“Fine.” The guy was smart. A minute later, he came down, still dressed in chinos and blue shirt. He opened the security door and stepped into the foyer. Roman smiled and flashed a phony photo badge fabricated a few years ago on another case. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but we’d like to talk to you about a former colleague of yours, LeAnn Cola.”
“LeAnn? What about her?”
Roman looked around the bleak entryway. “It’s a rather sensitive matter, and I’d rather not do it here. We could go find a coffee shop if you’d like.”
Devereux studied Roman’s sincere blue eyes. “No, come on up.”
“Really, there’s no need to disturb your family.”
“No, that’s fine.” And he unlocked the security door and led them to the elevator.
Nothing was said in the ride up, and at the floor Devereux unlocked his condo door. “Ruth, we have a guest,” he called out.
The wife appeared, and Devereux introduced Roman, who flashed his badge again and apologized for the intrusion. “Our office is investigating the death of Dr. LeAnn Cola,” Roman said, then expressed condolences for the death of their friend.
Mrs. Devereux asked if he’d like coffee or something else to drink, and Roman politely refused. Then she disappeared into the other rooms, leaving him and Devereux on facing armchairs. To Roman’s right was a wall of built-in dark-wood shelves with books and photographs, including a large one of a woman and two young children. Roman nodded at the photo. “Beautiful children.”
“Thanks. My daughter and her kids.”
“Again, I’m sorry about the death of your associate.” Devereux thanked him as Roman reached into his briefcase by his feet and extracted a clipboard pad. “Does the name Thomas Pomeroy mean anything to you?”
Devereux’s face clouded over. “Yes, Tom was a friend and colleague.”
“You know that he died recently also.”
“Yes.”
“How did you know them?”
Devereux hesitated for a moment. “I worked with them.”
“Well, we have reason to believe that your colleagues didn’t die by accident or natural causes as reported but were murdered.”
“Murdered?”
“Yes. That their deaths were staged to appear like a heart attack and gas leak.”
“That’s awful. Who would do such a thing? And why?”
“That’s what we’re hoping to learn.” Then, with a woeful expression, Roman added, “We think the deaths are connected to some research they were doing. I’m sorry to say that we picked up intelligence of a contract on your own life.”
“What?”
“Yes, someone wants you dead, and I’m hoping you’ll give me information that could help us prevent that.”
Devereux’s mouth went slack. “What?”
“Our sources tell us that the contracts may have come from somewhere in the Catholic Church, believe it or not.”
“The Catholic Church?”
Hearing the squeal in Devereux’s voice, the wife came out of a back room in her bathrobe. “Is everything okay?”
“Tom Pomeroy and LeAnn Cola were murdered,” Devereux announced.
“What?”
“Mrs. Devereux, I’m afraid that’s true and that your husband’s life is in danger, maybe your own. And we think it has to do with the research you all worked on.” Before either of them could catch their breath, Roman turned to Devereux. “I’m wondering if you could tell me about that project, because I think it’ll help prevent more killings.” Then he turned to the wife. “And Mrs. Devereux, please join us, since I understand you assisted.”
In shock, the woman lowered herself onto the sofa. “We were doing research on sleep, what happens in the brain at various states,” Devereux said.
“Sleep?”
“The project was confidential by contract, but we worked on imaging software.”
“Can you tell me a little more, like why someone would want to stop you?”
Devereux stared at him for a long moment. “I think it might be a good idea if I contacted my lawyer before we continue. We’re entering sensitive areas. I’d also like to notify the local police if my life is in danger.”
“You don’t need the police. You’ve got the FBI. We’re working to protect you.”
“You keep on saying
“I don’t like this,” Mrs. Devereux said. “I’m scared.” She shot to her feet and started to move away.
“Where you going?” Roman asked.
“To call the police.” She headed for the telephone on a corner desk.
“That’s not a good idea,” Roman said. But she didn’t stop. So Roman pulled a silenced pistol from his briefcase and shot her twice in the back. She crumpled in place. But before her husband could move, Roman lowered the gun to his face. “Move and you’re dead.”
A yelp rose from his throat as he stared at his wife’s body.
“Tell me what you were doing on that project.”
For a long moment Devereux struggled to control himself, looking from Roman to his wife to the gun aimed at his head. “Who—who are you? Why did you shoot her?” His voice warbled with horror and disbelief.
He started to get up, but Roman flicked the gun at him. “I’ll kill you.”
Devereux settled back in place.
“Tell me what you, Cola, and Pomeroy were working on, and no more sleep research bullshit, because I know where your daughter and her children live. And if you give me any double-talk, I will kill you and visit them,
Devereux nodded, his face a bloodless bag of loose flesh. His voice choked as he glanced at his wife’s lifeless body, blood spreading across her blouse. “Near-death experiences.”
“Near-death experiences?”
“They were bringing people to flatline to detect electrical activity.”
“Keep going.”
“To see if there was anything to the claim—dead relatives, heaven, whatever.”
Devereux continued, gasping for air. “Or just neurobiology.”
“What does this have to do with Satan?”
“Satan? I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Why is the Church opposed to your research?”
“The Church? I didn’t know it was.”
“You were trying to prove if the afterlife was for real or just in the brain, right?”
Devereux nodded.
“And what did you conclude?”
“I don’t know. It’s still ongoing.”
“Where was your research done?”
“I don’t know. It was all freelance. I know nothing else about it, I swear on my life.”
“How much did they pay you for your work?”
“Five thousand.”
“Are they still doing the experiments?”
“I think so.”
Roman studied Devereux squirming in the chair. He looked as if he was telling the truth. “Why does the Catholic Church want you dead?”
