Ritual in Death by J. D. Robb Read Free Book Online Page B

prim. Diplomas in black frames made the walls important, while a photo of a hot blonde on the desk added that personal touch. Sturdy, straight-back chairs ranged in back and in front of the wide desk.
    “Run her,” Eve told Peabody.
    “Already am. Forty-eight years old, divorced. One child, female, deceased. Aw, jeez, hit while crossing the street. Drunk driver. Graduated Columbia Medical School. Put in ten years at the free clinic in Alphabet City, took five years as professional mother, did another two in Alphabet City, unemployed for a year after her kid died, then came here. Six years in. No criminal. She—”
    At Eve’s signal, Peabody lowered her PPC. A moment later Leah hurried in. “I’m very sorry. We’re all turned around and upset today. We’re scrambling to reschedule appointments, and deal with patients when we can’t. Do you want Ava’s medical and employment records? Dr. Collins authorized us to turn them over to the police if you came for them.”
    “Yeah, we’ll take them. And Dr. Pike’s.”
    “Jack?” She seemed to sink. “We were afraid . . . We haven’t been able to reach him, and he didn’t come in for his shift. They were together last night. Their first date.”
    “Is that so?”
    “Ava was so nervous, and Jack was so sweet. I can’t believe they’re dead.”
    “She is; he isn’t. Where were they going?”
    “What? He’s all right?” Her eyes widened, went shiny with tears. “Jack’s all right?”
    “He’ll do. Do you know where they were going?”
    “Ah, just something casual. Dinner and vid, maybe a club. What happened? Can you tell us what happened? The reports don’t make any sense, and when we call for information, we can’t get any. We’re all—”
    She stepped aside as the door opened. He was an imposing man, maybe six-two, lean as a whip with a sharply chiseled face. His eyes were green with a touch of gold, his hair a deep bronze.
    “Dr. Slone, this is . . . I’m sorry, I’m so turned around. I didn’t get the names. The police.”
    “Lieutenant Dallas, Detective Peabody.”
    “Yes, of course. Leah, see to Sarah, will you? She should go home.” He went to his desk, sat behind it. “What happened to Ava?”
    “She was murdered.”
    “Mutilated, the reports say. The word was ‘mutilated.’ ”
    “That would be accurate.”
    He breathed slowly in, slowly out. “In a hotel room. I find it hard to believe Ava would go to a hotel room with Jack on a first date. With anyone for that matter.”
    “She was a young healthy woman. Young healthy women often go to hotel rooms on a date.”
    “She was shy, and what I’m sure you’d think of as old fashioned.” The flare of anger brought out the gold in his eyes. “She must have been forced to go there, and Jack would never force her, or anyone. Where is Dr. Pike?”
    “He’s in custody.”
    Now Slone rose from his seat. “You’ve arrested him? For this?”
    “I said he was in custody, not that he was under arrest.”
    Disdain tightened his face as he stared holes through Eve. “Does he have a lawyer?”
    “He hasn’t requested one.”
    “I won’t have that boy accused of this. I brought him here. Do you understand? I brought him here.”
    “You recruited him,” Eve said, thinking of Roarke’s earlier statement.
    “He’s a fine doctor, a fine young man. A healer, not a killer. I’ll personally arrange for his counsel.”
    “That’s your choice. Where were you last night, Dr. Slone?”
    “I beg your pardon?”
    Eve often wondered why people used that phrase when they really meant “fuck you.”
    “It’s routine. What time did you leave the clinic?”
    “I left about four, and walked home. I believe I arrived close to five.”
    “Can anyone verify that? Your wife, your staff?”
    “It was our housekeeper’s day off,” he said stiffly. “My wife was out. She got home shortly after seven. I resent the implications of this.”
    “I’m going to implicate the same to the rest of