The In Death Collection Books 16-20 - J. D. Robb [678]
“Who worked it?”
“Ah . . .” She lifted her memo book. “Detectives Howard and Little out of the six-two.”
“Tag them, get everything they’ve got. And check the vic’s data. See if she was on one of Swisher’s cases with a Judge Moss, Thomas, on the bench.”
“You got a pop, too.”
“It’s looking that way.”
Search is complete.
Eve swung toward her screen. “Display. Okay, Moss and Swisher had a lot of business together. We’ll cross these with your vic. What’s the name?”
“Karin Duberry, age 35 at TOD, single, no children.”
“Lieutenant? Sorry.” One of her detectives moved into the doorway. “You’ve got a couple of visitors. A Mrs. Dyson and a lawyer.”
Eve scooped up her hair. She was running hot, she thought, but couldn’t put this off. “Put them in the lounge. I’ll be there. Peabody, do the cross. Work that list for names that have the kind of training or connections we’re looking for. I’ll be back as soon as I’ve dealt with this.”
She called Mira’s office, left a message with her admin when told the doctor was in session. Grinding her teeth, Eve decided she’d have to handle this one alone.
She found Dyson in what the Central cops lovingly—or sarcastically—called the lounge. It was a step up from the Eatery as far as the noise factor, and a step down on the food choices. Which, given the Eatery, wasn’t saying much.
Dyson sat at one of the round tables, her head bent close to Dave Rangle’s. Both of them looked as if they’d seen much better days.
“Mrs. Dyson, Mr. Rangle. I appreciate you making the time to come in.”
Jenny Dyson sat up, sat straight. “I had planned to come today, before I got your message. I’d like to ask you first if there’s any progress in the investigation.”
“We have what we believe may be a couple of good leads. We’re pursuing them. In fact, Mr. Rangle—”
“Dave,” he told her.
“Dave, if I could speak to you for a few moments when we’re done here, I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course.”
Eve took a seat. “Are you here as Mrs. Dyson’s legal representative or as Mr. Swisher’s partner?”
“Both. I’m aware, as you are, that Jenny and Matt were named as Coyle and Nixie’s legal guardians should something happen to Grant and Keelie. I . . .” He shook his head. “How’s she doing? How’s Nixie doing? Do you know?”
“She’s dealing. She’s being counseled. She’s safe.”
“If you could somehow communicate to her that she’s in my thoughts. Mine and everyone at the office. We—” He broke off when Jenny laid a hand over his. “I’ll get to that later. We’re here at this time to discuss the guardianship.”
“We can’t take her,” Jenny blurted out.
“For her own safety and security, as well as the security of this investigation, I’d be unable to turn her over to you at this time. However—”
“Ever.”
“I’m sorry. What?”
“Jenny.” Dave spoke to her gently, and when his gaze came back to Eve’s, it was full of sorrow and regret. “Jenny has asked me to represent her in dissolving the guardianship. She and Matt feel unable to fulfill the terms. I’ve agreed to begin the process, and will file in Family Court today.”
“She has no one.”
“My child is dead.” Jenny’s breath rushed out, rushed in. “My baby is dead. My husband is devastated beyond any words I can use to tell you. We’re burying her today, our Linnie, and I’m not sure he’ll last through the service.”
“Mrs. Dyson.”
“No. No! You listen.”
Her voice peaked up in a way that had other cops in the room glancing over, weighing the situation.
“We can’t take her. It wasn’t supposed to happen. If there’d been an accident, we would step in, we’d have taken Nixie and Coyle.”
“But it was murder, so you won’t?”
“Lieutenant,” Dave began, and was silenced again.
“Can’t. We’re not capable of this. My baby is dead.” She pressed both hands to her mouth. “We loved Keelie and Grant, those children. We were almost like family.”
“The bits and pieces of family Nixie Swisher have left show no interest in providing for her welfare,” Eve