In Death 07 - Holiday in Death

It'll only take a couple minutes."
    "I'm working here." Simon spread his hands, sending a few blobs of mud sailing.
    "Two minutes," she said and had to clamp down on the urge to laugh as McNab rolled his eyes dramatically behind Simon's back.
    "Out, out," he said again, snagging a towel. "I do apologize," he said to McNab. "Your slather needs to set in any case. Please, just relax, let your mind rest. I'll just be a moment."
    "No problem," McNab muttered.
    "No, no, shh!" With a benign smile, Simon tapped a finger to his lips. "No talking. Let your face relax completely, let your mind empty. This is your time. Now, close your eyes, imagine all impurities flowing out. I'll be just outside."
    His smile fell away the minute he shut the door and looked at Eve. "I won't have you disturbing my clients."
    "Sorry. But one of your clients was really disturbed last night. He won't be coming in for his standing monthly anymore."
    "What are you talking about?"
    "Holloway. Brent Holloway. He's dead."
    "Dead? Brent?" Simon leaned back against the glossy wall. The hand he hadn't quite wiped clean pressed against his heart. "But I saw him only a few days ago. There must be a mistake."
    "I saw him this morning, in a drawer at the morgue. There's no mistake."
    "I can't... breathe." Cape fluttering, Simon dashed down the hall. Eve found him in a plush waiting area, collapsed on a silk settee, his head between his knees.
    "I didn't know you were that close."
    "I'm his -- was his consultant. No one, not even a spouse, is more intimate."
    She tried to think of intimacy with Trina and had to block off another shudder. "I'm sorry for your loss, Simon. You want something. Water?"
    "Yes, no. Oh dear God." He lifted his head and reached out with a trembling hand to engage the pop-up refreshment screen on the table beside him. His face was a sickly gray framed by the brilliant red of his hair. "I need a soother. Camomile, chilled." Then he leaned back, shut his eyes. "How did it happen?"
    "We're investigating. Tell me about him, tell me who he was involved with."
    "He was a very exacting man. I respected that. He knew precisely how he wanted to appear, and was dedicated to maintaining his face, his body. Oh God." He snagged the tall, slim glass from the server droid the minute it scooted in. "I'm sorry, dear heart. Give me just a moment."
    He drank deeply, taking slow, even breaths between sips. Some of the color that had washed away from his face came back. "He never missed an appointment, and sent me many referrals. He appreciated my work."
    "Did he hook up with anyone around here on a personal level? Stylists, consultants, other clients?"
    "Our staff isn't permitted to date the clientele. As to other clients, I don't recall him mentioning any. He enjoyed women. He had a varied and satisfying sexual life."
    "He told you about that?"
    "What is discussed between consultant and client is absolutely sacred." Simon sniffed once, then set his empty glass aside.
    "Did he go for men, too?"
    Simon's mouth flattened. "He never mentioned an interest in same-sex relationships. I don't feel comfortable with these questions, Lieutenant."
    "Holloway's not real comfortable now either." She waited a beat, saw Simon pause, take it in, then nod.
    "You're right. Of course you're right. I apologize. It's just such a shock."
    "Did any of your male staff members show an interest in him, a romantic or sexual interest?"
    "No. At least... I honestly never noticed any signals or vibrations, if you will. Such behavior is soundly discouraged here. We're professionals."
    "Right. Who have you got on staff who does freehand tattoos?"
    He sighed long and loud. "We have several consultants who are excellent freehand body artists."
    "Names, Simon."
    "Ask Yvette at the desk. She'll give you what you need. I must get back to my client." He pressed his fingers to his eyes. "I can't allow my personal feelings to interfere with my work. Lieutenant..." Simon dropped his hands back into his lap, and his eyes were dark and damp. "Brent had no family. What will happen to his... What will happen to him?"
    "The city will take care of it, if there's no one."
    "No, that wouldn't be right." He pressed his lips together, then pushed himself to his feet. "I'd like to make the arrangements if that's allowed. It would be the last thing I could do for him."
    "We can work it that way. You'll have to come down to the morgue, fill out the paperwork."
    "To the..." His mouth trembled, but he drew in a