She snatched it away, took it to the sink and poured it out. I have things to do, Tremaine. Lets get on with whatever it is that brought you here.
Have you spoken to anyone from work today?
The abrupt transition had her turning back toward him. No, why?
Last night Jonny LeFrenz broke out of the hospital. Or rather, he corrected himself, someone broke him out.
Gaping at him, she struggled to collect her thoughts, which had abruptly scattered.
How Thats not possible. He was handcuffed to the bed. There was a guard at his door.
The uniform had the keys to the cuffs.
You mean he unlocked them?
No. Tremaines expression was stony. I mean whoever killed the guard got the keys from his pocket.
Abruptly in need of support, Shae leaned against a cupboard. Someone killed that police officer?
Jabbed a hypodermic filled with a large dose of epinephrine into his heart. Im told that would have dropped him within seconds.
Horror washed over her. It would have sped up the cardioactivity until the heart was rendered completely ineffective.
So I heard. The guard was summoned into the room and attacked there. Once he was out of the way, it would have been a simple matter to pull the covers up over LeFrenz and wheel him out of the hospital, especially during shift change late last night.
She was shaking her head. Thered be nothing simple about it. Even on third shift, the hospital is full of people, and a stranger is going to be recognized by somebody. The detectives silence was its own answer, one she quickly interpreted. You dont think it was a stranger.
Given the choice of weapon, the ease with which LeFrenz got away, no, not necessarily.
Even while she attempted to grapple with this information, he dropped another bombshell. What were you doing last night, Shae?
Her gaze flew to his steely one. Although she knew her jaw was agape, it took a moment to summon the strength to close it. You think I helped LeFrenz break out of police custody? That I killed someone to help him get away? Astonishment and indignation mingled in her voice. Are you crazy?
The entire staff is being questioned. I dont have to tell you how serious this is. Another cops been murdered, the second in the last couple months. Two different investigations, but the department is justifiably tense. So Im going to ask you again, where were you last night?
She swallowed, her indignation already fading at the thought of the silent officer shed seen in the I.C.U. lying lifeless on the hospital floor. I left the hospital at five, went to the gym
Which gym?
His question reminded her that hed check her story. The whole scene began to take on a surreal aspect. Womens Fitness on France and Tulane. I left there at six-thirty, came home and didnt leave again.
Did you have any guests last night?
No.
Leaving the bottle of water on the counter, he pushed away, began to stroll around her apartment. She didnt know whether to be glad to be released from that unwavering gaze or to be annoyed as he picked up the book she was reading, looked at it, laid it down again. She decided she could feel both emotions at once.
What time did you go to bed?
She shrugged impatiently. I dont know. Eleven. Eleven-thirty.
He looked over his shoulder at her. Which was it?
Stopping to think, she said, Eleven-thirty. Conan OBrien had just started. Looking past him, she noticed hed picked up the mail shed dropped on the table inside the door. Annoyance definitely took precedence now. Do you mind? Striding toward him, she snatched the pile from his hand.
Eyeing her soberly, he asked, Has LeFrenz contacted you?
No. Why would he?
The twist of his mouth was mocking. I dont know, Angel Eyes, why would he? When she remained stubbornly silent, he went on, Hes got a thing for you. He wanted to see you yesterday. Thats why he made your presence a condition of cooperating. Hes still in serious condition. Hell need a doctors care. Pick a reason.
No, he hasnt contacted me. Her tone was icy. Hed have to be crazy to do so. He has no reason to believe Id give him any help.
Tremaine studied her, as if looking for answers she hadnt given. I can attest that hes crazy. Hes also A small noise issued from the loft. The chill that came into his eyes then had her shivering. Whos here?
Her mind didnt seem capable of functioning. It had been too long since shed last had experience lying to cops. And yet somehow not long enough. No one.
Her answer had his mouth flattening. Turning, he began crossing to the staircase, drawing a gun from the back of his waistband. She could only follow helplessly,. Detective. Tremaine. You dont have permission to invade my home like this. Her words didnt halt his progress. Taking the steps two at a time, she joined him in her bedroom, watched as his narrowed gaze took in the unmade bed, her nightgown tossed on top in a crumple of silk.
And then settle, as hers did, on the hinged set of bars swinging freely outward from the opened window. He went to it, looked at the pull-down fire escape that had been released to clatter to the ground. Then, his face hard, just a little mean, he looked back at her. Your no one just jumped out your window and went down the fire escape. Better start giving me a name, Doc. Or be prepared to come downtown so we can do this more formally.