“Who have you talked to about the merger? Outside of the business?”

“The media,” Drew said. “At least in the last few weeks. Sybil handles most of that in Europe.”

“I’m media chief for Quantum Europe, based in London with Drew. I’d been on parental leave for more than a year, but I came back to take the lead on this.”

“You fed the media?”

“In small bites, strategic bites,” she added. “Until we got the approval to push stories, we kept it locked down. An occasional leak—timed to stir some interest—but closed on real details.”

Eve shifted gears. “How well do you know Jordan Banks?”

She saw the shock in Sybil’s eyes before the woman cast them down. And her hand reached up nervously to smooth at her hair.

10

“I know that name,” Liana murmured. “How do I now that name? Drew?”

“It’s not ringing for me, sorry.”

Sybil said nothing, just gave a quick shake of her head without making eye contact.

“He was involved romantically with Willimina Karson up until a few weeks ago,” Eve said.

“That’s it. The Banks family, Drew? Communications, entertainment. The wastrel son.”

“Oh.” He frowned a little. “I never met him, that I remember. I’ve met Morgan Banks. Is this his brother?”

“I think it is.” Liana seemed to settle, drank some of the coffee she’d ignored. “I actually never met him, either, but I’ve heard things. I think I did know Willimina was seeing him at some point. I got to know her, of course, through the course of the merger, but—wait, wait, I did meet him. At a dinner party. It had to be months ago, maybe last fall. Why?”

“He’s dead.”

Sybil froze; her color drained. Drew leaned forward.

“Is this connected? Was Jordan Banks somehow involved in the bombing?”

“We’re looking into it.”

“But Willimina was in the room!” Obviously incensed, Liana set her cup and saucer down with a snap. “She might have been killed. As it was, she was seriously injured. You can’t tell me he engineered this to get back at her for ending their relationship.”

“We don’t believe that was the motive, but he may have been involved, directly or indirectly.”

“He has a reputation as a womanizer, but this was evil. Just evil. Did he know Paul?”

“We haven’t found any connection between them.” Eve kept her tone brisk, her gaze on Liana. Her focus on Sybil.

“I’m not able to share any more with you on that line of inquiry,” she continued. “We don’t want to keep you much longer, but it would be helpful if we could speak to each of you for a few minutes, separately.”

“Separately?” Drew repeated.

“It would be helpful, then we can leave you alone.”

“I’d like to check on Brad and the kids anyway.” As she spoke, Liana got to her feet. “I could send Brad down, stay with Noah, if you want to talk to him.”

“That works. Mr. Pearson, if you’d give us the room. We’ll speak with your wife, then send her to get you. We’ll work our way through this, and get out of your way.”

“All right.” He stood, skimmed a hand over his wife’s hair, and went out with his sister.

Eve waited until she was certain they were out of earshot. “Tell me,” she demanded.

Tags: J.D. Robb In Death Mystery
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