Origin in Death (In Death #21)(96)

She hit Whitney's office at precisely noon. Her carefully written report was put into his hands, and she gave her oral rundown standing.

"The information on the schools, and all updates pertaining to them, were just given to me by Captain Feeney and are not included in my written, to date. I have his report, sir, and copies of discs containing the data he extracted from Brookhollow's records."

She laid those on his desk.

"There's no progress on locating Deena?"

"None, sir. With the records Feeney located, we'll be able to identify and locate all graduates, excluding those who've left their positions."

"And these nurseries referred to are not, to our knowledge, located on Brookhollow's ground."

"There was no evidence of artificial twinning areas, cell preservation, or the equipment needed found in that location. Sir, by law, the implants carried inside any minor must be removed."

He sat back, folded his hands. "Getting ahead of yourself, Lieutenant."

"I don't think so, Commander." And she'd thought it through very carefully. "Internal implants are in direct violation of privacy laws. In addition, with the evidence in our hands, the law demands that any and all legal guardians or any and all students be investigated and verified. We cannot, legally, turn over any minor to what evidence clearly indicates are individuals who are-or have participated in-falsifying identification records in order to claim false guardianship over said minor or minors."

"You've thought this through."

"They're entitled to protection. Brookhollow can be shut down. Evidence that purports violations of RICO and tax evasion gives local authorities this right until such time as federal authorities review. Sir, when that happens some of those involved in this are going to scatter, and some are going to circle the wagons. Those students are caught in the cross fire, particularly when the government moves into it."

"The government is going to want this handled quietly. The students will be debriefed, and ..."

And, Eve thought. It was the and that worried her. "Quiet may not be an option, sir. I've had multiple contacts from Nadine Furst. She's asking me to confirm or deny several aspects of this investigation, which include the connection of the school, the murder of Evelyn Samuels. To this point, I've refused, given her the standard line about compromising an ongoing investigation, but she's got her ear to the ground."

Whitney kept his eyes level on hers. "How much does she have?"

"Sir, she's already looked hard at the school, from what I can ascertain. She's accessed student records. She's putting it together. Previously, she had done extensive research on Wilfred Icove, Sr., as part of her assignment to cover his death and memorial. At that time she made the connection to Jonah Wilson and Eva Samuels. In fact, sir, she made it before I did. She has resources, and she's got her teeth into this."

He steepled his fingers, tapped them together. "We know that circumspectly leaking information to media sources can and does aid an investigation, preserve public relations, and has its rewards."

"Yes, sir. But Code Blue expressly forbids any and all such leaks."

"Yes, it does. And if any member of this department should violate Code Blue status, for any reason, I would have to assume this individual would be smart enough to cover his or her ass."

"I couldn't say, sir."

"Best you don't. I note, Lieutenant, you did not elect to rescind Detective Peabody's holiday leave."

"No, sir, I did not. Nor did Captain Feeney elect to rescind Detective McNab's. We have Avril Icove on house restriction. The trail is currently cold as pertains to Deena Flavia. Brookhollow is secured, and this investigation is on the point of being passed to federal jurisdiction. It may not be feasible to make that pass comprehensively before Monday. What can be done from this point to that, sir, I can handle myself. It seemed unnecessary and unfair to cancel Peabody's leave."

She waited a moment, but he didn't speak. "Do you want me to have her and McNab called in, Commander?"

"No. As you point out, the government's damn near shut down for the holiday already. We're moving to a skeleton staff administratively this afternoon at Central. You've identified the perpetrators of the homicides under your investigation, and have ascertained the method and the motive. The PA has chosen not to charge one of these perpetrators. And in all likelihood will choose the same if and when Deena Flavia is apprehended. Essentially, Lieutenant, your case is closed."

"Yes, sir."

"I suggest you go home, enjoy the holiday."

"Thank you, sir."

"Dallas," he said as she started out. "If you had to take a wild guess, off the record, just a guess, when would you say Nadine Furst is going to break the story?"

"If I had to guess, sir, off the record, I'd say that Channel 75's going to have a hotter story than the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."

"That would be my guess, too. Dismissed."

Chapter Sixteen

THE TRAFFIC WAS MEAN AS A CONSTIPATED LION.

New Yorkers, sprung from work early, were out to battle their way home to prepare for the holiday, where they'd give thanks for not having to battle their way to work. Tourists foolish enough to come to the city to see the parade-when, Eve thought, they should stay the hell home and watch it on-screen- thronged the streets, sidewalks, and air.