Chapter Five #2
“The media didn’t give many details,” O’Brian began. “Just that Larry was killed in his home during an apparent break-in. I assume Rachel wasn’t home, as the report said she discovered the body.”
“That’s correct.”
“I know Larry wasn’t lax when it came to security at his home. I suppose he may have answered the door to someone, with these tragic results.”
“His home security was circumvented,” Eve said, and left it at that. “Did Director Chu have any issues in the lab, with his staff, or with others here at the facility?”
“None he shared with me, which I believe he would have if there’d been a serious problem within his team, or elsewhere come to that. Larry and I worked together for a number of years, and I considered him a friend as well as a colleague.”
O’Brian held up his hands. “He was a problem solver, in the work, certainly with his team. Science delves into problems looking for answers, solutions, results. Larry was, first and foremost, a scientist. And he carried that skill in any interpersonal relationships.
“Larry . . .” O’Brian paused as if gathering himself. “Larry was respected and held in genuine affection at Banner-Wyst.”
An echo, Eve thought, of Reynolds’s words. A little too exact of an echo to suit her.
“Were there any terminations within his team, say, within the last six months?”
“No. Larry, of course, would have the discretion to transfer or terminate within his department. But he would, as a matter of protocol, consult with me, there would be written reports and evaluations.”
“Competitors, within the company? Someone will have to replace him as director.”
“His assistant director will have to serve in an acting capacity until we again evaluate, interview, and decide on a permanent replacement. I can tell you, it won’t be an easy decision. Larry was valued here for good reasons.”
“Who is the assistant director?”
“That would be Gretta Dolbey.” On a long breath, O’Brian shook his head. “I’m in no position to tell you how to do your job, but I can tell you Gretta had the utmost respect for Larry, and a great deal of affection.”
Eve let her lips curve, just a little. “What sort of affection?”
He frowned, and deeply. “As a colleague, Lieutenant, and a friend. Are there personal relationships between employees? Certainly. And some may end up causing some friction if those relationships turn, so to speak. But Larry was devoted to the work, and devoted to Rachel and his family. Gretta also has a spouse, and a child.”
“It would be helpful if we could see where Director Chu worked, and speak to members of his team, other colleagues.”
“There are portions of Larry’s department that are restricted, for security and for safety reasons. I can certainly arrange for an area where you could speak to his team.”
“We’d appreciate it. We’re told that Mr. Wyst is expected back from a business trip.”
“I believe you’re right. The best I can do is contact his admin, find out his ETA and if he’s available to speak to you today.”
“All right. We appreciate your cooperation. Once we complete these interviews, we should be able to get out of your way.”
“You have a job to do. It’s understood. One second.” He used the interoffice to contact his admin. “Please escort the lieutenant and detective to the small conference room. And arrange for Director Chu’s team to report there.”
“Yes, sir. Right away.”
“How many worked under him?” Eve asked.
“I believe twenty-four. There are, ah . . . four interns in addition. They rotate.”
“Detective Peabody and I can split them between us, take them two at a time, for efficiency.”
He smiled. “We value efficiency.”
After a quiet knock, Mae opened the door. “Lieutenant, Detective, I would be happy to escort you to the conference room.”
Eve rose. “Thank you for your time, Director O’Brian.” She held out a hand. “Again, we’re sorry for the loss of your friend and colleague. If you could arrange a meeting with Mr. Wyst, that would be very helpful.”
“I’ll certainly do what I can. I hope you find who did this. Larry leaves a hole in Banner-Wyst, in the world of science and discovery, and in our personal lives.”
“If you’d follow me?”
Mae led them down another corridor, then into a conference room.
“May I bring you more coffee?”
“I’m good. You good, Peabody?”
“I’m good.”
“How long have you worked here, Mae?”
“For three years, and for six months as Director O’Brian’s coordinator.”
“You knew Director Chu.”
“Yes.”
Eve waited a beat. “And? Impressions, comments, opinions?”
“He seemed like a very nice person. He would use your name. Many don’t. He would thank you, and many don’t. I’m sorry this happened to him.”
“Do you feel he was well-liked?”
“Yes, I do. He often made Director O’Brian laugh. Even Ms. Reynolds would sometimes smile.”
“Yeah, she didn’t strike as the jolly type. Do you like working here?”
There was a moment, very fleeting, that Mae’s face went blank. “The company values its people, and sees we have a clean, safe, hospitable workplace.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Eve waited until she stepped out.
“She doesn’t like working here as much as she wanted to. I wonder why.”
“The stone-faced, tight-assed admin might play into that,” Peabody suggested.
“Yeah, she might. O’Brian was cagey—oh, so friendly, cooperative, and cagey. Nobody runs a department and never has any problems, issues, never has to give somebody a knock or a push. He should’ve given us a little more there, just to tie us up some, but it’s more important to get us out of here.”
“He didn’t want us in the labs.”
“No, he didn’t. We could push that with a warrant, but we’ll see how the rest goes.”
As she spoke, she heard footsteps.
Jacob Wyst streamed into the room.
“Lieutenant Dallas, Detective Peabody. I recognize you both, and your exceptional work for the people of New York.”
He gripped Eve’s hand in both of his, then did the same with Peabody.
“I’m Jacob Wyst. Please excuse my appearance. I’ve just returned from overseas, and to this devastating news.”
As for appearances, Eve would have termed his slick and sleek.
He’d let his hair go the color of polished silver, in casual waves around a bronzed face. He wore trousers, a casual brown leather jacket over a pale green sweater that matched his eyes.
Since he could have passed for mid-fifties, Eve assumed he’d had excellent work.
“Thank you for taking time for us.”
“Of course! My God, I can’t believe what’s happened. Larry’s been a part of my life for over twenty years! A break-in, I’m told. Thank God Rachel wasn’t there or she might have been killed as well. What can we do to help you find who did this?”
“Director O’Brian’s been very helpful. We need to conduct interviews. We can’t discount the possibility that Director Chu’s work here is somehow connected to his murder.”
“Oh no. I can’t believe . . . Excuse me.” He pulled out a chair from the conference table, sat. “I’m staggered, just staggered by Larry’s death. And you suspect Larry was killed over his work here?”
“We’re in the very early stages of our investigation. We can’t discount the possibility,” Eve continued. “Nothing was taken from the residence, which does discount burglary.”
“I see. I see. Well, no, I honestly don’t. Larry would never have taken sensitive files out of the lab, but of course, he was a brilliant man, so had a great deal of sensitive information in his head. To think someone may have killed him for that knowledge.”
“We’re exploring all avenues. Do you have any reason to believe Director Chu may have spoken with a competitor of Banner-Wyst?”
“I would stake my reputation against that. Larry was brilliant, and he was also loyal and trustworthy. I believe he valued the company as much as we valued him.”
“In going over his financials, it’s clear you incentivized him to remain loyal to the company.”
Wyst’s eyebrows lifted. “Was he well compensated for his work? Of course.”
“He received a very generous bonus about thirteen years ago.”
“Thirteen years?” Wyst frowned, smoothed a hand over his silver mane. “I’d have to refresh my memory on that.”
“Officially, half a million. Subsequently, he’s received a quarter of a million bonus annually.”
Wyst smiled now. “That is generous. I can tell you that Larry spearheaded any number of projects over the years that resulted in scientific and technical leaps and strides. I believe, as does Calvin—Calvin Banner, my partner—in rewarding exceptional work. When we, as a company, make these strides, so does the planet, so do all who live on it.”
“What was he working on now?”
“I would have to check on that to be sure, but Larry would have steered the wheel on several projects.”
He rose now, spread his hands. “Selfishly, I hope this tragedy doesn’t connect to the work we do at Banner-Wyst, but whether it does or not, I hope you find who’s responsible quickly, and they’re brought to justice.
“I’ll let you get on with your work.”
As he left, Peabody slanted Eve a look, and got one in return.
The admin stepped in. “I have Director Chu’s team.”
“We’ll take them two at a time. Start with the highest rank, work down the pecking order.”
Reynolds did the look-coolly-down-the-nose thing, then nodded.
“Gretta Dolbey, Martin Frieze.”
“Take Frieze,” Eve said, “down that end of the table. I’ll take Dolbey.”
Gretta Dolbey, a small, thin woman, had eyes reddened from tears. Eve figured she’d have had a tough time beating anyone to death even armed with a steel bat.
“Have a seat. I’m Lieutenant Dallas. How long have you known Lawrence Chu?”
“Almost twelve years.”
“Describe your relationship?”
“He was my director, my colleague, a friend. I liked him very much, and respected his work and his leadership. And I . . . I can’t believe this happened.
He was in such a good mood when he left the lab yesterday.
He had some work to take home, then he and Rae were going out to a fancy dinner with friends. He was looking forward to it.