Survivor in Death (In Death 20)

“I can’t babysit a kid. I’m not equipped.”

“You’re equipped to pull information out of a witness and this would give you full access. You wouldn’t have to go through the annoyance of clearance from CPS every time you want to question her.”

Thoughtfully now, Eve glanced back at Nixie. “Probably only be a day, two tops. Summerset knows about kids. Even if he is an asshole. How much more traumatized could she get looking at his ugly face, considering? Basically I’d be housing a witness. Big house.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Eve frowned, studied Peabody’s face. “Pretty clever for somebody who’s only been back on the job for a couple of days.”

“I may not be up for chasing down suspec

ts on foot quite yet, but my mind? Sharp as ever.”

“Too bad. I was hoping concussion and coma might have honed that area, but you get what you get.”

“Mean.”

“I could be meaner, but it’s five in the morning and I haven’t had enough coffee. I gotta make a call.”

She stepped away, and saw Nixie tense out of the corner of her eye. Eve just shook her head, and pulled out her pocket ’link.

Five minutes later she was signalling the social worker.

“Absolutely out of the question,” the woman said. “You’re not qualified or approved to transport a child. I’m required to accompany—”

“What I’m doing is taking a witness into protective custody. She doesn’t like you, and I need her settled in order to interview her more thoroughly.”

“The minor subject—”

“The kid had her family whacked in front of her eyes. She wants me. I say she gets what she wants—and as a ranking member of the New York City Police and Security Department, I’m seeing that she’s taken to a safe place, and kept safe and secure until her safety is no longer an issue or other arrangements can be made. You can buck me on this, but why would you?”

“I’m obliged to consider what’s in the best interests of—”

“The minor subject,” Eve concluded. “Then you know that it’s in her best interests to feel safe, to avoid more stressful situations. She’s scared shitless. Why add?”

The woman looked back. “My supervisor won’t like it.”

“Your supervisor can deal with me. I’m taking the kid. Go file a report.”

“I need the location, the situation where—”

“I’ll let you know. Peabody? Pack what you figure Nixie needs.”

She walked back to Nixie. “You know you can’t stay here anymore.”

“I don’t want to go with her. I don’t want—”

“And you’ve had it hit really hard tonight that you can’t always have what you want. But for right now, you can come with me.”

“With you?”

While Newman stalked away, Eve drew Nixie across the room. “That’s right. I can’t stay with you, because I’ve got to work. But there’ll be people there who’ll look out for you. People I trust, so you can trust them, too.”

“But you’ll be there? You’ll come back?”

“I live there.”

“Okay.” Nixie took Eve’s hand. “I’ll go with you.”