Leverage in Death (In Death 47)

“Keep ringing that bell. The father’s to blame for the loss of the child. The mother doesn’t stand between to protect. Will the father give his life for the child? Let’s find out. And, hey, might as well make some money on it.”

She checked the time. “I want to run this through with Mira. Set me up on that, then let’s get these interviews done.”

“We’ve got Iler.”

“Now you lost valuable points. The partner may be here, on the list, in the building.”

Peabody scowled. “I didn’t think of that.”

“It’s fifty-fifty. We’ve got to run it all the way.”

“You made Iler nervous, Dallas, pushing on the weekend.”

“I wanted to make him nervous. If he’s nervous enough maybe they don’t try for number three. I’m putting eyes on the building—outside. We’ve got Rhoda and her team inside. Set me up with Mira while I talk to Rhoda and get the cop’s eyes going.”

She strode out, gestured Rhoda over. “I’m putting a surveillance team outside.”

No hitch in Rhoda’s stride, she merely nodded. “I’ll let the doormen and security know.”

“Who takes over for you when you go off shift?”

“Aaron Vogal’s our night manager.”

“Is he as good as you?”

Rhoda smiled. “I trained him myself. He’s excellent.”

“I need steady, and discreet.”

“You’ll have both.”

“If Lucius Iler leaves the building or has a visitor, I need to know. Immediately.”

“Mr. Iler,” Rhoda murmured. “I see.”

“I hope you do. You’re not to confront or alter your behavior in any way. I need to know who comes to see him.”

“Mr. Iler has a number of friends, and business associates. He works most often out of his apartment, so he has a number of visitors.”

“Male. Can’t give you an age range at this time. He might give you the impression of a soldier, military training.”

“That narrows it somewhat, but Mr. Iler has a number of clients, friends, connections who are or were in the military.”

“Okay.” She’d go through the visitors’ logs again, Eve decided. “If anyone meeting that description visits him tonight, have security notify the surveillance team, and tag me immediately. I—Hold on,” she said when her ’link signaled.

The readout had her cursing under her breath. “Not now, Nadine.”

“Don’t hate me.”

“Don’t make me hate you.”

“I pulled a prime spot on Knight at Night.”

“Congratulations. Go away.”

“Don’t cut me off! I am going away, that’s the point. I can’t wiggle out of this, even if I wanted to. I have a boss just like everybody, and she wants me out there.”

A very bad feeling began to creep in. “Out where? Knight’s out of New York. I know this.”