Celebrity in Death

heard about A. I’m having a soother. Do you want one?”
    “No, I’m good. Was your relationship with Mr. Asner professional?”
    “Sort of, but not really.” Della cuddled the now quiet but trembling dog in one arm as she drank a pink soother from a tall glass. “If we had sex, I had to charge him. I’ve got to make a living, and A knew that. I always gave him a discount, though. But sometimes we’d just go out to dinner or a vid. Just to spend some time with a friend, without the sex. I liked him a lot.”
    “I’m sorry you lost your friend.”
    “He was in a risky business, I guess. I mean mostly it was insurance stuff, or divorce stuff. But detective work’s risky. But I never thought anyone would …”
    “When did you last see or talk to him?”
    “Just yesterday. He got a big payoff from a client, and he was going to buy into a game. He wanted a good-luck bang first. I don’t work that early in the day unless it’s a friend or a regular.”
    “Did he tell you about the client?”
    “Not really. Except he didn’t like her. He said she had a nasty streak, but her money was good. Oh, and she wasn’t who she said she was. Did she kill him?”
    “No, but any information on or about her might help me find who did.”
    “He didn’t say much. He was in such a good mood. He brought Frisky her favorite doggie treats, and he brought me chocolates. He was sweet that way.”
    “Did he tell you why he was in a good mood?”
    “Not really. He just said how he’d made some decisions, and something about how sometimes bad things happen to wake you up, to tell you to play it straight, even if straight put you in a squeeze.”
    “Did he talk to you about it, give you any details?”
    “No, just that he felt good about it. And, oh, he said he was going to retire. He said that a lot, but it sounded like he meant it this time. He was going to go down to the islands next week, check out some property. He said maybe I could come. Maybe I would’ve. He was fun to be around. Then we went to bed for a while. After I made him a sandwich, then he—oh, I forgot. Somebody tagged him. He got all professional, so I figured it was a client.”
    “Did you hear any of the conversation?”
    “Not really. He walked back in the bedroom with the ’link. I did hear him say something about meeting at ten. I think it was ten. When he came out, he was … thoughtful. That’s how I’d say it. He gave me a big kiss, gave Frisky a rub, and left. I’ll never see him again.”
    Eve tried a few more angles, but realized she’d wrung that source dry. Asner hadn’t given names of clients or specific business with them to friends.
    But she had a fresh bone to chew. It appeared as though the killer had contacted Asner, not the other way around.
    When she arrived at Roundtree’s the house droid informed her Mr. Roundtree was still on the set, and Ms. Burkette was not at home. Better yet, Eve decided.
    “I need to review the theater area and the roof.”
    “Do you want me to contact Ms. Burkette?”
    “What for?”
    “I … It’s not the usual practice to allow someone to wander the house without Ms. Burkette or Mr. Roundtree in residence.”
    “I’m not someone. I’m the cop serving as primary investigator on a homicide, one that occurred in this house.”
    “We’re all very upset.”
    “I’m sure you are. You’ll probably be less upset when the individual who murdered Ms. Harris is identified, apprehended, and charged. So, I’m going to work toward that by reviewing the areas I mentioned.”
    “Of course. I’ll show you to the theater.”
    “I know the way.” Eve took out her PPC, pulled up Asner’s ID shot. “Does he look familiar?”
    “No.” The droid went into that momentary dead pause as it scanned. “No. I don’t know him.”
    “You never saw him around the neighborhood?”
    “I have nothing in memory. Is there something I can get for you while you … review?”
    “No, but thanks. I’ll let myself out when I’m done.”
    Eve went directly to the theater. She stood for a few minutes, bringing the scene back into her mind as it had been that night. Everyone milling around, getting drinks or desserts, talking in little groups or lounging in the chairs.
    Big, happy group, she thought. Except for Harris. She’d been sulky and withdrawn, off to herself.
    Drinking and watching, Eve thought now, annoyed she’d paid so little attention to the woman.
    Of course neither of them had known Harris