Creation in Death (In Death #25)(111)

“Aw.”

“Yeah. He did the privacy dance. I explained that his client was under arrest for multiple murders, and hauling out this ST claim to avoid trial and incarceration. Pulled the commander into it. Legal guy claimed Lowell had secured certification, but he couldn’t produce the documentation either. Went a little nuts about it. He’s spouting about holding interviews and so on, but he doesn’t have any pull in the U.S. of A.”

“That’s all I need.”

“But—”

“Going to wrap this up now, Peabody. Good job.”

Eve walked back in, closed the door in Peabody’s face. “Just to summarize,” Eve began. “You have confessed, with full understanding of your rights and obligations, having waived any counsel or representation, to the crimes heretofore documented?”

“‘Crimes’ is your word, but yes, I have.”

“How long did the medicals estimate you had left?”

“No more than two years, with the last several months extremely painful, unpleasant, and demeaning even with medication. I prefer a quiet and controlled end to my time.”

“I bet you do. But you know, you’re not going to get it. You don’t have any ST certification on record. Bob.”

“I certainly do.”

“Nope—and your fancy Brit lawyers can’t produce one either.” She laid her palms on the table, leaned over into his face. “No record means we’re under no obligation to take your word for it, under no obligation to accommodate your easy out. A couple of years isn’t as much as I’d like, but you’ll be spending it in a box. You’ll be spending some of it in pain, in distress, in despair.”

“No.” He shook his head slowly. “I have certification.”

“You’ve got nothing. And you are no longer free to apply for ST. You’ve been charged and you have willingly confessed to multiple homicides. Your out just slammed shut.”

“You’re lying.” His lips trembled. “You’re trying to upset me, to trick me.”

“You go ahead and think that. You go on thinking that for the next two years. You get to live, and every second you get to live, you’re going to suffer.”

“I want…I want my lawyers.”

“Sure. You can have an army of goddamn lawyers. They’re not going to help you.” Her eyes were fierce now, not the flat, objective eyes of the cop, but the fierce, burning eyes of justice. “You’re going to know pain. You’re going to choke out your last breath in pain.”

“No. No. It’s my time, it’s all worked out. I need my music, my pills.”

“Bob, you need to die a long, slow, agonizing death.” She straightened. “Why don’t you haul him down, Feeney. He can go cry to his lawyers before he starts learning what it’s like to live in a cage.”

“I’ve been waiting for nine years to do this.” Feeney hauled Lowell to his feet. “I’m betting on medical science,” he said as he dragged Lowell to the door. “Couple of years? They might find a fix. That would be sweet.” He glanced over his shoulder, sent Eve a strong smile. “That would be goddamn sweet.”

EPILOGUE

WHEN EVE STEPPED OUT, COPS POURED OUT OF OBSERVATION, out of the conference room where the monitors had been set up. She saw Roarke with them before Baxter elbowed through, and shocked her speechless by hauling her off her feet and planting a noisy kiss on her mouth.

“Jesus Christ, are you out of your tiny mind?”

“Somebody had to do it, and he always gets to.” He jerked his thumb at Roarke. “I’m already punchy so don’t hit me. You either,” he said to Eve as he dropped her back on her feet. “Call me a sucker, but I get emotional at happy endings.”

“I’m going to be calling you in the nearest hospital if you try anything like that again. All of you who aren’t on regular shift, go home. Dismissed, get the hell…Commander.”

“Excellent job, all of you. I suggest you follow the lieutenant’s orders. Go home, get some sleep. The department is goddamn proud of every one of you. Lieutenant.”

“Sir. I’ll have the paperwork finished and filed within the hour.”

“No, you’ll get the hell out. You’ll go home. I’ll see the paperwork is dealt with.”

“Sir—”

“That’s an order.” He took her hand, shook it. “And consider that I’m going to give you a very large break and handle the media.”

“Yes, sir.”

She didn’t object when Roarke slung an arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t I drive you home, Lieutenant.”

“Yeah, you could do that. Peabody, I don’t want to see you here before ten tomorrow.”

“I am so all over that. Dallas—”

“Don’t even think about hugging me. Is there no end to the humiliation my men dole out?”

“Aw,” Peabody said, but was grinning as Eve walked away.

S he dropped off like a stone the minute she was in the car. Roarke drove with one hand on the wheel, one hand over hers. Halfway home, he switched to auto and let his own exhausted mind rest.

The lights of home were like stars, shining. He took his hand from hers to press his own fingers to his eyes, then climbed out to go around and open her door. But when he reached down to lift her, she batted a hand at his arm.