Secrets in Death (In Death 45)
“I’ve got it. Why don’t we go to my office?”
“Annie, I can have Bob here in twenty minutes. You absolutely don’t have to speak to these people.”
“I said it’s all right, Bill.” She turned, started down the corridor. “He’s fiercely protective,” she said in a voice that trembled a little. “And he’ll insist on contacting Bob—one of my attorneys. Sorry,” she added, pulling out her pocket ’link.
She listened for a couple seconds. “Bob, it’s fine. Bill overreacted. No, it’s fine, please don’t. I’ll let you know.”
She replaced the ’link. “My lawyer. I’m afraid Bill gave him the impression I’m about to be hauled off in restraints.”
“Were you informed we were coming, Ms. Knight?”
“No.” She let out a sigh.
“We contacted your offices,” Peabody told her, “in order for you to be prepared for our arrival.”
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nbsp; “Fiercely protective,” she repeated, and gestured them into the spacious corner office.
A man—mid-sixties, mixed race, wearing a salt-and-pepper beard and a Knicks sweatshirt—sat in a bold red scoop chair drinking what smelled like decent coffee and working on a PPC.
“That was quick,” he said, then looked up and saw Eve and Peabody. Smiled with considerable charm. “Hello.”
“Bic, this is Lieutenant Dallas and Detective Peabody. My partner, Terrance Bicford.”
“Bic to one and all.” He rose, stepped over to shake hands. Then he looked at Knight, said, “Well.”
“Yeah. Let’s sit down.” She didn’t go behind the impressive black lacquered desk centered in between the wide windows, but took the chair beside Bic’s.
“Can I get you ladies some coffee, tea?” Bic offered.
Weighing the different vibe—nerves from Knight, supporting and soothing from Bicford—from the all-out battleground of the PA’s office, Eve opted to give them a little time to settle.
“Thanks, coffee, black. My partner goes for coffee regular.”
“Annie?”
“I could use some of my go juice. Protein drink,” she explained. “I live on them. I’m nervous. I’m going to get that out there. I’m never nervous,” she said as Bic walked by her, rubbed a hand on her shoulder before he continued to the refreshment center. “But I am.”
“Do you have reason to be?”
Knight leveled direct and dark brown eyes at Eve. “Yes, I do. I’m also going to disclose, right away, I’ve already consulted with my attorney just in case we ended up here. He can be here by holo in two minutes, or in person within a half hour.”
“Do you have reason to need an attorney?”
“I don’t know. Bic’s also a lawyer.”
“Haven’t practiced in a few years,” he added as he served the drinks.
“But still, I’m comfortable with his presence and his advice.”
“Since you have an attorney present, I’m going to record this interview, and read you your rights.” Eve recited the Revised Miranda. “Do you understand your rights and obligations, Ms. Knight?”
“Yes. And I’m going to make a statement. As you’re here, it’s clear you’ve learned Larinda Mars has been extorting money from me for the past year and a half.”
“Twenty-one months,” Bic corrected quietly.
“Twenty-one months. I intend to cooperate with you, to some extent against the advice of my attorney. Not Bic.” Knight reached out, took his hand. “Bic’s with me on this.”