She went back out to the living room just as Ken Mitchell came through the front door.
“What are you doing here?” Kate asked.
“I wanted to know when this apartment would be cleared so that it can be cleaned and rented again. Time is money.” His voice was cool and smooth as if he’d just asked about the weather.
She was surprised to see that he had changed. She knew it was only eleven o’clock and was sure the party would have gone on longer.
His dark, lined slacks and loose-fitting white shirt lent him an elegant look, as if he’d just come from a casual gathering at the country club.
He walked deeper into the room and Kate held up her hand. “No further. This is a crime scene.”
Something flashed in his eyes, his mouth pulling into a hard line. Kate had the sense that the glossy veneer of sophistication and charm was a thick coat over a troubled, unstable surface.
Eric slid her a glance and she raised her brows. “The crime scene will be sealed for at least three days.”
“By whose authority?” he countered.
“Mine.”
“In three days?” He glanced at Eric, then back at her.
“See me again and I’ll let you know if it’ll be longer.” She handed him her business card, careful not to let her skin touch his.
Mitchell nodded, accepting the card. He turned to leave.
“Did you know Mrs. LePlante?” Kate asked.
His gaze probed her face, then lowered and inched down her body. Kate’s skin crawled. “Who?”
“The tenant in this apartment. The one who was killed tonight.”
“No. I…uh…didn’t,” he murmured.
Ken opened the apartment door.
“You done here, Eric?” Kate asked.
“Just about.”
“Could you give me a lift back to the office?”
“Hey, I didn’t do nothing! Let me go!”
The shouting from the hall interrupted them and Kate froze as she recognized the voice.
She hurried past Mitchell and saw Tom with an arm across Danny Hamilton’s back. Sienna was close by.
“Tom, what’s going on?” She saw the cuffs in his hands and cried, “Are you arresting Danny for this crime?”
“No. We just wanted him to come down to the station and have a talk. He got agitated.”
“Miss Kate. Help me,” Danny pleaded.
“It’s all right, Danny. Detective Sanders and his partner just want to ask you a few questions.”
“Will you be there?”
His little-boy-lost look nipped at her heart. “Sure. I’ll be there.”