Naked in Death - J. D. Robb [83]
He must have used a private transport, she decided. It would have been impossible for him to have arrived so quickly through normal channels. He only inclined his head, said nothing as she crossed to give Commander Whitney the disc and file.
“Dr. Mira’s profile.”
“Thank you, lieutenant.” His eyes shifted to Roarke’s. “Lieutenant Dallas will show you to an interview area. We appreciate your cooperation.”
Still, he said nothing, only rose and waited for Eve to go to the door. “You’re entitled to have your attorney present,” she began as she called for an elevator.
“I’m aware of that. Am I being charged with any crime, lieutenant?”
“No.” Cursing him, she stepped inside, requested Area B. “This is just standard procedure.” His silence continued until she wanted to scream. “Damn it, I don’t have a choice here.”
“Don’t you?” he murmured and preceded her out of the car when the doors opened.
“This is my job.” The doors of the interview area whisked open, then snapped closed behind them. The surveillance cameras any petty thief would know were hidden in every wall engaged automatically. Eve took a seat at a small table and waited for him to sit across from her.
“These proceedings are being recorded. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Lieutenant Dallas, ID 5347BQ, interviewer. Subject, Roarke. Initial date and time. Subject has waived the presence of an attorney. Is that correct?”
“Yes, the subject has waived the presence of an attorney.”
“Are you acquainted with a licensed companion, Georgie Castle?”
“No.”
“Have you been to 156 West Eighty-ninth Street?”
“No, I don’t believe I have.”
“Do you own a Ruger P-ninety, automatic combat weapon, circa 2005?”
“It’s likely that I own a weapon of that make and era. I’d have to check to be certain. But for argument’s sake, we’ll say I do.”
“When did you purchase said weapon?”
“Again, I’d have to check.” He never blinked, never took his eyes from hers. “I have an extensive collection, and don’t carry all the details of it in my head or in my pocket log.”
“Did you purchase said weapon at Sotheby’s?”
“It’s possible. I often add to my collection through auctions.”
“Silent auctions?”
“Occasionally.”
Her stomach, already knotted, began to roll. “Did you add to your collection with the aforesaid weapon at a silent auction at Sotheby’s on October second of last year?”
Roarke slipped his log out of his pocket, skimmed back to the date. “No. I don’t have a record of that. It seems I was in Tokyo on that date, engaged in meetings. You can verify that easily.”
Damn you, damn you, she thought. You know that’s no answer. “Representatives are often used in auctions.”
“They are.” Watching her dispassionately, he tucked the log away again. “If you check with Sotheby’s, you’ll be told that I don’t use representatives. When I decide to acquire something, it’s because I’ve seen it—with my own eyes. Gauged its worth to me. If and when I decide to bid, I do so personally. In a silent auction, I would either attend, or participate by ’link.”
“Isn’t it traditional to use a sealed electronic bid, or a representative authorized to go to a certain ceiling?”
“I don’t worry about traditions overmuch. The fact is, I could change my mind as to whether I want something. For one reason or another, it could lose its appeal.”
She understood the underlying meaning of his statement, tried to accept that he was done with her. “The aforesaid weapon, registered in your name and purchased through silent auction at Sotheby’s in October of last year was used to murder Georgie Castle at approximately seven-thirty last evening.”
“You and I both know I wasn’t in New York at seven-thirty last evening.” His gaze skimmed over her face. “You traced the transmission, didn’t you?”
She didn’t answer. Couldn’t. “Your weapon was found at the scene.”
“Have we established it was mine?”
“Who has access to your collection?”
“I do. Only I do.”
“Your staff?”
“No. If you recall, lieutenant, my display cases are locked. Only I have the code.”
“Codes