“We got it.”
“I’m going to take Mosebly,” she added. “He knows me, and I can call it a follow-up. I’m going to take Roarke, if he’s free. Peabody, I want you to shift over to Hobe. Her time’s ticking away. If we missed anything, find it. Talk to her coworkers again, canvass the neighbors. It’s been done and done, but do it again. If McNab’s free, take him with you.”
She checked the time. “I’m authorizing OT. Let’s get as much of this done tonight as we can. Peabody, shoot the map to their portables.”
“Already done. I’ll check with McNab, and get started. Do you want to keep the room?”
“Yeah, let’s hang on to it for now. Good hunting.”
As the others went out, Mira rose and walked to the board to stand beside Eve.
“I see why you’re looking at him, and why you question yourself. It’s not a clean fit but they aren’t always. He has gaps, and you need to fill them to get a clearer picture.”
“What’s your probability on him?”
“Mmm, I’d like to know more, but I’ll say sixty percent.”
“Yeah, that’s about where I land, too. It was higher before Peabody found the photo of his mother. There’s a basic similarity, but the three women look more like each other than they look like her. To my eye anyway.”
“He’s looking through his own. I have to get back, but I’d like your impressions after you speak to him, inside his home.”
“You’ll get them.”
“Give my best to Roarke.”
“Hmm? Yeah, thanks.”
Distracted, Eve kept scanning the board, waiting for pieces to line up. When they refused, she pulled out her ’link.
Roarke answered himself. “Lieutenant.”
“Hey. I’ve got to head out to the field to interview a suspect in about an hour. Some stuff to clean up here first. Interested?”
“In spending time watching my cop grill a suspect? Always.”
“I’m not grilling him. Yet. Probably.”
“In any case. I’ll meet you in the garage in an hour.”
“Good. Great. And I’m sort of thinking about talking to you about a real estate deal.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Now I’m fascinated. What sort of deal?”
“We’ll talk about it. And thanks for the list.”
“My pleasure. An hour.”
An hour, she thought as she pocketed the ’link. Time enough to clear her head and work on how to handle James Mosebly.
* * *
It took just over that hour for Eve to finish up, and when she scanned her desk for the last time, she compared it with Covino’s pristine workstation.
“Show-off,” Eve muttered, then grabbed her file bag and jacket.
She shrugged into the jacket as she walked. She spotted Santiago and Carmichael in a huddle at Carmichael’s desk. Either working the jumper/throwee case or debating where to grab an after-tour brew. Either way, Eve kept going.
She was already late.
With that in mind, she ignored the elevators. Cops coming on, cops heading home or, like her, back into the field meant packed cars and stops on every damn floor.
She took the glides, jogging down when she hit a clear stretch, then hit the stairs down to her level.
Roarke leaned against her ride, fiddling with something on his PPC.
Possibly buying one of those rings of Saturn.
“Sorry. Took me longer.”
He slid the device back in his pocket. “I occupied myself well enough.” He lifted a hand to stroke her cheek. “You look harried, Lieutenant.”
“Maybe a little. I feel like we moved a few steps closer, but it’s not close enough. You drive, okay?”
She climbed in the passenger seat, programmed Mosebly’s address.
“Not far, I see.”
“No, not far. Mosebly, James, Mary Kate Covino’s supervisor and so-called mentor. She’s been missing since June third.”
She gave him the basics as he maneuvered through downtown traffic.
“So she makes three, and this Mosebly fits your profile.”
“Most of it. His place is on your list. They’re in this area, Hobe and Covino. I know it. If you can’t find a street spot—”
She broke off when he hit vertical, did a neat airborne one-eighty, and dropped into a stingy spot between a mini and a glossy sedan.
“Nice. Why does Peabody always go glassy-eyed when I do that?”
“I couldn’t say.” He patted her hand before they slid out. “He’ll be a half block down.” And now, took her hand. “Lovely evening for a walk.”