“He’s wanted for questioning for murders that occurred in New York.”
“I see. I’m sorry. I’m very sorry. I don’t know where he is, I don’t know what he’s doing. Frankly, I don’t want to know. If I did, if I knew anything, I’d tell you. I can’t help you, and this isn’t something I want to discuss. I have to get back to my children.”
The screen went black.
“She’s still scared of him,” Peabody commented.
“Yeah. And her sister’s still alive. That’s what she thought, just for an instant there. Oh God, he finally got to Dian. She may know more than she realizes. She needs a face-to-face.”
“We’re going to Nebraska?”
“No, but you are.”
“Me? Just me? Out there in the wilderness?”
“Take McNab. Backup and ballast.” And, Eve thought, as someone who’d keep Peabody from overdoing. “I want you there and back tonight. You’ll do better with the mother type, the family type, than I would first shot. She’ll trust you faster.”
Eve used the house ’link, interrupted Roarke in the computer lab.
“I need fast, secure transpo.”
“Where are we going?”
“Not we—Peabody. Nebraska. I’m sending McNab with her, so something that’ll hold two. But quick and small. They shouldn’t need to be there more than a couple of hours. I’ve got the exact location.”
“All right, I’ll arrange it. Give me a minute.”
“Wow, just like that.” Peabody gave a little sigh. “What’s it like being with a guy who can snap his fingers and get you pretty much whatever you need?”
“Convenient. Use the sister on her if you have to. Show her the dead kids.”
“Jesus, Dallas.”
“She’s got kids. It’ll help crack her if she’s hiding anything. We can’t play nice. Have McNab take the edge if you need one. Can he handle bad cop?”
“He does it really well during personal role-playing games when I’m the reluctant witness.”
“Oh crap.” Eve pressed her fingers to her eyes and prayed the image wouldn’t form. “Just work her, Peabody. She must know where to find the sister. Kirkendall’s ex would be a valuable tool in this investigation.”
Roarke walked in, handed Peabody a memo cube. “There’s your transpo. The pilot will be waiting for you.”
“Thanks.” She gathered her file bag. “I’ll contact McNab, have him meet me there.”
“I want to know when you arrive, when you leave, and when you get back,” Eve told her.
“Yes, sir.”
“Safe trip,” Roarke said, then turned to Eve when Peabody headed out. “I’ve got some bits and pieces, but I’m going to need the unregistered to pull them together.”
“Show me what you’ve got.”
“Let’s take it in there.” He ran a hand down her arm as they walked. “You’re tired, Lieutenant.”
“Some.”
“It’s been a stressful, emotional day.”
She jerked a shoulder when he unlocked his private office with palm and voice ID.