Thankless in Death (In Death 37)

“Some, yes, but not all. The primary reason I didn’t push is I agree with you. Your strengths are your investigative abilities, and your skill handling your department, your insight into the perpetrator and victim. I didn’t want to lose that. But now that certain obstacles are cleared, or have been cleared, I felt it was time to ask you directly.”

“Frankly, sir?” At his nod, she continued. “It’s a weight off knowing the obstacles are cleared, and understanding my own goals and priorities.”

“Then I’ll relay your answer to those it’s relevant to.”

“Thank you, sir. Sincerely.”

“You’re welcome, Lieutenant. Sincerely.”

He rose from his desk, came around it, and did something he rarely did. He took Eve’s hand, shook it.

“Dismissed.”

She walked out a little dazed, but yeah, she realized, okay with it. Like she’d tossed aside a weight she’d forgotten she carried, but knew just where it landed if she ever wanted to pick it up again.

But now? Right now, she felt good staying light on her feet.

The tie was back in the bullpen, busy at his desk. Baxter and True-heart held a confab at Baxter’s desk. Peabody worked morosely at hers, which meant she’d dealt with the notifications.

And every cop in the room, including Jenkinson, wore sunshades.

“It looks like Hollywood PSD in here.”

“Dug up a pair for you, boss.” Baxter tossed her a pair with black flames and square amber lenses. “Can’t have our LT’s eyes bleeding all over the floor.”

Willing to play, she slipped them on as she walked to Peabody’s desk. “Status?”

“I made the notifications. They took it hard. My mother always says no matter how old your kid gets, he’s still your kid. I guess she’s right. I also contacted local department grief counselors in their areas.”

“Good.”

“Sweeper’s prelim is in, and Cardininni sent the list of missing items the neighbor identified. Copies should be on your unit.”

“I’ll check it out.”

“You were gone awhile.” When Eve remained silent, Peabody moved on. “So I sent Dr. Mira an overview, in case you still wanted the consult.”

“I do.”

“No luck on Nuccio’s ’link yet. Either she hasn’t activated it, or there’s a backlog in the registration and data, which is more likely. When you get a new ’link,” Peabody continued, “it’s like a toy. You just gotta play with it.”

“How long does it usually take to pop on data?”

“Usually? Anywhere from a couple hours to whenever the hell.”

“Great. If it doesn’t pop, and she doesn’t make contact by end of shift, I’ll swing by her place again on the way home. If she’s making a long day out of it, we’ll catch her in the morning. Get the description of missing items out.”

“I’m working on it.”

“Okay.” She started toward her office, glanced back. “Good work, Peabody.”

“Thanks.”

Eve walked into her office, started to close the door, stopped herself. No, she wasn’t going to sit in here thinking about the meeting with Whitney.

She didn’t have time to parse through promotions, politics, perceptions. She needed to do her job.

She brought up the list of items first, read it, pondered over it.