In Death 30 - Fantasy in Death

jaw held firm, and his burnished brown eyes matched his sweeping mane of hair.
    His slightly crooked tie and the slumber-satisfied look in his wife’s eyes gave Eve a solid clue what the couple had been up to during her arrival.
    “Lieutenant Dallas, is it, and Detective Peabody.” DuVaugne crossed the room to give them both a hearty handshake. “What can I do for you?”
    “We’re investigating the murder of Bart Minnock.”
    “Ah.” He gave a wise nod, a regretful sigh. “Yes, I heard about that. The media doesn’t have many details.”
    “You were acquainted with Mr. Minnock?”
    “No, not really. I knew of him, of course, as we’re in the same business.”
    “Geezy, honey, you gotta ask them to sit down. Tsk.”
    She actually said “Tsk,” and with the heavy Bronx base struggling to affect the rounded tones of her droid, Eve found it rather remarkable.
    “I’m Taija. Mrs. Lane DuVaugne. Please, won’t you sit?” She gestured the way screen models did to showcase prizes on game shows. “I’d be happy to order some refreshments.”
    “Thanks.” Eve accepted the invitation to sit. “We’re fine. So you never met Bart Minnock?”
    “Oh, I believe we met a time or two.” DuVaugne took a seat on the red and silver sofa with his wife. “At conventions and events, that sort of thing. He seemed to be a bright and affable young man.”
    “Then why did somebody kill him?” Taija asked.
    “Good question,” Eve said, and made Taija beam like a student flattered by a favored teacher.
    “If you don’t ask questions, you don’t find anything out.”
    “My philosophy. Let me apply that by asking you, Mr. DuVaugne, if you can verify your whereabouts yesterday between three and seven p.m.”
    “Mine? Are you implying I’m a suspect ?” Outrage sprang out where, Eve thought, puzzlement would have been a better lead. “Why, I barely knew the man.”
    “Geezy, Lane wouldn’t kill anybody. He’s gentle as a lamb.”
    “It’s standard procedure. As you said, Mr. DuVaugne, you and the victim were in the same line of work.”
    “That’s hardly a motive for murder! Countless people in this city alone are in the gaming business, but you come into my home and demand I answer your questions.”
    “Now, now, honey.” Taija stroked his arm. “Don’t get all worked up. You know it’s not good for you. And she’s being real polite. You’re always saying people need to do the jobs they’re paid to do and all that. Especially public servants. You’re a public servant, right?” she asked Eve.
    “That’s right.”
    “Anyway, honey, you know you were at work until nearly four. He works so hard,” she confided to Eve. “And then you came right home and we had our little lie-down before we got dressed for the dinner party at Rob and Sasha’s. It was a really nice party.”
    “Taija, it’s a matter of principle.”
    “There, there,” she said, stroking. “Now, now.”
    DuVaugne took a slow, audible breath. “Taija, I think I’d like my evening martini.”
    “Sure, honey, I’ll go tell Derby to mix you one right up. ’Scuze . . . I mean, please excuse me a minute.”
    After she’d clicked out, DuVaugne turned to Eve. “My wife is naive in certain areas.”
    Maybe, Eve thought, but she also came off as sincere, and absurdly likeable.
    “Naive enough not to understand ‘working hard’ includes you paying a con man for confidential information on the workings and projects of U-Play? We have Dubrosky in custody,” Eve said before he could speak. “He rolled on you.”
    “I have no idea what or who you’re talking about. Now, I’m going to ask you to leave.”
    “Peabody, read Mr. DuVaugne his rights.”
    While he blustered, Peabody recited the Revised Miranda. “Do you understand your rights and obligations in this matter?” Peabody finished.
    “This is beyond belief!” His face burned bright red as he shoved to his feet. “I’m calling my lawyer.”
    “Fine. Tell him to meet us down at Cop Central.” Cool and calm in contrast, Eve rose. “Where you can chill in Holding until he arrives, at which time we’ll filter our questions through your representative on both matters—your involvement in corporate espionage and your connection to Bart Minnock’s murder.”
    “Just a minute, just one damn minute. I was nowhere near Minnock’s apartment yesterday. I’ve never been to his apartment.”
    “You’ve requested a lawyer, Mr. DuVaugne,” Eve reminded him.