“He knew you planned to have her raped and beaten.”
“Shit yeah. Said to make sure they suited up, so no juice in her for the cops to find.”
“And still, after all that, Slice didn’t call for war.”
“Got no guts, got no honor. Stealing from his family.”
“Why Aimes? Was it always going to be Aimes?”
“He’s a dumb-ass, zoned out most of the time. He and Dinnie, always whining for more junk. I never killed any of them. You can’t hang that on me.”
Eve sat back. “Who’s the dumb-ass now?”
This time Eve called for a break all around—and decided to pull another Roarke.
As she sat in her office, reviewing interviews, she smelled the pizza coming her way before she heard the clomp of Peabody’s boots.
“Brought you a slice. Ah, the bullpen wants to know if you’re okay.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Sticky buns this morning, pizza this afternoon.”
“Special circumstances. You can tell them not to get used to it.”
“Being smart cops, I think they know that. Did you talk to Teasdale?”
“Yeah, and sent her the interview. Cohen’s going to be very sad when he doesn’t get witness protection—ever.”
“Instead he goes down for accessory before and after the fact, three counts.”
“I’m going to ask for on-planet.”
Peabody managed to look both surprised and disappointed simultaneously. “Why?”
“I think it’ll actually be harder on the sleazy son of a bitch. Plus, Jorgenson and his idiot team are going off. If they end up in the same facility, Cohen is a dead man. I want him to live a long, miserable life. Go eat before the wolves leave a scatter of crumbs.”
“They’re being nice to me. They said I got the first slice. Let me know when you’re ready for Jones.”
“Yeah.” Eve rolled her tired shoulders, texted Roarke.
Grand slam.
And smiled at his reply.
And the crowd goes wild. I hope to make it down to Central by four if you’re still going to be at it.
She blew out a breath.
Supposed to do stupid media conference about then. Going to bag Jones, and leave Cohen for Teasdale. Jorgenson wrapped him up in a bow.
Then I’ll try to make it down to see you tell the media and the people of New York the city’s a safer place tonight. Eat something.
She started to tell him she had pizza, then remembered she’d had pizza the day before. He’d have something to say about that.
Breaking now. See you later.
After checking the time, she ate her slice, settled for water with a coffee chaser while she continued to review.