for the bus?”

“Only a few minutes. I got lucky. I got off and walked back to the market. Mr. Isaacs said how he thought I wasn’t coming in that day.”

“Mr. Isaacs?”

“He runs the market, and I always go on Mondays, before ten. He said how I looked tired, how I should try to get some rest, and he gave me pop treats for the kids. I forgot that. He gave me treats for the kids. He’s a nice man. He and his wife run the market. I went home, and I put everything away, and I thought, ‘None of this is happening. It’s not real.’ Then I got sick again, because it was. I have to tell my kids. I don’t know how.”

“When you were at the retreat and made your bargain, where were you?”

“In Ava’s suite. She told me to come up after the last seminar, but not to tell anyone. People get jealous. She just wanted to relax with a friend.” Tears spurted again. Eve wondered how the woman had any more in her. “She said we were friends.”

“You had drinks. Did she order them?”

“There was a bottle of wine and a pretty platter of fruit and cheese. Everything was so pretty.”

“Did anyone call or come by while you were there?”

“No. She had the Do Not Disturb on the door and the ’links. So we could relax, she said.”

Eve pressed a little more, then judged she’d wrung Suzanne dry. For now. “You’re going to be booked, and you’re going to be remanded. The court’s going to assign an attorney to you. You’ve got the best deal you’re going to get. Don’t expect any more.”

She rose as Baxter came back in. “Detective Baxter reentering Interview.” When she crossed to him, he spoke quietly.

Tags: J.D. Robb In Death Mystery
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