Ceremony in Death - J. D. Robb [29]
“You can contact Lobar any evening between eight and eleven at our club. As for Alban, I don’t keep his schedule, but he is generally here or at the club most nights. Unless you believe in magic, Lieutenant, you’re wasting your time. I could hardly have been here, fucking two very entertaining men, and out luring poor Alice to her death.”
“Is that what you consider yourself, a magician?” Eve glanced toward the still burning fire with a mild sneer. “That’s nothing more than trickery and distraction of the eye. You can be licensed to juggle on the streets for two thousand credits a year.”
Selina’s muscles quivered as she sat forward. Her eyes were burning now, as the fire did. “I am a high priestess of the dark lord. Our numbers are legion, and I have powers that would make you weep.”
“I don’t cry easily, Ms. Cross.” Ah, a temper, Eve thought with satisfaction. And easily ruffled pride. “You’re not dealing with an impressionable eighteen-year-old girl now, or her frightened grandfather. Which one of your legion called Alice last night and played a tape of chanting threats?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. And you’re beginning to bore me.”
“The black feather on the windowsill was a nice touch. Or simulated feather, I should say, but she wouldn’t have known that. Are you into droid pets, Ms. Cross?”
Idly, Selina lifted a hand, skimmed it through then down her hair. “I don’t care for…pets at all.”
“No? No cats and ravens?”
“How predictable that would be.”
“Alice believed you were a shape-shifter,” Eve said and watched as Selina smiled. “Care to give us a demonstration of that little talent?”
Selina’s nails began to tap again. Eve’s tone was as insulting as a backhanded slap. “I’m not here to entertain you. Or to be mocked by your small mind.”
“Is that what you call it? Were you entertaining Alice with cats and birds and threatening chants over her ’link? How could she feel safe in her own home? Was she such a threat to you?”
“She was nothing to me but an unfortunate failure.”
“You were seen selling illegals to Frank Wojinski.”
The abrupt switch had Selina blinking. When her lips curved now, the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “If that were true, we wouldn’t be having this discussion here in my home, but in Interview. I’m an herbalist, again licensed, and I often sell or trade perfectly legal substances.”
“Do you grow your herbs here?”
“As a matter of fact, I do, and distill my potions and medications.”
“I’d like to see them. Why don’t you show me your work area?”
“You’ll need a warrant for that, and we both know you haven’t cause for one.”
“You’re right. I guess that’s why Frank didn’t bother with a warrant.” Eve rose slowly, spoke softly. “You knew he was onto you, but did you suspect he might get in here, inside? You didn’t see that in your magic ball, did you?” Eve said when Selina’s breath shortened and thickened. “What would you think if I told you he was in your house, and he documented what he saw, and what he found.”
“You have nothing. Nothing.” Selina sprang to her feet. “He was an aging man with slow wits and bad reflexes. I made him for a cop the first time he tried to tail me. He was never in my home. He told you nothing when he was alive, and he can’t tell you anything now.”
“No? Don’t you believe in talking to the dead, Ms. Cross? I make my living at it.”
“And do you think I don’t recognize smoke and mirrors, Lieutenant?” Her spectacular breasts strained against the material of her dress as she struggled to even her breathing. “Alice was a foolish girl who believed she could flirt with dark forces, then run back to her pathetic white magic and tidy little family. She paid the price for her ignorance and her cowardice. But not at my hand. I have nothing more to say to you.”
“That’ll do for now. Peabody?” She started toward the archway. “Your fire’s going out, Ms. Cross,” she said mildly. “Pretty soon you’re going to have nothing but a mess of ashes.”
Selina stood where she was, shaking with rage. When the door closed and security engaged, she balled her hands into fists and screamed