The In Death Collection Books 21-25 - J. D. Robb [706]
“Why would he—”
“Just get me confirmation, Peabody.”
“Yes, sir.”
Eve went back in, slid into a chair as Feeney pried more details out of Lowell.
“I meant to ask you,” she inserted, “how long Edwina Spring lasted. Her time.”
“My grandfather employed different methods, with longer rest periods than I’ve found necessary. Regardless, she was very strong, and had a high survival instinct. It was ninety-seven hours, forty-one minutes, and eight seconds. No one has ever reached her capacity. I believe you may have done so, which is why I wanted to end with you as I’d begun with her.”
“I wonder how long you’d last,” Eve commented, and rose as Peabody appeared at the door again.
Eve stepped out and eased the door closed behind them. “And?”
“I don’t get it. There’s no documentation supporting his claim. Nothing in his records, nothing in the official data banks, and McNab searched through them twice. I contacted the London lawyer—head of the firm, who was not pleased to be disturbed at home.”
“Aw.”
“Yeah. He did the privacy dance. I explained that his client was under arrest for multiple murders, and hauling out this ST claim to avoid trial and incarceration. Pulled the commander into it. Legal guy claimed Lowell had secured certification, but he couldn’t produce the documentation either. Went a little nuts about it. He’s spouting about holding interviews and so on, but he doesn’t have any pull in the U.S. of A.”
“That’s all I need.”
“But—”
“Going to wrap this up now, Peabody. Good job.”
Eve walked back in, closed the door in Peabody’s face. “Just to summarize,” Eve began. “You have confessed, with full understanding of your rights and obligations, having waived any counsel or representation, to the crimes heretofore documented?”
“‘Crimes’ is your word, but yes, I have.”
“How long did the medicals estimate you had left?”
“No more than two years, with the last several months extremely painful, unpleasant, and demeaning even with medication. I prefer a quiet and controlled end to my time.”
“I bet you do. But you know, you’re not going to get it. You don’t have any ST certification on record. Bob.”
“I certainly do.”
“Nope—and your fancy Brit lawyers can’t produce one either.” She laid her palms on the table, leaned over into his face. “No record means we’re under no obligation to take your word for it, under no obligation to accommodate your easy out. A couple of years isn’t as much as I’d like, but you’ll be spending it in a box. You’ll be spending some of it in pain, in distress, in despair.”
“No.” He shook his head slowly. “I have certification.”
“You’ve got nothing. And you are no longer free to apply for ST. You’ve been charged and you have willingly confessed to multiple homicides. Your out just slammed shut.”
“You’re lying.” His lips trembled. “You’re trying to upset me, to trick me.”
“You go ahead and think that. You go on thinking that for the next two years. You get to live, and every second you get to live, you’re going to suffer.”
“I want…I want my lawyers.”
“Sure. You can have an army of goddamn lawyers. They’re not going to help you.” Her eyes were fierce now, not the flat, objective eyes of the cop, but the fierce, burning eyes of justice. “You’re going to know pain. You’re going to choke out your last breath in pain.”
“No. No. It’s my time, it’s all worked out. I need my music, my pills.”
“Bob, you need to die a long, slow, agonizing death.” She straightened. “Why don’t you haul him down, Feeney. He can go cry to his lawyers before he starts learning what it’s like to live in a cage.”
“I’ve been waiting for nine years to do this.” Feeney hauled Lowell to his feet. “I’m betting on medical science,” he said as he dragged Lowell to the door. “Couple of years? They might find a fix. That would be sweet.” He glanced over his shoulder, sent Eve a strong smile. “That would be goddamn sweet.”
EPILOGUE
WHEN EVE STEPPED OUT, COPS POURED OUT OF OBSERVATION, out of the conference room