The In Death Collection Books 16-20 - J. D. Robb [411]
“Yes, sir. I apologize. It was unavoidable.”
“You know Agent Sparrow.”
She glanced at Sparrow, who was already seated. “We’ve met.”
“Have a seat. And you, Lieutenant Webster. Webster is here representing Internal Affairs. Commander Whitney is present per my request.” He turned, swooped his hawk’s gaze over the room, then moved to his desk.
“Lieutenant Dallas, it seems the HSO has some concerns about the nature of your current investigation, the direction thereof, and your techniques. They have requested, through me, that you halt the investigation and turn over all notes, data, and evidence to AD Sparrow, thereby passing this case into HSO aegis.”
“I am unable to comply with this request, Chief Tibble.”
“This is a matter of global security,” Sparrow began.
“It’s a matter of murder,” Eve interrupted. “Four civilians have been killed, in New York City.”
“Four?” Tibble asked.
“Yes, sir. I was detained due to the discovery of a fourth victim. Joseph Powell, a city employee assigned to transportation and disposal at the morgue. My partner and ME Morris are on scene.”
“How is this connected?”
“Dr. Morris contacted me this morning to inform me that the body identified as Blair Bissel had been removed from storage.”
Sparrow lunged out of his chair. “You lost the body? You lost a key factor in the investigation and you sit there and refuse to hand it over to us?”
“The body was not lost,” Eve said evenly, “but removed. Covertly. That sort of thing falls under your aegis, doesn’t it, Assistant Director?”
“If you’re accusing the HSO of stealing a corpse—”
“I’ve made no such accusation, but merely commented about the covert nature of your work.” She reached into her pocket and drew out a microtracker. “This is the sort of thing you play with, right?” She held it up, turning it between her thumb and forefinger. “Funny. I found this on my vehicle—my official police unit—which was parked outside the morgue. Does the HSO consider it a matter of global security to track and spy on a NYPSD officer while she is carrying out her sworn duty?”
“This is a sensitive matter, beyond your—”
“Electronic surveillance of a police officer, who has not been charged or is not suspected of a crime or an infraction of law,” Webster put in, “violates federal and state privacy codes as well as departmental regs. If Lieutenant Dallas is suspected of a crime or an infraction by the HSO that requires said surveillance, Internal Affairs would like to see the paperwork, the order, the charge, the evidence that led to the surveillance.”
“I am unaware of any such surveillance by my agency.”
“Is that what you call plausible deniability, Sparrow?” Eve asked. “Or just a big, fat lie?”
“Lieutenant,” Tibble said, quietly, authoritatively.
“Yes, sir. I apologize.”
“Chief, Commander, Lieutenants.” Sparrow paused, let his gaze scan the faces. “The HSO wishes to cooperate with local law enforcement whenever this cooperation is possible, but global matters take priority. We want Lieutenant Dallas removed from the investigation and all data pertaining thereto given over to me, as representative.”
“I am unable to comply with the request,” Eve repeated.
“Chief Tibble,” Sparrow continued. “I’ve given you the letter of request and authorization from the director.”
“Yes, I’ve read it. As I’ve read the reports and the case file provided by Lieutenant Dallas. Of the two, I find hers more compelling.”
“I can, if this request is denied, obtain a federal warrant for those reports and case files, and authorization to have the investigation terminated.”
“Let’s cut the bullshit here, Assistant Director.” Tibble folded his hands and leaned forward. “If you could have, you would have rather than wasting this time. Your agency is hip-deep in the mud on this. Two of yours are dead, and they were, allegedly, exploiting an innocent civilian without her knowledge or consent to gather information from a private concern.”
“Securecomp is on the agency’s watch list, Chief Tibble.”
“I can only imagine what’s on your