Calculated in Death (In Death 36)

“And he may. But he’s feeling good about himself at the moment. The only fly in that ointment is you. You exposed him as a coward. He has to end you to prove he’s not.”

“So I draw him out. He won’t want to wait long. Alexander may figure, incorrectly, that he’s covered now. No loose ends, which would mean no fresh kills for his boy. If he kills the hacker, he’d have to explain why. But if he can get me, it’s just cleaning up old business. I can work with this.”

“He won’t be controlled. He won’t be logical. He will be vicious and violent, and he won’t care who else may be harmed in his attack on you.”

“So, I pick the time and place and circumstances. I can’t just walk around the city hoping he’ll make a move. I have to draw him a map. I think I have one. If I need it. We may be able to ID him today, then this is moot.”

“Don’t underestimate him, Eve. His impulse and unpredictability could work in his favor.”

Maybe, Eve thought when Mira left her. But she believed cunning, experience, and a little manipulation would work in hers.

She contacted Nadine Furst.

“Ready for tomorrow night?” Nadine asked her.

“That’s why I tagged you.”

Nadine’s cat-green eyes narrowed. “Don’t pull the ‘I’m too busy working a murder’ card.”

“I am busy working a murder. Make that murders.”

Nadine shifted to reporter mode without mussing a hair on her streaky blonde head. “They’re connected. The two this morning? And to Judge Yung’s sister-in-law.”

“The dots line up. How come I haven’t done an interview on my excitement and anticipation of tomorrow’s premiere?”

“Is that a trick question?” Those eyes narrowed again. “What have you got in mind?”

“I’m thinking about inviting one more person to the premiere.”

“And that would be?”

“The killer. Get over here with a camera, and we’ll issue the invitation.”

Eve clicked off, sat back. It could work. Risky, sure, but workable. She started to reach for the comm to call Peabody in, then Roarke stepped up to the now open door.

“Alone again.”

“Not anymore. Thanks for taking Marlo out.”

“Easy enough as I wanted to speak with Feeney and McNab in any case. She’s blissfully happy, and very grateful you agreed to stand up for her at the wedding.”

“I couldn’t find the wiggle room out.”

“Didn’t have the heart to wiggle hard.” He tapped her chin, then set a go-cup from Vending on her desk.

“What’s that?”

“Soup, as I wager you’ve had nothing since breakfast.”

“I’ve been a little busy.”

“As I’ve heard.” He stepped over to her board. “Not cold and controlled any longer, but mean and bloody. Is the dog off the leash?”

“Maybe. Mira thinks so, in a lot of ways. She thinks killing opened up his taste for violence, and for killing. I’m with her on that. She sees him as a coward. Right there with her. Escalating, enjoying his work. Yeah. She also thinks that combination makes him more dangerous. She could have a point.”

“A frightened animal’s bite is as deadly as an emboldened one, but less predictable.”

“Okay, that’s her summary, or close enough. She figures I’m the fly in his lotion.”