Faithless in Death (In Death, #52)(97)

“It’s a long, convoluted story. But I’m right.”

“Then I’m glad I went for red meat.” Reo paused for a fry. “Tell me a story.”

Once she had, Reo packed up her things. “I’m going to need a solid two hours, maybe three.”

“Figured that. I need at least that, so it works.”

“I’ll be in touch. And I’ll be riding along when you take the HQ.”

“I’m fine with that.”

“Nadine, as a representative of the prosecutor’s office, I want to say we’re grateful for your help, your integrity, your cooperation. We won’t forget it. As your friend, I want to say, baby, you fucking rock.”

“Right back at you.”

“When this is wrapped—on your end, Dallas—it’s going to be wild on mine. Can’t wait! Oh, I’m going to tag Mavis tomorrow—too busy today—and get over to see this house. Yay, Peabody, another big congratulations.”

“Thanks. I haven’t even had time to look at the tile samples Mavis texted me. She wants me and McNab to pick them out, and the paint colors, and just all of it. It’s going to be so much fun! When,” she added because she caught Eve’s stare, “this is all wrapped.”

“I want to see everything. I’ll be in touch,” Reo repeated, and left.

Nadine lingered over the last of her Pepsi. “So, I’m betting there’s no possible way I can get a ride-along on this.”

“You win the bet. But the NYPSD joins the PA’s office in extending their gratitude.”

“That and your AC will get me a really delicious burger.”

“It’s also going to get you a tag when we have the Wilkeys, the Huffmans, Piper, and others in custody. And I can’t legally stop you from being in the vicinity of Natural Order’s HQ—a solid two miles away, Nadine.”

Nadine smiled into Eve’s eyes. “Got it.”

“When I do tag you, you break the story, Nadine. Break it hard, break it wide.”

“What was it you said to Reo about the warrants? Oh yeah. Fucking A. Then a follow-up one-on-one with you for broadcast, followed up by a full segment with you, possibly Reo, possibly the special agent in charge from the FBI on Now.”

“Agreed.”

Nadine set her glass down, rose. “It’s a little disappointing when it’s so easy.”

“I know, right? People don’t get that.” Eve smiled. “At this time, in this place, Nadine, Reo said it. You fucking rock.”

“Well, well, I’ll take my kudos and let you get to it. One thing—and it’s in this room, so off the record. Are you actually hitting them tonight?”

“I’m looking at it. A lot of coordination goes into it, so I’m hoping for maybe somewhere around zero one hundred.”

“Okay then, I’m taking my kudos and going home to catch a nap. You look like you could use one yourself.”

“I’ll sleep after I fill some cages.”

“Later, Peabody, who looks mag and is going to have mag new digs. I’ll wait for the tag.”

“They noticed I lost weight.”

“Jesus, Peabody, of course they noticed. They have eyes.”

“You noticed?”

“I also have eyes.”

“You never said.” Peabody threw her arms in the air. “I mean, a whole size!”

“If I commented on it, you’d want to talk about it. Like you are now.”

“That’s true. I can’t deny it. I’m putting new pants and new digs aside. You didn’t ask me to brief them on the data you asked me to dig.”

“Reo has enough. Copy me. You’ve got members’ names from this data who paid for human beings. Dig on them, copy me. And I want names and data from every resident on the Tribeca block.”

“We’re hitting that, too?”

Eve looked at Gina’s and Zoe’s photos on the board. How many more, she wondered, like them? “We’re hitting that, too.”

“We’re going to need more warrants.”

“Once again? Fucking A.” She signaled to get moving. “Feed it to me, and I’ll whittle it down for Reo and those warrants,” she continued as they walked back. “If you need help with it, get a uniform. Pick two now to relieve Carmichael and Shelby. I’m pulling them back in.”

She went straight to her office and hit the coffee before sitting down to access Peabody’s data.

Rather than loading it all on Reo, she broke it down into bites that justified warrants—searches, arrests, both.

She contacted Officer Carmichael—now his usual spit and polish.

“The subject is in her office, now, sir. She’s been to the halfway house, spent about an hour inside, made two stops on the way back we assume were home checks. She got some Thai takeout and walked back to her office.”

“Stick with it. I’m sending relief to your location. I need you and Shelby back here once they arrive. Grab food if you need it. It’s going to be a long day.”

“Copy that, sir.”

While she waited for more data from Peabody, she brought up information on the Huffmans’ medical clinic and the Natural Order lab. Handily the websites listed the names and qualifications of several medicals and techs.