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“I’ll be there within the hour.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll tell night security to expect you.”
Interesting, she thought as she walked toward the interview room. Wasn’t it interesting?
“Do you want me in there?” Peabody asked her.
“Yeah. When we’re done, find out whatever you can about the Lester brothers’ family. That includes their parents, and this one’s wife. Take a good look at Devon’s spouse’s family background. You can do it from home, but on the way, go by their residence, talk to neighbors until you get a picture of their relationships, their movements.”
“Got it.”
“Nancy Weaver just contacted me, wants to chat. She’s with Callaway and Vann.”
“Interesting.”
“That’s what I thought.” Eve entered Interview, started the record.
And she thought Christopher Lester looked a great deal wearier and less spiffy than he had the day before.
“You don’t have to read my rights again,” he said, “as you already have, and yes, I understand them.”
“Good. Saves time. What can I do for you?”
“We heard about Café West. My brother … it’s another very hard blow. We sometimes met there for lunch.”
“You two didn’t like the food at the bar?”
“He liked to get out. He knows the day manager, and hasn’t been able to reach her. Her name’s Kimberly Fruicki. I knew her, too. She came to parties at Devon’s. He and Quirk went to her wedding last year. Lieutenant, he’s frantic. He’s tried the hospital. They won’t tell him anything, even if she’s there, as he’s not family. If I could tell him she’s all right …”
“I can’t release the names of the victims until the next of kin’s been notified.”
“She’s …” He looked away, rubbed his hands over his face. “God.”
Eve gave Peabody a signal. “Detective Peabody exiting Interview. How often did you eat at the Café?”
“I’d say once or twice a month—with Devon, or Devon and Quirk. Lieutenant.” He leaned forward, eyes direct, earnest. “You brought me in before because I’m a scientist, a chemist. I realize you have resources, but I doubt they reach the level of my experience, my skill, or my facilities. I know the police department sometimes enlists civilian consultants. I want to help.”
“That’s generous of you.”
“Yesterday I thought it was a terrible accident. Someone experimenting, and having it go horribly wrong. I was upset, disturbed, even angry. But today I know it wasn’t an accident, an experiment. And today I’m afraid. I’ve sent my family away to our home in Oyster Bay. I don’t want them in the city. I want to help find this maniac, or maniacs. I want my family to be safe.”
“I appreciate the offer, Doctor Lester. However, we have a very qualified chemist consulting, and at this time I wouldn’t feel comfortable involving a civilian.”
“You have a police chemist. I can’t believe he’d have the qualifications or facilities I can offer. Perhaps
I can work with him.”
“I’ll consider that. But at this time, we’re on it. Your wife was able to leave her work?”
“What? Oh, my wife is very involved in charity work. She can do whatever she needs to do from Long Island. It upsets her to leave, to take the children out of school, but of course she wants them to be safe. And knows I won’t worry with them out of the city.”
“I bet you’ve got a home lab, too.”
“Yes.”
“You’d keep it well secured with kids in the house.”
“Of course, but my children know not to go into my work space.”
