Intrusion

by Kay, Arlene

  I watched in silence as she romanced that machine like a pro. Even Andrews raised a brow in disbelief or admiration. I leaned back in the faux leather chair, steeling myself for another painful encounter with Tommy. Even though we had seen it all last night, the pain felt just as fresh.

  Tears welled up in both of us as the lively visage of our friend appeared. Andrews didn’t react other than to summon Francie Cohen to the meeting.

  “Take down this information,” he told her as he coolly appraised Candy and me.

  “Ladies, this is very interesting. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Officer Cohen will escort you out and answer any other questions you may have.”

  “That’s it?” Candy asked. “After all this, you’re giving us the bum’s rush? I don’t believe it.”

  I grasped her wrist, hoping she would power down. Assaulting a cop is always bad form, particularly in the police station.

  “Surely you have questions for us,” I said. “Mr. Yancey’s dying words …”

  “This conspiracy stuff is nothing but speculation,” Andrews said. “Mr. Yancey was the victim of a hit and run driver, probably some drunk kid. Period.”

  “Aren’t you going to investigate CYBER-MED, Sergeant?” I still couldn’t believe it. “Those allegations are very serious.”

  For a moment I thought I had him. Then Andrews glanced at his desk piled with file folders that consumed the surface like a spreading rash.

  “You see that, Mrs. Buckley? Those aren’t hypotheticals. They’re homicides, real Boston murders assigned to me. Murders with victims every bit as important as your friend.” His hand shook a bit as he pointed. “I’m not wasting time chasing after potential deaths when I’ve got actual ones to deal with.”

  That’s when he stomped out the door, leaving Francie Cohen to deal with us.

  “I’m so sorry, ladies. He’s had a hard week.” She dipped a toe over that solid blue line. “Maybe I could help you. You know, on my own time.”

  “Thanks,” I said. “That means a lot. We’ll keep you in the loop.”

  Candy hugged her after we packed up the computer and prepared to leave. We remained silent all the way down to the lobby, each of us lost to her thoughts. Andrews’ attitude hadn’t devastated me at all. In fact, I found it liberating. His laissez-faire approach opened the door to almost anything we might do. My conscience was officially clear.

  ~

  “What’s our plan?” Candy asked. “I know you won’t give up.”

  We’d ducked into the nearest Starbucks for a badly needed latte. It was a strange place for a war council, but it served the purpose.

  “Ground rules first,” I said. “Top secret, need to know. Stamp that on your shiny little forehead.”

  “Shiny?” Candy dug into her bag and got her mirror.

  “Stop being silly. That means no Arun Rao. At least he can’t know our plans.”

  Candy got that mulish look. “I suppose Lucian Sand is part of our cabal. Nice for you.”

  “We need Lucian for his technical skills. Don’t worry, I don’t trust him one hundred percent either.”

  “Hmm. I’ll bet he practiced those technical skills on you last night, didn’t he?”

  I could feel the blush spreading up my neck. “Come on. Let’s apportion the duties. I’ll report back to CYBER-MED. You’re tasked with pursuing Mrs. Ian Cotter and squeezing Judge Arthur’s wife some more. I just wish I had some allies in CYBER-MED. It’s hard creeping around without an idea of where I’m going.”

  “What about Mary Alice Tate?” Candy asked. “Maybe that was a setup, too. After all, Tommy sent you her name on that list.”

  “Who benefitted from her death?” I asked. “We should probably start there.”

  Candy thought about it for a moment. “Terrell Tate scooped the lot once poor Mary Alice got the heave-ho. Man, I’m telling you, everyone was shocked at that one. Mary Alice grew up in that house. Old man Tate called her his daughter, same as Terrell.” She paused. “You know, Terrell has at least one glaring flaw. She’s horribly conceited. Maybe I’ll talk to her about appearing in some publicity stills for Sweet Nothings, you know, the real women who use our products.”

  “Good idea,” I said. “What about the Cotters?”

  “That’s a toughie,” Candy said. “I thought your boy Lucian had it covered. Or was it uncovered?”

  I ignore tasteless remarks, particularly when they ring with truth. Lucian was a free agent, a sexy, single man. I’d never asked him about his love life. It was strictly off limits, none of my business. He had never asked me about Kai either, not really.

  “Yo, Lizzie Mae.” Candy waved her hand in front of my eyes. “I just thought of something. What if I connect with Tatiana Lake?” She noticed my blank stare. “You know, she’s the unlucky woman whose bed Ian Cotter croaked in, the fashion designer. I’ll propose some tie-ins between her clothes and our products.”

  “Oh. Good idea. Maybe she knows if Mrs. Cotter was the jealous type.”

  Candy sighed. “That’s not all. I’ll nose around and find out if Todd Brantley was the jealous type. He has enough money to hire a hit.”

  I couldn’t fault her logic. “Just be careful, Candy. Someone has a lot to protect.”

  “No problemo,” Candy purred. “Everyone loves makeup.”

  ~

  CYBER-MED felt alien today. Nothing specific. It was probably only my nerves. Unless Andrews commandeered their speakerphone, he couldn’t have told them about Tommy’s video. Hell, who knew if he would ever risk offending Dr. Meg Cahill and her deep pockets spouse with the tawdry facts of murder. Meg had cautioned me before about the effect of rumors in the high-tech sector. It was nothing too surprising. Any business, even cosmetics, can take a hit from unsavory gossip, but murder would sink CYBER-MED in a New York minute. Clients generally shy away from the threat of homicide, especially their own. As major players in this enterprise, Candy and I had fiduciary responsibilities. That’s business school mumble jumble that sounds good and masks reality. I didn’t really need an excuse. After all, Meg and Arun had to be told about Tommy’s video. Suppose someone else found the damn thing and took it viral?

  Candy needed some persuading. She loathes unpleasant scenes unless they really interest her. Try unloading a lead lipstick on her, and she’d fight like a tigress. CYBER-MED and its patient disposal service didn’t engage her one bit.

  “It’s for Tommy,” I growled. “Stop thinking of yourself. We have to present a united front. Besides, I thought you needed the money.”

  Her cat eyes brightened immediately. “You’re right, Betts. After all, they’re our partners.”

  I phoned Meg while we were en route. Her faithful gatekeeper swore that Dr. Cahill hadn’t arrived and had a packed scheduled today.

  “Change it,” I snapped. “Ms. Ott and I must see Drs. Cahill and Rao immediately. Tell her it’s about Mr. Yancey’s murder.”

  When we entered CYBER-MED, we were met by the looming presence of Rand Lindsay. He was somber, far removed from his jovial self. I suspected that Meg had warned him about us.

  “Miss Elisabeth,” Rand nodded pleasantly. His eyes sparkled when he saw Candy, but he quickly extinguished the glow. “Love that color on you,” he said. “Polka dots sure spice up gabardine.”

  That made Candy beam. “You’re a smooth operator, Dr. Lindsay.”

  “Ooh, not yet. Can’t call me Doctor ‘til June, assuming my dissertation passes muster.” Rand grimaced as he said the words.

  “Are you our escort or our bodyguard?” I asked him in the elevator.

  He didn’t smile when he answered. “Your friend, I hope. Come on, ladies. She’s waiting for you.”

  “What about Arun?” Candy asked.

  “Him, too. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m warning you. Dr. M. is on a very tight tether today.” He looked furtively around the hallway, lowering his voice. “She brought in the big guns. Carter Cahill is up there, too.”

&n
bsp; That made things even more interesting.

  “Good,” I said. “I’ll be curious to hear his reaction.”

  Rand knocked softly on the conference room door and ushered us in. “Good luck, ladies.”

  The three of them sat side by side at the conference table. Meg, clad in crisp pinstripes nodded briskly and took command. Carter gave us the once over and sank slowly into his chair like an alligator sizing up his prey. After flashing Candy a smile, Arun faded into the background, his normally ebullient spirit subdued by the occasion.

  “Ladies,” Meg said, “what’s so urgent? My assistant said you insisted on this meeting.”

  I said nothing for a full half-minute. The dismissal by the great Doctor got on my last nerve. Candy followed my lead and stayed silent. After watching Carter twitch, I made my move.

  “Last night a voice from the grave contacted us.” I spoke softly and wielded a humongous stick. “Thomas Yancey gave us the motive for his murder.”

  Their expressions were priceless. Meg’s perpetual smile almost masked her disdain while Carter’s features contorted in a malicious grin. Arun’s liquid brown eyes widened in horror.

  “Let them have it, Candy,” I said. “It’s time for show and tell.”

  She adjusted her computer and called up KillerStartups. When she clicked on the video section, Tommy’s face appeared on the screen.

  I had committed his words to memory. That allowed me to focus on the reactions of my three colleagues as they heard my friend’s accusations. Meg maintained a perfect poker face throughout the presentation. You would almost think that she was listening to a dry medical treatise. Her husband tried a different tack: Carter’s face contorted with each word Tommy uttered. I fully expected steam to belch from his outsized ears. Arun was harder to read. He masked his feelings by folding his arms and lowering his eyes. After seven minutes of torture, the video concluded. Stunned silence consumed the room.

  “This isn’t real,” Meg said, leaning back in her seat. “Thomas always joked. You two know that better than I do. He probably contrived this thing to throw a scare into you. Us, too.” Her pixie grin was a failed attempt at gallows humor. “For heaven’s sake, you’d think we were Murder Incorporated here.” She nudged Arun Rao to include him in the fun. “I’m a physician. Do I look like some kind of hit woman?”

  Candy shed her fluffy persona like a snake molting its skin. The reptile that emerged was fearsome indeed.

  “What does a hit woman look like, I wonder? After all, Jack the Ripper was supposedly a doctor, right?” She flashed her beguiling smile and continued. “Tommy wasn’t playing a prank. He would never do that to us. He loved us.”

  Meg rubbed her throat as if it were dry while Carter leapt to his wife’s defense.

  “See here, you two. Stop this irresponsible speculation right now, or I’ll sue you for slander.”

  I hate bullies. That’s why I had to butt in when Carter’s smug self-righteousness hit the third rail on my subway system.

  “Actually, Carter, the term is libel. These days courts equate video charges with libel even though they’re spoken.” I packaged my barb in a sunny smile that no one bought.

  Cahill sputtered until his wife’s gentle squeeze short-circuited his ire. Meg tugged her skirt and got down to business.

  “OK, ladies. What’s your proposal? Do we allow this unsubstantiated item to destroy the firm or forge on? Thomas believed in CYBER-MED, you know.”

  I could tell that Candy had reached the boiling point. Her face had the volcanic look of Mt. St. Helens pre-eruption. Lava would spew any moment now.

  “Now let me get this straight,” she said. Calm. She was far too calm. “You’re willing to risk lives of helpless patients to preserve your company.” Candy rose slowly, like an undulating cobra, and stood squarely in front of Dr. Meg. “Doesn’t that violate the Hippocratic Oath or something?”

  A rosy wash of color stained Meg’s cheeks. I recognized the shade instantly: Sweet Nothings Come Hither #3. Candy should bottle it and sell it.

  “You’re wrong,” Meg said. “We would never compromise lives.”

  Arun joined the fray. He clenched his fists, turning his flashing eyes on me.

  “That bastard Sand’s behind all this, I know it. He’s your lover; you’re in cahoots with him.”

  I kicked Candy under the table to stem any violent reaction. Emotion was useful to us. People lose focus when they’re upset.

  “It’s extortion,” Carter growled, pounding the table, “highway robbery, trying to drive up the price of your shares. Well, it won’t work, girls. My attorneys will make mincemeat out of you.”

  Kai had the self-confidence born of great wealth and the ability to kick almost anyone’s ass. He would have laughed in Cahill’s face. I’m not that cocky, but I am a lawyer. I used the weapons I knew best.

  “Calm down,” I said. “You’re wasting your time, folks.”

  “What are you talking about?” Arun barked. “Tell us.”

  I held out my hands, palms up. “It’s simple. This morning we turned that information over to Sergeant Andrews. I’m an officer of the court. I had no other choice.”

  Candy nodded sagely as if the plan had been hers alone. “I think it’s time for some contingency planning.” Her smile radiated pride in the business school palaver.

  For a moment Meg’s iron control wilted. Her head sank between her hands as she ran slender fingers through her shining bob. Carter put his arm around her in a clumsy embrace.

  “OK,” she said squaring her shoulders. “Let me think. There’s no proof to all this. We know that. After all, we monitor several hundred patients. Some have died. More will. That’s the nature of dealing with the critically ill. They die. If we had some specifics …”

  When Candy passed her Tommy’s death list, Meg’s complexion lost its rosy glow. For a moment I thought she might faint. Her husband’s next words provided little comfort.

  “We have to consider the possibility that the media will find out. I suggest you prepare a press release just in case, Meggy. It’s the smart thing to do.”

  “And don’t forget cyberspace,” Rao cautioned. “This thing could go viral any time.”

  I smiled, thinking of one million people downloading Tommy’s final words. How perfect. He’d always been a ham.

  “These people weren’t murdered,” Meg said. “One is still alive. For crying out loud, Richard Chernikova was just here. You saw him, Elisabeth.”

  “Are you so sure?” I asked. “About the other three, I mean. There were reasons people would want them dead, and Secretary Chernikova has tons of enemies.”

  “No, no, no.” Meg dug her nails into the palms of her hands. “If we’re so slick, where’s the money? You studied our balance sheet. We’re running on hot air and my husband’s largesse until we get established.” Her eyes pleaded for understanding.

  “I’d hardly expect a ledger entry for hits,” I said.

  Meg’s wintery smile told me she got the joke. “Start a complete review of our procedures. Rao, you’re in charge. I want everything tightened up, especially if it’s connected with Richard.” She turned to me. “Would you speak with Rand? He can whip out a press release without breaking a sweat.”

  “Are you sure?” Arun asked. “Why let another person in on this?”

  “He’s my assistant and my friend. We have to trust someone.” Meg rose and walked stiffly out the door with her husband trailing behind her.

  Arun Rao gathered his iPad and glasses. “Candy, forgive me. I don’t know what came over me. It’s just that my life’s work is CYBER-MED. It’s my identity. If it implodes, I may go with it.” He took her hand and rubbed it softly against his cheek. “Call you soon.”

  Nineteen

  The Cayenne was draped in front of my building like a peacock strutting its stuff. Lucian could claim my doorman as a tax deduction if he kept that up. I acted nonchalant or tried to. It wasn’t easy when he hopped out of the car, all flowi
ng hair, black sunglasses and manly muscles. Lucian was quite a dish, if you liked an exotic blend.

  “I thought you’d never come home,” he said. “May I come up with you?”

  I should have said no or at least acted indifferent. All I could think of was the strength of his arms around me and the feel of his lips as they brushed against my skin. If Lucian was a murderer, my goose was cooked. He could kill me with those sensuous looks or strain my heart with the pleasure of his touch.

  Cool it, Lizzie Mae. You’re utterly pathetic.

  I’m not the fanciful type. That’s Candy’s domain. The last time I’d felt this silly … I gulped, willing my heart rate under control. My senses hadn’t been this wild since the miraculous day that I’d met Kai. I know how to act. Stop fantasizing, and focus on the business at hand. Lucian and I had a murder to solve, possibly several murders. That took precedence over romantic flings and girlish giggles. I couldn’t count on Andrews and company. They wanted a neat and tidy solution that would wrap everything up without entangling Boston Brahmins like Carter Cahill and his wife. From Andrews’ perspective it made sense. Why stir a caldron that might bubble over into a major political scandal? The deaths of Ian Cotter, Mary Alice Tate and Jacob Arthur were yesterday’s news.

  Lucian stared at me with that ridiculous half-smile. “Are you ill, Elisabeth? We’ve been standing here for quite a while.” He placed his hand at the small of my back, urging me forward.

  Damn. Could the man could read my mind? I shivered when he touched me.

  “We dropped Tommy’s bombshell today,” I said. “First on Andrews, then the CYBER-MED crew. Andrews was indifferent, and my partners were livid. Arun blamed you.”

  “Of course.” Lucian nodded. “I did some research this morning that you need to see. It won’t answer all our questions, but it suggests a method. With your permission, I’d like my assistant to help me demonstrate.”