She settled into the car. “Meanwhile she says she’s seen him—in the subway or on the street—but the cops haven’t found him. She’s scared to stay with her sister, but she’s got no place else to go.”
“We’ll find him. We’ll get him. Do a run on him now.” Keep busy, Eve thought. “Reach out to the investigating officers, get the file.”
Peabody took out her PPC to get started.
“Two other assault charges—and both dropped when the complainant pulled back. Spotty employment history, no known address.” Peabody glanced over. “Can I take the lead on this? I know it has to wait unless she goes after him, but he really is in the wind, so I don’t see how she’d nail him down before the cops. But if I could work it—”
“It’s yours. Let me know what you need when you need it.”
Eve drove while Peabody reached out to the investigators on the original assault, then the investigators in Queens on the sister’s dog, house, car.
Eve might have said something about maintaining objectivity—which is what she didn’t hear in Peabody’s tone, see on her partner’s face. But she knew that kind of involvement, that kind of determination could fuel the drive to re-angle and close a case.
And she had to admit, as she pulled up to the Callahan gates, she didn’t feel particularly objective herself at the moment.
She identified herself, got clearance, drove through when the gates opened.
“The asshole has a friend he couch surfed with for a couple months before the assault who claims he hasn’t seen or heard from him since. And stated the victim of said assault got hysterical easily, was sort of paranoid and clingy. Claimed the asshole had ended the relationship days before the assault, and how she probably got mugged and decided to point the finger.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“That’s accessory after the fact.”
“That, too.” Peabody glanced up when the car stopped. “Okay, I’m putting it away for now, shifting to sympathetic mode.”
They got out. Before Eve could press the buzzer, the female droid opened the door. “Good afternoon, Lieutenant, Detective. Please come in. May I take your coats?”
“We’re good.”
“If you’d wait in the parlor? May I bring you a refreshment?”
“We’re good,” Eve repeated. “We’d like to speak to Ms. Pettigrew.”
“Let me check if she’s available. Ms. Callahan is aware of your arrival and will be down directly. Please sit.”
“Is Ms. Pettigrew on the premises?” Eve asked.
“I will check if Ms. Pettigrew is available,” she said again, and walked out.
Seconds later, the elevator slid open. Eloise walked out with a tiny black woman in a blue tunic and black baggies.
“Lieutenant, Detective, it’s good to see you again. This is the wonderful, if strict, Donnalou Harris, my nurse and keeper.”
“Oh now, Miss Eloise.” Donnalou gave a hearty laugh as she stepped forward to shake hands. “I’m pleased to meet you both. As you can see, Miss Eloise is feeling feisty this afternoon. I’m going to be out of a job pretty soon now.”
“Oh now, Donnalou,” Eloise said in a near perfect mimic. “Let’s get comfortable, have some coffee. And don’t give me that look,” she told Donnalou. “I’ve had enough tea these last few months to last me two lifetimes. And didn’t you give me a clean slate this morning?”
“Almost clean,” Donnalou corrected, but gave Eloise an indulgent look. “One cup, because you could charm the toes off a frog if they had any.”
“Let me just send for Ariel.”
“The droid went to see if your granddaughter’s available,” Eve told her.
“Oh, she’s out. I convinced her to get out of the house, go to the salon. It took some doing, but she needed to get out and about. She’d only go if Donnalou promised to stay until she got back. And I’m nearly back to fighting weight.”
“Nearly,” Donnalou confirmed.
“I see,” Eve said. “Do you expect her back soon?”