“I’m your mommy now, and you’re grounded for the next few lifetimes.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
While Trueheart dealt with Jonathan, Eve walked back to Phoebe, glanced over at the raw scratches on Peabody’s throat.
“Give you some trouble, Detective?”
“I gave her more, sir.”
Due to the struggle, Phoebe had more than a few hairs out of place now. And the cold look in her eye had gone to blazing fury.
“You think you can attack my son, manhandle me, and walk away from it? My attorneys will destroy you, all of you.”
“I bet not. Not only is this entire arrest on record”—she tapped her lapel—“but—” And pointed up.
“See that chopper? See the Channel Seventy-Five in big letters on it? They’re live. Your son’s attempted escape, with your assistance, broadcast as it happened. On-screen, on their website, on all their social media.”
“The boy’s got the e-man,” Feeney added.
“And your tech who removed the court-ordered monitor? In custody.I bet he’ll trade some time off his sentence for telling us how you hired him, how much you paid him. Doesn’t matter either way, you’re done.”
And it felt incredibly satisfying.
“Phoebe Harper, you’re under arrest for aiding and abetting a fugitive from justice. For conspiring to facilitate his escape, for conspiring to remove a court-ordered monitor, for obstruction of justice, for assault on police officers, for resisting arrest.
“We’ll be adding creating and/or procuring false identification, arranging for international transportation using same. And the icing I really think I’ll have a chance to enjoy? Accessory to murder, after the fact.”
“You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
“Funny that your dumb-fuck son said the same thing to me. Here’s the same answer. I do. I really do. And you’re dealing with me now. You have the right to remain silent.”
When she finished reading Phoebe her rights, she sent them to Booking in separate cars.
Reo strolled over. “Well, that was exciting. And you may enjoy knowing that Kopeckne saw the live feed. A little bird tells me he’s already filed for withdrawal as counsel. He won’t touch this. His firm won’t touch this.”
“She’ll get another.”
“Yes, but not of that caliber, Dallas. It matters. She won’t be able to get representation at that level, not after this. Having Nadine record this, broadcast it live? Genius,” she said, and held up a hand for a high five.
“Another layer of insurance. Peabody, get a picture of those cat scratches before you use a healing wand. And let’s go roast their asses.”
On the way to the car, she contracted Roarke. “They’re in custody. Thanks for the help.”
“Delighted. Will you interview soon?”
“In a few hours. They need to be booked, processed. I want to writeit all up, nice and pretty. We’ll take the low-hanging first—bodyguard, the e-guy. Then I need Mira, and I’m going to toggle between them if necessary. Hit him first. He’s weaker.”
“If I can, I’ll come in to watch. It’s been a long week and I could use some fun.”
“See you if I see you.” She pocketed the ’link. “Reo! We’re heading out.”
“I can write it up nice and pretty,” Peabody said as they got in the car.
“Yeah, you can, but I want this one. You write up your part, including those scratches.”
“They really sting.”
“Been there.” Eve rolled her shoulders. And thought it amazing just how much weight had dropped away. “How about you run that low-hanging fruit so we see what we’ve got?”
