J Robb - Imitation in Death

“This is outrageous! This is criminal. I want you, all of you, out of my home immediately! I’m calling the ambassador, I’m calling the consulate, and your superiors.”

“Be my guest,”Eve invited, and all but slapped the warrant in her face. “I have all the proper authorization for this search, and I will complete same with or without your cooperation.”

“We’ll see about that.” She started to march to the desk, andEve blocked her. “You won’t be able to use this ‘link, or any of the house ‘links until the search is complete. If you wish to make a call or send a transmission, you are restricted to the use of your personal ‘links, in the company of a duly authorized officer. Where is your husband,Mrs.Renquist?”

“Go to hell.”

“He’s going to beat me there, I promise you.”

She caught the signal from Roarke out of the corner of her eye, and moved over to the unlocked door. She opened it.

“Well, well, well, what have we here. A little hidey-hole, complete with data and communication center. We’re going to find this is unregistered, Feeney. And look at all these discs. Renquist is a big fan ofThomasA.Breen, and his ilk. All these books and data on serial killers tucked in here.”

“It’s hardly against the law, even in this country, to have a private space, and to own books on any subject.” ButPamela was losing her furious color.

Eveeased farther in, and opened a barrel-shaped leather bag. “Not against the law to own surgical tools either, but it sure is funny. I’m sure he cleaned these very well, but I just bet we find traces ofJacieWooton ’s blood on them.”

She opened a long cupboard, felt her own blood pump when she studied the collection of wigs, the black cape, the city employee uniform, and other costumes. “Nileslikes to play dress up?”

She booted a container of plaster with her toe. “And does his own home improvements, too. A real Renaissance man.”

Opening a drawer, she felt a little hitch in her heart. Then reached in with a sealed hand and picked up a gold band, set with five small sapphires.

“LoisGregg’s ring,” she murmured. “I think her family will want this back.”

“Got another of that sick bastard’s souvenirs.”

Eveturned, saw Feeney’s face was white. He held the lid of a portable cold box, and she knew before he spoke what was inside.

“Looks like we found the rest ofJacieWooton.” Feeney breathed slowly through his teeth. “Son of a bitch has it labeled, for sweetChrist ’s sake.”

Evemade herself look, made herself take the step over and look down into the container where the icy steam was already dissipating. Within was a clear, sealed bag, with its horror meticulously labeled:

She whirled around quickly and caught the expression onPamela ’s face. “You knew. Part of you knew, and you covered for him. Don’t want any scandal, don’t want any smudges on your perfect little world.”

“That’s ridiculous. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” There was a green tinge to her skin now, as she stepped back from the closet and its awful contents. But her chin stayed high and firm, and her tone dismissive.

“Yes, you do. You know what goes on in your house. You make it your business to know. Why don’t you take a closer look.”Eve took her arm, gave it a little tug, though she had no intention of letting her into the closet. “Get a good up-close at whatNiles has been up to. And think about when it might have been your turn. Or your daughter’s.”

“You’re out of your mind. Take your hand off me. I’m a British citizen. I’m not under your aegis.”

“You’re hip-deep in my aegis,Pam.” She stepped just a little closer. “I’m going to put him away. That’s priority. And after I’ve got him in a cage, I’m going to make it my mission in life to get you on accessory.”

“You have no right to speak to me that way. In my own home. When I’m finished with you-”

“We’ll see who finishes. Feeney, get her out of here. House arrest, female guard. She gets one call.”

“Don’t you touch me. Don’t you dare put your hands on me. I’m not leaving this room until I’m satisfied every one of you has forfeited your badge.”

Evetucked her thumbs in her pockets, stood with hip thrust out, and hoped. “You go voluntarily withCaptainFeeney, or I add resisting and have you forcibly restrained.”

Pamela’s hand swung out. It was a girl move, and oneEve could easily have dodged or deflected. But she let it land, and got her wish. “I was so hoping for that. There’s resisting and assaulting an officer. You just made my night.” In a quick move,Eve had her restraints out. AsPamela blustered, she spun the woman around, jerked her arms back, and cuffed her.

“Have her transported to Central,”Eve told Feeney. “Booked on resisting and assaulting an officer. She can stay in a box until we’re through here.”

Pamelakicked, swore with a vehemence and creativity that hadEve ’s eyebrows lifting. “I like her better that way.” Rolling her shoulders as Feeney muscledPamela out,Eve turned to Roarke. “I need to verify that this is unregistered equipment, which gives me another nice ball to add to the weight against Renquist. And I need all data contained within. What are you grinning at, pal?”

“You baited her so she’d take that swipe at you.”

“So?”

“So I’m surprised you didn’t take her out yourself.”

“She’s small change. I’m going to pocket that change before I’m done, but I want him first. I’m going to update the commander.” She pulled out her communicator. “Get me that data.”

– -«»--«»--«»--

Within fifteen minutes she had an all-points out on Renquist and was reading over Roarke’s shoulder.

“It’s all here,” she noted. “Carefully logged. His travel, his trolling, his selection. Every victim, with chosen method. Tools, wardrobe.”

“You’ll notice he has quite a file on you, Lieutenant.”

“Yeah, I can read.”

“And,” Roarke continued in that same cool tone, “that he intended you to be his crescendo. UsingPeterBrent ’s cop-killing method. Long-range laser blaster.”

“Which means he’s got one in here. Better find it.”

“And him. I want him now, as much as you.”

She shifted her gaze, met his. “It’s not personal.” She waited a beat, shrugged. “Okay, what is it you say to crap like that? Bollocks. It’s personal, but it can wait. I’m not next on his list.”

She looked back to the screen. “KatieMitchell,WestVillage. CPA. Twenty-eight, divorced, no kids. Lives alone, works primarily out of her loft. He’s got everything on her. Height, weight, habits, routines, even her fucking shopping preferences. Stores, purchases. He’s a thorough bastard. He’s looking to do a Marsonini on her.”

“Gain initial entrance by posing as a client,” Roarke said. “Clone security. Enter again, when the victim is sleeping. Restrain, torture, rape, and mutilate, leaving a single red rose on the pillow beside them.”

“Marsonini got six women with that method between the late winter of2023 and the spring of2024. All brunettes, likeMitchell, all home workers, all between the ages of twenty-six and twenty-nine. All bearing a slight resemblance to his older sister who had, reputedly, sexually and physically abused him in childhood.”

She straightened. “We’ll get thisKatieMitchell under wraps. If we don’t find Renquist within the next forty-eight hours, he’s going to find us.”

There was no choice but to risk going directly toKatieMitchell ’s apartment. If Renquist had it staked, it would spook him, butEve couldn’t risk a life.