In Death 03 - Immortal in Death

out yet is that he could be fingering Fitzgerald at the same time. She told him enough for him to plan a trip to the Eden Colony, hoping the two of them could finesse a specimen of their own."
    "You've got your illegals conspiracy," Whitney pointed out. "If Young shakes off the rest, he'll have his deal. You've still got a way to go for murder. At this point, his testimony isn't going to hold much weight. He believes Redford did Pandora. He gives us motive. We can establish opportunity. But there's no physical evidence, no witnesses."
    He rose. "Get me a confession, Dallas. The PA's putting on the pressure. They're dropping charges on Freestone Monday. If they don't have something else to feed the media, we're all going to look like assholes."
    Casto took out a penknife, began trimming his nails as Whitney left the room. "Christ knows we wouldn't want the PA to look like an asshole. Shit, they want it all laid out on a platter, don't they?" His eyes lifted to Eve's. "Redford's not going to cop to murder. Eve. He'll go down for the drug. Hell, it's almost fashionable, but he's not going to swing to four homicides. We've only got one hope to pin on."
    "Which is?" Peabody wanted to know.
    "That he didn't do it alone. We crack one of the others, we crack him. My money's on Fitzgerald."
    "Then you take her." Eve blew out a breath. "I'll work Redford. Peabody, take Redford's picture. Go back to the club, go back to Boomer's place, to Cockroach's, to Moppett's. Show the damn thing to everybody. I need one lousy make."
    She scowled as the 'link beeped, and she engaged it. "Dallas, don't bother me."
    "It's always lovely to hear your voice," Roarke said implacably.
    "I'm in conference."
    "So am I. I'm leaving for FreeStar in thirty minutes."
    "You're going off planet? But... well, have a good trip."
    "It can't be avoided. I should be back within three days. You know how to contact me."
    "Yeah, I know." She wanted to say things, foolish things, private things. "I'm going to be pretty tied up myself for a while," she said instead. "See you when you get back."
    "You might check your office, Lieutenant. Mavis has been trying to reach you most of the day. It appears you've missed your last fitting. Leonardo is... distraught."
    Eve did her best to ignore Casto's quick chuckle. "I've got other things on my mind."
    "Don't we all? Find a minute to deal with him, darling. For my sake. Let's get all those people out of our house."
    "I wanted to boot them out days ago. I thought you liked having all those people around."
    "And I thought he was your brother," Roarke murmured.
    "What?"
    "Old joke. No, Eve, I don't like having all those people around. They are, in a word, maniacs. I found Galahad cowering under the bed just now. Someone has covered him with beads and tiny red bows. It's mortifying, for both of us."
    She bit down on her tongue to hold back the snort of laughter. Roarke wasn't looking amused. "Now that I know they're driving you crazy, I feel better. We'll move them along."
    "Do that. Oh, and I'm afraid there might be a few details for next Saturday you'll have to handle while I'm gone. Summerset has the memos. My transport's waiting." She watched him signal to someone off screen, then his eyes locked back on hers. "See you in a few days, Lieutenant."
    "Yeah." The screen went blank as she muttered. "Bon fucking voyage."
    "Well, hell, Eve. If you need to run off to your dressmaker, or take your cat to therapy, Peabody and I can handle this minor matter of murder."
    Eve's lips stretched in a vicious smile. "Bite me, Casto."
    Despite his many annoying qualities, Casto had solid instincts. Redford wasn't going to break any time soon. Eve worked him hard and had the mild satisfaction of pinning him on the illegals charges, but a confession to multiple murder just wasn't happening.
    "Let's see if I've got this straight." She rose. She needed to stretch her legs. She poured coffee. "It was Pandora who told you about Immortality. And that was?"
    "As I said, about a year and a half ago, perhaps a little more." He was iced down now, totally in control. The illegals charges could be dealt with, particularly from the angle he'd chosen. "She came to me with a business proposition. Or so she termed it. She claimed to have access to a formula, something that would revolutionize the beauty and health industry."
    "A beauty aid. And she didn't mention the illegal or the dangerous qualities."
    "Not at that time. She needed backing to start the