Celebrity in Death

those who know how they fabricate some of the hype. Other than that, it’s still rolling the dice.”
    Peabody poked her head in when Eve sent Roundtree out.
    “Want an update?”
    Eve crooked her finger.
    “Nadine’s still a little pissed she didn’t latch onto the Marlo/Matthew connection before you did. She wants exclusives right, left, and sideways.She contacted everybody we’re talking to via ’link yesterday, and actually managed to get into Julian’s hotel room—with his permission—for a one-on-one in the afternoon. She didn’t have much to add, which I figured was what you wanted me to find out, but she’s digging like a terrier.”
    “Good.”
    “Preston’s alibied. I verified. He and Carmandy were in her room until after midnight. We can check hotel security on that, but it feels solid.”
    “All right.”
    “Matthew’s in the studio, was actually in his trailer. He and Marlo came in together this morning. Steinburger and Valerie are also here. They’ve been in his office working on spin and media angles.”
    “Why don’t you take the lovebirds—separately. Then Andrea. I’ll take Valerie first, then Steinburger, round it out with Julian.”
    “Works for me. I’ll get Valerie on her way.”
    Eve busied herself with more notes, linking names with lines until Valerie clipped in on her important shoes. She wore an earlink, had a pocket ’link, and a PPC clipped to what Eve supposed was a fashionable belt. She carried two go-cups.
    “Mango smoothies,” she said, setting one on the table. “I thought you might like one. Now.” She sat, crossed her legs. “How can I help you?”
    “You can start by giving me your whereabouts last night, between ten P.M. and midnight.”
    Valerie held up one finger in a one-moment gesture, and unclipped her PPC. “Let me check my calendar. It’s cross-checked, of course, in my memo book. I have that in my briefcase in Joel’s office. I holoed with reporters on the West Coast until ten. I believe my memo book will have that conference ending at approximately ten after the hour, as it ran over a bit. I had a meeting scheduled with Joel at ten-thirty. Ibelieve we brainstormed and handled a variety of issues until about one this morning.”
    “And where did you conference and meet and brainstorm?”
    “At Joel’s pied-à-terre. I stayed in the guest quarters last night to simplify the situation.”
    “Situation?”
    Valerie maintained her pleasant, slightly smug expression. “K.T. Harris’s murder is a situation.”
    “At least. Are you and Joel Steinburger sexually involved?”
    “No. That’s insulting.”
    “Insulting because you’re no longer sexually involved? Because I have two different statements verifying you had been previously.”
    “It’s no one’s business, and not at all pertinent. Mr. Steinburger and I are not involved in the way you imply.”
    “But you were?”
    “Briefly. Several months ago. We ended that phase of our relationship amicably, and work together. Nothing more.”
    “Uh-huh. And last night, you and Mr. Steinburger worked together in his pied-à-terre, from ten-thirty until one.”
    “That’s correct. I conferred with my assistant, as I recall. All of us are putting in considerable overtime.”
    “On the situation.”
    “Yes.”
    “How are you handling the Matthew-and-Marlo-as-lovers portion of the situation?”
    “I’m sorry, what?”
    “Tell me this. How much overtime did you put in on K.T. Harris while she was alive?”
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “I mean, how did you spin, cover up, keep quiet, her addiction problems, her threats, the blanket dislike for her on this project?”
    “K.T. was a talented actor whose work was celebrated and respected. As is often the case with artists, her temperament was often misunderstood by those outside.”
    “Does anybody actually buy that bullshit? Amazing.”
    In response, Valerie just folded her hands in her lap.
    “Send me the list of your holo-conference attendees, and a copy of your brainstorming notes. I’ll take Steinburger now.”
    “It would help considerably if you could speak with Joel in his office. We’re enormously busy this morning.”
    “Sure. Lead the way.”
    The offices were in the same section, hardly more than a thirty-second walk.
    Power play, Eve decided when she went in—after Valerie’s knock and Steinburger’s answer. He sat behind his desk, a busy man. His office boasted a wall of screens, several of them