Immortal in Death (In Death #3)(43)

“Exception to which is granted with such cases that are already under investigation by another department.” Eve forced herself to take a deep breath. “My report on these matters will be complete within the hour.”

“Exceptions are not automatic, Lieutenant.” The Illegals captain tapped his fingertips together. “The simple fact is, Homicide doesn’t have the manpower, experience, or the facilities to investigate an unknown. Illegals does. And we don’t feel it was in the spirit of cooperation to hold data back from our department.”

“Your department and Lieutenant Casto will be copied when my report is complete. These are my cases — “

Whitney lifted a hand before she could spit. “Lieutenant Dallas is primary. If these cases are linked with illegals, they are still homicides, which she has been investigating.”

“With respect, Commander,” Casto dimmed his smile, “it’s well known at Cop Central that you favor the lieutenant, and rightfully so, given her record. We requested this meeting with Chief Tibbie so as to insure a fair judgment on departmental priority. I have more street contacts, and a relationship with merchants and distributors of chemicals. While working undercover, I’ve gained access to mills, factories, and chem-houses which the lieutenant simply doesn’t have. Added to that is the fact that there is a suspect charged with the Pandora homicide.”

“A suspect who had absolutely no connection with Johannsen,” Eve broke in. “They were killed by the same person, Chief Tibbie.”

His eyes remained cool. Any approval or lack thereof was carefully masked. “Is that your opinion, Lieutenant?”

“That’s my professional judgment, sir, which I will show cause for in my report.”

“Chief, it’s no secret that Lieutenant Dallas has a personal interest in the suspect charged.” The captain spoke tersely. “It would be natural for her to want to cast a cloud over the case. How can her professional judgment remain clear when the suspect is a close friend?”

Tibbie held up a finger to halt Eve’s outburst. “Commander Whitney, your opinion?”

“I will and have relied without qualification on Lieutenant Dallas’s judgment. She’ll do her job.”

“I agree. Captain, I don’t much care for disloyalty in the ranks.” The reprimand was mild, but the aim deadly. “Now, both departments have a valid point here on priority. Exceptions are not automatic, and we are dealing with an unknown which appears to be involved in at least two deaths. Both Lieutenant Dallas and Lieutenant Casto have exemplary records, and each, I believe, are more than competent to investigate these matters. Do you agree, Commander?”

“Yes, sir, both are excellent cops.”

“Then, I suggest they cooperate with each other instead of playing games. Lieutenant Dallas will remain primary, and as such, will keep Lieutenant Casto and his department apprised of any and all progress. Now is that it, or do I have to threaten to cut a baby in two like Solomon?”

“Get that report finished, Dallas,” Whitney muttered as they filed out. “And next time you bribe Dickhead, do a better job of it.”

“Yes, sir.” Eve glanced down at the hand on her arm, looked up at Casto.

“Had to give it a shot. The captain, he likes those clutch RBIs.”

She didn’t miss his not-so-subtle reference to baseball. “No problem, since I’m still the one up at bat. You’ll get my report, Casto.”

“Appreciate it. I’ll do some more poking around on the streets. So far, nobody knows anything about a new blend. But this off planet angle might open something up. I know a couple drones in Customs who owe me.”

Eve hesitated, then decided it was time to take the term cooperation to heart. “Try Stellar Five for a start. Pandora came back from there a couple of days before she died. I still have to backtrack and see if she did any station hopping.”

“Good. You let me know.” He smiled and the hand that was still on her arm slid down to her wrist. “I got a feeling, now that we’ve aired this out, we’ll make a hell of a team. Closing this one up’s going to look good on both of our files.”

“I’m more interested in finding a murderer than I am in how it affects my promotion status.”

“Hey, I’m all for justice.” His dimple winked. “But I ain’t going to cry if making it pushes me closer to a captain’s salary. No hard feelings?”

“No. I’d have done the same.”

“That’s fine then. I might just drop around for some more of the coffee one day soon.” He gave her wrist a quick squeeze. “And, Eve, I hope you clear your friend. I mean that.”

“I will clear my friend.” He’d taken two strides away when she admitted she couldn’t resist. “Casto?”

“Yeah, darling?”

“What’d you offer him?”

“Dickhead?” The grin was as wide as Oklahoma. “A case of unblended scotch. He snatched at it the way a frog’s tongue snatches a fly.” Casto flicked his own tongue out, winked again. “Nobody bribes better than an Illegals cop, Eve.”

“I’ll remember that.” Eve stuck her hands in her pockets, but couldn’t help but grin. “He’s got style, I’ll give him that.”