Page 126 of Passions in Death
“So I had a couple of drinks. I’m old enough, and someone I cared about is dead. Dead because of that stupid, whiny bitch.”
Eve pulled out into traffic. “And how, exactly, is Erin dead because of Shauna?”
“Jesus, are you stupid?”
“Jesus, Peabody, am I stupid?”
“I would say the opposite of stupid. Especially when it comes to murder.”
“Why, thank you, Peabody, for that vote of confidence. But, ChiChi, since you ask, why do you think I might be stupid?”
“Because it’s freaking obvious.” Wincing, she cradled her jaw as she snapped the words out. “If not for that prissy-ass bitch, Erin would still be alive.”
Willing to play, and understanding the rules, Peabody shifted to look back. “So Shauna killed Erin?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Not just stupid, brain-dead. She wouldn’t have the guts. She doesn’t have the spine. Or the brains. Some second-rate shoe store manager playing at getting naked with another woman. For kicks. For adventure.”
“Since they planned to get married this weekend, it sounds like more than playing. More than kicks and adventure.”
“Maybe she’d have gone through with it for the splash, for the attention. But it wouldn’t last anyway.”
Eve pulled into the garage.
“How about we try this? Since you’re so much smarter about this than we are, we’ll go up, sit in Interview. You can tell us your thoughts. We’ll put off processing you for the assault.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck about the assault.”
“Then you shouldn’t give one about a formal interview.”
“I don’t.”
Peabody assisted Lopez out of the car, guided her to the elevator.
“Do you want some Sober-Up before said interview?” Eve asked her.
“I’m not drunk, for Christ’s sake. I had a couple of drinks.”
They flanked her in the elevator.
“Jaw’s swollen,” Eve commented.
“Fuck you.”
“Back at you, but Detective Peabody will get you an ice pack.”
When the doors opened for more cops, Eve edged Lopez back. For once, she’d ride all the way up.
And as she did, she watched some of the bravado erode.
“I got us Interview B, Lieutenant.”
“That’ll work.”
“My family will take care of bail. I don’t need this crap.”
“Interview first, and maybe we can convince the injured party to drop the charges.”
“I don’t give a shit.”
