“That’s a good point, Detective. If hitting the companies was the motive, if what Dabbling Baxter says holds, they’d have accomplished it. Not as hard, but yeah, bad media reports. Start by finding out who didn’t show up for work—right down the line. Peabody, get on that. Baxter, you and Trueheart get back in the field, wrap up more interviews.”
She turned back to the board. “Wait. Companies like that have food vendors and deliveries come in, right? Even if they have their own vending and break rooms. And they get package deliveries—messengers. Some of the execs probably use a car service. People sit in the back, babble on ’links. I’ll take that end.
“Move out. Peabody, get a lock on this room. We might need it again.”
When her detectives left, Eve pulled out her ’link and pushed her way through the winding process of speaking to Rudy Roe.
He sounded both sleepy and hesitant. “Uh, Lieutenant Dallas?”
“That’s right. I have a question. Did Paul Rogan, or your department, call in particular vendors? For in-office lunches or breaks?”
“Paul liked QT—Quick ’n Tasty. They’ve got a place on the lobby level. Elsa would bring him their muffin of the day at ten.”
“Elsa?”
“I don’t know her last name. Or can’t remember. She handles most of QT’s deliveries for Quantum.”
“Did she deliver to him directly, in his office?”
“Most of the time she’d just drop off the order with me. He came out or called her in sometimes, just to ask how she was doing, but mostly she’d drop off with me.”
“Okay. What car service did he use?”
“All Trans. I always requested Herbert as his driver.”
“Did he use All Trans this morning?”
“I . . . I don’t know. I can check.”
“I’ll do that. Can you tell me who generally made deliveries, which messenger or delivery company?”
“Quantum uses Global Express. For incoming, it depends on what that company uses.”
“Thanks, this is helpful.”
“Sissle. Sorry, I just remembered Elsa’s name. Elsa Sissle.”
“Even more helpful. Get some rest, Rudy.”
Pacing, Eve contacted QT, was told Elsa was out on a delivery. As she started to contact Global, Roarke came in.
“Peabody said you’d likely be here.” As he walked to her, he scanned the board. “A hard day’s work, Lieutenant.” And skimmed a hand down her back.
“I’d rather have a hard day’s work than a permanent day off, like the twelve on the board.”
“The twelve includes Paul Rogan, I see.”
“Dead’s dead.”
“And dead makes him yours as well.”
“Being a victim made him mine.”
“How is he a victim?”
“Let’s take it into my office where there’s real coffee.”
“Did you follow up your rodent soup with any actual food?” he asked as they started out.