“Yes, sir. The big one, Commander? Another locked door within the office concealed a large safe. We were able to open the safe. It’s filled with cash, Commander. At a visual, we estimate about a hundred million, along with sixty-three one-kilo gold bars. Valued, the expert consultant estimates, between nine and ten million.”
Whitney sat back. “You always think you’ve heard it all, but you never have and never will. She has over a hundred million in cash and gold in her home office safe?”
“Well, sir, it’s a big safe. We’ll need a forensic accountant team to go over her personal books and the business books.”
“The expert consultant can’t handle that? Joking, Dallas.” He held up a hand. “All that wealth at her fingertips, and she skims and hoards. I’ll start that process.”
“After the arrest, sir.”
“When are you picking her up?”
“I feel the risk, however small, of word of her arrest getting to Long Island isn’t worth taking. I’d like her picked up at the same time we raid the auction. I’d request a pair of experienced detectives, as she will resist. I can brief them on the situation.”
“You could do that. But I’ll take care of it myself.”
“Yes, sir. If I could have the names of the arresting officers when you select them.”
“I said I’d take care of it. I’ll make the bust personally.”
For a second, maybe two, her mind went blank. “Sir?”
“Joy Barrister hired a hit on one of my cops. I’ll make the collar, and I’ll enjoy it. I believe Chief Tibble might enjoy going with me.”
He sat forward again. “Joy Barrister murdered her brother, and her motive appears to be Daddy liked him best. She helped set up the break-in and theft to cover that murder. Over and above all of that? She hired a street thug to stab you in the back. You’re valued, Lieutenant. The chief of police and I will make this arrest when you signal you’re a go on the auction.”
“Yes, sir. She’ll lawyer up immediately.”
His eyebrows lifted, with those dark cop’s eyes beneath showing a hint of amusement. “Do you think I’ve forgotten how it’s done, Lieutenant?”
“No, sir. I apologize for giving that impression. I want to say Aileen Carville won’t believe it, but her oldest daughter, Chloe, will. If you drop some of the details during the arrest.”
“And she’ll help her mother deal with the shock, likely stop her from offering assistance, as in contacting the lawyer for her sister-in-law. All right.”
“Buys just a little more time.”
“Leave it to me. And you can leave it to me with some confidence.”
“Complete confidence. I’ll signal when it’s a go. Thank you, Commander.”
“In this case, I’m thanking you, Lieutenant. Like I said, I’m going to enjoy it.”
As she left, she admitted, she’d have enjoyed it, too. But she had plenty to do before the op—and busting Magdelana? That went beyond enjoyment. It might even hit orgasmic.
While approaching the glides, Feeney tagged her.
“You want to come up to the lab.”
“I’ve got to—”
“Come up to the lab,” he said, and clicked off.
“Fine, fine, fine. But since I’m up here, it’s down to the damn lab.”
So she took the glides down to EDD, strode straight to the lab and in. Everything smelled like a fizzy. Candy sweet.
She noted they’d even dragged Roarke onto the fizzy team.
“We got into the clone out of the locked drawer. Conversations on it,” Feeney added.
