“Okay, get out, get started. Let me know when Detective Norman gets here.”
Alone, Eve started the search for like crimes first. That could run while she set up the rest. Then she contacted Detective Yancy, the police artist she respected most, to ask for a meeting.
Finally, she set up her board, adding Morris’s report when it came in, the sweepers’ report. And with that visual aid, she started her murder book.
Once done, she sent copies to Mira and to her commander.
It had to be done, she told herself, and, taking out her ’link, tagged Mavis.
Today’s hair was a soft sort of lavender and mad curls. Solid joy all but leaped through the screen and kissed Eve on the mouth. Somewhere in the background somebody banged. Saws buzzed.
“Hey, Dallas! Things are happening. Roarke’s going to try to come by later. You should, too.”
“Maybe. Mavis—”
“Trina just dropped by. Bellamina’s showing off her room. Some of the crew’s over in Peabody and McNab’s place. Things are happening there, too. It’s a mega, mag, mutual happening.”
“I bet. Mavis—”
“You have your serious face on. Something’s happening there, too, and it’s not good.”
“You haven’t heard any media reports today.”
“Who’s got time for all that when it’s all this? This is the really good stuff. What’s the bad?”
“I don’t want you to worry.”
“Shit, oh shit, maybe me and Number Two should sit down.”
“This is just a precaution, okay? A woman was killed, and her body left on a bench at the playground, the one near you.”
“Oh no, oh God. When?”
“Last night—well, early this morning. It’s my case, Mavis, and Peabody and I are all over it. I’ve even got Nadine doing some research.”
“The poor woman.” Mavis’s eyes, dyed a deep purple, filled. “Was she a neighbor?”
“She worked the stick at Arnold’s, lived a few blocks from there.”
“I know that bar. It’s classy.”
“He wanted a type, and he may want another. You’re not the type.” She thought of Trina, the much-dreaded stylist. “Neither’s Trina if she’s coming and going a lot. But I want you to take precautions. Don’t take Bella to that playground until I have more on this. And you could bring in the security detail you use for gigs. They’re good. Just a precaution.”
“What did he do to her? No, don’t tell me.” Closing her eyes, she breathed deep. “I have to think of Number Two. No bad vibes allowed. I think we’ve got most of the security installed that McNab and Roarke worked out, but I’ll ask Roarke when he gets here later.”
“Good, that’s good. Just … don’t go out walking, you and Bella, by yourselves right now.”
“You think he lives around here?”
Not panic, which Eve had feared, but icy anger.
“I don’t know, but he spent enough time in that neighborhood to choose the dump site. And the bar and the vic’s place aren’t that far. I need some time to work the case.”
“And not worry about me. Don’t. We’ll be careful. Nobody’s going to touch my babies, and Number Two goes wherever I go, right? Get the bastard, Dallas.”
“Count on it.”
“I do. Come by if you can. We’re going to be here all day.”
“I’ll try. And I’ll keep you in the loop as much as I can.”
The faintest smile crossed Mavis’s face. “He sure made a mistake using our playground. Pissed off Lieutenant Dallas.”
“Damn right. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Cha.”
She sat a minute, ridiculously relieved Mavis hadn’t fallen apart. And equally relieved to be sure her oldest friend would take every precaution.
Off the list, she thought.
Then she rose, rolled her shoulders. She programmed coffee, sat again.
And nibbling on her brownie, drinking her coffee, she studied her board.
4
BEFORE
She didn’t know where she was or how she got there. She remembered nothing before waking on the ground, surrounded by trees, with the sun pushing through the thick canopy of leaves and covering her like a blanket soaked in hot water.
And shivering, shivering despite that smothering blanket of heat.
Everything hurt, and her head pounded sickly even as her stomach churned. When she pushed up to her hands and knees, her pounding head spun, and her stomach revolted.