The in Death Collection Books 11-15 - J. D. Robb [663]
She took a step toward him, was darkly pleased to see him take one back. “Don’t ever try to tell me how to do my job.”
“You’ve never had any respect for me or my position.”
Eve angled her head. “And your point is?”
“We’ll see what Chief Tibble has to say about this.”
“Run along and tattle, you little weasel. And let the grown-ups finish talking.” She turned back to Franco, who’d said nothing during the exchange. “You got something else to say to me?”
“Yes, actually. Why don’t you give us a minute here, Chang? We’ll discuss the rest of this in my office in . . .” She checked the time. “Thirty minutes.”
He went out, giving the door a sulky little slam.
“Do you try to irritate people, Dallas, or is it just an innate skill?”
“I guess it’s the second, because it comes real easy. Especially with pissants like Chang.”
“If I tell you I agree that Chang is an annoying, self-satisfied, and boring pissant—a statement I will vehemently deny making if repeated—can we table some of the hostility?”
“Why do you use him then?”
“Because he’s good. He’s very, very good. If I had to like everyone I worked with or who worked for me, I sure as hell wouldn’t be in politics. Now, issue one, your statement this morning. Chang feels, and I agree—as does the mayor—that your use of Detective Halloway’s death was ill advised.”
“My use? Just one damn minute. They used him, shirking responsibility for his death. I responded and stuck the responsibility right back up their ass.”
“And I understand the instinct that prompted you to do so. For God’s sake, Dallas, do you think I function without a heartbeat? I don’t. And that heart breaks for that woman down the hall. Damn it. She’s lost her son. I have a son. He’s ten. I can’t imagine having to say good-bye to him the way Colleen Halloway is saying good-bye today.”
“It seems to me it would be harder if people were allowed to think her son died for nothing.”
“Didn’t he?” Franco retorted, then shook her head. “Oh, I know how you cops think. On the job. I won’t argue with you because I don’t understand that either. But the point is that the more often his name is said, the more he’s made the story, the harder it is to focus the media and the public on the message we want to send. Whatever you might think,” she added as she turned back.
“I know more about this than you and Chang knows more than both of us. The second point is no statement should have been made without clearance.”
“You won’t box me in that way. I’m no media hound, but if and when I feel using it helps my investigation, I’ll use it.”
“Yet you toss back the bookings Chang arranged, programming where we’d have some control.”
“I’m not sitting in some studio parroting departmental or mayoral approved responses and statements when my time and energies are required in a priority investigation. The fact is, I’m never doing it.”
“Yes, so your commander has made clear.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Had to take a shot.” Franco spread her hands. “We could use the airtime. The other matter I have to discuss with you is, potentially, a great deal more serious. It’s already come to the mayor’s ear that you questioned the Dukes this morning in the course of your investigation. A family who also lost their son recently, and who are protected by sealed files.”
“He didn’t waste any time. The information on the Dukes came into my hands. The connection to two of the victims, as well as Donald Dukes’s profession, led me to believe an informal interview was warranted. Are you going to try to tell me how to do my job now?”
“Oh for Christ’s sake.” Franco threw up her hands. “Why do you insist on behaving as if we’re on opposite sides.”
“It feels that way.”
“Do you know what will happen if Donald Dukes goes to the media? If he talks about being harassed in his own home by the primary in this already hot-button situation? Their son was hooked on illegals by Cogburn—”
“There’s no evidence to support Cogburn was his first dealer.”
“It doesn’t matter if there’s evidence,” Franco fired back. “This is what would