“As for the attempt on me, the payment for that unsuccessful hit has been traced back to Joy Barrister.”
“Bitch’ll fucking pay.”
“Yes, Detective Sergeant, she will. We have a search-and-seizure warrant for her condo, and will move on that at the appropriate time. We will then make an arrest, at the appropriate time. EDD, with Detective Willowby and Roarke’s assistance, has worked around the clock to ascertain the time, date, and location of the auction to turn the emeralds. Without their efforts and skill, we wouldn’t have that information, certainly not in time to move on it.
“Bring up the venue, Detective.”
As he did, Eve turned to the screen.
“Cochran Estates, Long Island. There’s a purpose here, too, as the coordinator wants it in New York, where it pulls me in, and Roarke. Regardless, the festivities, and they’re elaborate, start tonight at seven-thirty with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.”
“Cocky, aren’t they?” Detective Carmichael commented.
“Yeah, they are. Blueprints, McNab. And here’s how we’re going to castrate them.”
Abernathy raised his hand. “I can have half a dozen agents experienced in this sort of situation brought in by four, latest.”
“We’ll take them, we’ll use them.”
“I’ll add that once the operation is successfully completed, we will take possession of the Royal Suite, and take responsibility for its security and its return.”
“All yours.”
“Give me a moment to speak to my superior and have that process begun.”
When he stepped out, she scanned the room. “Any comments, questions, remarks before I lay this out?”
“I got one for Reo. Are you going to step on these assholes, and hard, for taking the stab at the lieutenant?”
“Yes, Detective Sergeant, I am.” With a wide, humorless smile, Reo put down one fashionable heel and ground it into the floor.
“Okay then.” Now he glanced over at Roarke. “Can’t much blame you for the blonde. She’s a looker.”
“She is, but can’t begin to measure up to the lanky brunette who holds my heart.”
“Man.” Willowby fanned herself, then patted her heart. “Dreamcake express.”
“Enough of that.” Eve shoved her hands into her pockets. “Enough.”
Abernathy came back—and none too soon—gave Eve the nod.
“Let’s get started.”
It took more than an hour to lay it out, assign teams, perfect the timing.
Then she took questions, considered some suggestions, some options, worked some of them in.
“That’s it. Twenty-one hundred, in the garage for transportation. Anyone without Thin Shield, you’re vested. Everyone wears a helmet. Dismissed. Peabody, hold a minute.”
McNab pranced over on his rainbow airboots. “I know this is to-the-top important, and dangerous, but man, it’s going to be fun.”
“How do you figure the fun?”
“Dallas, come on. We’re busting in on a bunch of mega rich in their fanciest duds. The type who’ve gotta think that money can buy them in or out of anything. And we’re taking them down, the NYPSD’s taking them down on Long freaking Island.”
“A man died in the mix of this.”
His green eyes hardened. “Yeah, and none of them give a rat’s ass. We do. And taking down those rich assholes? Yeah, I’m getting some jollies out of it.”
