Thankless in Death (In Death #37)(94)

Deliberately avoiding the bullpen, and any possible questions, comments, ragging, she left by the side door.

She beat Roarke to the glide by about thirty seconds. And watched him walk toward her, the glint in his eye.

“Don’t get any ideas, ace.”

“Too late. You look sexily official.” He took her hand, and when she realized he intended to lift it, kiss it, she snatched it back.

“Come on!”

“We’ll save it all for later then.” He stepped on the glide with her.

“They’ll make speeches, especially the mayor,” she warned him.

“I’m aware.”

“After that it’s a little more blah-blah, presentation, photo op, done.”

“Hmmm.”

“You could’ve sent a rep. Nobody would’ve blinked if you’d done that, considering you’re managing most of the universe. It’s good you didn’t. It matters you didn’t.”

“That would’ve been ungrateful, and I’m not ungrateful. And when this gets out, there are countless cops in the universe you’re so fond of gifting to me who are going to be well buggered. And that’s a bit of a plus for me, isn’t it?”

“Hadn’t thought of that.”

“Oh well, I have. Still, I’ll need to duck out quickly as I’d like to be home to greet the family. And don’t worry, Lieutenant,” he added, “I’ll get back to work on this business as soon as I’ve settled them in.”

“If we can nail him today, he won’t have time, not that I can see, to kill anyone else. And, hell, easier to shove in the cranberry sauce when I’m not thinking about the bastard.”

“Agreed, altogether.”

He was right about being grateful for the acknowledgment from the department, she thought. And she wasn’t ungrateful for the family coming over from Ireland.

Thinking that, she told him, “Either way, I’ll carve out as much time as I can to, you know, be home.”

He trailed his fingers down her arm. “Something else to be thankful for.”

“A lot of that going around.”

After hopping off on Level Two, she aimed toward Sector Six. “This should take about thirty, maybe a little more because the mayor can’t shut up. I’m heading right up to change after.”

“That’s a pity.”

“I’m working on location, using a pizza joint as the hinge. He had the droid pick up a pie last night.”

“Interesting.”

“And I’m figuring he’s got to have furniture, so I’m checking outlets there. High-end, trendy—that’s my sense. And I’m on condos, apartments, townhouses. Something’s going to hit.”

Circling, Roarke thought again, but it seemed her circling was getting smaller and tighter. “You’ll bag him, Lieutenant. I have every faith.”

“Sooner’s better.”

Two uniforms flanked the double doors of Auditorium A, and they snapped to attention. Kyung, tall and lean in his meticulous charcoal suit, stepped forward to intercept her.

“Lieutenant, Roarke. I’ll escort you around to the back staging area.”

“Fine.”

“A pity about the rain,” he said as they walked. “The steps of Central provide such a fine and dignified visual.”

“Yeah, too bad.”

He smiled down at her, humor lively in his eyes. “I’m sure it’s a disappointment to you both. The mayor will speak first. Chief Tibble will follow with his remarks, then your commander will say a few words. Roarke will be presented first. A few remarks after the presentation and the photos are appreciated.”

“Certainly.”

“Then you’ll be presented, Lieutenant.”

“Got it.”

“The presentations will be followed by a short reception.”

She stopped dead. “What?”

“At the mayor’s … request,” he told her. “More photo ops, some quick interviews.”

“Is the mayor aware I’m neck-deep in tracking a killer already responsible for four bodies?”

“He is, as I am. Ten minutes,” Kyung promised, “less if I can manage it. I will get you out and away. My word on it.”

She scowled, then reminded herself Kyung wasn’t an ass**le. “Ten. Tops.”

“Done.” Kyung pulled open the door to the staging area at the back of the auditorium.

Already too many people, she thought, tripping straight over to cranky. The mayor, the entourage, Tibble, a couple of uniforms, Whitney—and a couple of Trina types bustling around dabbing crap on faces or fiddling with hair.

When one aimed for her, Eve just bared her teeth. “Touch me with any of that, you’ll be eating it.”

Tibble stepped over, shook hands with Eve, then Roarke. “This is very well deserved, on both counts. I’ll speak to this in my remarks, but I want to say to you personally the NYPSD and the City of New York are fortunate to have you as one of their own, Lieutenant.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“And you,” he said to Roarke. “We’re grateful for the time, effort, and expertise you contribute.”

“You’re more than welcome for it.”