Reunion in Death

Eve scowled at her just long enough to see sweat bead on her brow, and concluded that the camera wasn't her dastardly candy thief.

«No.» Eve dropped down at her desk, stretched out her legs.

«I was hoping you'd be late,» Nadine began. «Then I was going to lord it over you.»

«One of these days someone out there's going to do his job and keep you in the media area instead of letting you back here when I'm not in my office.»

Nadine only smirked, clicked her compact closed. «You don't really believe that, do you? Now if you've finished intimidating my camera and your usual bitching, what's this about?»

«Murder.»

«With you, it always is. Pettibone and Mouton. Obviously connected. Before we start I can tell you there's nothing in my searches that connects them personally and professionally. I'm sure you already know that. I've got nothing that puts any of their family on the same page, no particular links between colleagues. Pettibone used his own, in-house lawyers for WOF.»

Watching Eve, Nadine used her perfectly manicured fingers to click off points. «They may very well have known each other vaguely on some thin social level, but didn't run in the same circles. The current wives used different salons, different health clubs, and tended to shop at different boutiques.» Nadine paused. «But I imagine you know that, too.»

«We do manage to cover some ground here at Central.»

«Which is why I'm wondering how I got a one-on-one with you without begging for it.»

«You don't beg, you wheedle.»

«Yes, and quite well. Why the offer, Dallas?»

«I want to stop her, and I'll use all available tools. The more media exposure on this one, the better chance someone might recognize her. She'll be working toward her next target. Now this is off the record, Nadine, and I won't answer any questions pertaining to it on record. There's a better than fifty-fifty chance Roarke's a target.»

«Roarke? Jesus, Dallas. That doesn't play. He's not her type. Hell, he's every woman's type, but you know what I mean. He's too young, he's too married.»

«Married to me,» Eve said. «That may be enough for her.»

Nadine sat back again, let it settle in. She valued friendship as much as she valued ratings. «Okay. What can I do?»

«The interview. Give the story as much play as you can manage. Keep it and her on everyone's mind. She counts on being able to blend in. I want to take that advantage away from her.»

«You want to piss her off.»

«If she's pissed off, she'll make a mistake. She's got ice for blood, that's why she's good at what she does. It's time to heat it up.»

«Okay.» Nadine nodded and signaled her camera. «Let's start the fire.»

*** CHAPTER 11 ***

«Julianna Dunne is a failure of the system to identify an active threat and separate that threat from society.» Eve's voice was calm and clear. The camera crept in until her face filled the screen. «It was a failure of the system to properly incarcerate and punish Julianna Dunne as suited her crimes against society.»

«And yet « The camera cut to Nadine. Earnest. Interested. «You're part of that system. You purport to believe in that system.»

«I do believe in the system. I'm speaking to you as a representative of that system and stating that where we failed, we will correct. The search for Julianna Dunne continues in every possible direction, on every possible level. Whether or not she remains in New York, Julianna Dunne will be tracked down, she will be found, she will be taken into custody, and charged with the murders of Walter C. Pettibone and Henry Mouton.»

«In what directions, on what levels is this investigation proceeding?»

«I can't discuss the investigative details of this matter except to say that we're pursuing all leads. We know who and what she is.»

«What is she, Lieutenant?»

«Julianna Dunne is a killer. It's what she does, what she'll continue to do until she's stopped.»

«As a representative of the people of New York-«

«I'm not a representative of the people of New York,» Eve interrupted. «I'm sworn to protect and to serve the people of New York. And I will. I'll keep that oath and for the second time assist in separating Julianna Dunne from society. I will, personally, put her in a cage.»

«Is that right?» In her bedroom Julianna brushed her newly gilded curls and pouted at Eve's image on-screen. «You cocky bitch. You got lucky once, that's all. You got lucky. This time out, you're not even close. I'm sitting here right under your nose, and you don't have a clue!»

Infuriated, she threw the brush across the room. «We'll see what you have to say when that man you married falls dead at your feet. We'll see if you're so goddamn cocky when he's gasping for his last breath. We'll see how you like that!You keep right on chasing the trail on those two sorry old men. They meant nothing. It's you and yours, this time, Dallas. I'm taking you and yours down. It's payback time.»