Thankless in Death (In Death 37)

“Reach out to Brooklyn, get a couple of cops to check on Dave’s brother and the fiancée—and you take the Schumakers. They’re practically around the corner. Head that way while you tag Brooklyn. I’ll get people on the rest.”

Pulling out her ’link, she hit on Jenkinson. “Re the Reinhold investigation. I need alive and well and stay that way checks. Take down these names and addresses.”

“Ready when you are, boss.”

“Marlene Wizlet,” Eve began, and ran down the list. “I want a two-man team on each, and I want a face-to-face, in-person checks. Jerald Reinhold is looking for his next target, or he’s picked one. I need these people taking precautions. Better, convince them to agree to protection.”

“All of them?”

“All of them. If they’ve heard from Reinhold, I need to know. If anything, I mean anything, in their demeanor seems off, push it. I want everyone with eyes peeled for Reinhold.”

“We’re on it, LT.”

“Report back when it’s done.”

She clicked off as Peabody came huffing back. “They’re clear—the Schumakers. They were calling in their grandson when I left. He’s retired Army. And Brooklyn’s sending a unit to check on Brother Jim and lady.”

“Good enough. We’ll take the teacher—the computer teacher. She’s close, and Jenkinson’s sending out teams on the rest.”

“Got her address here. Want to tag her first?”

“Yeah, go ahead,” Eve said as they got into the car. “Let her know we’re coming.”

Older woman, Eve thought as she drove. Living alone. Easier pickings than the men, or that would be the assumption. Family money. Can’t live the good life without money.

E-instructor.

“She’s not answering.” Peabody shifted. “Straight to v-mail.”

Eve went with her gut and punched the speed. “Tag the coach and the model,” she ordered. “I want them on alert. Offer protection if they want it. And I want a probability on the names Mal and Dave gave us. We’ll work down the scale after Farnsworth.”

Still following her gut, she double-parked rather than looking for a space near the brownstone.

“Nice house. Neighbors close, but still private. It’s a good target, damn it. A really good target.”

She pushed through the little gate and hurried to the door with Peabody behind her still talking on her ’link.

She rang, she knocked. And the feeling in her gut sharpened.

“The security’s not engaged. If she went out, why isn’t the security engaged? Take the place on the left, see if they’ve seen Farnsworth. I’ll take the right.”

Eve jogged to the neighboring house, rang that bell. Moments later a female voice spoke briskly through the intercom.

“Can I help you?”

“Ma’am, I’m the police.” Eve held her badge up for the scan. “Lieutenant Dallas, NYPSD. I’m looking for your neighbor. Ms. Farnsworth?”

The door opened. The woman sported a messy brown ponytail and bold red sweats with thick striped socks on her feet. As she studied Eve out of sleepy eyes, she shifted a bundle wrapped in a blue blanket from one arm to the other.

It took Eve a moment after hearing the mewling sounds to identify a baby.

“Why are you looking for her?”

“I need to speak with her on a matter. She doesn’t answer her door or her ’link. Can you tell me when you last saw her?”

“I guess it was last night. I got up to feed Colin, and she was out walking Snuffy.”

“Snuffy?”