She found it both endearing and amusing that the richest man on- or off-world gathered up the breakfast dishes and carried them out so the cat wouldn’t lap at them.
As she contacted Reo, she made her way to her office so she could pace there. So she could study her board yet again as she and Reo talked.
She got more coffee, circled her board, contacted Peabody.
They’d want this meeting quickly, in her judgment. Get those wheels turning. While she waited for the go from command, she tagged Jenkinson.
In the field, eta unknown. Cover things.
His reply came quickly, and was as colorful as one of his ties.
Some fucked-up fucker tried to stab you in the fucking back? Tried to put a fucking hole in you on the fucking street?
I don’t have any extra holes in me, and they had to shovel up what was left of him off that fucking street. Cover things, Detective Sergeant. Briefing, full available squad, when I’m back in the house.
Fuck the fucking all. You got it, Loo.
Imagining Whitney and the prosecuting attorney hammering out some details, she headed downstairs as Summerset headed up.
“I understand you may have some issues with my active participation in this matter. I would like to say something. You once asked me to remove that woman from this house.”
“After I knocked her ass out.”
“Yes. I was more than pleased to do so. She hurt him, and that would have been enough for me. Whether or not he deserved your fist in his face at that time is debatable, though I can certainly see your side of it. But we’re now, now, where she’s doing all she can to hurt him again. More, she’d destroy him if she could. She would have if the attempt on your life had succeeded. If anything I do helps you put her away, I’ll find that very satisfying.”
“And that has to be enough for me.”
“Good.” He looked down at the cat. “Now Galahad and I have work to do.” He started up again, paused. “At that time you told me to get that trash out of your house. Now I’m saying to you, get that trash out of our lives.”
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
She went down to where Roarke waited. He’d tossed on the black leather jacket, and she imagined he’d tucked in a weapon somewhere.
She wouldn’t ask.
“We should have more data on the finances shortly.”
“Every bit helps.” Her ’link signaled. “Commander.”
“You’re go for the meeting. Reo is speaking to Wenn now. She’ll give you the location.”
“Yes, sir. We’re getting closer on the sources for the payments to Delaney. We’ll see if she confirms.”
“And for the payments to Timothy Kruger?”
“Also close. Commander, I’ll brief my division on my return, and begin preparations for a raid operation on the auction if, as I believe, it will take place in New York.”
“I’ll attend. Keep me updated.”
She pocketed her ’link. “Now we wait.”
“We’ll wait outside. It’s a lovely morning.”
As they stepped out, he took her hand. They stood a moment, looking out over the lawn, at the leaves fluttering in the light breeze.
“You want to get moving, I know, get this done. But since we have to wait, we may as well enjoy where we are, what we have.”
He kissed her fingers. “The family’s coming for Thanksgiving, and Brian as well. I thought we might ask Crack and Ro again this year, Louise and Charles.”
