Chapter 12

Regina drove them the short distance over to Dupont Circle. While the gallery district hosted a great deal of Carolyn Bartlett’s work, her studio was located in an out of the way building not too far from Dashiell’s own office.

They entered the building and were confronted by a massive granite desk, behind which sat an officious looking man with close-cropped hair. He had a headset on with a microphone perched before his mouth. Behind him was a massive print of a still life, done in black and white. It featured a large white lily in a dark vase. Underneath were the words “Carolyn Bartlett Photography.”

“Carolyn Bartlett Photography, how may I help you?” Dashiell was about to say something when the man behind the desk spoke again. “I’m sorry, she’s not available at the moment, may I take a message?” He typed something on his computer keyboard. “I’m afraid she’s booked on the 17^th. It looks like she has an opening on the 23^rd.”

Dashiell turned to Regina, who raised an eyebrow, then flashed her badge at the man behind the desk. He gave it the barest glance and then finished typing. “We’ll see you then, Senator.”

He clicked a button on his desk and turned back to his computer, typing rapidly. It appeared for all the world as if he had forgotten Dashiell and Regina were standing there.

Regina began to tap her nails on the granite. After about thirty seconds, the officious little man turned his eyes toward her. “Yes, officer? How can I help you?”

“We’d like to see Ms. Bartlett,” Regina said, her tone a bit snappish.

“And do you have an appointment?”

“THIS is my appointment,” she replied, laying her badge on the desktop and tapping it.

“So that’s a no,” the little man said.

Regina’s upper lip began to curl in an expression Dashiell recognized as trouble.

“Please tell Ms. Bartlett that the police would like to see her,” he intervened. “We have some questions about her photo shoot this morning at Scofield Manor.”

The man’s eyes darted to Dashiell and looked him over. Dashiell felt as if the man could correctly guess the cost of his outfit and how much change he had in his pocket. “I’m sorry, sir, but Ms. Bartlett is very busy—“

“Oh send them back, Geoffrey,” a feminine voice arose from the air around the desk. Whoever had installed the hidden speakers had done a very good job.

“Very well, ma’am. You may head back.” He indicated with one hand a path to the right of the wall behind him.

Regina picked up her badge and stalked in the indicated direction, Dashiell hurrying after.

They walked behind the wall with the large painting and the hallway turned to the right, heading into the building’s interior. The walls were lined with various photos of famous people and beautiful places. Dashiell recognized some of them from magazine covers and others from art museums. There were a set of glass double doors at the end of the hallway and a woman who appeared to be in her early sixties was stepping out from them.

She was trim and dressed in well cut slacks, with a black turtleneck. Her hair was silver, not white, and hung loose around her shoulders.

“Good afternoon, officers. I’m Carolyn Bartlett. My apologies for Geoffrey. I was working in the darkroom and he knows I don’t like to be disturbed.”

“Not even for the police?” Regina asked somewhat sharply.

“I’m sorry officer. We regularly see agents from the Secret Service and U.S. Marshalls here, as well as numerous private bodyguards. Many of them try to intimidate Geoffrey and so he’s grown a prickly exterior. My services are in high demand and he’s very protective of my time.

"Now, I believe you said you had some questions about my visit to see Elaine Scofield this morning? Gayle Norton told me what happened. It’s just awful.”

Dashiell stepped forward before Regina said something she might regret. “Yes, a real tragedy. We just have a couple of questions. We’ve already spoken with Jessica Hill. We just need to confirm a few details.”

“Anything you need. I’m happy to help out in whatever way I can. Please, step into my office.” She held the door as Dashiell and Regina stepped inside.

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