Echoes in Death(99)
“The picture. He—he recorded … It’s like it’s happening again.”
“Mrs. Patrick, where’s your husband?”
“He’s on his way. He was uptown, in meetings, but he’s coming.”
“Where were you when you received this text?”
“We were—we were in the West Village.”
“We’re doing a location shoot there next week,” Kyle explained. “I wanted to take another look, walk the streets we’re using. I asked Rosa to come along, give me her perspective.”
“He wanted to give me something to do. I have a hard time getting out, alone. Staying home, alone.”
“You’re doing better.”
Rosa managed a smile at Kyle. “I was. I will. But … Kyle convinced me to go downtown with him and the assistant director. I was enjoying it. It took my mind off everything, and then this happened.”
“You, Mr. Knightly, and—”
“Karyn Peeks,” Kyle supplied. “The AD on the shoot. We were standing on—God, I think it was Charles.” He rubbed his forehead. “Mind’s a little scrambled. Karyn and I were discussing some angles, and Rosa answered her ’link. She went white, absolutely white. She nearly dropped the ’link. I caught it, and I saw…”
“I wanted to run. I don’t even know where, just run. Kyle said we needed to bring it to you, right away. To bring it to you, and you’d trace the transmission.”
“That was the right thing to do.”
McNab knocked briskly even as he opened the door.
“This is Detective McNab, with EDD. I need your permission to give him your ’link.”
“Yes, yes. I don’t care if I ever see it again.”
“Give me a second.” Eve stepped out with McNab. “Incoming text with image, came in about thirty-five minutes ago. Get me all you can, fast as you can.”
“Done. I can do this in your office if that’s okay. Save time.”
“Save time.”
She went back in. “He’s one of the best,” she told them, “I want to reassure you. I’ve just come from briefing a team of detectives working on the investigation. It’s my top priority, and theirs.”
“Do you have any leads?” Kyle lifted his hands. “Everyone asks that, but there’s a reason they do.”
“And there’s a reason I can only tell you this investigation is open and active, and we’re pursuing any and all leads. And we are,” she said, looking back at Rosa.
“I went, or, Lori and I went to see Daphne last evening.”
“That’s good.”
“It was hard, for all of us, but I think it is good. Lori and I know what she’s feeling right now, and I hope we showed her she’s not alone, and that it will get better. It was better, and now—”
“This isn’t going to change that or you. You’re not going to let him violate you again.”
“If I’d been alone when…”
“You weren’t.” Kyle took her hand. “You’re not.”
“I just … Neville. I wish he’d get here.”
Giving her hand a squeeze, Kyle nodded. “How about I go out, get you some coffee, tag him and let him know we’re talking to Lieutenant Dallas, get his ETA?”
“Would you? I’d just feel better.”
“Sure.”
“Skip the coffee,” Eve advised. “It’s as bad as it gets. Tea’s a better bet.”
“Thanks for the tip. I’ll be right back.”
“Rosa,” Eve began when they were alone. “I know you’ve been through this countless times. I know you’re feeling vulnerable right now. I’m going to ask you to think, and carefully. Before the assault, in the time after, but particularly before, was there any incident—however minor—when someone approached you, touched you, or … you know what I’m saying. Moved on you?”
“No.”
“Rosa, you’re a beautiful woman. It’s hard to believe you haven’t had someone hit on you.”
“Not in an ugly way. A flirtation, an attempt? I mean you’re in a bar or a club waiting for friends and a man offers to buy you a drink? Sure. You say no thanks, and he may try to chat you up for a minute. You can judge if it’s harmless or if he’s going to get pushy, and you handle it accordingly.”
“And there’s never been one of those times anyone approached you that way, frightened you, made you feel threatened.”
“Honestly, no. Annoyed, yes. But since I’ve been with Neville, not much of that. I almost think—well, one of my friends said it’s like I have this aura of ‘Don’t Bother’ around me. I knew the first time I saw him. I was with someone else, but my heart just … Thud.” She let out a half laugh. “And when I managed to work my way up to him, to start a conversation, I was sunk. I knew it, felt so guilty because the man I was with was a very, very nice man.”