Apprentice in Death Read Free Page B

grandkids—evenings or Saturdays for that. He liked the solo in the afternoons. I never saw the other guy before.”
    Paul glanced toward the office.
    â€œThe one whose wife’s in my office,” Carly added. “Your partner’swith her. She’s good with her. Is there anything we can do for you, Lieutenant?”
    â€œGive us your office for a little while more.”
    â€œAs long as you need.”
    â€œI’m sure my partner asked, but so will I. Have either one of you noticed anyone coming around, either to skate or to watch, anyone who seemed too interested in Ellissa or Brent Michaelson?”
    â€œNot like this. A lot of people hang around longer when Ellissa’s skating. And there’ve been a couple of boys off and on who hit on her. But nothing over the top. We keep an eye out,” Carly continued. “We don’t have a lot of trouble. Pushy-shovies, your basic collisions.”
    â€œMore trouble at night, but even then.” Paul shrugged. “You get an asshole who starts a fight. Sorry about the
asshole
,” he added.
    â€œI’m rarely sorry about assholes,” Eve commented. “We’ll be in touch when you’re clear. I’d advise your brass to coordinate with the police liaison on a statement. Timing and content.”
    â€œThey’re—the brass—they’re going to be in a spin about lawsuits.”
    â€œThe brass always is,” Eve said, moving to the office.
    Inside, a woman in her early thirties sat in a folding chair, flanked by a man and a woman. Each had an arm around her while Peabody crouched on the floor, talking softly.
    Peabody took the woman’s hand when Eve entered. “Jenny, this is Lieutenant Dallas.”
    Jenny looked up with devastated eyes. “We saw the vid. Alan really liked it. You look like you did in the vid. I mean like the actress did. I don’t know what to do.”
    â€œI’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Markum. I know Detective Peabody has already talked to you. If I could just have a few more minutes.”
    â€œWe were skating. We’re terrible skaters. And we were laughing. We were taking the whole day together, and tonight, too. It’s our anniversary. Five years today.”
    She turned her face into the man’s shoulder.
    â€œThey had their first date here.” He cleared his throat, but it didn’t clear the faint Irish accent that made Eve think of Roarke. “I’m Liam O’Dell, Jenny’s father. This is Kate Hollis, her mother.”
    â€œIt was my idea, the skating. Let’s do everything we did on our first date. It was my idea to come here, like we did that day. We both took off work, and we were going to get pizza afterward, just like we did on our first date. That’s when I was going to tell him why I wasn’t having wine like we did then. I was going to tell him I’m pregnant.”
    â€œOh. Oh, baby.” Her mother drew her in close so they clung and shuddered together. “Oh, my baby.”
    â€œI was going to tell him, then we were going to tell you and Daddy and Alan’s mom and dad. But we were going to have today, all day.”
    As Peabody had, Eve crouched so she was eye level. “Jenny, who else knew you’d be here today?”
    â€œSherry, my friend, and I think her guy—Charlie. They’re our friends. I told Mom. We really just decided a couple days ago. I pushed for it when I took the test and it was positive.”
    â€œDid Alan have any enemies, anyone he had trouble with?”
    â€œNo. No. Detective Peabody asked, and just no. People like Alan. He’s a teacher. We’re teachers, and he helps coach soccer, and, and volunteers at the homeless shelter. Everyone likes Alan. Why would anyone hurt him? Why?”
    â€œWe’re going to do everything we can to find out. You can contact me or Detective Peabody anytime.”
    â€œI don’t know what to