Free In Death 03 - Immortal in Death by authors_sort Page B

she is. Let me see if she's all right."
    "How did you kill Pandora?"
    "I -- the reporter said I beat her to death." And he shuddered.
    "How did you beat her? What did you use?"
    "I -- My hands?" Again he held them out. Eve noted there was no sign of bruising, no tears or abrasions on the knuckles. They were perfect, as if they'd been carved from rich, glossy wood.
    "She was a strong woman. She must have fought back."
    "The cut on my arm."
    "I'd like the cut to be examined, as well as the clothes you say you left at Mavis's."
    "Are you going to arrest me now?"
    "You are not being charged at this time. You will, however, be held until the results of the tests are complete."
    She took him over the same ground again, pushing for times, for places, for his movements. Again and again, she bumped up against the wall blocking his memory. Far from satisfied, she concluded the interview, took him to holding, then made arrangements for the tests.
    Her next stop was Commander Whitney.
    Ignoring his offer of a chair, she stood facing him as he sat behind his desk. Briskly, she gave him the results of her initial interviews. Whitney folded his hands and watched her. He had good eyes, cop's eyes, and recognized nerves.
    "You have a man who has confessed to the murder. A man with motive and opportunity."
    "A man who doesn't remember seeing the victim on the night in question, much less bludgeoning her to death."
    "It wouldn't be the first time a perp confessed in such a way to make himself seem innocent."
    "No, sir. But I don't believe he's our killer. The tests may prove me wrong, but his personality type doesn't fit the crime. I was a witness to another altercation where the victim attacked Mavis. Rather than attempting to stop the fight, or showing any signs of violence, he stood back and wrung his hands."
    "By his own statement, he was under the influence on the night of the murder. Drink can and does induce personality changes."
    "Yes, sir." It was reasonable. In her heart she wanted to pin it on him, to take his confession at face value and run with it. Mavis would be miserable, but she'd be safe. She'd be cleared. "It's not him," she said flatly. "I recommend holding him for the maximum amount of time, reinterviewing to try to jog his memory. But we can't charge him for thinking he committed murder."
    "I'll go along with your recommendation, Dallas. The other lab reports should be in shortly. We'll hope the results will clear everything up. You understand they may further incriminate Mavis Freestone."
    "Yes, sir, I understand that."
    "You have a long-standing friendship with her. It would be no blot on your record to withdraw as primary on this case. It would, in fact, be better for you, and certainly more rational if you were to do so."
    "No, sir, I will not withdraw as primary. If you pull me, I will take leave and pursue the case on personal time. If necessary, I will resign."
    For a moment, he rubbed his joined hands against his brow. "Your resignation would not be accepted. Sit down, Lieutenant. Damn it, Dallas," he erupted when she remained standing. "Sit. I'll make it a fucking order."
    "Yes, Commander."
    He sighed, reined in his temper. "I hurt you not long ago with a personal attack that was neither appropriate nor deserved. Because of that, I damaged something between us. I understand that you no longer feel comfortable under my command."
    "You are the best commander I've ever served under. I have no problem with you as my superior."
    "But no longer friends -- not even remotely." He nodded, accepting her silence. "However, because of my behavior during your investigation of a case that was very personal to me, you should be aware that I fully understand what you're going through on this one. I know what it is to be torn between loyalties, Dallas. While you may be unable to discuss your feelings in this case with me, I strongly suggest that you do so with someone you can trust. My mistake in the other investigation was in not