Page 85 of Precise Justice

While they waited, both women looked over the Impressionist prints on the walls. Melissa was especially interested.

“I wish I knew more about art,” she said out loud mostly to herself.

“Why?” Lucy asked.

“Because it’s…”

A woman appeared at that moment, older, efficient looking with a chain holding glasses around her neck.

“You’re here to see Ms. Bivens?”

“Yes,” Lucy replied.

“I’m not sure she has time. If you’d…”

By now Lucy was two feet away from the woman holding up her shield. “We’re homicide detectives. This is about a murder. I’m sure she can give us a few minutes.”

“Probably, yes, this way, please,” she said.

When Tori heard the words homicide and murder, her back stiffened, eyes opened and she rolled her chair five feet away. Melissa looked at her as she walked past. She smiled at the receptionist then held a finger to her lips. Tori nodded three or four times then breathed again.

“You must be here again about Priscilla,” Bivens said while the detectives sat down.

“Yes, and thanks for seeing us,” Lucy replied.

“I’m not sure what I can tell you that I didn’t before. I don’t really know anything.”

“Was she, Priscilla, a client?” Lucy asked.

“Even that is privileged information,” Bivens said.

“What about her son turned daughter, Robbie? Was she ever a client?” Melissa asked.

Bivens thought about it for a few seconds before saying no.

“I’ve been around as a cop to know enough about privilege to know whatever communication you had with Priscilla with any third-party present, is not covered,” Lucy said.

“You’re right. That’s true,” Bivens said.

“Did you socialize with her?” Lucy asked.

“Yes, and you’ll ask so, yes there were other people present. Why don’t we stop dancing? Ask your questions and I’ll tell you if I can answer them?”

“Okay, did Priscilla ever talk about Robbie’s transgender procedure in your social settings?” Lucy asked.

“Yes,” Bivens abruptly answered.

“A lot, once, help me out here?” Lucy asked.

Bivens paused, looked around then said, “Yes, it was often a topic of conversation.”

“You didn’t approve of it, did you?” Melissa asked.

Bivens again hesitated forcing Melissa to say, “Barbara, it’s written all over you. You did not approve of Robbie’s so-called gender affirmation, did you?”

“No, no I did not,” Bivens admitted.

“Did you get the sense that Robbie might not have wanted to do it?” Lucy asked.

---