Page 144 of Devoted in Death

“Commander. I would have come to you.”

“I believe you’ve been and will be busier than I today.” He filled her office, a big man in a small room.

“Detective Peabody, bring them up.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll have a full written by end of day, Commander, but would like to start the interview process first. We have a window, provided by Special Agent Zweck to keep this in NYPSD hands.”

“One I’ll widen if you need it. You brought them in, you’ll close this down. Chief Tibble adds his weight to that—and his well-done.”

“Appreciated, sir.”

“APA Reo will participate at this point, but a federal prosecutor will take over. The suspects will be remanded to federal custody when we’re done.”

“Understood, Commander, thoroughly.”

He smiled a little. “Good. The media’s been quiet on this because they haven’t connected the dots, but this will explode, and soon. I believe the first leak started...” Deliberately he consulted his wrist unit. “About ten minutes ago.”

Which meant his hand had been on the tap.

“The NYPSD identified, located and apprehended the two individuals who cut a bloody swath across the country. Two individuals who took at least twenty-four lives since they began their murderous spree in August of last year. The feds can have their bite of the credit,” Whitney concluded, “but they won’t take the whole pie.”

“A good slice of that pie goes to Deputy Banner, sir.”

“Agreed, and the department will recognize his invaluable assistance. I have reason to believe the FBI will do the same.”

He turned when Mira and Reo came to the door.

“Jack, Eve.” Mira stepped in, then sideways to make room. “You’ve been busy.”

“Heck of a morning already.” Reo, her sunny hair groomed, her eyes sharp and alert, set her briefcase on Eve’s desk. “Any way I can get coffee before we start?”

Eve edged over to the AutoChef.

“There has to be a way to widen this room,” Whitney commented. “I can find it in the budget.”

“If it was bigger more people would come into it. Respectfully, sir,” Eve added as she programmed coffee.

Since she had time, she took it, filled in the details, outlined her basic strategy.

When she was alone in the office again, she took a deep breath. Four people in that space sucked up a lot of air. She put a file together, and went out.

“Banner, you’re up first. Peabody, Observation. Tag Zweck, let him know we’re starting. Where’s James?”

“He’s in Interview B.”

“He’s first.”

Banner fell into step beside Eve. “I appreciate the chance to sit in, Lieutenant.”

“You more than earned it.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it.”

“You get that NYPSD sweatshirt yet, Deputy?”

“I sure did.”