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“Yes, that would probably be better,” she said dully. “But when I called to check with her about him earlier, she said he’d been gone from the house for most of the day and she couldn’t reach him by phone. She must be frantic by now.”

“You’re friends with Barnaby’s wife?” The lieutenant looked surprised. “How… cozy.”

The inference was too clear to miss. Celine pulled herself together and stared him in the eye.

“I was good friends with Barnaby, and I liked her and the kids. I’m just thinking that you should have one of your department heads find one of Judy’s close relatives and have them go and keep her company until you know something definite about Barnaby.

I hope we’re both wrong, but there’s a chance she might need someone. ”

He nodded and for a moment almost smiled. “I was going to see to that. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“I want to know the minute you find out about Barnaby.” She rubbed her temple and tried to think. “It’s too late for me to go back to my job at the hospital. I’ll have to call and cancel for today. Could I just stay here for a little while and see if you get any news?”

“There’s a waiting room next door that we use for witnesses. It has a couch, but you wouldn’t be very comfortable,” Jacobs said. “And if that letter wasn’t just a threat, it might be better if you’re also with your family.”

“No family,” she said. “And I can take care of myself, but I’d rather stay here until I know about Barnaby, if you don’t mind.”

He shrugged. “I guess it will be okay.” He was still hesitating. “Can I have them bring you coffee or something to eat?”

She shook her head. “No, thanks. That letter was signed Jossland. Do you know the name of the man in the mug shot that Barnaby found?”

He nodded. “Leon Jossland. British citizen. He worked for several criminal organizations over the years and had a very nasty track record.”

“Can you find him and see if he had anything to do with Barnaby’s disappearance?”

“We’re already doing that,” Jacobs said.

“But so far he appears to have disappeared himself. At least as far as Boston is concerned. We’ve checked all his previous addresses and known acquaintances and no sign of him.

And Jossland isn’t one of the big bosses, but he’s well known in the mobs.

He wouldn’t waste his time harassing a woman on the street or writing an incriminating letter like the one you gave Charles. ”

“Then it seems I gave him cause,” Celine said. “I made him very angry, Lieutenant.”

Jacobs nodded. “According to that letter, you caused quite a disturbance. But we don’t know yet if he acted on those threats.”

“But we don’t know that he didn’t.” She tried to stop shivering. “We just have to pray that he only wanted to frighten me.”

“That may be true. But we should still keep an eye on you to make sure that he doesn’t try to bother you again. Or perhaps you already have someone to do that. You said you have no family, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have powerful friends who might want to help you.”

She frowned. “What are you talking about?”

He shrugged. “We’ve had a few inquiries about you since you were brought in for questioning.

Some of them from people with a good deal of clout.

Not surprising. After all, a woman like you must have a good many men you can call on when you need backup.

It’s natural you might want to pull a few strings if a situation was becoming difficult for you. ”

“A woman like me?” Her lips tightened. “How do you know what kind of woman I am? I don’t have any high-powered friends.

Most of my friends are artists or doctors, and they’re just as hardworking as I am.

Even if I had any strings I wanted to pull, my ‘influence’ is nonexistent.

” She turned back and pulled her coat around her as she sat down and leaned back against the wall, trying to get comfortable.

“And I’ll take care of myself as I always do.

But you’re right, the situation is difficult, and I’ll be grateful if you’ll just let me know about Barnaby.

” She closed her eyes and tried to close him and the rest of the world out.

She heard the door close behind the lieutenant.

That’s right, go away.

She didn’t want to face the thought of this police station or that lieutenant, who had been struggling to be polite but probably thought she was some kind of temptress who had been using Barnaby.

And most of all, she didn’t want to think that somewhere in this complex was the morgue where Barnaby might be lying.

No, don’t think of that. It hurt too much. Don’t accept it until someone came and told her that it was true.

Let it all go…

TWO HOURS LATER

“These papers seem to be in order.” Lieutenant Jacobs pushed them aside and looked up at Dominic. “And the call I received from the commissioner was very specific,” he said dryly. “He told me I was to be completely accommodating on all points.”

“Then I’m glad we understand each other.” Dominic smiled. “The lawyer I retained was a little bit upset that I wasn’t being allowed access to Celine Kelly. But I’m certain that was just a misunderstanding.”

“She had a lot of questions to answer,” Jacobs said.

“Barnaby was a good man and a friend of many of the officers in this precinct. We weren’t sure that she didn’t have something to do with his disappearance.

But she was more than cooperative, so we allowed her to stay here when she requested it.

She was a bit upset and wanted a final report on Barnaby.

Should I arrange for a police escort to take her back to her apartment? ”

“Not necessary. I’ll take care of it. Now that I have your report and the Jossland file, that’s all I need. Where is she?”

Jacobs nodded at the door of the interview room. “It was either there or find her a vacant cell. I figured that a cell would be a trifle lacking in hospitality. You are going to furnish her with security? I might be able to authorize a few days for a couple officers to keep an eye on her.”

“Evidently she managed to convince you that she was worth saving,” Dominic murmured.

Jacobs shrugged. “Have you seen her? It’s kind of hard not to appreciate that kind of appeal. It’s like not wanting to see a beautiful masterpiece destroyed. I could almost see why Barnaby went to so much trouble for her.”

Dominic chuckled. “Almost?” He was heading for the door. “Don’t worry, I’ll see that your masterpiece remains intact.”

The lights were off in the room. Presumably Jacobs had thought it might help the woman relax enough to sleep. In the dimness, he could barely see Celine Kelly curled up on a couch. She seemed to be wrapped in a dark-colored coat of some sort.

He moved carefully, silently, toward her. Trying not to startle her. He stopped when he was a few feet away, lit the light on his phone, and said quietly, “My name is Alex Dominic, and Lieutenant Jacobs released you into my care. I came to have a talk with you, Miss Kelly. Would that be all right?”

“I have no idea.” She was sitting up on the couch. “It depends on who you are and what you’re going to be able to tell me. Lieutenant Jacobs wasn’t at all helpful. He said he’d let me know about Barnaby as soon as possible, but he’s left me here waiting for hours. Has there been an arrest yet?”

“Not as far as I know. I’m sure he didn’t mean to disappoint you. He seemed genuinely eager to help you. But perhaps he decided to leave it up to me to fill you in. Would you mind if I turned on the overhead lights so we can have our discussion?”

“Why would I mind? I told you, I have to know what’s happening.

” She got to her feet and moved toward the wall switch.

Suddenly the room was full of light. “That’s better.

Now maybe I can at least see if you’re telling me the truth.

It seemed as if Jacobs not only didn’t believe me but was playing games with me as well. ”

Holy shit!

Dominic almost said the words aloud as he stared at Celine Kelly in the bright light that now fully illuminated her.

That shining dark hair framing the fantastic features…

those cheekbones… those almond-shaped violet eyes.

All he could think of in that moment was the word with which he’d mocked Jacobs a short time ago. Masterpiece…

He jerked his gaze away from that face and concentrated on what she had been saying. “He was probably doing his best. But I’ll tell you the full truth so you won’t accuse me of the same thing. Now, where would you like me to start?”

“You must know,” she said bluntly. “Everyone at this precinct must know. I couldn’t have been more clear. Barnaby. Tell me about Barnaby.” She was obviously bracing herself. “What did you find out about Barnaby?”

“I’m sorry,” he said gently. “The results were indisputable. The victim the police are holding in the morgue is your friend, Gary Barnaby.”

She flinched as if he’d struck her. “Dear God in Heaven.” She closed her eyes. “You’re absolutely certain?”

“It’s him. After I heard the results, I went down to the lab and questioned the medical team myself when I got here. They did a thorough job, and I wish I didn’t have to tell you this.”

“I wish you didn’t, either.” She opened her eyes, and he saw them glittering with tears. “Does his wife, Judy, know? Does she realize he’s been identified?”

“I believe the lieutenant told her before I arrived at the precinct. Naturally, he didn’t choose to let her view the body. She didn’t request it. It will have to be a closed casket.”

“Because of what that monster Jossland did to him?” She began wiping her wet cheeks with the backs of her hands. “He managed to cheat Judy and her two kids of a final goodbye?” Her eyes were suddenly blazing. “My God, I hate that bastard. Have you arrested him yet?”

“Not yet. There seems to be some difficulty finding him. I thought perhaps you might be able to help. Do you remember anything that might lead us to any of his associates?”