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Peach continued to stare at Eve as if trying to X-ray her brain. “I was worried when you requested Fiona Wallace be located. That you might have reason to believe she’s in some danger.”
“Absolutely not. It pertains to a sale she made last March in Sports Center that may connect to the investigation.”
“I’m relieved.” Peach’s gaze shifted over Eve’s head. “Here she comes.”
“Do you recognize all your students on sight, Dr. Lapkoff?”
“Peach,” she said. “No, I don’t, but I looked her up when you requested I locate her. Miss Wallace.”
“Dr. Lapkoff.” The girl was no more than twenty with skin pale as the moon and what looked to be several pounds of red hair piled on top of her head. She was slightly out of breath from, Eve concluded, the trip across campus and fear at being summoned by the president.
“You’re not in any trouble.” The power female took on a faint maternal tone. “And you won’t be penalized for the time out of the retreat. This is Lieutenant Dallas, with the NYPSD. She hopes you can help her.”
“Help?”
“Yes. Would you like me to step away, Lieutenant?”
“It’s not necessary. You work at Sports Center.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m a year-round student, and I work there to help with living expenses. I’ve worked there for over a year now.”
“You were working there on March thirty-first.”
“Ah. I’m not sure. Maybe.”
“You sold several items to this man.” Eve drew out the sketch. “Do you remember him?”
“I’m not sure. Exactly. It’s over two months ago, and we’re a really popular store. It can get really busy.”
“I have a list of what he bought. It might help you remember.” Eve started down the list, saw Fiona blink when she got to the shoes. “You remember?”
“I do. It was a really big sale, and the shoes are really high. I remember because I told him they were going on sale, for one day, in just another week. Ten percent, and that’s a lot when they go for three and a half bills, you know? But he wanted them right then. He looked a little different from this picture. That’s why I didn’t recognize him right away.”
“How so?”
“His hair was a lot longer, and wavy. He had mag hair. He was really cute. I guess I flirted with him a little, the way you do, asked if he lived on campus, and what his major was. I think he said he was living off campus. He was nice, but he didn’t flirt back, so I figured he was seeing someone or I didn’t push the buzzer for him. I made some joke about him hitting the jackpot or something because he was buying so much. I remember he smiled, because, wow, killer smile. And he said—because I thought it was funny—clothes make the man. It seemed like a weird thing to say when he’s buying sweatshirts and that kind of thing. I bagged it all up, and he left.”
“Have you seen him since?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Okay, Fiona. Thanks.”
“Did he do something illegal?”
“We’re interested in talking to him. If you do see him, do me a favor. Don’t approach him, and contact me.” Eve handed her a card.
“Sure. Should I go back to the retreat now?”
“Yes,” Peach told her. “Straight back.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Did that help?” Peach asked as Fiona hurried off.
“It confirms some information, continues to establish pattern, and tells me he’s got smug going up against careful, and sometimes smug wins. Yeah, that’s helpful. As you’ve been. Thank you.”
“I’m happy I could help, and I hope the media reports, very soon, that you’ve arrested this man.”
