The in Death Collection Books 11-15 - J. D. Robb [116]
Too much, she wanted to say. She was afraid it would be too much. “I can get him myself.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Roarke admitted. “However, I can help you do it quickly, without taking your energies and your considerable skills away from your homicide investigation. Or taking them only minimally. Purgatory reopens at eight on Friday night. Ricker will be there at ten.”
“Why?”
“To do business with me. Business I’ll agree to do because I’m concerned about my wife’s safety. Eve,” he murmured, “surely you can swallow your pride long enough to let me set him up so you can kick his ass.”
“He won’t believe you.”
“He will, yes. First because it’s true, and second because I’ll pretend it isn’t and let him see through. He expects deceit because he’s a liar himself. I’m bored, you see, towing the line. Want a bit of excitement back. Then there’s the money. So much money to be made when you don’t worry about the refinements.”
“You already own half the universe.”
“Why settle for half when you can have all?” He took a sip of coffee, found it just as bitter and bad as expected. “He’ll believe me because he wants to. Wants to believe he’s won. And because he’s not as clever as he once was, or as careful. He’d like me, at least, under his thumb so he can pick me apart at his leisure. We’ll lead him to believe that can happen. When the deal’s made, you’ll have him.”
“We’ll put men in the club.” Whitney picked up the plan. “And Roarke is arranging for his security system to record the entire discussion. His club manager will be acting as liaison, setting up the meet. I need you to brief Roarke on Kohli so that he can steer Ricker in that direction. If he had any involvement in that murder, I want him to go down for it.”
“He’ll know it’s a setup,” Eve insisted. “Why should he talk business off his own turf? He’ll insist on having his men do a security sweep.”
“He’ll talk,” Roarke corrected, “because he won’t be able to resist. Because he still considers the club his turf. And he can do his sweep. He won’t find what I don’t want him to find.”
She turned from him, got to her feet. “Sir, Roarke lacks objectivity in this matter, and he’s not trained. It’s probable that under these conditions Ricker will attempt to cause him physical harm. Most certainly a plan along these lines will put a civilian in serious jeopardy and could cause him considerable legal difficulties.”
“Let me assure you, Lieutenant Dallas, the civilian has covered himself in all legal areas. He’ll have his immunity regarding any information or allegations stemming from any areas discussed, past, present, or future, in this operation. As for physical jeopardy, I imagine he can handle himself every bit as well there as he has in the legal arena. His cooperation in this matter will save the department untold man-hours and financial resources. Objectively, Lieutenant, this is an opportunity we can’t afford to miss. If you feel unable to head the team or be a part of the operation, you have only to say so. Under the circumstances, it won’t be held against you.”
“I’ll do my job.”
“Good. I’d have been disappointed to hear you say otherwise. Coordinate your schedule. Make time to brief Roarke on Kohli and to be briefed by him on the security setup at Purgatory. I want every member of the team linked and locked within twenty-four hours. There’ll be no leak, no mistake, no legal loophole for Ricker to slip through this time. Bring me his goddamn head on a plate.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Full updates, on my desk, concurrent cases, by sixteen hundred. Dismissed.”
When Roarke walked out with her, she said nothing. Didn’t dare. Anything that spilled out would be hot and lethal and likely burn them both.
“Noon.” She snapped it out when she felt she had some measure of control. “My home office. Have your security diagrams, all data. A list, with all background data on any and all staff