“First, did anyone come through the kitchen in the last hour, and go out the alley door?”
“Uh-uh. I mean no. We would’ve seen them.”
“Go ahead, Curt, and come right back. Okay.” She turned back. “Here’s what’s going to happen. These officers are going to start taking names, contact information, and statements. When they, or the officers now on their way to this location, are satis
fied with that information, you’ll be free to go.”
She gestured one of the droids over.
“I want to know who was seated at the booths in front and behind the vic, at the tables nearest her booth—if they’re still on scene. I want those individuals held.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get started. Emily, right?”
“Yes.”
Eve leaned in a bit, lowered her voice. “Do you know who owns this bar?”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“Yes. I didn’t until you said your name, but—”
“Good. I need you to help me keep the staff calm and ordered. I’d like you to have your most reliable waitperson help you distribute water or soft drinks to the customers still in the bar. Can you do that?”
“Yeah. Lieutenant? I know the … her. Ms. Mars. Larinda Mars.”
“Personally?”
“No, I mean, not really. I mean she’s a regular. And she’s on screen. The gossip channel.”
A steady one, Eve thought. She’d expect no less from one of Roarke’s business managers. “I don’t see the man she was with here in the bar.”
“I think he left before … before she came up from the bathroom. I mean she went through there, and that leads down to the restrooms, so I assume she went there.”
“Do you know who she was with?”
“No, but I can find out. He paid for the drinks. He charged them. I think he used his ’link app. I can check.”
“I’d appreciate if you’d do that, and have a couple of reliables pass out drinks. No alcohol, okay?”
“Got it.”
“Who served them?”
“That’s Kyle’s booth.” Emily looked around, gesturing with her chin. “He’s over there with Cesca and Malory.”
“Okay, go ahead and check that charge for me.”
Eve stepped back to the body, crouched down. “I’ve got a field kit coming, but in the meanwhile we’ve ID’d her—from the primary, and from the manager of the bar—as Larinda Mars.”
“I knew she looked familiar,” DeWinter added. “I’ve seen her reports.”
“We have TOD as verified on my recorder by both you and Dr. Sterling.”
“You had your recorder on?” DeWinter demanded.