In Death 31 - Indulgence in Death

Jealousy, revenge, profit.”
    “Then look into it. Seriously,” she added when Peabody frowned at her. “Maybe you’re right, and there’s some concrete motive here, some connection between killer or killers and victims we haven’t found. Find it. If you do, it opens things up. If you don’t, it narrows the focus. Either way it’s progress.”
    “My own fork in the investigative road?”
    “Whatever. Work on it, at Central, or take what you need and work at home. Carve out some downtime before your brain goes to mush.”
    “Is that what you’re going to do?”
    “I’m going to try to grab Mira, run some things by her, then I need to take what we have to Whitney. After that, yeah, I’m thinking I’ll work at home.”
    They separated at Central, with Eve heading toward Mira’s office as she contacted the commander’s with a request for a report meeting. She geared herself up to confront Mira’s fierce gatekeeping admin but found a young, perky woman in the dragon’s place.
    “Who are you?” Eve demanded.
    “I’m Macy. Doctor Mira’s administrative assistant is out today. What can I do for you?”
    “You can give me five minutes with Doctor Mira.”
    “Let me see what I can do. Who should I say would like to speak with her?”
    “Dallas, Lieutenant Eve.”
    “Oh!” She bounced a little in her chair, and actually clapped her hands as if one of them had won a prize. “I know who you are! I read Nadine Furst’s book. It’s all just amazing.”
    Eve started to dismiss it, rethought. “Thanks. Being able to consult with Mira made a huge difference in the Icove case. I’m working on a pretty hot one now. I could really use that five.”
    “Give me one minute!” She all but sang it as she turned to her com. “Doctor Mira, Lieutenant Dallas would like five minutes with you if you’re available. Of course, yes, ma’am.” Macy beamed at Eve. “You can go right in.”
    “Thanks. Ah, how long are you on the desk?”
    “Oh, just for a couple days. I wish it was longer. It’s fun!”
    “Yeah.”
    Mira started to rise from her desk when Eve came in. “No, don’t get up. Five minutes tops. Could there be two?”
    “I’m sorry?”
    “No, my sorry. I’m thinking ahead of myself. Two murders, two killers. My cases.”
    Mira frowned. “With the pattern, the repeat of element types, I have to conclude these murders are connected.”
    “Connected, yeah, but two killers, working in tandem, working a set pattern.”
    “Interesting. Again, the elements, the executions are so very similar, even the tone.”
    “Yeah, and that could be deliberate. Involve number one through an employee, but you’re alibied because number two’s on that one. Then repeat, switching off.”
    “A partnership.”
    “Maybe even a business deal. I don’t know, not yet, but both Dudley and Moriarity ring my bell. They’re different types.” Despite telling Mira to stay seated, Eve paced the pretty office. “At least they projected different types when we interviewed them. But under it, they’re not that different. Rich, privileged, inherited wealth, inherited positions in major, long-standing corporations. And they’re friends.”
    “Are they?” Mira queried.
    “Yeah. Dudley confirmed that. Friends, but neither of them mentioned discussing this very similar situation they find themselves in with the other. That’s bogus. Both are alibied tight for the night of the murder connected to their company, and home alone on the other.”
    “Mirrors then.” Mira pursed her lips, nodded. “And perhaps reflecting too close, which raised your instincts to suspect.”
    “Even the alibis rang the same. Out with friends, multiple, covering the entire evening. Smarter if one of them had a woman over, or a business meeting, some wider variation. But they’ve stuck with the same pattern throughout. And they’re smug. I don’t like smug.” She shrugged it off. “I’m about to report to Whitney. I wanted your take before I did.”
    “What you’re theorizing is certainly possible. I would have to conclude that, if this is the case, the two men have a deep and strong level of trust or mutual need. If either one of them had failed or changed his mind, or otherwise impacted the partnership, the other would suffer the consequences as well.”
    “Okay. I’ll look into that. Thanks.”
    “Eve, if you’re right, they could be finished. Each has done their part.”
    “No.” She thought of the sparkle in