Connections in Death (In Death 48)

“Follow-up. Why?”

“He … he was angry Pickering wouldn’t come back, wouldn’t work for him. He wanted to make an example out of him, and make him look worthless. Then he could have the girl killed, point fingers at the Dragons. Cement his standing, take back some territory, bring the Bangers back to what they had been.”

He looked back at Eve now, but never quite met her eyes.

“I told him it was crazy. I thought he listened. After, I was afraid to say anything. Afraid he’d kill me. He needs to be locked away. He’s dangerous. You need to put him away.”

“You knew two people were going to be murdered.”

“I advised against it.”

“You knew a third person, Barry Aimes, was going to be murdered.”

“No, I swear.” He sent her a look, direct and pleading. “I didn’t know, exactly. Maybe he talked about dumping something right on Fan Ho’s doorstep, but I didn’t know.”

“Come on, Peabody. I’ve had enough of this asshole. Dallas and Peabody exiting Interview.”

Peabody trotted out after her.

“He was lying about Jones,” Peabody said as she hurried toward the conference room Eve had booked.

“Yeah, he was. Good for you, Peabody.”

“Well, he wasn’t even very good at it. I just don’t get why. Why lie when that kills the deal?”

“Because he’s not just a sleazy disbarred lawyer, he’s a lousy one—which is why he doesn’t really understand what he agreed to. It’s all not going in a c

age for him. He thinks with what he gave us on Jones, what he’ll give the feds, we’ll have Jones wrapped up tight. Jones denies the murders, who’s going to believe him? Why would we, in Cohen’s opinion, actually dig down and work the case? He gave us the killer, done and done.

“Get everything we have on Banger HQ and the players ready for the briefing,” she said when they reached the conference room. “Strong’s heading the Dragon end, so work in what she gets.”

“All over it and back again in a freaking bow. What about the illegals and fraud equipment Cohen claims to know about outside the HQ?”

“That’s Teasdale’s.”

“Yeah.” Peabody huffed out a breath. “Is it okay I feel a little pissy about that?”

“Yeah, then swallow it down.” Eve already had. “Because we’re going to bag a bunch of bad guys.”

While Peabody worked, Eve tagged Feeney.

He said, “Yo. Just caught me, heading out.”

“You’re going to want to head back. I need a couple of e-teams. Combat ready. We’re hitting Bangers’ and Dragons’ HQs. We’re going to have a party.”

“I’ll get my party hat.”

“Conference room two, as soon as you can get here.”

She broke off with him, texted Roarke.

It’s going down in about an hour. Going to brief the teams in about ten.

She contacted the commander, finished up as Roarke’s response came through.

I’m with you, Lieutenant.

“Yeah,” she murmured. “I know it.”