Faithless in Death (In Death, #52)(115)

Behind his back Carmichael rolled her eyes, but Eve stepped up to his desk.

“My take? You’re feeling bitchy because the crazy woman got a little piece of you.”

He shrugged. “That’s fair.”

“I respect that. Did you nail them all down?”

“Yeah, the APA and shrink assigned signed off.”

“Good. The next two won’t be so easy. Call up Phiffer. Head cleaner, Piper homicide. He dug up a lawyer. And pick one of the cleaning crew—they’re in the file. Take the lower level guy first, squeeze him, flip him, and take down Phiffer.”

“We can do that.” Considerably brightened, Santiago turned to Carmichael. “We can do that.”

“Yes, we can.”

Satisfied, Eve went to her office, and found Roarke.

“You were in my ear twenty minutes ago.”

“Now I’m here.” He pointed to the covered plate on her desk. “Cold pasta. Eat something.”

“I need to prep for Mirium Wilkey.”

“Tell me you’re not already fully prepped and ready for her.”

Since she couldn’t, Eve sat, lifted the cover. Cold pasta—with vegetables, of course, because Roarke.

“Data’s coming in so fast. EDD’s a machine today.”

“I can say the same for your division. And as I’m no longer quite so useful, I’ve found a place to catch up on some work.”

“Your office—home or Midtown—would work. You’ve given this a hell of a lot of time.”

“I’m invested.”

With his hands in his pockets, his fingers found the button, Eve’s button, and rubbed it.

“Dochas has taken in ten women and eight children. Women who were already sheltered there volunteered to double up. That speaks to me. And when you’ve closed this down for the day, I’d like to take your squad and EDD out for drinks and a meal.” He held up a hand before she could object.

“Things moved fast after Cobbe and Ireland, and I’d like to show my appreciation in a tangible way.”

“You hauled them to Ireland and back in a private shuttle, your family fed them like an army on leave.”

He simply walked to her, ran a hand over her hair. “I’d like to do this.”

Needed to, she realized. Maybe needed to so he could—so they could—shut out some of the misery they’d seen for just a little while.

“You want to blow a good chunk of your fortune on a bunch of cops, fine with me. I’ll pass the word. But that’s a hell of a lot of people on short notice.”

“Happily I own a very fine pub not far from here. It’ll be closed tonight for a private party. I’ll do that catching up now so I can observe some part of your evisceration of Mirium Wilkey. I’d wish you luck with it, but you don’t need it.”

He leaned down to kiss her. “Make her pay,” he murmured, “for all of them.”

She would, Eve thought. She’d make Mirium Wilkey pay for Ariel Byrd, for all the rest. And for putting that hint of sadness in the eyes of the man she loved.

Because, she knew, he saw her in Ella Foxx, in Fiona Vassar—and all the others.

When she walked into Interview with Peabody, started the record, Mirium sat in her jumpsuit, back straight, hands folded.

“So, Mirium, I’m told you’ve been informed the lawyer you attempted to contact for representation in these matters is unavailable. Due to being charged with multiple crimes also relating to these matters. And you’ve opted not to engage or request other legal representation.”

“I’m capable of defending myself.”

“Good for you. We’ll get started. Gina Mancini, Ella Alice Foxx,” Eve began, and read off a long list of names as she laid their ID shots on the table. “You may be surprised to see some of this official identification, as you played a part—that computer science degree—in wiping their official records.”

“I don’t know what or whom you’re talking about.”

“Oh now, Mirium.” Shaking her head, Eve offered a small pity smile. “If you think capable of defending yourself equals starting off with easily debunked lies, you’re heading down the wrong road. We have statements from every one of these women, who all identify you as their abductor. We also have statements from three—so far—of your accomplices, Jane Po and Michael Harstead and Denise Wexford, corroborating that. They also gave complete details on same, like the drugs you used, the vehicle you drove, the payments you made in exchange for their assistance.”

Mirium barely missed a beat. “I did what I had to do to protect myself.”

“You drugged and abducted these women—some minors at the time—and delivered them to the compound in Connecticut—thereby crossing state lines—to protect yourself? These women threatened you?”

“Not them. My father, my brothers, the people he controls.”

“Your father threatened you?”

“Every day of my life.” She worked up watery eyes that to Eve looked more like an allergic reaction than tears. “You have no idea what he’s capable of.”

“Oh, we’ve got some clues. What was the nature of the threat?”

“If I didn’t do what he ordered me to do, he’d have me taken to the island, keep me there, or worse, he’d sell me to one of his faithful.”