Survivor in Death (In Death 20)

Eve walked over to a wall panel and, opening it, revealed a mini AutoChef. “You got the report.”

“Yes, it’s what I was going over when you got here.”

“It’s sketchy yet, but I haven’t had time to fill in the fine points. Peabody’s getting the clearance for the minor victims’ data—heading to their schools, see what we can find there.”

“Do you expect to find anything there? Do you think the children were the targets?”

Eve lifted a shoulder, then closed her eyes and let the jolt of coffee do its work. “The boy was old enough, certainly, to be involved in illegals, gangs, and all sorts of bad behavior. Can’t discount that. Or the possibility he and/or his sister witnessed something or were told something that required their termination. Odds are higher it was one of the adults, but it’s not a certainty, especially this early on.”

“There was no additional violence, no destruction of property.”

“None, and if anything was taken from the premises, we don’t know about it yet. The timing was quick and slick. Teamwork, timetable. Damn good job.”

“From anyone else, I’d say that was a cold and heartless remark.”

Eve’s eyes flattened. “From their point of view, it was. Cold, heartless, and a damn good job. Except they missed. They’ll know they missed soon, once the media gets going on this.”

“And they may try to finish the job,” Mira said with a nod. “So you brought the child here.”

“One of the reasons. This place is a fucking fort. And if I keep CPS at a distance, I’ve got unlimited access to the eye witness. Plus, the kid freaked at the idea of going with the social worker. She’s no good to me if she’s hysterical.”

“Remember who you’re talking to,” Mira said mildly. “You would have managed full access even if she’d been placed under CPS and put in a safe house. Feeling for her doesn’t make you less of a cop.”

Eve slid one hand into her pocket. “She called nine-one-one. She crawled through her parents’ blood. Yeah, I feel for her. I also know a kid who can do that can stand up to what comes next.”

She sat across from Mira. “I don’t want to push the wrong buttons on her. I could do that, and if I do, she’s going to pull in, shut down. But I need details from her, information from her. Everything I can get. I need you to help me.”

“And I will.” She sipped her tea. “My preliminary profile of your killers is that they were indeed a team. Have likely worked together before, and have certainly killed before. They would be mature, and likely have some training. Military or paramilitary, or organized crime. There was nothing personal in this act, but the murder of the children—a family as a unit—is certainly personal. I’m sure it wasn’t a thrill kill, nor was it sexual.”

“For profit?”

“Very possibly, or because they were given orders, or simply because it had to be done. The motive?” She sipped her tea thoughtfully. “We’ll need more on the victims to speculate on the why. But the who? They’ll be experienced, and they’ll trust each other. They’re organized and confident.”

“It was an op. That’s how it ran for me. An operation, planned and practiced.”

“You think they had access to the house before last night?” Mira asked.

“Maybe. In any case, they knew the layout, where everyone slept. If the housekeeper was primary, there was no reason to take the second floor and vice versa. So it was a clean sweep.”

Eve checked her wrist unit. “How long do you figure she’ll be out? The kid?”

“I couldn’t say.”

“I don’t want to hold you up.”

“And you’re anxious to get to work yourself.”

“I haven’t talked to the ME, or finished my report, harassed the lab, or yelled at the sweepers. People are going to think I’m on vacation.”

With a smile, Mira rose. “Why don’t you contact me when . . . Ah,” she added when Summerset stepped into the doorway.

“Lieutenant, your young charge is awake.”

“Oh. Right. Fine. You still got time to start this now?” she asked Mira.

“Yes. Where would you like to speak with her?”

“I figured my office.”