Page 154 of Fury In Death

“Everything you are, you have, you love, I will take. I’ll wring it dry of the last drop of blood.”

Her shoulder twinged a little, but she planted her hands on the table, leaned forward. “Try.”

“I need to speak to my client.”

Eve straightened. “Sure. Dallas, Peabody, and Reo exiting Interview. Record off.”

When they stepped out, Peabody closed the door.

“Two things,” Eve began. “They’re trying to talk Banner into accepting a deal or they’re withdrawing from the case. Any bets which?”

“First, Ripski is checking to make sure we’re not bluffing about the FBI. When she confirms we’re not, they’ll try to explain the facts of life to their client.”

“He won’t listen.”

“Not at first,” Peabody put in. “It may take a few rounds, if they stick. I think if Lomax tells him they’ll have to pull out, explains he doesn’t have the funds to hire another firm of their caliber, or any, really, he’ll try for a deal.”

“He’ll want home confinement. Why not?” Eve shrugged. “He’s got that big estate, all the trappings. He’d figure he can sit it out, start pulling people back in to do his dirty work. But none of that’s going to happen.”

“No, it’s not,” Reo assured her. “In fact, you can leave this to me now. As long as Lomax is his attorney of record, he’s not going to let you talk to Banner until Banner faces some reality. Then it’s my court—ha—anyway.”

She glanced over. “Here comes Roarke, Feeney, Whitney, Mira, Jenkinson.”

Jenkinson gave Eve a nod, a fist, then peeled off to the bullpen.

Whitney took a long study. “You should have called for the MTs, on scene.”

“I was capable of getting home, sir, where I had a medic on tap.”

“And are you capable of standing for a media conference?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You were more than capable in there. All of you. If it’s applicable, you can inform the suspect and his counsel that coconspirator O’Brian is in custody. He’s fighting extradition, and will lose. He’ll be ready to be brought back to New York within forty-eight hours.”

“Excellent news, sir. I would like to send Baxter and Trueheart for that pickup.”

Whitney’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re going to send Baxter and Trueheart to Bora Bora?”

“They located him, Commander.”

“Your call. Give it twenty-four unless I tell you otherwise. Meanwhile, I’ve informed Kyung of your physical condition and appearance. As media liaison he believes you go as you are, no attempts to cover the damage. To show, in his words, the officers of the NYPSD risk, and will continue to risk, their own well-being to serve and protect the people of this city.”

“He remains not an asshole. Sir.”

“I agree. I’ll see you and Detective Peabody there. You have ninety minutes.”

“Time enough,” Roarke said when Whitney walked off, “for another wanding, some icing.”

“I’ll see to that,” Mira told him. “I don’t doubt Summerset’s capabilities, but as a doctor, I’d like to make my own assessment.”

“Then I’m with you, Feeney.” But he skimmed a finger, gently, down the dent in her bruised chin. “Don’t be a baby.”

“He just had to say that, didn’t he? If you need me in there—”

“I’ll let you know,” Reo assured her.

In Eve’s office, Mira shut and locked the door. But not before Eve noticed the medical bag on her desk. Which meant this had always been the plan.