Page 49 of Fury In Death

“Ezra always worried about something.”

She let out a long sigh, worked to steady again.

“Was his daughter—three kids—getting enough rest? Did I eat properly when traveling? Then the state of the world—politics, society, the environment, of course. But no, nothing more than that.

“As far as conflicts or confrontations, none I know of. He’s been semiretired for a while now. He enjoyed having more time for his hobbies. Art collecting, tennis, sports in general. He kept very fit.”

She wavered again, steadied again. “I won’t say he got along with everyone. He’s an exacting man, a perfectionist, and that could rub some the wrong way. But nothing major, nothing, I swear, that reaches this level.”

“He worked for Banner-Wyst.”

“Yes. Most of his career, yes. When he decided to retire, they offered him a raise, a larger annual bonus, other incentives, but he really wanted to take more time for, well, life. So he agreed to the consulting position. I think he’d have been bored if he hadn’t kept a hand in.”

“Do you know Lawrence Chu?”

She frowned a moment, closed her eyes again, but this time in thought. “That name’s familiar. Ah . . . Oh, yes, sorry, of course. Larry and Rae. Larry works for the company. Ezra and I didn’t talk about our work very deeply—he wasn’t any more interested in mine than I was in his—but I know he considered Larry brilliant and steady. I know them casually.”

She took a long breath. “You don’t think Larry Chu did this. Why, Ezra could have mopped the floor with him in a physical fight. And I know they respected each other.”

“Lawrence Chu was killed yesterday.”

The red-rimmed eyes went wide, and now both of her hands clutched at her heart.

“Oh my God. Do you mean murdered? Do you mean murdered like Ezra?”

“Yes. What do you know about Dr. Dent’s work for the company?”

“I know he helped develop methods to help regenerate what he called dead soil—for farming, forests, natural resources. And, ah, water purification systems or techniques—I don’t understand the technology. I know he was in the forefront of lessening climate change caused by human consumption and that sort of thing. I think he worked with Larry in the past, and more recently, but I don’t know any details.

“God, God, did this happen because of the work? Some crazy activist who wants to kill the minds and hands that work to better the world? It makes no sense.”

“Did he travel? Banner-Wyst has interests and facilities planetwide, and off-planet as well. And enlists and employs medical teams, research teams, planetwide.”

“Yes. Not in the last several years, but before. He had stories about his travels. He sacrificed, Lieutenant, and he dedicated himself because he believed humanity needed guidance, it needed help to preserve and protect the land, the water, the air. Why would anyone kill a man for that?”

“Were you and Dr. Dent involved thirteen years ago?”

“Thirteen? No. Ezra and I met through a mutual acquaintance nearly eleven years ago. Eleven years ago this coming December. It was at a holiday party. Why?”

“Something we’re looking into. If you could give Detective Peabody your travel data, we’d appreciate it. Is there anyone we can contact for you?”

“I have to tell his daughter, and, God, his parents. His father isn’t very well, but I have to tell him. Them. I—I can’t stay here, can I?”

“It would be best if you didn’t,” Peabody told her. “Can we make some arrangements for you?”

“No, no, thank you. I’ll stay with Lila—Ezra’s daughter—and her family. This will hit them very hard. Ezra was always a family man, a very involved father, and marriage or not, well, he made me a family woman. I’ll stay with Lila as long as she needs me.

“Where will you take him? I’ll tell them they shouldn’t see him like this, but they won’t listen. I wouldn’t, either. They’ll want to see him.”

“I’ll give you that information. Dr. Morris, the chief medical examiner, will take care of him. He’s in very compassionate hands.”

“Should I . . . can I ask if I could or should contact Rae—Rachel, Larry’s wife? As I said, I know her casually, but since . . .”

“She’s with her family.”

“I’ll go to his memorial. Ezra would want me to. One of their sons is a doctor, I think.”

“Yes, Bradley Chu.”