Page 136 of Devoted in Death

“We can figure Campbell and Mulligan are still alive,” Banner put in. “They didn’t need the van to dump bodies.”

“That’s exactly right. When we move, we move on the assumption there are two civilians in distress inside. We’ll have medicals standing by.”

She set her empty plate on the table. “Anybody without magic coats uses body armor.”

“The FBI?” Peabody said.

“Will be informed—when and if we’re on our way. I’ll go through Zweck after I talk to Whitney.” She checked the time, again, then glanced at Roarke. “You want in?”

“I believe that goes without saying.”

She grabbed her ’link at the first beep. “Morris.”

“Zed, Samuel, age twenty-eight, 251 Downing, apartment 1-A.”

“Bam. Roarke.”

“I’ll see to it.”

“Data being sent now,” Morris told her.

“Have you had a chance to look at him?”

“Not thoroughly, but there are similarities in some of the wounds, particularly, the COD. And here, take a look.”

“We all will. Computer, transfer ’link image on screen.”

“The water, and the fish, compromised the body. You see the damage here.”

“That’ll put you off breakfast,” Banner muttered as a close-up of pale, mottled, torn and bloodless flesh came on screen.

“I see the damage,” Eve said, stepping closer. “And I see what looks like the side of a heart. That curve there. A fish didn’t do that.”

“Agreed. I won’t slap at Porter for missing it—overmuch. I might not have found it myself if I hadn’t been looking for it, specifically.”

Yeah, you would, Eve thought. “It’s enough. It’s what we need.”

“For what you have to do, yes. But Samuel deserves more from me. You’ll have a complete, amended report before noon. I hope you have those who did this to him before that.”

“Count on it. Thanks.”

She turned. “Roarke?”

“I’ve got it.” He continued to work his PPC. “It’s a twelve-unit building.”

“Tell me it has a basement unit.”

“It does. Give me a moment. Your gut remains reliable, Lieutenant. 1-A is a basement, one-bedroom unit, currently rented by Samuel Zed.”

“Suit up,” she ordered. “Move out.”

She had Roarke drive, the bigger version of the A-T while she read the rest of Zed’s data.

“Peabody, Zed was employed as a line cook at the Fish House. Find out why nobody noticed he hasn’t been on the line for the past several days. Mother and one sib live in Indiana, and likely don’t know he’s been missing. McNab?”

“On with Feeney now, Dallas. We’ll have it covered.”

She turned in her seat, gave Banner a straight look. “You warm enough, Deputy?”