Page 60 of Fury In Death

“And your senses generally pay off. All right, Lieutenant. Good work, keep it up.”

“Thank you for the coffee, and the support.”

“Understand further, that support includes the expert consultant.”

“I do. He does.”

She rose, and did what she rarely did to her superior. She offered a hand. “It’s a privilege to serve under you, Commander Whitney, and under Chief Tibble.”

He got to his feet to take her hand to shake. “That goes both ways, Lieutenant.”

Chapter Nine

Eve headed straight down, and as she rode the glides, answered her ’link and Louise.

“I wanted you to know I spoke to Brad Chu. He’s shattered, Dallas, and I can confidently tell you he and the rest of the family have no clue why his father was killed.”

“As far as suspects go, they’re at the bottom. Did you know an Ezra Dent?”

“Well, the ‘did I know’ tells me he’s dead, and no, that’s not familiar.” Louise dragged fingers through her hair. “Is it connected?”

“I’ll eat Santiago’s cowboy hat if not. Have they set the memorial?”

“Brad said Morris hasn’t released the body—and I see there’s another, so that may be why. There would be no viewing in any case, obviously. They plan to hold a memorial tomorrow, and a private one when his father’s cremated.”

“What time?”

“Eleven. Charles and I will be there.”

“So will Peabody and I, unless.”

“I’ll send you the details, and see you there if you make it. Otherwise, at a much happier occasion.”

“Right. Thanks for letting me know.”

Could the killer be family? she wondered. But none of the victims’ families worked, or ever had, for the company. Her gut insisted the killer did or had.

She hadn’t yet spoken with Dent’s daughter, so that had to go on the next steps. Daughter’s husband, maybe an ex who’d considered himself family.

Then why the hell kill Chu, and first?

No, the killer wasn’t just connected to the victims, but to the company.

She swung into the bullpen. Jenkinson and his tie were absent, as were his partner, Reineke, and his no doubt coordinating socks.

Carmichael and Santiago weren’t at their desks.

The earnest Trueheart sat at his, scanning something on his screen. Baxter, in his slick suit, munched on a cookie.

“Jenkinson and Reineke caught one. Carmichael and Santiago are in the field on the one they caught yesterday. My boy and I are at your disposal if needed.”

“You could do a couple of runs. Lorilee Janis, exec assistant for Jacob Wyst at Banner-Wyst. Arleen Norse, ex-wife of Jacob Wyst.”

“Got that, partner?” Baxter said to Trueheart. “Take the assistant, I’ll take the ex.”

As he spoke, Nadine, camera ready in calm lake blue, stepped in.

Baxter lifted his hands. “What, no brownies, no cookies?”