AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And that’s what she was looking for with Lydia Su.
—
Eve had to settle for a crappy little parking lot and a two-block hike in wind that decided to swirl up and kick through the city canyons. Peabody rebundled, and Eve yanked the snowflake cap on.
It made her think of Dennis Mira.
“We need to get Mr. Mira’s impressions of the three names I got from the senator’s daughter. We’ll notify them first, talk to them, but I want his take.”
“He usually has good ones.”
“Yeah, he does. But Mira told me he’s got a blind spot where his cousin’s concerned. She taps Edward Mira as a sociopath—highly functional. Said he was always a bully, and a sexual predator.”
“Harsh. But if we’re following the right line, it fits.”
“It’s the right line.” Eve stopped in front of Su’s building. A slick high-rise, probably along the lines of what Nadine was after.
No doorman, she noted. An auto-scan that accepted a scan of her badge with minimal fuss.
Identification verified, Dallas, Lieutenant Eve. Please state the nature of your business and/or the party you wish to visit.
“That would be police business seeing as you scanned the badge, and we’re here to speak with Lydia Su, unit 2204.”
Thank you for that information. The resident of unit 2204 is being notified. You are cleared to step inside and wait.
Eve walked into a generous lobby of white and silver with some bold blue chairs, verdant potted trees, and a moving map of the building.
It boasted its own market, both a men’s and women’s boutique, a business and banking center on its mezzanine level (for residents and their guests only). It held a fitness center, two bars, and three restaurants. Building management and administration had offices on level three.
By the time she’d scanned the map, noted the location of 2204—corner unit, facing south and east—the computer cleared them to an elevator.
Guests cleared to twenty-second floor, the elevator announced. Have a pleasant visit.
“Why can’t they ever just shut up?” Eve wondered. “Who needs a comp to wish them a pleasant visit? Su cleared us pretty quick,” she added and, glancing around the silver box, noted the security cams. “Maybe expecting this follow-up to your conversation with her yesterday, verifying Downing’s alibi.”
“She breezed through that. Just the right amount of surprise, and all cooperation.”
“I bet if we checked her ’link, she alerted Downing we’re here.”
Eve stepped off on twenty-two. She walked down the wide hallway carpeted in muted silver, past glossy black doors to 2204. She pressed the bell with one hand, held up her badge with the other.
The minute Lydia Su opened the door, she thought: You’re in this.
It was only a flicker, there then gone, an angry awareness that lit the long, searing brown eyes before Lydia offered a polite if puzzled smile.
“Good morning. Is this about Senator Mira’s murder? I spoke with a detective yesterday.”
“This is a follow-up. You spoke with Detective Peabody,” Eve added, gesturing to her partner.
“Oh, yes. Well, please come in. I’m a little befuddled. I was sleeping. I had to work quite late.”
“Sorry to disturb you. We won’t take up much of your time.”
“Can I offer you some coffee or tea?”
“We’re fine.”
“Please, sit.” She led the way into an airy living area with two curved chairs, a long, low sofa with a central pillow fashioned as a peacock, tail feathers spread. Some sort of exotic flowers speared out of a clear, square vase with shiny black pebbles layered in the base. Filmy shades flowed down the windows.
