“Ifs mean dick, but here’s another. If you don’t think they had cams and alarms in the tunnel, you’re not as smart as you look.”
Mouser put an arm around Dorian. “Cops blow wide.”
“Oh, golly, the sting!” Ignoring him, Eve met Dorian’s eyes again. “There’s no ifs on anything you did with what happened to Mina. It’s all on them. Whatever you forget, don’t forget that. Go eat.”
“Crack says they’ve got cow burgers. We’ve never had one.”
“Go have a cow burger. Any questions, problems, you know how to reach me,” she told Rochelle. “Thanks for making room.”
“We always do.”
Eve stepped outside, pulled out her com. “I’m going to bag the clothes, have a pair of officers take it to the lab. Contact Harvo on it. I’ll bag the broken card, take it home. Contact Feeney.”
“Make the contacts. I’ll play Peabody and bag your evidence.”
It took time before the black-and-white pulled up for the pass off, but Eve thought she’d bought a little of that time.
She had the kid secured, and a fresh flood of information, fresh evidence in the clothes and the broken card. And if anyone could finesse a description out of a wit that led to an ID, it was Yancy.
When Roarke got behind the wheel, she settled into the passenger’s seat.
“Maybe I should push for Yancy to start with her tonight.”
“No. Give her the time there. A good meal, her friend, time to feel safe and get a decent night’s sleep. She’ll be clearer on it tomorrow.”
“Maybe, maybe. I need to tie this up tight so the feds can’t unravel it. Putting her in there rather than a safe house or in the system, they’re going to make some noise.”
“You’ll make the case it’s safe and secure, and your victim, your witness, will be more cooperative. And emotionally steadier—Mira would back you there.”
“Good thought. I’ll talk to her.”
Roarke stilled her hand before she could pull out her ’link. “Take a blocker for the headache.” He flipped open a little case. “And close your eyes for five damn minutes.”
Rather than argue, she took the blocker, but then shook her head. “I can’t stop. I need to get things nailed down.”
She contacted Mira.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your evening, but I need to bring you up to date. I’ll write it up as soon as possible, but I’ve taken some … liberties.”
She ran it through, start to finish, answering when Mira questioned, holding nothing back. She felt it pushing, pushing, pushing, the desperate need to break. Just break.
Couldn’t. Just couldn’t.
“The child is safe, secured, guarded?”
“Yes.”
“Moreover, the child feels safe, and is with trained professionals after a horrific and traumatizing experience. By securing her in this environment, you’ve gained her trust, and her cooperation. I’d strongly recommend she continue to stay in that environment and work with the very skilled counselors, instructors, and therapists provided to students. I would like to speak with her personally tomorrow, and will make the time to do so.”
“Thanks.”
“You did what was right for her, this minor child, in these circumstances.”
“The other kid—”
“Is helping your victim and key witness feel safe,” Mira finished. “And has no bearing on the investigation otherwise. I would like a copy of his file, but see no reason to include him in any report to the FBI as applies to this specific investigation.”
“I have to leave that up to the commander.” Another hole in the gut, Eve thought. “I’ll be bringing him up to date shortly.”
“Of course. Suggestion?”
“Sure.”
“Request a holo-briefing. It’s closer to in person. And take some time to clear your head.”
“All right. I’ll get you the written as soon as I can.”
“Take your time with that. I have enough from the oral to back you on this, and I will. Take some time.”
Haven’t got it, Eve thought, but said, “Thanks. I’ll be in touch.”
She saw, with twinges of both exhaustion and relief, the gates to home open.
“How much of her advice will you take?”
“The holo-briefing’s a solid idea. And she’s right about the other kid. Right now, he’s none of the feds’ business. I gotta read his file, make sure I’m not getting smoke blown up my ass.”