Midnight in Death (In Death #7.5)(14)

Mira adjusted the sunscreen on a window and turned to the mini AutoChef recessed into the wall.

“You’ll have reviewed my original profile on David Palmer,” she began, satisfied that her hands were steady as she programmed for tea. “I would stand by it, with a few additions due to his time in prison.”

“I didn’t come for a profile. I’ve got him figured.”

“Do you?”

“I walked around inside his head before. We both did.”

“Yes.” Mira offered Eve a delicate cup filled with the fragrant tea they both knew she didn’t want. “In some ways he remains the exception to a great many rules. He had a loving and advantaged childhood. Neither of his parents exhibits any signs of emotional or psychological defects. He did well in school, more of an over-achiever than under-, but nothing off the scale. Testing showed no brain deformities, no physical abnormalities. There is no psychological or physiological root for his condition.”

“He likes it,” Eve said briefly. “Sometimes evil’s its own root.”

“I want to disagree,” Mira murmured. “The reasons, the whys of abnormal behavior are important to me. But I have no reasons, no whys, for David Palmer.”

“That’s not your problem, Doctor. Mine is to stop him, and to protect the people he’s chosen. The first two on his list are dead.”

“Stephanie Ring? You’re sure.”

“Her body was found this morning. Carl Neissan’s been taken.”

This time Mira’s hand shook, rattling her cup in its saucer before she set it aside. “He was under guard.”

“Palmer got himself into a cop suit, knocked on the damn door, and posed as the relief. The on-duty didn’t question it. He went home to a late Christmas dinner. When the morning duty came on, he found the house empty.”

“And the night relief? The real one?”

“Inside the trunk of his unit. Tranq’d and bound but otherwise unharmed. He hasn’t come around enough to be questioned yet. Hardly matters. We know it was Palmer. I’m arranging for Justine Polinsky to be moved to a safe house. You’ll want to pack some things, Doctor. You’re going under.”

“You know I can’t do that, Eve. This is as much my case as yours.”

“You’re wrong. You’re a consultant, and that’s it. I don’t need consultation. I’m no longer confident that you can be adequately protected in this location. I’m moving you.”

“Eve—”

“Don’t f**k with me.” It came out sharp, very close to mean, and Mira jerked back in surprise. “I’m taking you into police custody. You can gather up some personal things or you can go as you are. But you’re going.”

Calling on the control that ran within her like her own bloodstream, Mira folded her hands in her lap. “And you? Will you be going under?”

“I’m not your concern.”

“Of course you are, Eve,” Mira said quietly, watching the storm of emotions in Eve’s eyes. “Just as I’m yours. And my family downstairs is mine. They’re not safe.”

“I’ll see to it. I’ll see to them.”

Mira nodded, closed her eyes briefly. “It would be a great relief to me to know they were away from here, and protected. It’s difficult for me to cope when I’m worried about their welfare.”

“He won’t touch them. I promise you.”

“I’ll take your word. Now as to my status—”

“I didn’t give you multiple choices, Dr. Mira.”

“Just a moment.” Composed again, Mira picked up her tea. “I think you’ll agree… I have every bit as much influence with your superiors as you do. It would hardly serve either of us to play at tugging strings. I’m not being stubborn or courageous,” she added. “Those are your traits.”

A ghost of a smile curved her mouth when Eve frowned at her. “I admire them. You’re also a woman who can see past emotion to the goal. The goal is to stop David Palmer. I can be of use. We both know it. With my family away I’ll be less distracted. And I can’t be with them, Eve, because if I am I’ll worry that he’ll harm one of them to get to me.”

She paused for a moment, judged that Eve was considering. “I have no argument to having guards here or at my office. In fact, I want them. Very much. I have no intention of taking any unnecessary chances or risks. I’m just asking you to let me do my work.”

“You can do your work where I put you.”

“Eve.” Mira drew a breath. “If you put both me and Justine out of his reach, there’s the very real possibility he’ll take someone else.” She nodded. “You’ve considered that already. He won’t come for you until he’s ready. You’re the grand prize. If no one else is accessible, he’ll strike out. He’ll want to keep to his timetable, even if it requires a substitute.”

“I’ve got some lines on him.”

“And you’ll find him. But if he believes I’m accessible, if I’m at least visible, he’ll be satisfied to focus his energies on getting through. I expect you to prevent that.” She smiled again, easier now. “And I intend to do everything I can to help you.”