“Is that a rhetorical question?” He chose a coconut cream bar, which made her stomach curdle. “You want?” he offered, obviously in a generous mood.
“Not if I were trapped under the rubble of a fallen building for five days and it was my only possible sustenance.”
“I like ’em.” To prove it, he ripped the wrapper, bit in. “Trueheart and I are working the suspect in Interview. We’re taking a break so he can sulk and reflect on the error of his ways. Funny thing, when I came out I saw an Illegals detective going into B. Bix.”
“Do you know Bix?”
“No, I haven’t had that pleasure. So how did I know it was Bix, you may ask.”
“I may.”
“I call it cop curiosity.” He took another bite, chewed. “My LT is butting heads with Illegals LT Oberman, I just have to find out a little more about the opposition and her crew. Hence, my recognition of Bix.”
“Hence,” she repeated. “You must read a lot.”
“I’ve been known to crack a book. Now my cop curiosity extends to Bix in Interview, perhaps sulking.”
“Perhaps.” She hooked a thumb in her pocket. “I can’t tell you, Baxter.”
“Well.” He bit, chewed. “If and when, I’d like in.”
“Why?”
“Is that yet another rhetorical question?”
She had to laugh, but shook her head. “A storm’s coming.”
“As a trained observer with considerable cop curiosity, I already figured that. If you need another umbrella, just let me know.”
“So noted.”
“Meanwhile, it may or may not be
of interest to you but there are mutters that you’re after Oberman because she’s on the fast track to captain, or because she has bigger tits. Or because she spurned your sexual advances.”
“You made that last one up.”
“Actually I didn’t, but I wish I had. Those mutters aren’t getting far as they’re overpowered by louder mutters that Garnet was an asshole and Oberman didn’t rein him in. Or that you spurned her sexual advances. Mostly the other mutters haven’t gotten a foothold because people are more scared of you than Oberman.”
“I like fear. It’s versatile.”
“In the right hands.”
She left him contemplating his choices for washing down the coconut cream and walked into Interview, where she’d kept Bix waiting.
“Record on. Dallas, Lieutenant Eve, entering Interview with Bix, Detective Carl. Detective, I’m formalizing this as our discussion will involve another police officer whose death has been deemed a homicide and is being investigated by other detectives. Do you understand and agree?”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to Mirandize you to keep this interview formal, and to adhere to the letter of procedure.” She read him the Revised Miranda. “Do you understand your rights and obligations in this matter?”
His jaw twitched, just a little. “I’m a cop. I know what being Mirandized means.”
“Excellent. Detective, your direct superior is Lieutenant Renee Oberman, Illegals, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Under Lieutenant Oberman you have often partnered with Detective Bill Garnet, of the same squad.”