Intrusion (21 page)

When Lucian reached the breakfast table, I was suitably attired in widow’s weeds. He took my hand and trained those gorgeous eyes on me.

“Ah, you look so grown up, Elisabeth. No school girl now.” His smile told me it was all an act.

“I am grown up.”

He chuckled. “Yes, I noticed that this morning. I have still not recovered from patting honey gel on your beautiful skin.”

“Don’t make fun of me. I’m not a fool.” I turned away to suppress the hint of tears.

“No, no, no. Look at me.” Lucian turned me toward him. “You are a beautiful, brilliant woman. See yourself as others see you, just this once.”

I swallowed hard and summoned a smile. “I promise I’ll try. But Lucian, this is serious. We need your help with CYBER-MED.”

“I wondered if you would ask,” he said. “You are so strong, so brave. Sometimes we all must ask for help, ma
belle
.”

“You’re the computer expert. Tell me how these murders, if they were murders, took place. In the case of Richard
Chernikova
, we may save a life.”

He sighed.
“Bon.
I will review the autopsy reports for Judge Arthur and Ian Cotter.”

“Wait a minute. How will you get them? We don’t have time for a Freedom of Information request, you know.”

Another sigh.
“Computers hold every bit of information about all of us.” He stroked my hand. “Except what is in our hearts. I can access anything I need to get. Give me a day or two. I’ll verify my findings by doing some experiments at the LIPS office.”

I decided not to ask more questions. Hacking is a violation of federal and state statutes. It’s absolutely abhorrent and just what we needed.

“That policeman, Andrews, he will suspect me, you know. Even you still aren’t certain.” Lucian seemed amused, not alarmed.

“No doubt your name will come up.”

He rose, dangling his keychain like a talisman. It was made of steel and leather embossed with the Cayenne logo. Strong and elegant, just like him.

“I am motivated, Mrs. Buckley. If I can find the method, perhaps you will find the culprit. Then you will be free from distractions.” He kissed my cheek, giving me that soulful look again. “Just be careful. I cannot lose you now.”

Eighteen

Mark Andrews
stomped down the battered hallway of Boston police headquarters stuffing his bony arms into his pockets. He didn’t believe a word we said. Maybe he just didn’t care. It hadn’t begun well. Candy and I arrived promptly at nine o’clock like upright, respectable citizens resolved to do their duty. Andrews was nowhere to be found.

At nine-fifteen,
Francie
Cohen retrieved us from the waiting room, trying hard to wipe the guilt off her well-rouged face.

“I’m so sorry, ladies. The Sergeant is running late. Come with me, and you can wait in his office.” She hung her head as she delivered the lie.

Candy beamed a megawatt smile at her and linked arms. “
Francie
, you look stunning! You’ve been using our hair masque, too, I can tell.”

“Uh, Officer Cohen, any idea when Andrews will make an appearance?”
I liked
Francie
, but she was in the enemy camp. She probably knew exactly where the boss was. “We spoke with him less than twelve hours ago, you know. This is really important.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Buckley. Do you want to reschedule?”

I’d had enough evasion and condescension from the Boston PD. If Andrews wouldn’t help us, someone higher up would. Everyone has a boss. Kai had taught me that.

“Take us to your boss, please. Lives are at stake here.”

The young officer came close to panic.
She
blanchedunder
the artfully arranged cosmetics.
I’m no bully, but this case called for leverage.

“Let me text him one more time, Mrs. Buckley. Please.”

Candy nodded benevolently. “Go ahead,
Francie
.”

Within five minutes, Mark Andrews, the Hub’s very own
Ichabod
Crane, finally materialized. He made no apologies. In fact, he barely acknowledged us. His frosty gaze would have chilled most people, unless one was named Candace
Ott
. She immediately went into charm mode, sweeping aside the cop’s rudeness like an errant bug.

“Wait ‘til you see this, Sergeant. I brought my computer in case yours isn’t updated. I know how hard it is for public servants to get equipment. Of course, Betts is the techie, not me.” Sometimes Candy overplays her ditzy mode, but Andrews seemed satisfied.

I watched in silence as she romanced that machine like a pro. Even Andrews raised a brow in disbelief or admiration. I leaned back in the faux leather chair, steeling myself for another painful encounter with Tommy. Even though we had seen it all last night, the pain felt just as fresh.

Tears welled up in both of us as the lively visage of our friend appeared. Andrews didn’t react other than to summon
Francie
Cohen to the meeting.

“Take down this information,” he told her as he coolly appraised Candy and me.

“Ladies, this is very interesting. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Officer Cohen will escort you out and answer any other questions you may have.”

“That’s it?” Candy asked. “After all this, you’re giving us the bum’s rush? I don’t believe it.”

I grasped her wrist, hoping she would power down. Assaulting a cop is always bad form, particularly in the police station.

“Surely you have questions for us,” I said. “Mr. Yancey’s dying words …”

 
“This conspiracy stuff is nothing but speculation,” Andrews said. “Mr. Yancey was the victim of a hit and run driver, probably some drunk kid.
Period.”

“Aren’t you going to investigate CYBER-MED, Sergeant?” I still couldn’t believe it. “Those allegations are very serious.”

For a moment I thought I had him. Then Andrews glanced at his desk piled with file folders that consumed the surface like a spreading rash.

“You see that, Mrs. Buckley? Those aren’t
hypotheticals
. They’re homicides, real Boston murders assigned to me.
Murders with victims every bit as important as your friend.”
His hand shook a bit as he pointed. “I’m not wasting time chasing after potential deaths when I’ve got actual ones to deal with.”

That’s when he stomped out the door, leaving
Francie
Cohen to deal with us.

“I’m so sorry, ladies. He’s had a hard week.” She dipped a toe over that solid blue line. “Maybe I could help you. You know, on my own time.”

“Thanks,” I said. “That means a lot. We’ll keep you in the loop.”

Candy hugged her after we packed up the computer and prepared to leave. We remained silent all the way down to the lobby, each of us lost to her thoughts. Andrews’ attitude hadn’t devastated me at all. In fact, I found it liberating. His laissez-faire approach opened the door to almost anything we might do. My conscience was officially clear.

~

“
What’s our plan?” Candy asked. “I know you won’t give up.”

We’d ducked into the nearest Starbucks for a badly needed latte. It was a strange place for a war council, but it served the purpose.

“Ground rules first,” I said.
“Top secret, need to know.
Stamp that on your shiny little forehead.”

“Shiny?” Candy dug into her bag and got her mirror.

“Stop being silly.
That means no
Arun
Rao
. At least he can’t know our plans.”

Candy got that mulish look. “I suppose Lucian Sand is part of our cabal.
Nice for you.”

“We need Lucian for his technical skills. Don’t
worry,
I don’t trust him one hundred percent either.”

“Hmm.
I’ll bet he practiced those technical skills on you last night, didn’t he?”

I could feel the blush spreading up my neck. “Come on. Let’s apportion the duties. I’ll report back to CYBER-MED. You’re tasked with pursuing Mrs. Ian Cotter and squeezing Judge Arthur’s wife some more. I just wish I had some allies in CYBER-MED. It’s hard creeping around without an idea of where I’m going.”

“What about Mary Alice Tate?” Candy asked. “Maybe that was a setup, too. After all, Tommy sent you her name on that list.”

“Who benefitted from her death?” I asked. “We should probably start there.”

Candy thought about it for a moment. “Terrell Tate scooped the lot once poor Mary Alice got the heave-ho. Man, I’m telling you,
everyone
was shocked at that one. Mary Alice grew up in that house. Old man Tate called her his daughter, same as Terrell.” She paused. “You know, Terrell has at least one glaring flaw. She’s horribly conceited. Maybe I’ll talk to her about appearing in some publicity stills for Sweet Nothings, you know, the real women who use our products.”

“Good idea,” I said. “What about the Cotters?”

“That’s a toughie,” Candy said. “I thought your boy Lucian had it covered. Or was it uncovered?”

I ignore tasteless remarks, particularly when they ring with truth. Lucian was a free agent, a sexy, single man. I’d never asked him about his love life. It was strictly off limits, none of my business. He had never asked me about Kai either, not really.

“
Yo
, Lizzie Mae.”
Candy waved her hand in front of my eyes. “I just thought of something. What if I connect with Tatiana Lake?” She noticed my blank stare. “You know, she’s the unlucky woman whose bed Ian Cotter croaked in, the fashion designer. I’ll propose some tie-ins between her clothes and our products.”

“Oh. Good idea. Maybe she knows if Mrs. Cotter was the jealous type.”

Candy sighed. “That’s not all. I’ll nose around and find out if Todd Brantley was the jealous type. He has enough money to hire a hit.”

I couldn’t fault her logic. “Just be careful, Candy. Someone has a lot to protect.”

“No
problemo
,” Candy purred. “Everyone loves makeup.”

~

CYBER-MED felt alien today.
Nothing specific.
It was probably only my nerves. Unless Andrews commandeered their speakerphone, he couldn’t have told them about Tommy’s video. Hell, who knew if he would ever risk offending Dr. Meg Cahill and her deep pockets spouse with the tawdry facts of murder. Meg had cautioned me before about the effect of rumors in the high-tech sector. It was nothing too surprising. Any business, even cosmetics, can take a hit from unsavory gossip, but murder would sink CYBER-MED in a New York minute. Clients generally shy away from the threat of homicide, especially their own. As major players in this enterprise, Candy and I had fiduciary responsibilities. That’s business school mumble jumble that sounds good and masks reality. I didn’t really need an excuse. After all, Meg and
Arun
had to be told about Tommy’s video. Suppose someone else found the damn thing and took it viral?

Candy needed some persuading. She loathes unpleasant scenes unless they really interest her. Try unloading a lead lipstick on her, and she’d fight like a tigress. CYBER-MED and its patient disposal service didn’t engage her one bit.

“It’s for Tommy,” I growled.
“Stop thinking of yourself.
We have to present a united front. Besides, I thought you needed the money.”

Her cat eyes brightened immediately. “You’re right, Betts. After all, they’re our partners.”

I phoned Meg while we were en route. Her faithful gatekeeper swore that Dr. Cahill hadn’t arrived and had a packed scheduled today.

“Change it,” I snapped. “Ms.
Ott
and I must see Drs. Cahill and
Rao
immediately. Tell her it’s about Mr. Yancey’s murder.”

When we entered CYBER-MED, we were met by the looming presence of Rand Lindsay. He was somber, far removed from his jovial self. I suspected that Meg had warned him about us.

“Miss Elisabeth,” Rand nodded pleasantly. His eyes sparkled when he saw Candy, but he quickly extinguished the glow. “Love that color on you,” he said. “Polka dots sure spice up gabardine.”

That made Candy beam. “You’re a smooth operator, Dr. Lindsay.”

“Ooh, not yet. Can’t call me Doctor ‘til June, assuming my dissertation passes muster.” Rand grimaced as he said the words.

“Are you our escort or our bodyguard?” I asked him in the elevator.

He didn’t smile when he answered. “Your friend, I hope. Come on, ladies. She’s waiting for you.”

“What about
Arun
?” Candy asked.

“Him, too.
I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m warning you. Dr. M. is on a very tight tether today.” He looked furtively around the hallway, lowering his voice. “She brought in the big guns. Carter Cahill is up there, too.”