Vendetta in Death (In Death #49) - J. D. Robb Page 0,6
as a bodyguard. He spoke in a, well, dignified Brit accent while he looked over Eve and Peabody with eerily steady blue eyes.
“I’m sorry, Lieutenant, Detective, but Mr. McEnroy has not yet returned from an engagement. Ms. McEnroy and the children are out of town on holiday and not expected back for five more days. Is there anything I can help you with at this time?”
“Yeah, you can give us Ms. McEnroy’s location and her contact information.”
“Again, I apologize, but that information is private.”
“Not anymore. Mr. McEnroy won’t be returning from his engagement, as he’s on his way to the morgue.”
She watched those steady eyes flicker. Processing the unexpected.
“This is very unfortunate.”
“You could say. We’re coming in.”
“Yes, please do.”
He stepped back, closed the door behind them.
The wide foyer opened into a generous living space. She could see hints of the Hudson through the tall windows, showing silver in the morning light.
The living area boasted a recessed viewing screen above a long, slim fireplace, upscale furniture in quiet tones of blues and greens, some framed cityscapes, a scatter of fancily framed family photos, and no clutter whatsoever.
“What time did Mr. McEnroy leave the premises?”
“At nine-eighteen last evening.”
“Where was he going?”
“I don’t have that information.”
“Was he alone?”
“Yes.”
“What was he wearing?”
Again she saw the flicker as the droid searched memory banks.
“Black Vincenti trousers, a Box Club light blue sweater, silk and cashmere blend, a black leather Leonardo jacket, black leather Baldwin loafers, and matching belt.”
The specificity of detail reminded her there were times droids came in very handy.
“When did the rest of the family leave New York?”
“Two days ago, at eight A.M. The Urban Ride Car Service picked up Ms. McEnroy, the children, and their tutor to take them to the shuttle. From there they traveled to Tahiti, and are in residence at the South Seas Resort and Spa, in beach villa Paradise, for their holiday.”
Yeah, she thought, very handy. “Has Mr. McEnroy entertained any guests in their absence?”
“I don’t have that information. I am habitually disengaged when Mr. McEnroy departs, and reengaged when he wishes my assistance.”
“You’ve got a door cam. I need the feed.”
“Of course. The security hub is just off the kitchen.”
“Take it, Peabody. Contact info for Ms. McEnroy.”
This time, without hesitation, the droid reeled off a number.
“What time is it in Tahiti?”
He blinked. “It is currently twelve-thirty-three A.M. in Tahiti.”
“That’s just stupid,” Eve muttered.
“I don’t understand.”
“Me, either. I’m having Crime Scene come up, go through this unit, and EDD will take all electronics in. Are there other droids in residence, or any housekeeping staff, human or otherwise?”
“There are small tool droids for cleaning floors and other tasks. There is a tutor for the children, but as I relayed, she is also on holiday with Ms. McEnroy at this time. Mr. McEnroy’s administrative assistant and other business staff in this location are often called to the residence but, by and large, Mr. McEnroy works daily, when in New York, from his base in the Midtown Roarke Tower building.”
“Huh. I’ll let you know if I have more questions. What have you got, Peabody?” she asked when her partner came back.
“He left when the droid says, wearing what the droid says. No one came to the door until we did. He overwrote the previous seventy-two, but just a standard from what I can tell. EDD can get under that.”
“Tag McNab, and get sweepers up here.”
Eve made her way to the master bedroom. More soft, tasteful colors, more tasteful art. Though the bed’s headboard spread like a peacock fan, the fabric covering it followed that soft and tasteful tone with a quiet peach one a few shades lighter than the fluffy duvet, which itself was shades lighter than the pillow shams, the stylishly arranged throw.
But the kicker was an all-directional vid camera on tripod placed in the center of the room.
She checked it, found it cued up for voice command, and currently no vids in its storage.
She went back out, called the droid. “Up here.”
“Of course.”
He climbed the stairs, followed her back into the bedroom. She gestured to the camera. “Is that usually here?”
“No. I have not seen that instrument before.”
“Here, or at all?”
“At all, Lieutenant.”
“Okay. You can go back down, stand by.”
She checked the drawers in the polished pewter bedside tables, found e-readers in both that she tagged for EDD, condoms in the one closest to the windows, a nail buffer and hand lotion in the one closest to the attached bath.