Desperation in Death (In Death #55)(65)

“Yeah, they fit the abduction pattern.”

“Fuckers. I want to take them down as much as you. The thing is, however slick, however major this organization is, there are others. The op up in EDD? Maybe, just maybe, we take down a few more.”

“How many you figure?” Eve asked her.

“On this scale?” Willowby shook her head. “Not many, but you’ll have smaller organizations, maybe holding three or four to put up for an auction like this. A few more that specialize, and likely import rather than snatch. The Brutes—just my term for it—the ones who use and abuse, then sell off—more of those, but they’d need good financing to participate in this level of auction. The entry fee’s half a mil, and that’s just to get in to sell. Then twenty percent of the sale price goes to the auction.”

“Seems like busting that wide would be a good move.”

“Doesn’t it just? Maybe this’ll give us a shot at it. It’d be a hell of a thing, wouldn’t it, if these two kids blow it all down.

“No trace of her yet? Dorian Gregg?”

“No. We’re hitting on the kooks and the overeagers, but nothing that’s panned out. I’m calling in the feds, tomorrow latest.”

“Shit, figured that was coming.” She ate more pizza. “I hate to see them horn in on what we’re starting up in EDD. We’re going to do it clean,” she added. “No way we’re going to let any of these bastards slide out on technicalities. But feds can be harsh on a little wiggle.”

“I can’t hold it off longer than that. Right now, I’m not sure I should.”

“I hear you. Whatever it takes. I’m going back to the circus. Thanks for the pizza. Most mag-o.”

As she pushed off the table, Trueheart, the earnest, tapped on the doorjamb.

“Sorry, Lieutenant.”

Even as he spoke, Willowby turned back to Eve, widened her eyes, tapped her hand on her heart.

“Detective?”

“Mavis is here. I didn’t want to send her back without getting your go.”

“She got the kid with her?”

“No, sir.”

“You can send her back.”

“He’s so cute!” Willowby said when he went out again. “Got the cute sizzles. Got brains?”

“He’s a solid cop, a good detective. Tamp it down some, Willowby.”

“Just saying. Not married or anything, is he?”

“He’s not,” Peabody filled in when Eve just closed her eyes. “But he’s just off a relationship. She took a job in East Washington. He’s really sweet.”

“I like sweet, especially with cute sizzles. I’m in a serious dry spell, you know? Maybe after we bust these bastards, I can— Holy shit!”

Mavis stepped in on purple sneaks, pink skin pants, and a purple shirt that clung to her little baby bump and sported a pink arrow pointing to it that read: GUESS WHO?

Her hair was a curling mass of both colors.

She would, Eve thought, have fit in very well in EDD.

Willowby actually squealed. “Mavis Freestone. Holy shit. I’m a mega fan.”

Mavis put on the high beams, but Eve knew her.

Something’s up, she thought. Something’s off.

“Thanks! Great to meet you.”

“Willowby. Zela Willowby. I hit your concert on Fire Island. Man, it was beyond. And the vid you just released, backed by Avenue A, dueting with Jake Kincade? Frosted supreme.

“I’m babbling. Sorry.”

“Hear me complaining? Juices me to hear somebody likes my music.”

“Love it. This is a moment for me. Anyway, gotta go before I drool or something. Jesus,” she said as she headed out. “Two sizzles and a Freestone. What a day.”

“Okay.” Mavis let out a breath, and the high beams dimmed. “Can I shut this door?”

“Yeah. Is Bella okay, Leonardo?”

“Yeah, yeah, all totally.”

“Then come sit down and tell me what the fuck. I can see it all over you.”

“I’m going to.”

“Want some tea or something?” Peabody asked her.

“No, I’m good. All good.” She crossed over but stood looking at the board. “So many,” she said quietly. She pressed a hand protectively over the child inside her, then sat. “I need you to hear me all the way out, and not get pissed.”

“Why would I get pissed?”

“I just need you to listen all the way. You’re looking for one of those girls, especially. Dorian Gregg.”

“That’s right. What do you know?”

“If you listen all the way, and don’t get pissed, I can get her to come to the house, where you can talk to her.”

Eve struggled not to lurch up and shout. “You know where she is?”

“No, but I can do what I said if you listen, don’t get pissed.”

“I need to know where she is, Mavis.”

The hand rubbing circles over the baby bump went into high speed. “You’re already pissed. I know what all this means to you, and you know what it all means to me. I know you want to know where she is to keep her safe, and to find a way to help all those girls.”

Her voice broke as she looked at the board again.