“I want you to look at the list of stolen property again, at the dates, the locations. Then give me your best shot at who took those items. On their own, part of a team. Working with a broker or not.”
“It would be a guess.”
“An educated one. And in return—though it sticks—I’m not going to go after or send anyone after those names. Just the one, if it pops, who did this.”
He drank coffee as he considered. “I’ll look, but—”
“I’m going to push on who the cops looked at in each case. Compare.I’ve given Interpol a couple names, and maybe it’ll play out. The loot, however major, only comes into this for me if and when it leads to the person who killed Barrister.
“It’s all going back where it belongs, and that’s enough for me. Barrister’s father put that stuff in there, and it might help to know who made that possible.”
“I made it possible for him to put the emeralds in there. That leads to making it possible for someone to take them out again.”
“The person responsible for Nathan Barrister’s death is the person who picked up that rock and caved in his skull. I’m not saying that because I love you. I’m saying that because it’s a fact.”
She ate more pancakes. “If you don’t have something else going on, you could take a look while I’m talking to Interpol and, hopefully, interviewing ex-wives.”
“It’s Sunday, I can do what I like. I like working with my cop.”
“I like working with my former thief. I killed my father.”
“Eve.”
She shook her head. “I was eight, he was raping me again, beating me again. I thought he’d kill me. So I killed him, and kept killing him after he was dead because I couldn’t stop. I did what I had to do. So did you. And now, here we are.”
He picked up her hand, kissed her fingers. “Here we are.”
They went to work. At her command center, Eve started with Inspector Abernathy.
He reported four more pieces had been authenticated.
“The media’s beating the jungle drums. Not just here,” he told her. “Everywhere.”
“They’ll have to keep beating them for a while.”
“Actually, I’m to answer some questions, along with a museum representative, your mayor, and your chief of police in another two hours.”
“You’re welcome to it.”
“I’m told there’s to be a more extensive media conference tomorrow, at Cop Central, which will include you and your partner.”
“Great. Can’t wait. Meanwhile, I’m working on a homicide. In the spirit of cooperation, I need you to get me some information. Who the authorities looked at, interviewed, suspected in each theft.”
“That’s no small amount of cooperation.”
“I’m aware. If this particular angle leads me to Barrister’s killer, you’d certainly be welcome to interview them regarding any and all of the previous thefts. Which may lead to closing some open cases.”
A hint of satisfaction came into his eyes. “I can tell you your husband was looked at in any number of those open cases.”
“Abernathy, do you believe Roarke murdered Nathan Barrister?”
“No, I don’t.”
“If you could get me that information, I’d like to work this angle.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Appreciate it.”
