“We'll leave that for now.”

He led her through another doorway, into a small, efficient, and attractive office. More low tables and cushions. Painted screens on the walls, a single white orchid bowing out of a red pot.

His desk space was stringently ordered with its compact d and c unit and a miniature 'link.

“Would you care to sit?”

“Standing's fine. I need to speak with Kirkendall.”

“He's traveling.”

“Where?”

“I can't tell you. He is, to my knowledge, traveling extensively.”

“You don't know how to reach your partner?”

“I'm afraid I don't. Is there a problem that involves my business?”

“He lists this as his address on his official data.”

“He does not live at this address.” Lu's voice remained smooth and untroubled. “There is no residence here. I fear there is some mistake.”

“When's the last time you spoke with him?”

“Six years ago.”

“Six years? You haven't spoken with your partner in six years.”

“That is correct. Mr. Kirkendall approached me with a business opportunity that I found interesting. At that time I owned a small dojo inOkinawa. I was afforded this by some success in tournaments and instructional discs.”

“Lu. The Dragon. I recognized you.”

There was the faintest of smiles, the slightest of bows. “I am honored.”

“You kicked some serious ass. Three-time Olympic gold medalist, world record holder. They use some of your vids at the Academy.”

“You are interested in the art?”

“Yeah, especially when it's executed by a master. You were undefeated, Master Lu.”

“The gods favored me.”

“Your signature flying kick didn't hurt either.”

A gleam of humor brightened his eyes. “It occasionally hurt my opponent.”

“Bet. What business opportunity did Kirkendall bring to you?”

“Partnership, with considerable funds, this location, and the freedom to operate this school personally. His money, my expertise and reputation. I accepted.”

“You don't consider it odd that he hasn't come to check up on you in six years?”

“He wished to travel and not to be encumbered by business. He is, I believe, eccentric.”

“How does he get his cut?”

“The business reports and figures are sent to him electronically, as is his share of the profits, which goes to an account inZurich. I am sent confirmation of the receipt of these. Has there been some difficulty with the funds and their transfer?”

“Not that I'm aware of. That's it?” Eve asked. “You don't speak with him at all, don't deal through an intermediary, a representative?”

“He was specific in his requirements for this arrangement. As it benefits me, and harms no one, I agreed to it.”

“I'm going to need the paperwork, the information on all e-transfers and communications.”

“I must ask the reason before I agree or refuse.”

“His name has come up during an investigation of several homicides.”

“But he is traveling.”

“Maybe, or maybe he's a lot closer to home. Peabody, show Lu the composites.”

Peabodytook them out of her file bag, offered them. “Mr. Lu, do you recognize either of these men?”

“They appear to be twins. And no, they are not familiar to me.” The first sign of distress eked through his considerable calm. “Who are they? What have they done?”

“They're wanted for questioning on seven murders, including two children.”

Lu drew in a breath. “The tragedy, the family, a few days ago. I heard of it. Children. I have a child, Lieutenant. My wife, who greeted you, we have a child. He's four.” His eyes weren't calm now, nor did they show distress. They were simply cold. “The media reports that this family was in their home, in their beds, sleeping. They were unarmed, they were defenseless. And the throats of these defenseless children were slashed. Is this truth?”

“Yes, it's truth.”

“There is no punishment that will balance this scale. Not even death.”

“Justice doesn't always balance the scale, Master Lu, but it's the best we have.”

“Yes.” He stood very still for a moment. “You believe the man I call partner may be in some way involved with these deaths?”

“It's a possibility.”

“I will give you whatever you require. Do whatever can be done. A moment.” He moved to his desk, gave his unit several commands in what Eve took to be Japanese.

“When would Kirkendall expect to hear from you again, to receive a report or a payment?”

“Not until December, and the last quarter of this year.”

“Do you ever contact him otherwise? With a question, a problem?”

“It's not usual, but there has been the occasion.”

“Maybe we can work with that. I'd like to send someone from our E-Division in to do a scan on your unit, on any unit you might have used to send communication to Kirkendall.”

“Only this one, and you may send an officer. Or you may take it with you. I apologize that this will take a few moments. I have ordered all communications and transmissions since the beginning of the partnership.”

“No problem.” He was upset, Eve thought. Holding it in, but struggling with the emotion of realizing he may have done business, years of business, with a murderer. His cooperation could very well lead them to close the case.

“Master Lu.” She spoke with respect and his eyes lifted toward her. “It takes more than skill-even the level of yours-it takes more than training and discipline to go undefeated, to accomplish what you have without once falling to an opponent. How did you do it?”

“Training, yes, skill developed through that training and through discipline-both physical and mental. Spiritual, if you will. And with that, instinct. Anticipation of the opponent and a belief that you can, indeed must, prevail.”

Now he smiled, quickly, charmingly. “And I like to win.”

“Yeah.” Eve grinned back at him. “Me, too.”

15

THE SHUTTLE TRIP TO PHILADELPHIA PLAYED hell with Roarke's schedule. He'd just have to put in some long hours, perhaps make a few out-of-town trips, to make up for it. It couldn't be helped.

He couldn't-wouldn't-discuss Nixie's situation, her custody, her life, via 'link or holo. In any case, he wanted a face-to-face with Leesa Corday, a personal meeting that would give him a sense of her rather than just straight background data.

His name had cleared the way, gotten him an immediate appointment with her. He imagined she thought he was considering putting her and her firm on retainer. That could be arranged.

It would be simple enough for him to throw some of his business her way as support for Nixie. Money had its uses, after all.

The firm had a strong reputation-he'd checked on that, as well. And while the nature of his business was unknown, he was given what he recognized as the VIP treatment as he was met in the black and silver lobby by Corday's assistant, whisked across the marble floor, and into a private elevator.

The assistant-young, male, in a conservative gray suit-offered him coffee, tea, beverages of any nature. Roarke imagined he'd been primed to arrange to have a trio of LCs deliver it-and anything else- should it be requested.

It was the sort of brown-nosing that irritated him.

Corday's office level was done in strong reds and frothy creams. Lots of translucent automatic doors and a single massive workstation manned by five more assistants.

He was shown through a set of doors into what he recognized as one of the power centers. Corday hadn't yet climbed to the corner office, but she was next in line.

And waiting for him, standing-strategic position-behind her L-shaped black desk, the city's skyline behind her.

Her ID photo had been a good one, reflective of the woman. He knew her to be thirty-eight. He knew where she had her hair styled and where she'd bought the black pinstriped suit she was wearing.