"I don't understand the question."
"What do you know about projects your husband and father-in-law kept off the books, so to speak?"
There were still tears but they were just glimmering now, blurring the eyes, the voice. "I don't know what you mean."
"I'm interested in a long-term private project, one your husband and your father-in-law have been pursuing, actively. One that would require extensive facilities-in or outside the center. One that involves treatment of young women."
Two tears spilled over, and for a moment, just an instant, those lavender eyes were clear. Something was in them, something sharp and cool. Then it was gone, wavering behind another shimmer of tears.
"I'm sorry. I don't know anything about it. I wasn't involved in Will's work. Are you saying you think his work is somehow responsible for his death?"
Eve changed tacks. "Who has the security code for this house?"
"Ah ... Will and myself, of course. His father-his father did. The domestics."
"Anyone else?"
"No. Will was very cautious about security. We changed the codes every few weeks. A bother," she said with the barest hint of a smile. "I'm not very good with numbers."
"How was your marriage, Mrs. Icove?"
"How was my marriage?"
"Any problems? Friction? Was your husband faithful?"
"Of course he was faithful." Avril turned her head away. "What a terrible thing to ask."
"Whoever killed your husband was either let into the house or knew the codes. A man, under stress, might send his wife and children out of town for a day or two in order to spend time with a lover."
"I was his only lover." Avril's voice dropped to a whisper. "I was what he wanted. He was devoted. A loving husband and father, a dedicated doctor. He would never hurt me or the children. He would never stain our marriage with infidelity."
"I'm sorry. I know this is difficult."
"It doesn't seem real. It doesn't seem possible. Is there something I should do now? I don't know what I should do."
"We'll need to take your husband's body in, for examination."
Avril winced at that. "Autopsy."
“Yes.”
"I know you have to. I don't like the thought of it, of what will happen. One of the reasons we rarely discussed Will's work was because I don't like the thought of the ... the cutting and lasering."
"Squeamish? A doctor's wife-and a woman who likes crime drama."
There was a hesitation before that ghost of a smile. "I guess I like the end results, but could do without the blood. Do I have to sign anything ?"
"No. Not now. Is there anyone you'd like us to call for you? Anyone you’d want to contact?"
"No. There's no one. I have to get back to my children." Her hands came out of her lap, pressed to her lips as they trembled. "My babies. I have to tell my babies. I have to take care of them. How will I ever explain?"
"Do you want a grief counselor?"
Avril hesitated again, then shook her head. "No, not now. I think
they’ll need me. Just me, for now. Me, and time. I have to go to my children."
"I'll arrange to have you escorted back." Eve got to her feet. "I'm gong to need you to stay available, Mrs. Icove."