Immortal in Death (In Death #3)(42)

“Been waiting for you, darlin’.” He winked at her, then flashed a killer smile at Peabody. “Hi, there, DeeDee.”

“DeeDee?” Eve murmured, then walked over to order coffee.

“Lieutenant.” Peabody’s voice was stiff as iron, but her cheeks were glowing pink.

“It’s a lucky man who gets to work with a couple of cops who are not only smart but a joy to look at. Could I get a cup of that, Eve? Strong and black and sweet.”

“You can have the coffee, but I haven’t got time for a consult. I have some paperwork to see to, and an appointment in a couple of hours.”

“I won’t keep you.” But he didn’t shift when she handed him the coffee. “I’ve been trying to light a fire under Dickhead. The man’s slower than a three-legged turtle. You being primary, I figured you could requisition me a sample. I’ve got a private lab we use now and then. They’re quick.”

“I don’t think we want to take this out of the department, Casto.”

“The lab’s approved by Illegals.”

“I meant Homicide. Let’s give Dickie a little more time. Boomer isn’t going anywhere.”

“Hey, you’re in charge. I’d just like to put this one behind me. Leaves a bad taste. Not like this coffee.” He closed his eyes, sighed. “My Jesus, woman, where’d you get this? It’s gold.”

“Connections.”

“Ah, that rich fiance of yours, sure.” He savored another sip. “A man would be hard pressed to tempt you away with the offer of a cold beer and a taco.”

“Coffee’s my drink, Casto.”

“Can’t blame you.” He shifted his admiring gaze to Peabody. “How about you, DeeDee? Got a taste for a cold one?”

“Officer Peabody’s on duty,” Eve said when Peabody was reduced to stammers. “We’ve got work to do here, Casto.”

“I’ll let you get to it.” He unfolded his legs and stood. “Why don’t you give me a call when you go off duty, DeeDee? I know a place that has the best Mexican food this side of the Rio Grande. Eve, you change your mind on letting me rush that sample through, let me know.”

“Close the door, Peabody,” Eve ordered when Casto sauntered out. “And wipe that drool off your chin.”

Appalled, Peabody lifted a hand. Finding her chin dry didn’t improve her humor. “That’s not funny. Sir.”

“Cut out the ‘sir.’ Anybody who goes around answering to DeeDee loses five points on the dignity scale.” Eve dropped down in the seat recently warmed by Casto. “What the hell did he want?”

“I thought he told us clearly enough.”

“No, that wasn’t enough to bring him over here.” She leaned forward, engaged her machine. A quick test of security showed no breaches. “If he was in here, I can’t tell.”

“Why would he go into your files?”

“He’s ambitious. If he could close the case ahead of me, it would look damn good. And Illegals doesn’t like to share, anyway.”

“And Homicide does?” Peabody said dryly.

“Hell no.” She looked up, grinned. “Let’s get this report hammered out. We’re going to have to request an off world toxicology expert. We better be able to back up the hole we’re going to put in the budget.”

Thirty minutes later, they were summoned to the office of the chief of police and security.

Eve liked Chief Tibbie. He was a big man with a bold mind and a heart that was still more cop than politician. After the stench the former chief had left behind, the city and the department had needed the kind of brisk, cold air Tibbie brought with him.

But she didn’t know what the hell they’d been called in for. Not until she was ushered in and saw Casto and his captain.

“Lieutenant, Officer,” Tibbie gestured to chairs. In a strategic move, Eve chose one beside Commander Whitney.

“We have a little squabble to settle,” Tibbie began. “We’re going to settle it quickly and finally. Lieutenant Dallas, you are primary on the Johannsen and the Pandora homicides.”

“Yes, sir, I am. I was called in to confirm identification of Johannsen’s body, as he was one of my informants. In the Pandora case, I was called to the scene by Mavis Freestone, who has been charged in that case. Both files are still open and under investigation.”

“Officer Peabody is your aide.”

“I requested her as my aide and was authorized to attach her to my caseload by my commander.”

“Very well. Lieutenant Casto, Johannsen was also one of your informants.”

“He was. I was on another case when his body was taken in. I wasn’t notified until later.”

“And at that time, the Illegals and Homicide departments agreed to cooperate on the investigation.”

“We did. However, recent information has come to my attention that puts both of these cases under Illegals jurisdiction.”

“They’re homicides,” Eve interrupted.

“With the link of illegal substances connecting both.” Casto’s easy smile flashed. “The latest lab report shows that the substance discovered in Johannsen’s room was also found in Pandora’s system. This substance contains an unknown, and is not yet rated, which under Article Six, Section Nine, Code B, puts all related cases under the investigative head of Illegals.”