Stratus Fear

Chapter 7

I walked with Sebring to the living room where we parted; and when he exited the apartment I took a seat on the sofa next to Arianna Ravel.She had been so patient, just sitting there while techs and detectives came and went, answering difficult questions put to her by men who ignored her grief.I had watched her initial interview at Bender's office, and by her open, candid answers I figured Arianna spoke the truth.

As much as I hated to do it, I still had to go through the motions, ask the same questions.Arianna didn't even balk at yet another round of queries.In fact, she responded in the same vein as her recorded interview--all with unabashed honesty.She repeated her story, and that jived with what I knew.As she spoke I studied her face.Despite her seemingly calm veneer I sensed her sorrow simmering just below, but she knew how to hold it in until she could find a quiet private moment to let it all out.Still, she maintained a quiet beauty with smooth creamy skin and delicate features.

She had long tapered fingers and no doubt a slim body beneath the robe. Under any other circumstances she would have dressed for the occasion but death had caught her unawares before she could change into something more suitable.Earlier I had noticed a sleek copper-colored dress draped over male clothing on the bedroom chair and I assumed it belonged to her.It suited her, lovely and elegant.I attributed her poise and self-control to her training as a companion to the rich.I wouldn't go into the details of her employment tonight; but if I needed to steer my inquiries in that direction, I would ask Morrison downstairs for details.

When I pressed her for details about Gavin McAllister's background, she simply shook her head."I'm sorry, detective, but Gavin rarely spoke about his past, and nothing about his family history.In a way, I think he was embarrassed about his background."

"Oh, how so?"

Arianna shrugged her slender shoulders."It's nothing tangible really, just a feeling I had.Oh, I don't mean that Gavin wanted to cover up something bad in his past, but I sensed that he preferred not to talk about his humble beginnings.Instead, he focused on his accomplishments, wanted he wanted to do."

"And what was that?" I prompted when she paused and glanced upwards, her eyes shrouded with both a mist of memories and a fog of sorrow.

"He just wanted-to help people.That's all."

In my book that constituted quite a lot.When her gaze drifted again, I figured I had taxed her long enough.So, finished with the interview, I asked if I could look around the rest of the apartment.Arianna nodded cordially, and then added, "Is it all right now if I enter the bedroom?"

I didn't see why not.Unfortunately she would have to deal with the aftermath, the blood soaked linens and rug.If I had my druthers I would burn it all, right down to the mattress and the bed frame.For a brief moment I wondered about her relationship with the dead man.Did they engage in s*x on a regular basis?Did she sleep curled up next to her employer or turn her back to him so she could claim her own space?

Arianna interrupted my interlude with another question."May I ask, Detective Parrish, for your first name?"

"Oh, sure.It's Cadye."

She offered a sweet smile."That's a beautiful name.Are you married?"

"No I'm not."I didn't want to stray off the course by providing any of my own personal history."Now, Ms. Ravel-"

"Please call me Arianna."

"All right, Arianna.As I do a scan of the apartment, I might have to collect evidence.Do you want a receipt for the things I take?"

She shook her head."I don't think that's necessary.Of course, everything here belonged to Gavin.I really have no authorization."

"Well, I'll make an inventory anyway."

My gaze flitted over to the office area where Gavin McAllister's andron computer sat on the polished desk top, one of the more expensive models, a thin, sleek, square machine in mica-gray.I figured he kept his personal data there and maybe some business information as well.The built-in shelves looked promising, with slim, gold-plated compact cases, the kind that housed vidiocoms, stacked neatly.They probably contained some movies, too, the Hollywood kind or home grown.Of course, there might be some intimate footage of Gavin McAllister engaged in s*x with or without Arianna, the tangle of limbs, the positions assumed to provide ultimate camera coverage, the fast pummeling of body parts, the whispers of secrets.Videos such as these always provided an in-depth character analysis of their owner.

And that had me wondering, too, about the billionaire.Had Gavin ever engaged in pillow talk with his partner, revealing details of his work?Of course, Arianna had answered those same initial questions in the negative.She swore she hadn't been privy to his business dealings and knew nothing about his involvement with the Senesco Institute; although she had met some his colleagues, and what names she could remember had been given to Officer Sebring.Arianna hadn't said as such, but she had been employed strictly as a companion and a mistress, without those legal privileges afforded a wife--her duties only to please and serve her master.

"Now," I advised, "I'll make that quick sweep of the apartment and leave you alone.I'm sure you've had enough of us poking and prodding and getting in the way."

Her eyes took on a sad look again."Just as long as you find out who killed Gavin."

"That's what I hope to do."Had Arianna Ravel loved Gavin McAllister?No doubt that kind of attachment was frowned upon by management and covered as a "do not" in her handbook for mistresses.But rules and regulations were meant to be broken, not so matters of the heart.

I waited for Arianna to rise and then head for the bedroom.The way she walked seemed almost like a model's glide down a runway, her bare feet skimming the carpet.As soon as she disappeared from view, I started towards the kitchen.Now with her out of the way I could search and rifle as I pleased.