Page 148 of Obsession in Death

Solemnly, Lottie nodded. “I need all of you to put down your weapons, and I need you to secure the doors to this division. All of them. If you don’t, I’ll release the switch. I’d like some privacy, I have things to say. But if not, I’ll just let it go.”

“We should talk,” Eve agreed. “Let’s get everybody out of here so we can talk in private.”

A flash of anger sparked in her eyes. “Do you think I’m stupid? Nobody leaves. Secure the doors. Now. Right now, or we all go.”

“Everybody, lower your weapons. Secure the hallway doors, Jenkinson.”

They were never closed, Eve thought, so that alone would set off an alert. But if the crazy woman in the room released the switch, it would, at least, contain the explosion. Nobody outside Homicide had to die.

Slowly, Eve slid her own weapon back in its harness. “Do you want to talk here?”

“I want everybody’s ’links and comms out, on the floor. Weapons, ’links, comms, on the floor. Nobody uses any communication.”

“No problem.” Eve turned. She wanted her people to see her face, to make sure no one tried to be a hero.

“’Links and comms,” she ordered, noted Reineke wasn’t at his desk, or in the room. She caught Jenkinson’s eye, understood when he glanced briefly at the break room. “Nobody in this room will use any sort of communication device.” She held up her hands when her pocket ’link signaled. “How do you want me to handle that? You’re in charge here.”

“Who is it? I want to know who it is.”

Eve look at the ’link. “It’s Roarke. I was supposed to contact him about ten minutes ago. I forgot.”

“Answer it. Keep it short. Tell him you’re busy. Try to signal him, I let it go.”

Eve answered. “Hey, baby. Sorry I forgot to tag you—you must’ve been worried. But sweetheart, I’ve been busy. Still am.”

His eyes, blue and vivid, held hers. She could see him rethink whatever he’d been about to say. “Understood. It wouldn’t be the first time. As it happens, I’m heading down your way. I thought I’d stop in, see if I can be of any help.”

“Appreciate the thought, but I’m really swamped here. I’d like to stick with it, get what I can done. You know how much I’m looking forward to the ball drop tonight.”

“As am I. I’ll let you get back to it. Take care of my cop.”

“That’s the plan. Later, honey.”

She clicked off, set her ’link on the floor. “Okay?”

“I want everybody on the floor! Facedown. Except you,” she said to Eve. “On the floor, everybody else.”

“On the floor, facedown. You’re in charge here.”

“I know how that works! You can’t play me like some civilian.”

“I’m just stating the facts. Why would I play you? You’re one of us.”

“You don’t even know who I am.”

“But I do. Lottie Roebuck, crime scene unit. Field tech. We’ve worked countless cases together.”

Surprise, maybe happiness, glimmered for an instant, then died again. “You never even talked to me. All I wanted was a conversation.”

“We’re talking now. Why don’t we go in my office? It’s got a door, it’s got a lock. Just you and me, Lottie.”

“You care more about them than about me.”

She thought about her cops. Smart cops. If one of them saw a move, they’d take it. She didn’t want to risk it.

“I’m all about you, Lottie. I’ve never had a friend like you. I’m just getting used to it. I needed time to get used to it.”

“I did what you wanted. Bastwick, Ledo. It’s what you wanted, but you didn’t appreciate it. You said I was a coward. Does this look like I’m a coward?”