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“Nosy bastard, isn’t he?”
“He has to control it all. Won’t be shut out. Has to have access and the power it gives him. Plus, useful for setting someone up to take a fall.”
“It appears Steinburger has some explaining to do.”
“Big-time. This proves he had access to the boat. And see this here?”
“Not labeled.”
“3APIS2C. Triple A—A. A. Asner, Private Investigation, Suite 2-C. I’m betting that’s the code for Asner’s vehicle. Maybe he tossed it in here just in case, or wanted it to remind himself of what he pulled off. But that’s more explaining to do.”
She went back to the bedroom for an evidence bag. “I dump these on him, add in the zoner, the list of murders, the boat. I’ll break him down.”
She sealed the evidence, labeled it. “I’m going to let the team handle the vehicle. We’ll go swing by the studio office. Then we’ll pay a visit to Ce Soir.”
He thought she looked like a warrior, coolly prepared for battle. “I can get us a good table. I happen to know the owner.”
“You happen to be the owner, but we’re not eating. We’re going to interrupt Steinburger’s meal and ruin his fucking night.”
“Sounds promising.”
“We can get something from Vending while he sweats in Interview.”
“Sounds disgusting.”
“It’s not that bad. Hold on.” She pulled out her ’link. “Dallas.”
“Listen, Dallas—”
“Nadine, even though we established you’re not my type, I may do you after all. You killed that interview.”
“I’m aquiver. You’ve seen it already?”
“No, but Feeney summed it up. I could get him to do you, too.”
“Aw, you’re too good to me. What about Roarke?”
“No.”
“But not good enough. Listen, Dallas, I was nearly to the station, but I hopped out of the van, grabbed a cab. I’m heading back downtown, to the hotel—Julian’s hotel. I’ve got this nagging feeling.”
“About what?”
“Did Feeney tell you how Steinburger hinted around—off the record—about being afraid something happened between one of them and K.T., how he was worried?”
“Yeah, yeah. You think he meant Julian?”
“Julian was waiting outside the office. He looked terrible, which isn’t easy when you’re that gorgeous. Tired, upset, strung out. Scared—once I started thinking, I think scared. And Joel took him into his office—but as he did, Joel sent me this look. And, it’s nagging me. I think he was setting it up, Dallas. Giving me a look that said this is who I’m worried about, trying to protect. And if I’m right—”
“Then he’s planning for Julian to have an accident or off himself due to guilt. We’ll check it out.”
“Where are you?”
“Steinburger’s place, and we found a few interesting items.”
“It’ll take you longer to get there than me. But will you come? Even if I’m wrong, I think Julian knows something, and I think he’s vulnerable enough to spill it.”
“Leaving now. Do me a favor, get hotel security to go up with you. Make something up, but don’t go up there alone.”
