Page 113 of Random in Death

“You got that.”

“Is Roarke still upstairs?”

“Yeah, he’s talking to the manager. As far as wits go, she’s out. She was taking a personal call in her office when it went down.”

“Wait, what about the ticket scanners? If we know approximately what time he moved to a scanner for entry, can we trace from that?”

“Scanner code doesn’t carry personal data. It’s like a verification, and you could track it to where it generated, but that’s about it.”

“Where it generated’s more info.”

“That’s why, being an e-man, I’m having them upload the scans for the time frame. It may not help catch him, but it’s more to pile on in the box, then in court.”

“Copy me on that. Which you were going to do,” Eve said. “Sorry. I know you’ve got a brain in there.”

“And we’re working on the third night of basically double shifts. Brains get sizzled. I’ll go talk to some kids.”

She opted for the stairs, then stopped halfway up as Roarke started down.

“McNab briefed me. Did you get anything else from the manager?”

“Not that applies to the investigation. She was in her office and didn’t come down until after the assistant manager—who was in the back, behind concessions, unboxing more candy and such—notified her of the situation. She’s hoping, of course, you’ll clear the building so they can hold tomorrow’s shows.”

“If I get the clearance from the sweepers, we’ll be done. Jesus, you don’t own this place, do you?”

“I would have given you that information.”

“Trying to buy it? Is that why you were talking to the manager?”

“No. I did persuade her to arrange a private viewing of Return of the Three for Kiki—when she’s well enough—her friends, their families.”

She said nothing for a moment.

He would think of that.

Of course he would think of that.

She shifted, stood hipshot. “What about the popcorn?”

“All they can eat.”

“How much did it cost you?”

“Not to worry, darling. We can still afford spaghetti and meatballs.”

She brushed a hand over his. “I’m on duty. But when I’m not… I’m going to give Peabody a hand with the last of the possible witnesses.”

“Should I try to scare up some coffee?”

She considered, but she trusted vid theater coffee much less than its popcorn.

“Better off with the cold stuff.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Sometime after one in the morning, she stepped outside with Roarke and her detectives.

“Peabody, Yancy says he’ll go to the wits. They’re usually more comfortable in their own environment. Line them up for him, make sure you have parental permission for the minors.”