J Robb - Imitation in Death

“You found out he’s lying to his lover, and if he isn’t actively cheating-which he likely is-he’s open to cheating. You found out that he had the opportunity to commit both murders. So he’s a liar and a cheat. Doesn’t make him a murderer, but he’s a liar and a cheat with opportunity, with access to the stationery found at both crime scenes, and that he has an attitude toward women. That’s not bad for the day.”

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Carmichael Smith was in the studio-in New L.A.-so she gave him a pass for the day. She found Niles Renquist so heavily wrapped in red tape that she decided to do an end run around him and aim for his wife.

The Renquists’ New York home wasn’t Breen’s upwardly mobile family neighborhood, or Carmichael’s trendy loft. It was all dignity and restrained grace in faded brick and tall windows.

The entrance hall, where they were admitted with considerable reluctance and disapproval by a uniformed housekeeper who could have given Summerset a run for his money, was done in creams and burgundies and the subtle sheen of religiously polished antiques.

Lilies, white and burgundy in a crystal vase, sat on a long narrow table along the staircase and scented the air. Along with it was an echoing hush she associated with empty houses or churches.

“It’s like a museum,” Peabody said out of the corner of her mouth. “You and Roarke have all this cool, rich-people stuff, but it’s different. People live there.”

Before Eve could respond there was the female sound of heels on wood. People lived here, too, Eve thought, but she had a feeling they were a different type altogether.

The woman who walked toward them was as beautiful, as dignified, and as quietly elegant as the home she’d made. Her hair was a soft blonde, carefully coiffed into a short bob that caught the light. Her face was pale and creamy, with a hint of rose on cheeks and lips. This one, Eve thought, never left the house without sunscreen, top to toe. She wore wide-legged pants, killer heels, and a blousy shirt with a faint sheen, all in cream.

“LieutenantDallas.” There was a high-toned drift ofEngland in her voice, and the hand she offered was cool. “PamelaRenquist. I’m sorry, but I’m expecting company shortly. If you’d contacted my secretary, I’m sure we could have arranged an appointment at a more convenient time.”

“Then I’ll try to keep the inconvenience short.”

“If this is about the stationery, your time would be of more use speaking with my secretary. She handles the bulk of my correspondence.”

“Did you buy the stationery,Mrs.Renquist?”

“Quite possibly.” Her face never changed, held its mildly pleasant expression as she spoke with the kind of undiluted politenessEve always found insulting. “I enjoy shopping when inLondon, but I rarely keep track of every little purchase. We certainly have the paper, so it hardly matters if I bought it myself, orNiles, or one of our assistants made the purchase for us. I was under the impression my husband had discussed this with you.”

“He did. There is considerable repetition and overlap in a homicide investigation. Could you tell me where you and your husband were on the night-”

“We were precisely whereNiles has already told you we were on the night of that unfortunate person’s murder.” Her tone became frigid and dismissive. “My husband is a very busy man, Lieutenant, and I know he’s already taken the time to speak with you regarding this matter. I have nothing to add to what he’s already told you, and I’m expecting guests.”

Not so fast, sweetheart. “I haven’t yet spoken to your husband regarding a second murder. I’d like you to tell me where you both were on Sunday, between eight andnoon.”

For the first time since the woman had walked down the hall, she looked flustered. It was momentary, just a slight heightening of color on that creamy skin, a slight frown around the rosy mouth. Then it was smooth and pale again.

“I find this very tedious, Lieutenant.”

“Yeah, me, too. But there you go. Sunday,Mrs.Renquist.”

Pameladrew air sharply through her chiseled nostrils. “We have brunch on Sundays at ten-thirty. Prior to that, my husband would have enjoyed a well-deserved hour in our relaxation tank, as he does every Sunday, when schedule permits, between nine and ten. While he was doing so, I would have joined him in our home health center for my own Sunday morning hour of exercise. At eleven-thirty, after brunch, my daughter would have gone with her au pair to a museum, while my husband and I prepared to go to the club for a doubles match with friends. Is that detailed enough, Lieutenant?”

She said lieutenant as another woman might have said nosy, insolent bitch.Eve had to give her credit for it. “You and your husband were home on Sunday from eight untilnoon.”

“As I’ve just said.”

“Mummy.”

They both turned and looked at the young girl-gold and pink and white, as pretty as a frosted cake-on the stairs. A woman of about twenty-five, with a spill of black hair clipped back neatly at her nape, held the girl’s hand.

“Not now, Rose. It’s impolite to interrupt. Sophia, take Rose back upstairs. I’ll let you know when the guests have arrived.” She spoke to her daughter and the woman in the same polite and distant tones.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She gave the girl’s hand a little tug-Eve saw it, and the slight resistance of the child before the girl went obediently back up the stairs.

“If there’s nothing more, Lieutenant, you’ll have to make an appointment with either myself or my husband through our offices.” She walked to the door, opened it. “I hope you find who you’re looking for soon, so this can be put to rest.”

“I’m sure Jacie Wooton and Lois Gregg feel exactly the same way. Thanks for your time.”

With the help ofLois Gregg’s daughter-in-law,Eve mapped out the daily routine of the victim’s life.

LeahGreggserved iced tea in the compact nook off her compact kitchen. She wanted to keep her hands busy,Eve could see. And her mind occupied. More,Eve saw a woman who wanted to take some active part in standing for her husband’s mother.

“We were close. Actually,Lois was closer to me than my own mother. Mine lives inDenver with my stepfather. We have issues.” She smiled when she said it, a tight-lipped grimace that indicated they were big issues. “ButLois was the best. Some of my friends have trouble with their in-laws. Unwanted advice, little digs, interference.”

She shrugged, and sat across fromEve at the narrow service bar. Then she nodded at the ring on Eve’s left hand. “You’re married, so you know how it can be-especially with mothers of sons, who don’t want to let go of their baby boy.”

Evemade a noncommittal sound. There was no point in saying no, she didn’t know how it could be. Her husband’s mother had been forced to let go of her baby boy a long, long time ago.

“But I didn’t get any of that fromLois. Not that she didn’t love her kids. She just knew how to keep it all balanced. She was fun, and smart, and had a life of her own. She loved her kids, she loved the grands, she loved me.”Leah had to take a long, calming breath. “Jeffand his sister, all of us really, are just flattened by this. She was young and healthy, vital and active. The sort of woman you expect to live forever, I guess. To lose her this way, it’s just cruel. But well…” She took another breath. “I guess you know that, in your line of work. And it’s not why you’re here.”

“I know this is hard,Mrs.Gregg, and I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me.”

“I’ll do anything, absolutely anything, to help you find the bastard who did this toLois. I mean that.”