Page 164 of Random in Death
“All trembly with it,” Reineke added.
“Terrible mistake, police roughed him up, under arrest. He had the call on mute so we couldn’t hear what the father had to say, but he’s on his way. Kid got all smirky after the call. His father’s coming, and he’ll fix our asses good.”
“Golly. Now I’m all trembly.”
Jenkinson snorted out a laugh at Eve. “Getting the best lawyer money can buy. We’re all going to pay, but the bitch who bloodied his nose—that would be you, boss.”
“Yes, I am that bitch.”
“She’s going to pay more. He lost some of that… would you call it bravado, partner?”
“I would. Bravado.”
“He lost that during booking, and when we closed the cage door. Juvie section, considering, but that won’t be where he ends up.”
“No, it won’t. Good work. Now somebody get Roarke a shirt without a face on it. Then go home. I’ll write this up and wait for the father.”
“You ain’t obliged to wait, Dallas. Past midnight now,” Jenkinson pointed out. “His old man can wait until morning.”
“Yeah, but I want a sense of things there before we take on the kid tomorrow.”
Plus, she had her second—or maybe it was third—wind, she thought as she walked into her office. And straight to coffee.
She sat and started her report, one that would fill in the details and expand on her brief update to her commander.
Suspect in custody. Victim alive and stable.
She’d made headway when Roarke walked in wearing a gray T-shirt with NYPSD across the chest.
“And this is better?”
“Miles. You don’t have to wait through this.”
“I’m sticking, and apparently Peabody and McNab are as well. They’ve gone down to the Eatery to get something that passes for a meal. You’re going to eat as well, and so, by God, am I. I suppose, considering the time and place, it’s pizza.”
She decided not to mention she’d had a slice—a homemade slice—that afternoon.
She double decided when the scent of it hit her very empty stomach.
“We’ve got at least an hour,” Roarke told her.
“How do you know?”
“I deduced given the circumstances, Dr. Nolan Bryce would book a private shuttle in Vegas, and do so quickly. And indeed, found one booked in his name. It should land in New York in about fifty minutes. He’s booked a car service to bring him to Central.”
Eve got up, sat on the floor. “This is where we eat when I have company.”
He didn’t bother to sigh, just sat and set the pizza between them. “You’re never going to accept a bigger office, are you?”
“Nope.”
“Ah well, this one suits you, doesn’t it?”
Riding on her second or third wind, she smiled at him. “Look at you, master of the universe, sitting on the floor of a cop shop, eating pizza, and wearing a borrowed shirt.”
“And all for love.”
She reached out for his hand. “When this is wrapped, it’s you and me. Sun, sand, sea, and sex.”