Treachery in Death (In Death #32)(95)

“Even if Devin made a secret record of her suspicions, they’re still suspicions,” Webster pointed out.

“It goes to pattern, to motive. Leave the homicide investigating to me. It’s what I do. We can and will build a case against her, for Devin, for Strumb, for Keener, even for Garnet.”

Eve shifted so she spoke more directly to Whitney. “Commander, it’s my opinion she’s had relatively smooth sailing in her little venture, all this time. She’s had damn good luck, and she’s got skills along with the power of her father’s name. And she got cocky—she mishandled Garnet, and had been mishandling him for a while. She didn’t play him right because she simply got used to having him dance when she said dance. She’s more lucky than smart,” Eve continued. “Cop smart,” she amended. “She’s ridden on Daddy’s coattails whenever possible—and that’s something she resents. She does it, resents it, so she has to keep reaching for more. You’ve got her from Mira, that’s how she’s made.

“Garnet not only slapped back at her authority, he turned on her, and he caused her embarrassment, caused her to lose a round with me. She ordered him gone as much for pride and revenge as expediency.”

“How does that connect to Devin?” Webster insisted.

“Jesus, Webster, you haven’t been out of murder that long.”

The impatience burning through only added impact to her theory.

“It’s how she deals when she wants to shed a problem—and when the problem touches something personal. Devin, female, questioning her—or asking questions about her. Pushing where Renee didn’t want her pushing. Devin’s mentor is a vet, a retired cop—who was on the squad when Renee took over. He didn’t like her, and he transferred.”

“Allo,” Webster said. “Detective-Sergeant Samuel.”

“Yeah. She’d know Devin was talking to him. Devin’s trouble, and isn’t falling in line or transferring out even with bogus crappy evals. Peabody may find more, something specific, the hair on the camel’s back—”

“Straw.” Webster smiled a little. “It’s the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

“What would a camel do with a straw? Whatever. Renee needed Devin gone, she made her gone. We’ll find the same with Strumb. It’s pattern. She ordered Bix to do Keener. Could’ve scared a weasel like him off, but that’s not enough for her. Dead means safe. And he can’t screw with her, her plans, her tidy system. Dead, they’re out of the equation.”

Eve got to her feet. “Commander, I’d like to get back to work, with your permission, and trust you to work out any further details on coordinating with Internal Affairs. Commander Oberman will have had sufficient time, I believe, to speak to her.”

“Commander Oberman,” Webster began.

“A moment, Lieutenant, and you’ll be apprised. Permission granted, Lieutenant Dallas.”

“Thank you, sir. Chief, Captain, Lieutenant.”

“Is it permissible to ask where you’re going?” Webster asked.

“I’m going to kick more dirt in Renee Oberman’s face,” Eve told him. “It’s the fun part of the job.”

And looking forward to it, she went out, closed the door.

19

THEY WORE BLACK ARMBANDS IN LIEUTENANT Oberman’s squad. Other than that, as far as Eve could see, it was business as usual. Then again, the mood here struck her as depressing in any case.

As usual, Renee’s blinds shuttered her window and the glass of her closed door.

Eve’s glance flicked over Lilah Strong, just long enough for their eyes to meet. Then she moved directly to the lieutenant’s door.

“The boss isn’t available.”

Eve turned to Bix. She’d been hoping for a confrontation there, but hadn’t expected it to be so easy. “Were you speaking to me, Detective?”

“The lieutenant isn’t available.”

“As you are addressing a superior, Detective, that would be, ‘The lieutenant isn’t available, sir.’”

“Sir.” He kept his seat, his eyes cold as a shark’s. “Lieutenant Oberman’s orders are she is not to be disturbed at this time. We lost one of our own last night.”

“I’m aware of the loss, Detective—Bix, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s right, sir.”

“Sir.”

“You partnered with Detective Garnet?”

“When so assigned by my lieutenant.”

Eve waited a beat. “And it appears you share his difficulty in showing the respect due to superiors. Or is that a theme that runs through this squad? As I hold the opinion the boss sets the tone, this gives me cause to wonder if Lieutenant Oberman has difficulty showing respect to superiors.”

“You’re not her superior.”

Eve took a step closer to his desk, well aware the focus of the room had narrowed on them. “You want a pissing contest with me, Bix? Then get on your feet for it. On your feet, Detective,” she ordered when he didn’t move.

He started to rise, slowly. His face never changed—cold eyes, hard jaw. She wondered what it would take to goad him into taking a shot at her. Just one shot, she thought, and she’d have his badge, threaten Renee with a full disciplinary review, and send her squad into chaos.