Abandoned in Death (In Death, #54)(99)

“Copy that.”

“Jamie’s a go.”

He picked up the stack of flyers they’d designed and printed out. After getting out of the van, he walked up the sidewalk into camera range, then turned to the house.

“Feeney—”

“He’ll handle it. He’s the only one of us we know Dawber won’t recognize. Doesn’t look like a cop yet. Cop’s in there, but doesn’t show yet.”

“Everybody hold.”



* * *



In the basement, Mary Kate scanned the items on the table. A ’link, a set of old-fashioned keys, a swipe, an ID card, and Jesus, a mini-Taser. A folding knife, loose change, wallet, a white handkerchief.

“Three! Close your eyes. Close them, Mommy.”

She even put her free hand over them.

“Okay. Boy, three seconds isn’t long.” She remembered every damn item, but drew it out. “Um … A ’link, a wallet, a hankie, keys on a ring, a swipe … Oh, I know there was more. Wait, wait … Um. Darn it!”

“I won! I won!”

If there was anything stranger than seeing a grown man with a little pudgy middle dance and spin in circles, she’d yet to see it. He dashed over to the kitchen for his prize.

She had to get the ’link. The keys. The Taser, the knife. Keep him occupied.

“Let’s play again. It can be your turn to test your powers.”

She jolted when something gave out a loud buzz.

“What’s that? Scared me. Anyway—”

“Someone’s at the door.” His voice had gone flat.

She had to stick her hands under her legs as hope trembled through them. “Oh, one of your friends? Maybe they want to play, too.”

“I don’t have any friends.”

“Because they’re not worthy of you. Go on up now,” she said when the buzzing came again. “Tell them to go away. We don’t need them, right?”

“They’ll go away. I won’t answer.” He stepped over, brought up a small screen. “It’s just some boy. He’ll go away.”

But the buzzing came a third time.

“Baby darling, go up and tell him we’re busy. Go on now so I can set up for your turn.”

“He needs to go away!” Dawber stomped to the stairs and up. The minute the door closed, Mary Kate leaped on the ’link.

Security locked. She dropped it, grabbed the keys. One of them had to open the shackles, if she could just stop shaking long enough to use them.



* * *



“He’s heading up, Jamie. Get ready. Roarke, the minute he opens the door.”

“You’ll have it.”

Jamie heard the locks turn. The door opened a crack.

“Go away!”

“Sir, sir!” He added a southern drawl to his character. “I’m sorry to disturb your evening, but Pepper’s missing. My dog. She’s just a little dog.” He held up a flyer, let that southern boy’s voice shake with tears. “We just moved in today, down there?” He gestured.

“I’m not interested in—”

“Moved from South Carolina.” Jamie rolled right over Dawber, talking fast, looking directly into his eyes. “And she’s lost. She doesn’t know where she is. I’m afraid something … Please, mister, would you take a flyer, please? Pepper, she’s still just a puppy really, and it’s my fault she got out. Please, sir.”

“I haven’t seen your dog.” But Dawber opened the door another inch to take the flyer.

“Thank you, sir. Thank you so much.”

And Eve kicked the door all the way open. “Police. Put your hands up, Dawber.”

He shrieked. And ran across a dimly lit, empty foyer.

She could have stunned him with the weapon in her hand, but opted for a short chase—he had some speed.

He whipped left, into a big, empty room, toward a side door. Her hard tackle had him skidding over the dusty floor.

“Mommy! I want my mommy!” He beat his fists, kicked his feet, shrieking in a voice she wondered didn’t shatter glass in a radius of ten miles. “She’s gonna beat you up.”

“Yeah? I don’t think so.” Eve yanked his arms behind his back, slapped on the restraints. “Andrew Dawber, you’re under arrest for the murders of Lauren Elder and Anna Hobe, for the abductions of same and of Mary Kate Covino.”

“I hate you. You’re a bad girl.”

“Bet your ass I’m bad.” Rising, Eve stared down as Dawber sobbed and thrashed. “Got him, Peabody?”

“Yeah, I got him.”

“Jenkinson, target secure. I’m heading your way.”

“Copy that. Had to bust the damn window, but we’re through. Mary Kate! Mary Kate Covino. Police! We’re the police.”

She stood, shackles on the floor, keys clutched in one hand, the little Taser in the other.

And looked ready to use it.

Jenkinson holstered his weapon, held up his badge as his partner did the same. “It’s okay now, Mary Kate.” Jenkinson softened his tone. “We’re the cops. It’s okay now. You’re safe now.”

Her breath heaved and hitched before she dropped the Taser. She made a limping run to Jenkinson, threw herself at him.