Imitation in Death by J. D. Robb Read Free Book Online Page A

engaged in her yoga/meditation hour. May I be of some assistance?"
    "You can assist me by getting out of the way, telling Ms. Franklin she's got a cop at the door who wants to question her regarding an official investigation.".
    "Of course," he said so genially, she actually blinked. "Please come in. If you'd make yourself comfortable in the living area, I'll inform Ms. Franklin. Would you care for any refreshment while you wait?"
    "No." She eyed him suspiciously. "Thanks."
    "I'll just be a moment." After gesturing them into a large, sunny room with long white sofas, he turned toward a staircase.
    "Maybe we can trade Summerset for him."
    "Hey, Dallas, check it out." ,
    Eve turned and studied what Peabody was currently gaping at. The life-sized portrait of Pepper Franklin rose above the sea green mantel of a white hearth. In it, she appeared to be, dressed in nothing but mists. They curled and draped around her, shimmering and thin so that her impressive body was displayed. Her arms were stretched out as if welcoming an embrace.
    She was smiling, dreamily, her lips painted deep rose. Her hair was a tumble of gold around a heart-shaped face set off by wide, deep blue eyes.
    Striking, Eve mused. Sensual. Powerful.
    Just what, she wondered, was a woman with that much style and strength doing with a loser like Fortney?
    "I've seen her.on-screen and in mags and stuff, but this is-you. know-wow. She looks like, I don't know, a fairy queen."
    "Thank you." The voice was silver wrapped in fog. "That was the goal," Pepper said as she walked into the room. "It's taken, more or less, from my role of Titania."
    She wore a skin-suit now, in dark purple, and had a short towel hooked around her neck. Her face, still striking, was sheened with perspiration, and her hair was bundled up carelessly.
    "Lieutenant Dallas?" She offered a hand. "Excuse my appearance. I'm in the middle of yoga. It helps keep me in shape-body, mind, spirit. It also_ makes me sweat like a pig."
    "I'm sorry to interrupt."
    "I assume' it's important." She sat, dropping down on the white sofa, letting out a long sigh. "Please, have a seat. Oh God, Turney, thanks." She took the large bottle of water the butler brought her on a silver tray.
    "Mr. Fortney is on the 'link. He's called three times in the last thirty minutes."
    "He should know better than to call during yoga hour. Tell him I'll get back to him."
    She took along-drink, angled her head. "Well, what's this about?"
    "I'd like you to verify Mr. Fortney's whereabouts this morning between midnight and three."
    The easy smile vanished. "Leo? Why?"
    "His name has come up in the course of an investigation. If I can verify his whereabouts during that period, we can eliminate it and move on."
    "He was here, with me. I got home about eleven forty-five. Maybe a few minutes later. We had a drink. I allow myself one glass of wine before bed after a performance. We talked about various things, then I went upstairs. I suppose I was in bed and asleep by twelve-thirty."
    "Alone?"
    "Initially. I'm always beat after a show, and Leo's a night owl. He was going to watch some screen, make some calls. Something."
    She lifted one elegant shoulder.
    "You a light sleeper, Ms. Franklin?"
    "Hell, I sleep like the dead." She started to laugh, then caught the implication. "Lieutenant, Leo was here. Honestly, I can't imagine what sort of investigation you might be pursuing where Leo's name came up in any way."
    "You're aware it's not the first time his name's come up in a police investigation."
    "Those incidents are in the past. He had some bad luck with women, until me. He was here when I got home, and we had coffee together this morning at about eight. What's this about?"
    "Last fall Mr. Fortney' purchased, in London, some stationery."
    "Oh for God's sake." Pepper tipped the bottle back for another drink. "I'm still angry with him about that. Ridiculous, and careless. Unrecycled. I don't know what he was thinking. Don't tell me he brought it