"Wonderful icebreaker at parties."
"He should have called by now." She spun away to pace. "With each one he's narrowed the time between the murder and the earliest possibility of discovery. He wants me to get close, really close. It makes him feel more superior. It's more of a rush when he knows I'm right behind him, while the blood's still fresh."
"He may be planning to call from here, once he's locked in his prey for this round."
"I've thought of that. It won't matter. We'll still get him. He'll have to call this room. The cop who's posing as Brian for check-in is a good match in coloring and build. McNab's already added the jazz to trip the voice into Brian's tone over the 'link. And he's got the video fuzzy. But he's not going to move until he calls me. He wants to make sure I'm ready."
She looked at her wrist unit, swore. "Jackison's going to check in as Brian in fifteen minutes. Where is that son of a—"
The second the bedroom 'link beeped, she was streaking inside. "Back off," she ordered. "All porta-links into the next room. No chatter. Hologram backdrop, McNab."
"Engaged." He nodded as an imaged reproduction of her office flickered on around her. "Sitting pretty, Dallas."
"Trace this bastard," she ordered and answered. "Dallas, Homicide."
"So glad you're feeling better, Lieutenant."
It was the same voice, the same swimming colors on screen. "Did you miss me? Sending me flowers was such a nice touch, especially since blowing me up didn't quite work out for you."
"You were so…discourteous in your statement to the press. I found your lack of manners very rude."
"You know what I find rude, pal? Taking someone's life before they've finished using it. That kind of thing really ticks me off."
"I'm sure we could debate the value of our personal annoyances for quite a while, but I know how desperately you're trying to tape this transmission, with your inferior equipment and your under-educated technicians."
"I know a couple e-detectives who would find that statement very rude."
His laughter came through the speaker, genuine and amused. And, she thought as her ear cocked, young.
"Oh, under different circumstances I'm sure I could be very fond of you, Lieutenant. If not for your deplorable lack of taste. What do you see in that Irish street rat you married?"
"He's great in bed." Hoping he had clear video, she leaned back and smiled. "I've got an expert's profile here that says you're likely lacking in that arena. Maybe you should try some Stay-Up. It's available at your local pharmacy everywhere."
His breathing hitched once clearly through th
e speakers. "I am pure of heart and body, sanctified."
"Is that another word for impotent?''
"You bitch. You don't know anything about me. Do you think I want to lie with you, is that it? Maybe I will, when this is over, maybe God will demand it. 'Better to spill seed in the belly of a whore than on the ground.' "
"Have trouble jacking off, too? That's rough. Maybe if you tried to keep your mother out of your head when you're working on yourself you'd finish off and have a cheerier personality."
"Don't you speak of my mother." His voice went ragged and thin, wavering on a high note.
Bingo, Eve thought. Mommy equals female authority figure.
"What's she like? Is she still yanking your chain, pal, or is she at home, keeping the lights burning without a clue how you spend your free time?" She thought of the ritual she'd witnessed just that morning in a little church near the cliffs. "Do you still go to Mass with her every Sunday? Is that where you go to find your vengeful god?"
"The blood of my enemies flows like tainted wine into Hell. You'll know such pain before I kill you."
"You already tried once. You missed. Why don't you come closer. Take me on, one on one. Do you have the balls for it?"
"When the time comes. I won't be seduced by the words of a harlot to stray from the path."
His voice broke, shuddered, making Eve tilt her head as if to catch the nuance. Was he crying?
"No time like the present."