“Dead Devereaux ran it. Something Beaty may or may not have been aware of.”
“So he was double-dipping.”
“That’s one way to put it. He could buy, sell, trade, collect the membership fees, take the auction house percentage, and preview all the other entries. And I’m thinking an enterprising soul like him? Maybe you supplement with a little blackmail here and there.”
“So like quadruple-dipping. How about the woman who stabbed Dead Devereaux?”
“I have to check on her, but no charges. Her family in Tunisia—parents, two sibs—has been or will shortly be contacted. For now at least, we have to leave the bulk of the victims to Mira, the therapists, and SVU while we keep cracking those eggs.”
“I’m ready for that.” Seriously ready, Peabody did a quick boxer’s shuffle. “Who’s up first?”
Eve checked the time and decided she couldn’t wait any longer. “I’m putting Beaty and some of the others in lineups. Check with Mira. She was going to select some of the victims she thought could handle it. I’ve got Dorian with Yancy.”
The battle light in Peabody’s eye went soft and sober. “You’re giving them back power. The power these people took from them.”
“Positive eyewitness identification is the purpose, but that’s a solid side benefit. I’ll set it up, get Dorian. Meet me with the others.”
She left it to the PA to roll over defense lawyerly objections. She didn’t mind the delay, as it gave her a chance to see Sampson Merit’s tap dance. She started with one of the hard cases, Frank Bestor, security, an egg who’d yet to show the thinnest crack.
Dorian stood with her arms folded as behind the one-way glass men filed out. “Number three, that one,” she said without hesitation. “I saw him around.”
“Around where?”
“The Academy, where do you think? And sometimes he’d come into the studio and watch. He’d meet with Auntie in her office, mostly during the day, but … Can you make him say something?”
“What do you want him to say?”
“Um. Spread out and find those bitches.”
She stepped to the intercom. “Number three, step forward. Repeat this. Spread out and find those bitches.”
He curled his lip, but repeated the phrase.
“That’s him, that’s him. He was in the tunnels that night, and outside when we were hiding. He said that before Mina ran. She ran because he said that, and I couldn’t run.”
“Number three, step back. Dorian, you’re going to step out with Dr. Mira.”
“Why?”
“I have others who need to look at the lineup.”
“But I said it was him. If you don’t believe—”
“I absolutely believe you, but why should you have all the fun? The more of you who ID him, the more he’ll pay.”
Out of six witnesses, Eve got five positive IDs. She worked her way up the chain, security, matrons, instructors, medical personnel, until she came to what she considered the grand prize.
When Beaty filed out with the next group, Dorian let out a gasp.
“Number four, four, four. Number four. That’s Auntie. That’s her. I swear to God that’s her.”
“Okay. Take a breath. Take a few of them.”
“She has to pay.”
“She will. Look at her. She already is.”
“It’s not enough.”
“It will be. You’ve given me everything I need to make it be enough. Now you have to leave it to me. You’re going to go back to the school now, and you’re going to live your life. You’re going to make something of it because that makes her pay, too. Every smart thing you do, from this moment on, makes her pay.”
“How?”
“Because she wanted to take it all from you, and instead you’re taking it all back. She tried to make you nothing, and you’ll make yourself something.”
Tears gleamed and burned. “Mina’s still dead.”
“I can’t change that. But everything you do now gives Mina’s bravery meaning. Don’t forget that. Go on out. Rochelle’s waiting for you.”
Dorian took one last look at Beaty. “Rot in hell,” she said before she walked out.
“Well done, Eve.”
Eve shook her head at Mira. “It’s not over yet.”
“No, but that young, damaged girl is already healing, and you’re a part of why.”
“I didn’t have half her guts at that age.”