Glory in Death - J. D. Robb [76]
“Does he have a lot of nibbles?”
“Only seen a few around here. Always come up in a private car. Sometimes they’ll stay till morning, but mostly not.”
“And how would you know?”
He grinned, unabashed. “I live right over there.” He pointed to a townhouse across the street. “I like to keep my eye on what’s doing.”
“Okay, why don’t you tell me if anybody came around last night?”
He swiveled his board, spun. “How come?”
“’Cause I’m a cop.”
His eyes widened as he studied her badge. “Wow. Decent. Hey, you think he popped his old lady? Gotta keep up with current events and shit for school.”
“This isn’t a quiz. Were you keeping your eye out last night? What’s your name?”
“It’s Barry. I was kind of hanging loose last night, watching some screen, listening to some tune. Supposed to be studying for this monster final in Comp Tech.”
“Why aren’t you in school today?”
“Hey, you’re not with the Truant Division?” His grin turned a little nervous. “It’s too early for class. Anyway, I got the three-day thing, E-school at home.”
“Okay. Last night?”
“While I was hanging, I saw Mr. Angelini go out. About eight, I guess. Then, late, probably closing on midnight, this other dude, flash car pulls up. He didn’t get out for awhile, just kinda sat there like he couldn’t make up his mind.”
Barry did a quick whirl-a-loop, dancing up the length of the board. “Then he went in. Walking funny. I figured he’d been dousing a few. Went right on in, so he knew the code. Didn’t see Mr. Angelini come back. I was probably zeeing by then. You know, catching winks.”
“Sleeping, yeah. I get it. Did you see anybody leave this morning?”
“Nope, but the flash car’s still there.”
“I see. Thanks.”
“Hey.” He scooted behind her. “Is being a cop a rocking thing?”
“Sometimes it rocks, sometimes it doesn’t.” She climbed the short steps to the Angelini home and identified herself to the cool tones of the greeting scanner.
“I’m sorry, Lieutenant, there is no one at home. If you would like to leave a message, it will be returned at the first opportunity.”
Eve looked directly at the scanner. “Process this. If there’s no one at home, I’m going to walk back to my car, request an entry and search warrant. That should take about ten minutes.”
She stood her ground and waited less than two before David Angelini opened the door.
“Lieutenant.”
“Mr. Angelini. Here or Cop Central? Your choice.”
“Come in.” He stepped back. “I just arrived in New York last night. I’m still a bit disorganized this morning.”
He led her into a dark-toned, high-ceilinged sitting room and offered her coffee politely, which she declined with equal politeness. He wore the slim, narrow cuffed slacks she’d seen on the streets of Rome with a wide-sleeved silk shirt of the same neutral cream color. His shoes matched the tone and looked soft enough to dent with a fingertip.
But his eyes were restless, and his hands tapped rhythmically on the arms of his chair when he sat.
“You have more information about my mother’s case.”
“You know why I’m here.”
He flicked his tongue over his lips, shifted. Eve thought she understood why he did so poorly at gaming. “Excuse me?”
She set her recorder on the table in full view. “David Angelini, your rights are as follows. You are under no obligation to make a statement. If you do make a statement, it will be logged into record and can and will be used against you in court or any legal proceeding. You have a right to the presence and advice of an attorney or representative.”
She continued the brisk recitation of his rights while his breathing quickened and grew more audible. “The charges?”
“You are not yet charged. Do you understand your rights?”
“Of course I understand them.”
“Do you wish to call your attorney?”
His mouth opened, a breath shuddered out. “Not yet. I assume you’re going to make the purpose of this interrogation clear, Lieutenant.”
“I think it’s going to be crystal. Mr. Angelini, where were you between the hours of eleven P.M., May 31 and twelve A.M., June 1?”
“I told you I’d just gotten into the