The In Death Collection Books 6-10 - J. D. Robb [132]
“Won’t he? Or will he screw up now, walk right into my hands? It could get ugly, Audrey. He could be killed. You could lose him. If you tell me where he is, I can take him alive. I can promise you that he won’t be hurt.”
“Do you think I want him living out his life in a cage, in an institution?” She rose out of her seat, leaning forward. “I’d rather he die, like a man, a martyr, with righteous vengeance in his heart, with the blood of his father at last at peace. Honor thy father and mother. The wisest of the commandments, for they bring you life. He won’t forget it. He won’t forget it, I promise you. He’ll be thinking of it when he finishes what he started.”
“There’s no moving her,” Eve said to Whitney when Audrey was removed to a cell. “She won’t give him up even to save him, and she’ll cheer if he dies finishing what she started.”
“She’ll be tested, most likely live out her life in a facility for people with violent tendencies and mental defectives.”
“She’s not as crazy as she pretends, and it’s not enough. The kid might have had a chance. You never know, he might have become something else without her ugly mothering.”
“There’s no changing the past. Go home, Dallas. You’ve done all you can do tonight.”
“I’ll just check in with Feeney first.”
“No need. He and McNab have that situation under control. If they break through and locate his other cache of equipment, they’ll contact you. Go home, Lieutenant,” he repeated before she could make an excuse. “You’ve got to be running on empty by now. Refuel, start again in the morning.”
“Yes, sir.” It was after nine P.M. in any case, she thought as she headed down to the garage. She’d go home, eat, find out what Roarke had uncovered on his end. Maybe if they ran names again with Roarke’s equipment they’d find a few probable locations.
It was a big city for someone who wanted to hide. And if he didn’t yet know about his mother . . . Eve engaged the ’link. “Nadine Furst, Channel 75.”
“This is Nadine Furst, I’m not in this location, please leave a message or contact me via e-mail or fax.”
“Transfer call to home residence. Damn it, Nadine, what are you doing taking a night off?”
“Hello. This is Nadine. I’m unavailable right now. If you’d—”
“Shit. Nadine, if you’re screening, pick up. I’ve got a ratings buster for you.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” Nadine’s face popped on screen. “Working late, Dallas?”
“Later than you.”
“Hey, humans occasionally take an evening off.”
“We’re talking about reporters, not humans. You’ll want to get this on air tonight. Police have made an arrest in the matter of the recent series of homicides. Mary Patricia Calhoun, also known as Audrey Morrell, is in custody tonight as an accessory to the murders of Thomas X. Brennen, Shawn Conroy, and Jennie O’Leary. She is also charged with accessory before and after the fact in the attempted murder of Patrick Murray.”
“Hold it, hold on, I’ve barely got my recorder going.”
“First and last chance,” Eve said without sympathy. “Authorities are looking for her son, Liam Calhoun, in connection with these crimes. Call Public Relations at Cop Central if you want pictures of the alleged murderers.”
“I will. I want a one-on-one with the mother tonight.”
“Keep believing in miracles, Nadine. It’s real sweet.”
“Dallas—”
Eve ended transmission and smiled into the dark. If Nadine was up to par, the broadcast would play within thirty minutes.
By the time she pulled through the gates and headed toward home her eyes were burning with fatigue, but her system was wired. She could put in another couple of hours on hard data, she decided. Just needed some food, maybe a quick shower, at most a power nap.
She left her car in front and, rolling the kinks out of her neck and shoulders, walked up the steps. In the foyer, she shrugged out of her jacket, tossed it over the newel post. And sighed. She’d have preferred avoiding Summerset, but he deserved to know that he was completely off the hook. Normally he would have simply materialized, scowl first.
“Sulking somewhere,” Eve muttered and turned to the house screener.