Three in Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

check.”
    “Police chief’s on scene,” Eve said flatly.
    For a moment Feeney looked blank. “Oh, right. Forgot we weren’t home, sweet home. The locals going to squeeze us out?”
    “You weren’t,” Darcia said as she came out of the stairwell, “ever—in an official capacity—in.”
    “On the contrary,” Roarke told her. “I requested the assistance of the lieutenant and her team.”
    Irritation flickered across Darcia’s face, but she controlled it quickly. “As is your privilege. Lieutenant, may I have a moment of your time?” Without waiting for an answer, Darcia walked down the corridor.
    “Arrogant, territorial, pushy.” Eve glared at Roarke. “You sure can pick them.”
    He only smiled as his wife’s retreating back. “Yes, I certainly can.”
    “Look, Angelo, you want to bust my balls over doing a visual, you’re wasting your time and mine.” Eve tugged her lapel recorder free, held it out. “I verified a homicide, at the request of the property owner. Then I stepped back. I don’t want your job, and I don’t want your case. I get my fill of walking through blood in New York.”
    Darcia flipped her mane of glossy black hair. “Four months ago I was busting illegal dealers in Colombia, risking my life on a daily basis and still barely able to pay the rent on a stinking little two-room apartment. In the current climate, cops are not appreciated in my country. I like my new job.”
    She opened her purse, dropped Eve’s recorder inside. “Is that job in jeopardy if I refuse to hand over this case to my employer’s wife?”
    “Roarke doesn’t fight my battles, and he doesn’t fire people because they might not agree with me.”
    “Good.” Darcia nodded. “I worked illegals, bunko, robbery. Twelve years. I’m a good cop. Homicide, however, is not my specialty. I don’t enjoy sharing, but I’d appreciate any help you and your associates are willing to give in this matter.”
    “Fine. So what was this dance about?”
    “Simply? So you and I would both be aware it is my case.”
    “You need to be aware that earlier tonight I punched the dead man in the face.”
    “Why?” Darcia asked suspiciously.
    “He got in my way.”
    “I see. It’ll be interesting to find out if you and I can close this matter without getting in each other’s way.”
    Two hours later, for convenience’s sake, the two arms of the investigation gathered in Roarke’s on-site office.
    “The victim is identified as Reginald Weeks, thirty-eight. Current residence is Atlanta, Georgia, Earth. Married, no children. Current employer, Douglas R. Skinner, Incorporated. Function personal security.” Darcia finished, inclined her head at Eve.
    “Crime scene examination of body shows massive trauma.” Eve picked up the narrative. “Cause of death, most likely, fractured skull. The left side of the head and body were severely traumatized. Victim was left-handed, and this method of attack indicates foreknowledge. Security for the stairwell and the twentieth floor were tampered with prior to and during the act. A metal bat has been taken into evidence and is presumed to be the murder weapon. Also taken into evidence a silver-plated star stud, identified as part of the hotel security team’s uniform. Chief Angelo?”
    “Background data so far retrieved on Weeks show no criminal activity. He had held his current employment for two years. Prior that, he was employed by Right Arm, a firm that handles personal security and security consults for members of the Conservative Party. Prior to that he was in the military, Border Patrol, for six years.”
    “This tells us he knows how to follow orders,” Eve continued. “He stepped up in my face tonight because Skinner, or one of Skinner’s arms, signaled him to do so. He laid hands on me for the same reason. He’s trained, and if he was good enough to last six years in the Border Patrol and land a job in Right Arm, he’s not the type of guy who would go into a