Murder at the Opera - Margaret Truman [20]
“I wonder if she was seeing someone romantically
“If she was, he’ll be the first to be questioned. What I’m wondering is how Pawkins will go about investigating. At least having been a cop will help avoid ruffling feathers at MPD
“He won’t have any official status,” Annabel said.
“He will with your opera people. If you’re right—that it was someone involved with the opera—he’ll probably have better access to them than the cops will
He got off the couch, turned on CNN, mounted a stationary bike, and started peddling. “What’s on your agenda today?” he asked.
“Meetings. I’m on the Opera Ball committee. It’ll be here before we know it
“The murder will take some of the gloss off
“I hope not. It’s our biggest fund-raiser. I think it’s shaping up beautifully. Which reminds me, it’s black tie. You might want to pull out your tux and try it on
He stopped peddling. “Are you suggesting it might not fit me as well as the last time I wore it?”
“Of course not. I just thought it might need cleaning or some minor…adjustments.” She, too, stood. “Shower time. Put on the coffee?”
“My pleasure. I’ll need the car
“No problem. I won’t need it today.”
• • •
Annabel’s first meeting of the day was at WNO’s administrative offices at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, the Watergate office building in which the infamous Watergate break-in took place, and across from what used to be a Holiday Inn. Not exactly a holiday, it had served as a staging area for Nixon’s bungling burglars. As Annabel started up the stairs leading to the main entrance, Genevieve Crier burst through the doors.
“Good morning, Annabel,” the energetic supers’ coordinator chirped. “Can you believe it actually happened? I mean, right there in the Kennedy Center. I didn’t sleep a wink. Poor girl. I ache for her parents
“I know,” said Annabel. “Has the meeting started? I’m a little late
“No, but they’re gathering. Did you speak with your husband about Mr. Pawkins?”
“Mac spoke with him last night. He’s agreed to lend a hand. They’re having breakfast as we speak
“Splendid
“Won’t you be at the meeting?”
“Afraid not. Other fires to put out this morning. I’d better get on my horse. Later, Annabel
As Annabel again made for the doors, she noticed a TV remote truck parked across the street. A mini-van with THE WASHINGTON TIMES on its side occupied a space a few feet from it. They’re not here to do a retrospective on the Watergate break-in, Annabel thought as she entered the building and checked in with the first-floor receptionist.
A dozen men and women were milling about the large, second-floor conference room when Annabel entered. Chairman Frazier, a compact man who moved with the assurance of a top business leader—he’d made his millions providing state-of-the-art surveillance equipment to the Justice Department—greeted her. “Glad you could make it,” he said. He lowered his voice. “Did your husband speak with the private investigator?”
“Yes,” Annabel said. “He’s willing to help us, at no charge
“Does that mean he won’t give us his full attention?”
“I only know that Mac called him last night, and Mr. Pawkins agreed to work with us. Mac is having breakfast with him this morning, and I’m sure he’ll ascertain his degree of involvement
“Fine,” said Frazier. “We’d better get started
He had trouble establishing order. Everyone in the room was discussing Charise Lee’s death and resisted his repeated requests that they take their seats. When they finally did, he indicated a printed agenda at each place. First on the list was “Charise Lee
“I’m not suggesting that we spend much time discussing what happened at the Kennedy Center last night,” Frazier said, “except to say that we mustn’t allow it to impede progress on other fronts. Naturally, our