Desperation in Death (In Death #55)(102)

“Maybe you’re lying.”

“Not everybody lies,” Trueheart said, and the girl snorted.

“What planet are you from?”

Eve watched Baxter and two officers lead a group of girls their way.

“Check with Dr. Mira,” Eve told the Rescue team. “Have her locate Carrie, so Lottie can see for herself.”

“If you’re lying, I’ll find you, and I’ll make you pay.”

“Well, that terrifies me. Is this level clear?” she asked Baxter.

“That’s affirmative.”

“Heading up.” She released the girl. “Don’t be stupid. Baxter, Trueheart, with me.”

She started up. “Jamie, status on top floor.”

“She’s moving around, just started to. I think she was eating breakfast or something before.”

“I’m going up. Help clear the next levels,” she told Baxter. “I’m taking the top.”

“Want backup?” Baxter asked her.

“I like my odds on the one-to-one.”

She jogged up the stairs, level by level. Fifty-eight girls secured so far, came the report in her ear. Another twelve in the process. Eighty-six suspects in custody.

“Roarke, do some magic on her door. Jamie, where is she?”

“The bathroom. I, ah, think she, you know, relieved herself. Looks like she’s washing her hands.”

“Too bad. Lowers the possibility she pisses herself when I take her. I’m at the door.”

“It’s got an alarm, taking it down. Hold there.”

“Come on, come on,” she whispered, bouncing on her toes.

“She’s in the bedroom, Dallas,” Jamie told her.

“And the lock’s down. Mind my cop.”

“You bet.”

Eve pushed in as Beaty stepped out of the bedroom doorway.

“Hi, Auntie. Hands up, turn and face the wall. Well, shit,” she said when Beaty leaped back, slammed the door. Eve heard the sharp click of the lock.

“Yeah, that’ll make a difference.”

She stepped up, kicked it open, whirled away. And wasn’t a bit surprised to hear the stunner stream hit the wall behind her.

“It’s a cliché, but needs to be said. The place is surrounded. You’ve got nowhere to go. So, you know, come out with your hands up.”

“Come and get me.”

“Dallas, Lowenbaum. We burned through the privacy screens, and have a clear shot of the subject on the top floor. Want us to take it?”

“And spoil my fun? Just hold.”

She dived, facing the opening, sweeping streams as the return fire hit over her head.

The gasp of pain brought huge satisfaction.

Beaty had dropped to her knees, her right arm shaking where the stream had grazed her. Her stunner lay on the floor.

“Go ahead, try for it. It won’t be a glancing hit this time.”

“I know who you are. Bitch.”

“Yeah? I know who you are. Move another inch toward it, we’ll be carting your unconscious ass out of here. You’re done, get it? The girls are out, your perverted staff is in custody. Now, down on your face, hands behind your back.”

“I don’t take orders. I give them!”

With that, she lunged up, charged. Eve had a split second to decide, but since she already had, it didn’t take that long.

She lowered the weapon in her right hand and led with her left.

One jab in the face.

“That’s for Mina Cabot.”

Beaty’s head snapped back; her eyes went glassy for an instant. Then she snarled, grabbed for Eve’s weapon with one hand, tried a right cross with the other. Blocking most of it—a couple of knuckles on the chin got through—Eve stomped her boot on Beaty’s designer heel.

“That can be for Dorian Gregg. And this?” The uppercut had Beaty’s eyes rolling back white. “For all the others.” She stepped over to put her boot on the dropped stunner.

Breathed out, breathed clear as she studied the woman sprawled at her feet.

“Subject is down.”

Her weapon swung back up when she caught movement in the doorway. Then lowered with a shake of her head when she saw Roarke.

“Nearly took a stream, pal.”

“I trust your reflexes. I wasn’t needed in the van, so I thought to see what you were up to.” He tapped his chin. “Caught you a bit, did she?”

“Caught her more.”

“So I see. The rest of the teams are a bit busy at the moment. One of the guards got to a weapons lockup before it could be secured.” He held up a hand. “Under control or I wouldn’t have simply continued up.”

“Injuries?”

“I can’t tell you, but Peabody indicated all minor on your side. Mira’s already cleared about twenty of the girls, medically, so they can be taken into Central. Feeney’s already having at the electronics. When do you want to leave?”

She crouched, secured Beaty’s hands behind her back. “Now’s good, or as soon as I get the clear from all teams, and somebody comes up and hauls this one out of here.

“Here comes Peabody.” Eve turned to the door as her partner, one eye swollen, rushed to the door.

“We’re clear. Got the last of the girls out. Bad guys in custody, already transported, or secured and awaiting same.”