Devoted in Death (In Death #41)(106)

She nodded again. “Okay. Understand, I want my shot at them, and Deputy Banner sure as hell deserves his, but I don’t give a single cold damn who gets the media on it, or which jurisdiction locks them up for the rest of their sick, twisted lives.”

“The federal government will insist on hosting them for the rest of their sick, twisted lives, but in the meantime, take your shot. I’ll make sure you have the time you need.”

“Good enough. Do you want a seat in Interview?”

“I’ll observe for now.”

“Good enough. I’ll set you up. Come,” she called out at the knock. Peabody poked her head in.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I thought you’d want to know the suspects have been cleared medically. Word is Whitney’s on his way down, and Dr. Mira is on her way.”

“Have them brought up, separate boxes. They can simmer awhile.”

Peabody flicked a glance at Zweck. “Our boxes?”

“Yes, our boxes. Keep them separated.”

“I’ll get out of your way,” Zweck said. “Just let me know when you’re ready to start on them.”

“I will.”

Peabody edged aside to let him out. “He’s not taking over?”

“Pissed at his own people, so he’s flipping them the bird. He’ll observe for now, give us first crack. So let’s make it good. We’ll switch off between you and Banner. I want to take James first, with Banner, move to Parsens, with you, back to James, probably you, back to James, Banner. But we’ll see how it plays.”

“I’ll set it up. Whitney,” Peabody added under her breath, but Eve had already heard his authoritative stride. “Commander.”

“Detective. Good work. Lieutenant,” he said as he stepped into the doorway.

“Commander. I would have come to you.”

“I believe you’ve been and will be busier than I today.” He filled her office, a big man in a small room.

“Detective Peabody, bring them up.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll have a full written by end of day, Commander, but would like to start the interview process first. We have a window, provided by Special Agent Zweck to keep this in NYPSD hands.”

“One I’ll widen if you need it. You brought them in, you’ll close this down. Chief Tibble adds his weight to that – and his well-done.”

“Appreciated, sir.”

“APA Reo will participate at this point, but a federal prosecutor will take over. The suspects will be remanded to federal custody when we’re done.”

“Understood, Commander, thoroughly.”

He smiled a little. “Good. The media’s been quiet on this because they haven’t connected the dots, but this will explode, and soon. I believe the first leak started…” Deliberately he consulted his wrist unit. “About ten minutes ago.”

Which meant his hand had been on the tap.

“The NYPSD identified, located and apprehended the two individuals who cut a bloody swath across the country. Two individuals who took at least twenty-four lives since they began their murderous spree in August of last year. The feds can have their bite of the credit,” Whitney concluded, “but they won’t take the whole pie.”

“A good slice of that pie goes to Deputy Banner, sir.”

“Agreed, and the department will recognize his invaluable assistance. I have reason to believe the FBI will do the same.”

He turned when Mira and Reo came to the door.

“Jack, Eve.” Mira stepped in, then sideways to make room. “You’ve been busy.”

“Heck of a morning already.” Reo, her sunny hair groomed, her eyes sharp and alert, set her briefcase on Eve’s desk. “Any way I can get coffee before we start?”

Eve edged over to the AutoChef.

“There has to be a way to widen this room,” Whitney commented. “I can find it in the budget.”

“If it was bigger more people would come into it. Respectfully, sir,” Eve added as she programmed coffee.

Since she had time, she took it, filled in the details, outlined her basic strategy.

When she was alone in the office again, she took a deep breath. Four people in that space sucked up a lot of air. She put a file together, and went out.

“Banner, you’re up first. Peabody, Observation. Tag Zweck, let him know we’re starting. Where’s James?”

“He’s in Interview B.”

“He’s first.”

Banner fell into step beside Eve. “I appreciate the chance to sit in, Lieutenant.”

“You more than earned it.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it.”

“You get that NYPSD sweatshirt yet, Deputy?”

“I sure did.”

“Wear it proud. Here we go,” she said, and opened the door to Interview B. “Record on. Dallas, Lieutenant Eve, Banner, Deputy William, entering interview with James, Darryl Roy, regarding cases H-52310, H-52314, H-52318 and connectings. Mr. James, have you been informed of your rights?”

They’d cleaned him up, put some NuSkin on a cut above his left eyebrow, and dressed him in a prison jumpsuit. The virulent orange didn’t do much for him. Nor did the purpling bruise on his jawline.