Desperation in Death (In Death #55)(79)

“You’re right.” She opened the bag Sebastian had given her. “Uniform—with the sex gear under it. It’s all already been handled, damn it, but Harvo might find something. I need to take these to the lab, call her back in, and…”

She paused as she riffled through. “Something stuck in the pants pocket.”

Using the fabric, she pushed it out. “Jesus, it’s a swipe. A broken swipe. Just a piece of one. Broke when she fell, maybe in the tunnels, maybe outside. And we’ve got a piece of it.”

“Let’s have a look.”

“Don’t touch it!”

“I know the ropes, Lieutenant. It might be enough to give us some data.”

She zipped it all back up when she heard footsteps and voices.

Like a little damn parade, she thought. Rochelle, Crack, the two kids, the two cops, all chatting away.

“We’re heading to the kitchen for some dinner,” Rochelle began. “Can you join us?”

“No, but thanks. I need to get back to it.” Eve looked at Dorian. “Detective Yancy will be here in the morning. If you remember or think of anything more in the meantime, either of these officers can contact me.”

“I like my room.”

“Yay.”

“It doesn’t lock from the outside.”

She felt that, deep in her guts, but spoke casually.

“It’s a school, not a prison. Tell me about the swipe card in your pocket.”

“The swipe?” The puzzled frown went to wide-eyed shock. “Matron’s card! I forgot! I—I was going to drop it on the ground, like maybe she just dropped it, but then I thought we might need it again, so I kept it. Maybe if I’d dropped it, they wouldn’t have known we got out. Maybe if—”

“Ifs mean dick, but here’s another. If you don’t think they had cams and alarms in the tunnel, you’re not as smart as you look.”

Mouser put an arm around Dorian. “Cops blow wide.”

“Oh, golly, the sting!” Ignoring him, Eve met Dorian’s eyes again. “There’s no ifs on anything you did with what happened to Mina. It’s all on them. Whatever you forget, don’t forget that. Go eat.”

“Crack says they’ve got cow burgers. We’ve never had one.”

“Go have a cow burger. Any questions, problems, you know how to reach me,” she told Rochelle. “Thanks for making room.”

“We always do.”

Eve stepped outside, pulled out her com. “I’m going to bag the clothes, have a pair of officers take it to the lab. Contact Harvo on it. I’ll bag the broken card, take it home. Contact Feeney.”

“Make the contacts. I’ll play Peabody and bag your evidence.”

It took time before the black-and-white pulled up for the pass off, but Eve thought she’d bought a little of that time.

She had the kid secured, and a fresh flood of information, fresh evidence in the clothes and the broken card. And if anyone could finesse a description out of a wit that led to an ID, it was Yancy.

When Roarke got behind the wheel, she settled into the passenger’s seat.

“Maybe I should push for Yancy to start with her tonight.”

“No. Give her the time there. A good meal, her friend, time to feel safe and get a decent night’s sleep. She’ll be clearer on it tomorrow.”

“Maybe, maybe. I need to tie this up tight so the feds can’t unravel it. Putting her in there rather than a safe house or in the system, they’re going to make some noise.”

“You’ll make the case it’s safe and secure, and your victim, your witness, will be more cooperative. And emotionally steadier—Mira would back you there.”

“Good thought. I’ll talk to her.”

Roarke stilled her hand before she could pull out her ’link. “Take a blocker for the headache.” He flipped open a little case. “And close your eyes for five damn minutes.”

Rather than argue, she took the blocker, but then shook her head. “I can’t stop. I need to get things nailed down.”

She contacted Mira.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your evening, but I need to bring you up to date. I’ll write it up as soon as possible, but I’ve taken some … liberties.”

She ran it through, start to finish, answering when Mira questioned, holding nothing back. She felt it pushing, pushing, pushing, the desperate need to break. Just break.

Couldn’t. Just couldn’t.

“The child is safe, secured, guarded?”

“Yes.”

“Moreover, the child feels safe, and is with trained professionals after a horrific and traumatizing experience. By securing her in this environment, you’ve gained her trust, and her cooperation. I’d strongly recommend she continue to stay in that environment and work with the very skilled counselors, instructors, and therapists provided to students. I would like to speak with her personally tomorrow, and will make the time to do so.”

“Thanks.”

“You did what was right for her, this minor child, in these circumstances.”

“The other kid—”

“Is helping your victim and key witness feel safe,” Mira finished. “And has no bearing on the investigation otherwise. I would like a copy of his file, but see no reason to include him in any report to the FBI as applies to this specific investigation.”