Delusion in Death

at the same time as Callaway—same company, different department. He’s Sales. I’ve read his statement. Left with an oncoming headache, went home, and that’s verified, to his wife and six-month-old baby. He’s three weeks into a big, fat raise and promotion. He doesn’t fit for me.”
    “Lucky for Whistler, and likely his mother?”
    “What? Why?”
    “Weak joke. So back to your corporate trio.”
    “Right. S&R lost people in both incidents, a chunk of them in Weaver’s department. And, so far, they’re the only ones from those offices who’ve contacted me directly—twice now for two of them—and asked for a meeting.”
    “A way to get information and attention.”
    “Four suits walk into a bar.”

    “And what’s your punch line?”
    She angled toward Roarke. “Only three walk out. The thing is, if I’m one of the four, the target’s more likely to be Vann. He’s rich and connected. He breezes in while the others put in years. But he’s the one who walks out. If the statements were accurate, they all knew he’d only be there for a short time. So, if Cattery—the dead suit—was the, or even a, target—why? What do the other three—or one of them, possibly two of them—have to gain by offing Cattery? None of them could be sure any of their other coworkers would be there at the right time.”
    “It may very well have been random. You know that.”
    “I don’t like random.” She scowled out the window. “Random pisses me off.” She continued to frown as he turned into a lot. “You could’ve grabbed some curb. I can put the On Duty light on.”
    “A short walk won’t hurt either of us.”
    More time to think, she decided when she got out of the car. “I’m going to spend some time with Joseph Cattery tonight. See what I see.”
    “Spend a moment with me now.” He pulled her in for a kiss, laughing when she nudged him back. “Your On Duty light isn’t on, Lieutenant.”
    “It just doesn’t show.”
    She studied the towering steel and glass building as they walked, and the way it caught the red gleam of the lowering sun.
    “A long way to the top,” she considered. “Lots of rungs to climb, hours to put in, hands to shake and palms to grease.”
    “So it is in the world of business.”
    “That’s why you’re handy to have along. You know the ins and outs, the slippery corners. They’re marketing people, right? So they’re always selling something.”

    “Including themselves,” he agreed. “It’s not only selling the product, showing it in the best and most creative light, but hyping themselves as the ones with the best ideas, the freshest angles, the most muscular follow-through.”
    “I get it, as a theory anyway. They’re coworkers, and there’s a pecking order. But they’re competitors, too. It’s not just other firms they compete against.”
    “Exactly. There’d be accounts, prestige, and bonuses at stake. A daily race.”
    “Could be one of them decided to narrow the field. But it’s not that simple.” She argued with herself, struggling to focus the picture. “There are easier ways to do that. This is ego, anger, cruelty, and a complete disregard for humanity—more for people he sees every day.”
    They went inside, crossed the wide lobby to the security desk.
    “Lieutenant Dallas,” Eve said, holding up her badge, “and consultant, for Weaver, Callaway, and Vann—Stevenson and Reede.”
    “You’ve been cleared, Lieutenant. Ms. Weaver’s expecting you. Elevators to the right. Forty-three West. I’ll let them know you’re on your way.”
    With Roarke, Eve stepped into the elevator. “Forty-three West,” she ordered. “He didn’t ask for your ID. Weaver told him to expect me and a partner. She’s assuming Peabody.”
    “I’ll try to be half as charming.”
    “No charm, pal. You’re aloof. You’re not just a boss, you’re a megaboss. People like this aren’t worth your notice. I’m doing my duty. Follow-ups are routine. I intro you as consultant, but it’s clear you’re just here because we’re on our way home. You’re bored.”
    Enjoying her, he smiled. “Am I?”
    “You have planets to buy, minions to intimidate.”

    “Well, now I am bored. I’ve already done all that today.”
    “Then it won’t be hard to pretend to do it all again. Be scary Roarke-lite.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “You know what I mean. I don’t want them to piss themselves. I just want them off balance. Here we go.”
    Nancy Weaver stepped