Imitation in Death

“You and your entourage are cleared for thirty. Thank you for your patience.”

Mavis maintained the diva mode until the elevator doors shut behind them. “Subzero! I could eat that with a spoon. ‘You and your entourage are cleared for thirty.’ Is that hot shit, or what?”

She did a quick butt-wiggling dance, then patted her belly. “I only said entourage because I thought you might punch him.”

“I was thinking about it.”

“I’m keeping the baby away from displays of violence. Not even watching much screen. I heard how serenity and positive energy’s really good for brewing babies.”

With some trepidation, Eve glanced down at Mavis’ belly. Could the thing hear in there? “I’ll try not to punch anybody when you’re around.”

“That’d be good.” Mavis shut off her beaming smile as the doors opened. The diva was back. She lifted her eyebrows at the woman who waited for them.

“Ms. Freestone, such a pleasure to meet you. I’m an enormous fan of yours, and of Leonardo’s, of course.”

“Of course.” Mavis extended a hand.

“If you’ll just come with me, Ms. Gates is very anxious to see you.”

“I dig this to China,” Mavis said out of the corner of her mouth as they walked through another generous lobby.

In this one, clear cubes were set up for busy drones. Headsets and keyboards were fully ma

The space once again fa

Their escort hurried along in a skirt snug as a bandage, on heels sharp as scalpels. She pressed a button at the center of the left door. Seconds later, a brisk impatient voice snapped: “Yes.”

“Ms. Freestone is here to see you, Ms. Gates.”

Rather than a response, the doors slid back into the wall, revealing an enormous office, ribboned with privacy-screened windows.

The black-and-white theme continued here. Black carpet, white walls, a massive white workstation. Wide chairs were covered in thin black-and-white stripes.

The red came from the scarlet roses massed in a tall black vase, and from the sharp, powerful business suit that decked Julietta’s impressive body.

She was tall, curvy with a simple sweep of honey blonde hair that swung around a diamond-shaped face. Keen cheekbones, keen chin, keen nose, with a mouth just a shade too thin for beauty. But the eyes, a deep, deep brown, pulled the attention away from the minor flaw.

She was crossing the room as the doors opened, her hand extended, a delighted expression on her face. “Mavis Freestone, what a pleasure. I’m so glad you got in touch. I’ve been wanting to meet you for the longest time! Of course, I’ve known Leonardo forever. He’s such a sweetheart.”

“He’s certainly mine.”

“Please, sit down. What can I offer you? Iced coffee perhaps?”

“I’m dodging caffeine these days.” Mavis remained standing, patted her belly.

“Yes, of course. Congratulations. When are you due?”

“February.”

“What a nice Valentine’s present.” Ignoring Eve and Peabody, she drew Mavis toward a chair. “Get off your feet, and we’ll have a cold, sparkling juice.”

“We’d love one. Got time for a drink, Dallas?”

“I can make time, since Ms. Gates found an opening in her busy calendar.” Resting an arm on the back of Mavis’ chair, Eve cocked her hip. “My questions shouldn’t take long.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“LieutenantDallas, NYPSD.”Eve took out her badge. “My aide,OfficerPeabody. Now that we all know each other, and we’re all cozy, maybe you could answer some questions.”

“I repeat”-Julietta walked around her desk to assume a position of command-” I don’t understand. I agreed to seeMs.Freestone. We’d very much like to do a major article on you, Mavis, with a photo layout.”

“Sure, we can talk about that. AfterDallas is done.Dallas and I go way back,” she added with a wonderfully guileless smile. “When she mentioned she was having trouble getting an interview, I said I was sure it was just a communication glitz, and you’d make time. Supporting our local police is a really important issue with me andLeonardo.”

“Cleverly done.” Julietta replied.

“I thought so.”Eve stayed on her feet as Julietta sat down. “If you’re not comfortable, I’m sure Mavis wouldn’t mind waiting outside the office until we’re finished.”

“No need for that.” Julietta leaned back, swiveled in her chair. “You’ve already spoken toTom. I don’t know what I can possibly add. I don’t get involved in his work, and he doesn’t get involved in mine.”

“How about each other’s lives?”

Her tone remained perfectly pleasant. “Which area of our lives do you have in mind?”

“When was the last time you were inLondon?”

“London?” Her brow creased. “I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”

“Humor me.”

“I was there a few weeks ago on business.” With the a

“Alone?”

There was a quick flicker in her eyes before she set the calendar down. “Yes, why?”

“Your husband ever go over with you?”

“We went in April. Tom thought the experience would be fun for Jed. I had business, and he wanted to do some research. We took an extra two days for a family holiday.”

“Buy any souvenirs?”

“What are you getting at?”

“I guess you travel to Europe pretty regularly,” Eve said, changing tack. “For your business.”

“I do. For fashion shows, for events, to meet with my counterparts in our European offices. Just what does this have to do with Tom helping you in an investigation?”

“It’s part of my investigation.”

“I don’t-” She broke off when her pocket ‘link rang. “Excuse me, that’s my private line. I need to get this.”

She shifted it to privacy mode, slid on a miniheadset, and angled away so Eve couldn’t see the ‘link’s view screen.

“Julietta Gates. Yes.”

Her voice warmed, several degrees, and that just-a-little-too-thin mouth tipped up in a smile.

“Absolutely. I have it on my calendar. One o’clock. Mmm-hmm. Yes, I’m in a meeting.” There was a long silence as she listened, and Eve noted the faint flush that rose to her cheeks. “I’ll look forward to that. Yes, I will. Goodbye.”

She disco

“Can you tell me where you were Sunday morning?”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” She let out a huff of breath. “Sundays, I let Tom sleep in and take Jed to the park, or to some other activity. I’m trying to be cooperative, Lieutenant, since Mavis has asked me to, but I’m finding this very a

“Almost done. How about the night of September second, between midnight and three?”

Julietta snatched up her calendar again, keyed in. Again, Eve saw the slight change cross her face. “I had a meeting with an associate. I can’t tell you precisely when I got home as I didn’t make note of it, but I think it was after nine, maybe close to ten. I was tired, and went straight up to bed since Tom was working.”

“So he was home the entire night.”

“Why wouldn’t he be? He was working. I took a pill and went to bed. I told him I was going to, so he’d hardly have left the house because of Jed. Tom’s completely devoted, and somewhat overprotective of Jed. What is this?”

“That’s it for now. Thanks for the time.”

“I think I’m entitled to some sort of-”

“If you still want, we can talk about that article.” Mavis popped to her feet. “I just need a minute first.”

She scooted out of the office with Eve, then dropped her voice to a whisper. “So? Did she kill somebody or what?”

“Doubtful. The worst I figure she’s done is cheat on her husband with whoever called her on her private ‘link.”

“She did? She is? How do you know?”