Part 18 (1/2)

In Diane Stevens' apartment, Detective Greenburg was saying, 'Mrs. Stevens, did you get a look at the person who took a shot at you?

Diane shook her head. 'No, it happened so fast. . . .'

'Whoever it was, was serious. Ballistics dug the bullets out of the wall. They were forty-five calibers, capable of piercing body armour. You were lucky.' He hesitated. 'We think that whoever it was, he was sent by Tony Altieri.'

Diane swallowed. I'm just going to take it easy for a while, clear up a few old debts.

'We're checking that out.'

Diane nodded.

Greenburg studied her a moment. 'About the briefcase that's missing, do you have any idea what was in it?'

'I'm not sure. Richard usually took it to the laboratory with him most mornings and brought it home at night. I saw some of the papers once and they were very technical.'

Greenburg picked up the wedding ring that was on the table. 'And you said that your husband never took off his wedding ring?'

'That's-that's right.'

'In the days before his death, did your husband act differently than usual, as though he might be under some kind of pressure, or be worried about something? Do you remember anything that he said or did on the last night you saw him?'

It was early morning. They were in bed, naked. Richard gently stroked her thighs and said, 'I'm going to be working late tonight, but save an hour or two for me, when I get home, honey.'

She touched him where he liked being touched and said, 'Braggart.'

'Mrs. Stevens-'

Diane was jolted back to reality. 'No. There was nothing unusual.'

'I'll see that you have protection,' Greenburg said. 'And if-'

The doorbell rang.

'Were you expecting anyone?'

'No.'

Greenburg nodded. 'I'll get it.'

He walked over to the door and opened it. Kelly Harris stormed in and brushed by him.

Kelly marched up to Diane. 'We need to talk.'

Diane looked at her in surprise. 'I thought you were on your way to Paris?'

'I took a detour.'

Greenburg had joined them. 'This is Detective Earl Greenburg. Kelly Harris.'

Kelly turned to Greenburg. 'Someone just tried to break into my hotel room, Detective.'

'Did you report it to hotel security?'

'Yes. The men were gone. A guard escorted me out.'

'Do you have any idea who they were?'

'No.'

'When you say someone tried to break in, you mean they tried to force the door?'

'No, they-they just stood out in the hall. They pretended they were from room service.'

'Had you ordered room service?'

'Yes.'

Diane said, 'Then you're probably imagining things because of what happened this morning, and-'

Kelly snapped at her. 'Listen, I told you, I don't want any part of this or of you. I'm going to pack and fly back to Paris this afternoon. You tell your Mafia friends to leave me alone.'

They watched Kelly turn and leave.

'What was that all about?' Greenburg asked.

'Her husband was-was killed. He worked for the same company Richard worked for, Kingsley International Group.'

When Kelly returned to the lobby of her hotel, she walked over to the desk. 'I'm checking out,' she said. 'Would you please get me a reservation on the next plane to Paris?'

'Certainly, Mrs. Harris. Any particular airline?'

'Just get me out of here.'

Kelly crossed the hotel lobby, stepped into an elevator, and pressed the b.u.t.ton for the fourth floor. As the elevator door started to close, two men pushed it open and got in. Kelly studied them an instant, then quickly backed out into the lobby. She waited until the elevator door closed, then headed for the stairs and started to walk up. No use taking any chances, Kelly thought.

As she reached the fourth-floor landing, a huge man was blocking the way.

'Excuse me,' Kelly said. She started to move past him.

'Shh!' He was pointing a gun with a silencer at her.

Kelly turned pale. 'What are you-?'

'Shut up. I bet you got exactly the right number of holes, lady. Unless you want an extra one, be quiet. I mean-very quiet. You and I are going downstairs.'

The man was smiling, but as Kelly looked closer, she saw that a knife crease on his upper lip had pulled his mouth up into a fixed grin. He had the coldest eyes Kelly had ever seen. Let s go.