I scowled at him. "If this is some elaborate joke, I am going to be pissed."
He held the door for me. "Did we interrupt your date with Count Dracula?"
"None of your damn business."
A chorus of "ooohs" went through the squad room. I went through the door with everyone calling after me. Some of the suggestions were rude, one physically impossible even with a vampire. Sexual harassment or just being one of the guys, it was always a thin line.
I peeked back through the door and said, "You're all just jealous." That brought more catcalls.
Zerbrowski was waiting on the stairs for me. "I don't know whether you'll flash me more leg if I walk in front of you, looking back, or behind you. I think in front."
"Push it too far, Zerbrowski, and I'll tell Katie on you."
"She knows I'm a lech." He walked down the stairs looking back at me.
I walked down the stairs and let the dress fall where it might. When you wear a dress slit nearly to your hips, even if it is to have a gun handy, you are either comfortable with men looking or you wear something else. "How did you ever convince Katie to date you, let alone marry you?"
"I got her drunk," he said.
I laughed. "I'll ask her next time I'm over for dinner."
He grinned. "She'll give you this cock-and-bull story about something romantic and stupid. Don't believe her." He stopped in front of the first interview room and knocked softly.
Dolph opened the door. He filled the doorway very completely. He isn't just tall, he's bulky like a pro-wrestler. His tie was knotted perfectly, white-starched collar tight to his neck. His grey dress slacks still had a sharp crease. His only concession to the heat and the lateness of the hour was the long white sleeves of his shirt. No jacket. I could count on one hand the times I'd seen Dolph in shirt sleeves.
All cops perfect a bored face or a blank face, some even a mildly amused face But they all eventually have a face that keeps everything inside. An emptiness settles in their eyes that keeps all their secrets. Dolph gave great blank face when questioning suspects. The look on his face now was angry. I'd never seen him so obviously pissed questioning a suspect.
"What's up?" I asked.
He closed the door behind him, stepping into the hallway. He shook his head. "I don't know why this one's getting to me."
"Tell me," I said.
His eyes flicked to my clothing, as if he'd just noticed. The frown softened into something close to a smile. "Somebody has become a bad influence on your wardrobe."
I frowned at him. "I've got a gun in a bellyband, okay? With the slits, it's easier to get to." I would never have explained my dress to Zerbrowski, but to Dolph...
"Ooh," Zerbrowski said. "Flash us, flash us."
Dolph's smile widened enough that his eyes were shiny. "If you're going to flash that much leg, at least it's in a good cause."
I crossed my arms over my stomach. "Is there really a suspect in there or did you call me down here just to yank my chain?"
The smile faded, and the angry frown returned. "She's not the suspect. She's the victim. I know you talked to Perry at the scene, but I want you to hear her story, then tell me what you think." With that, he opened the door. That was Dolph, never liked to influence his people. But frankly, it was a little abrupt. I didn't have time to put my professional face on. I made eye contact with the woman while I still looked sort of surprised.
I had an impression of huge blue eyes, silky blond hair, delicate features, and yet she was tall. Even with her sitting down, I could tell that. Very few women can be both tall and dainty, but she pulled it off.
"Ms. Vicki Pierce, this is Anita Blake. I'd like you to tell her your story."
Ms. Pierce blinked big blue eyes, tears welling in them--not falling, mind you, but glittering. She dabbed at them with a Kleenex. There was a bandage on the side of her neck. "Sergeant Storr, I've told you what happened. I've told you and told you." A single tear slid down her cheek. "I'm so tired, and it's been such a traumatic night. Do I have to tell it all over again?" She leaned towards him in the chair, arms held protectively in front of her, almost pleading with him. A lot of men would have buckled under the sweet pressure of those eyes. Too bad the performance was wasted on Dolph.
"Just one more time for Ms. Blake," he said.
She looked past me to Zerbrowski. "Please, I'm so tired."
Zerbrowski leaned against the wall. "He's the boss."
She'd tried using her womanly wiles, but it wasn't working. She switched to sisterly unity with only a blink of her baby blues. "You're a woman. You know how it is, being so alone among all these--" her voice dropped to a hush--" men." She stared down at the table top, then back up with real tears trailing down her perfect skin.