Devoted in Death (In Death #41)(85)

“I figure another twenty-four, thirty-six tops. They’ll get bored, want somebody fresh.”

“I won’t disagree.”

Eve paced to her skinny window and back. “If I release their names and faces to the media, odds are somebody will recognize them. But if they see their faces on screen, they’ll kill and run. It’s not the glory,” Eve repeated.

“Again, I won’t disagree. It’s a difficult call to make.”

And one she’d been wrestling with.

“I’m not releasing, unless ordered. I’ve held back from bringing in the feds because they may take that path. Would you throw your weight on my pile, if necessary? It’s a tough call for you, too.”

“I believe they’d cut their losses, try to get out of New York, so it’s not such a tough call.”

“We’re narrowing the area, if that helps. Banner and Baxter got two hits already less than a block apart. It’s going to zero down.”

“I’ll put it in writing.” Mira finished her tea, rose. “And I know a few people in the FBI. I’ll speak to one or two with influence.”

“If that doesn’t work, nothing will. It should hold them off from releasing for twenty-four anyway. And that’s about all the time Campbell’s got. They’d likely finish Mulligan with her, or shortly after. So if I can get another twenty-four to thirty-six, it’ll have to be enough.”

“I’ll push for the thirty-six.”

“Thanks. You look tired.”

“Oh, I am. I’ve got a few things to deal with here, then I’m going home and have Dennis rub my feet.”

“Really?”

“He does the most amazing reflexology. You look tired yourself.”

“I don’t know if Roarke does reflexology.”

“I imagine he has a way. In any case, my advice is to take an hour and relax, clear your head after you’re home. You’ll work half the night if I’m any judge, so take an hour first. You’ll be fresher for it.”

“Maybe I will.”

Mira turned toward the door, paused. “Is the child – Darra – in good hands?”

“Santiago says the mother and stepfather seem to be good people, and want to legally adopt the kid. She’s in a better place than she would be with her mother.”

“Then when you think of the child, and you will, think of that. However selfish and cold the act, the mother did the daughter a great favor. She’ll be loved and tended.”

And better off than many, Eve thought when she was alone. With luck it would make a difference.

She put it aside, sat, contacted her commander to get the federal ball rolling.

18

She spoke to the commander, delighted he would contact and brief Special Agent Zweck. As she gathered up what she wanted for working at home, Baxter came to her doorway.

“Another hit at the Chinese place.”

She tossed her coat aside again. “Let’s hear it.”

“Takeout, just last night. Both of them have been in, together and separately. They call in the order.”

“We can trace it back.”

“Problem. The place overrides every four to six hours. Banner’s running the ’link up to EDD, but it’s old, it’s crap, and even I know it’s going to take time to try to pull a contact out of the hat after it’s got close to a day’s worth layered over it. Same with the security feed. He’s taking EDD copies.”

“Have him send copies of everything to my home unit.”

“Already did. Crapped out, so far, on souvie shops, but hit at this hardware place on West Broadway.” His gaze slid toward her AutoChef, and Eve resigned herself.

“Go.” She tipped her head toward the machine.

“Gratitude.”

She eyed him as he programmed. “Want some candy to go with it?”

He gave her a blank look. A blank cop look. “You got candy in here?”

She jabbed a finger at him. “You know something. Now you know I know you know something, and I’d grill you like a trout if I had time.”

“You doing okay, LT?” He sipped his coffee casually. “You seem a little stressed.”

“Bite me, Baxter. Hardware store.”

“Yeah, West Broadway, right off Prince. I got this little buzz when we passed it, like you do. So we went in, and hit. James has been in, twice. Counter guy remembers – the accent stuck. James paid cash, and that helped the stick. Duct tape, cord, a roll of plastic. Friendly guy, apparently, talkative enough. Said how he and his wife just moved to the city. She really loves New York.”

“Was he on foot or in the van?”

“Counter guy didn’t notice, but figured the van because he bought a jumbo roll of the plastic. Said he had other errands to run. So we hit a couple delis, nothing, but hit again at a 24/7. Got all the feed we could, but the hardware was four days ago. Everybody got the usual warning. Don’t let on, don’t confront, call nine-one-one.”

“Write it up, exact addresses of the hits.”

“We got her in a couple shops in SoHo.”

“Is that so?”

“We took a gander at the feed. She bought a couple pair of sexy panties, lifted a dress and the matching bras. Clerk’s pretty pissed they missed catching her.”