“She ran that show, too. ‘Leave it to me, lover.’ She talked on the ’link to somebody a few times. Not a man—different tone. More businesslike. Ah, she wanted the next payment, said things were falling into place, andshe’d certainly make sure that it was absolutely clear so the person on the ’link could do what she needed to do.”
“Did she say what that was?”
“Not exactly, but I heard her say something, sort of annoyed, about him not being her problem when they’d done their part. That the other woman would have what she wanted. I think now? The ‘him’ was Nathan Barrister. I didn’t know, I swear it. I’d never have taken the job if I’d known. Somebody wanted him dead, Lieutenant. The bitch in Sorrento? She wouldn’t give a shit one way or the other. She just wanted the emeralds, and what they’d bring her. I heard her talking to the broker once, and she said something like joy was an easy mark, and now she’d have payback and a payday in one big, shiny package.”
“‘Joy was an easy mark’?”
“Yeah, like I said, all she wants is the money—that’s what makes her happy. You know, brings the joy.”
“Right.” Eve took out her ’link, scrolled, then turned it to Jenna. “Do you recognize this woman?”
“That’s her! That’s the bitch.”
“Can you be more specific?”
“The Magdelana bitch in Sorrento who called herself Genevieve, and orchestrated this whole fucked-up mess.”
“All right. The terms of the agreement require you to remain in New York. I’d advise you to stay right here.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I want you to bag her. I want to know when you do.”
“A few details. You used a jammer to shut down Barrister House security.”
“Yeah. I figure she probably had the way in without that, but wanted the cops to see it different.”
“Let’s have it. And the device used on the electronic window lock.”
Jenna slumped a little, let out a sigh. “Yeah. Fine. I’ll go get them.”
When she left the room, Wenn turned to Eve. “I assume you’re satisfied Jenna has been truthful and forthcoming, as your investigation had already unearthed some of the details she’s given you.”
“That’s correct.”
“And she has provided more details as well as confirmed what you’d learned in the course of your investigation.”
“Also correct.”
“The PA’s office is satisfied,” Reo said.
Jenna brought in her tools, handed them to Eve. “It was such loose security, I only needed a mini. I want to say something. If I hadn’t wanted to get some sleep, I’d have taken a red-eye back to Savannah. But I’d have heard about the murder at some point, and I’d have come back. I’d have come back to do just what I’ve done.”
Eve passed the devices to Peabody. “I believe you.”
“When you bag her, she’ll roll on whoever did the murder.”
“Yes, she will.”
After a long, probing look, Jenna nodded. “But you won’t give her immunity.”
“Not in a thousand years. You played this smart, Jenna. Keep doing that. Stay put.”
Peabody waited until they all rode down in the elevator.
“Whoa and a wow, and a bang, bang, boom!”
“Save the boom until we have the auction location.”
“Dallas, Willowby says today for that. McNab’s on board, and says Feeney says the same. They just need a few more nibbles.”
