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“Not at all. I wanted to take my time perfecting the new equipment, putting together just the right elements. When I hit with the new stuff, it’s going to be something no one’s ever seen or heard before.”
“And Mavis is like a springboard.”
“In a manner of speaking. She was a lucky break. She’ll showcase some of the material that wasn’t right for me, and I’ve individualized some pieces to match her. I figure on doing some of my own sessions in a few months.”
“After everything’s in place.”
He toasted her, sipped. “Exactly.”
“You ever design soundtracks for VR?”
“Now and again. It’s not a bad gig, if the program’s interesting.”
“And I bet you know how to lay down subliminals.”
He paused, then sipped again. “Subliminals? That’s straight tech.”
“But you’re a damn good tech, aren’t you, Jess? Good enough to know computers in and out. And brains. A brain’s just a computer, isn’t it? Isn’t that what you told me?”
“Sure.” His focus was all for Eve so that he didn’t notice that Peabody had come to attention.
“And you’re into mood enhancements, which lead to mood shifts. Behavioral and emotional patterns. Brain wave patterns.” She took a recorder out of her desk, placed it in plain sight. “Let’s talk about that.”
“What the hell is this?” He set down his glass, scooted to the edge of his seat. “What’s the deal?”
“The deal is, I’m going to advise you of your rights, then we’re going to have a chat. Officer Peabody, engage backup recording and log on, please.”
“I didn’t agree to a fucking interview.” He got to his feet. Eve got to hers.
“That’s all right. We can make it obligatory, and take you to Cop Central. There might be a wait. I haven’t booked an interview room. But you won’t mind spending a few hours in lockup.”
Slowly, he sat again. “You turn cop fast, Dallas.”
“No, I don’t. I stay cop. Always. Dallas, Lieutenant Eve,” she began for the recorder, and fed in time and place before reciting the revised Miranda. “Do you understand your rights and options, Jess?”
“Yeah, I get it. But I don’t know what the hell this is about.”
“I’m going to make that very clear for you. You are being questioned in the matters of the unresolved deaths of Drew Mathias, S. T. Fitzhugh, Senator George Pearly, and Cerise Devane.”
“Who?” He looked convincingly baffled. “Devane? Isn’t that the woman who jumped off the Tattler Building? What am I supposed to have to do with suicide? I didn’t even know her.”
“You were unaware that Cerise Devane was CEO and majority stockholder of Tattler Enterprises?”
“No, I guess I knew who she was, but—”
“I imagine you found yourself in The Tattler from time to time during your career.”
“Sure, they’re always digging for dirt. They’ve tossed some my way. It’s just part of the business.” Fear had backed off and left him mildly irritated. “Look, the lady jumped. I was downtown, in session, when she took the leap. I’ve got witnesses. Mavis for one.”
“I know you weren’t there, Jess. I was. At least I know you weren’t there in the flesh.”
His sculpted mouth curled into a sneer. “What am I, a goddamn ghost?”
“Do you know or have you ever had contact with an autotronics tech by the name of Drew Mathias?”
“Never heard of him.”
“Mathias also did a pass through MIT.”
