Page 81 of Night Watch
“Does he have an office in this building?”
“Yes.” He named the location. “Now, if that’s all—”
“For now,” Erik said.
Edwards walked away, a hitch in his step.
“I didn’t much like that guy,” Drake said. “Did you believe him?”
“It was hard to see through the smoke he was blowing to find the truth, so no,” she replied.
“Let’s head up to Purvis’s office,” Erik said. “See if we can surprise him.”
The guys stepped next to her, and they checked the directory for his office location then, she led the way through the building to Purvis’s closed office door. Drake pounded loudly, then stepped aside.
“Enter.” The single word came from a haughty male voice.
Erik shook his head. “Sounds like he’s the king of the castle allowing us entry.”
“Edwards did say the guy was pompous,” Kennedy said.
Drake parked a shoulder on the wall. “I’ll stay out here and have your back.”
Erik pushed the heavy door open, releasing a strong whiff of incense. He blocked the way as his head swiveled, then apparently finding it safe, he stepped back. Kennedy got her first look at a man with a full head of white hair sitting behind the neat desk. He had a thick neck and broad shoulders under his stiffly starched white shirt.
He stood and planted his big hands on the desk, and she imagined him wearing a stocking cap and breaking into her mother’s place. He fit the build and seemed aggressive already, but his nose was perfectly aligned.
He eyed them both for a long moment. “And who might you be?”
Kennedy forced herself to relax to reduce his suspicion and reminded him of their phone message. “We were hoping you might have time to talk with us.”
He lifted his hands from the desk, extending one to shake and offering her a sympathetic smile. “Is this about your mother? I heard about her passing, but I didn’t know her, so I’m not sure I can be of help.”
His grip was tight and painful, but she worked hard not to wince. “Would you mind if we just asked a few questions?”
He rolled up a perfectly pressed white sleeve and glanced at a pricey gold watch. “I have a lecture in fifteen minutes.”
He settled into the high-back leather chair and rested his elbows on the padded arms, looking alert yet relaxed at the same time. There was something about him that was disconcerting, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Maybe it was the arrogance in the set of his jaw and his gaze. Or maybe she just wanted to see something negative in him because he was the same size as the guy who’d threatened her.
“You say you didn’t know my mother, but Professor Edwards said you’re very social. We wondered if you’d heard some gossip about her, or have any idea of who might want to harm her.”
“Harm?” He cocked a thick black eyebrow. “I thought her death was an accident or self-harm.”
“We have reason to believe otherwise,” Erik said.
“Goodness.” Purvis snapped his chair forward. “From what I hear, she was well loved. I have no idea of who might want to hurt her.”
Erik pointed at a wall of potted plants. “You obviously love plants. Do you garden at home too?”
“Yes.” His eyes took on a sparkle. “After research, puttering around in my garden is my next love. I find great enjoyment in trying new plants and cross-breeding them.”
Erik leaned forward. “Would you happen to have a prickly caterpillar bean?”
“I once did. I just had to grow it to see the odd shape, but it didn’t do anything for me. It’s an annual so when it died off, I didn’t plant it again.”
“I’m assuming most everyone in your department has a home garden,” Kennedy said.
“Most of us do.”
