Page 57 of Passions in Death
She ran through what she had, at least what she had that she felt she could share with him.
“That’s more than I expected, less than I wished for. I wished you’d gotten the bastard, but I expected it would take you time. I expected not to know too much today.”
“Do you really think one of her friends killed her?”
“Yeah.” Eve nodded at Rochelle. “I do.”
“Then that’s what happened.” Rochelle gave Eve a decisive nod. “When they killed my brother, you knew right away he hadn’t overdosed, hadn’t lied to me about being clean. And you found out who did that to him, and why.”
She looked at Crack, laid a hand on his. “She’ll do just that here, Wilson.”
“I believe it. You held me like I was a baby when I cried over my sister. My baby girl’s body. I’ve got every reason in the world to trust you with this. Erin died in my place, while I was right here where I am now. And that’s hard for me to take. You’re going to see who did it pays. I believe it.”
“Anything that comes to mind. Anything you thought of, remembered, since last night? Dynamics,” Eve added. “A look that didn’t strike quite right. Someone slipping in and out. Anything.”
He downed some beer. “I haven’t thought about much else since, and I got nothing. Just nothing. Pisses me off I got nothing but a bunch of women blowing off steam, having a hell of a good time, cutting it loose. I thought about how Erin came in early for the swipe. She didn’t tell me why, just she had something planned for Shauna, and could she have it now.”
He shrugged. “I figured sure, why not?”
“Mondays are slow.”
“Damn slow, and since she’d already booked it, I was going to keep it closed for her anyway. Tell you one thing.” He pointed a finger at her. “Soon as Roarke gets me the plan for cameras and such, they’re going in. Ain’t letting this happen again. No use me asking you to give me five minutes with who did this before you lock them up, especially in front of my lady, who wouldn’t like it. But I wish for that, too.”
“A cracked head or punch in the face heals,” Eve told him. “Life in a cage goes on and on.” She pushed off her stool. “I’ve got somebody else to track down and talk to. Like I told you, you’re cleared to open tomorrow.”
“And we will.”
“Good luck, Dallas,” Rochelle called out.
“I’ll take it,” Eve said, and left.
Chapter Nine
A check of ChiChi Lopez’s residence and workplace told Eve she’d have a five-block trip there from the D&D, and about seven to Delights, the strip joint where Lopez earned her living.
She considered the building traffic, the frustration of finding parking, and decided to walk it.
Adding the time to her considerations, and when she could reasonably expect to finish up, drive uptown and home, she tagged Roarke as she walked.
“Lieutenant, I see you’re out and about.”
“Yeah, I’m going to be late. I’m on my way to see a stripper.”
“Anyone I know?”
She paused at the crosswalk with far too many others. “Just how many strippers are in your acquaintance?”
“Who counts? I’m just leaving the office. Why don’t I join you?”
“I’m trying her residence first, so there may not be a show.”
“I’ll risk it. Give me your destinations, and I’ll head your way. The car can drop me off, and we can drive home together. Maybe I’ll talk you into letting me take you to dinner.”
“A handful of blocks from Crack’s,” she began, and reeled off the addresses. “In that order.”
“I’ll find you.”
Yeah, she thought as she shoved her ’link back in her pocket, he would. They’d found each other, after all, in a world of murder and mayhem.
