Celebrity in Death

deal in a few minutes.”
    “Better you than me,” Feeney said and broke transmission.
    Eve glanced over, saw that Peabody had stopped, and stood with her own communicator. A wide grin spread over her face as she put it away.
    “Divers are bringing up some electronics from the coordinates we gave them. They’ll run the serial numbers when they get them in. But one of them reports he got lucky and found a ’link—a red ’link engraved with the initials K.T.H.”
    “We got his ass, Peabody. Contact Reo, fill her in. Tell her she’s got her goddamn sliver and to get us the search warrants.”

 
    SHE PLAYED THE MEDIA BY THE BOOK. IT WASN’T hard to look mildly disgruntled or show flashes of impatience. She felt more than mildly disgruntled giving the same answer—
We can’t give specific details on the investigation at this time
—over and over again. She wanted to talk to the water cops, to Reo, to get her warrants and completely ruin Steinburger’s day.
    Along with the rest of his miserable life.
    She could only hope her statement at least gave him indigestion.
    “I’ll say again, while I can’t comment on specific details, the investigation is moving forward. And with new information that has come to our attention, we believe we’re close to making an arrest. But close isn’t good enough, so as I’ve said all I’m free to say, my partner and I are going back to work.”
    She stepped away from the podium, glanced briefly in Nadine’s direction.
    While a number of other reporters continued to shout outquestions—hope sprang, Eve supposed—Nadine rose, gave Eve the most subtle of nods.
    Even as she walked to the door, Nadine pulled out her pocket ’link.
    “She’s putting the arm on Steinburger now,” Eve told Peabody. “We’ll want to confirm where she meets him for the interview. When the warrants come through we’ll start wherever he’s not. No point in tipping him to the search until we have to.”
    “He could tell Nadine no interview, or put her off.”
    “She won’t take no. She won’t be put off. She’s like a ferret. And he won’t have Valerie for cover,” Eve added. “He’d look weak and stupid if he tried to haul her in away from Connie. He can’t look weak or stupid.”
    “I think he’s both. But there’s somebody who isn’t. Ever.”
    Eve watched Roarke approach. “He can be stupid. Keep on the water cops, Peabody. Maybe another sliver will move Reo’s ass on the goddamn warrant.”
    “Lieutenant, Detective. You both looked somber, official, and attractive for the media. Nice boots, Peabody.”
    “Don’t encourage her. I knew pink was a mistake.”
    “On the contrary. They look charming.”
    Unable to stop herself, Peabody did a little runway turn. “I love them.”
    “Use your pink boots to walk, Peabody. Water cops.”
    “Love them,” Peabody said again with a quick grin for Roarke before she used the boots.
    “Charming,” Eve muttered. “Charm isn’t cop, and she’s threatened to wear them every day.
She has
worn them every day this week.”
    “It’s nice to know a gift’s appreciated. I made some time as I feel a personal interest in this investigation.”
    “That old excuse.”
    He smiled at her. “I thought Feeney might have something interesting for me to do.”
    “He’s tapped into Steinburger’s comms, and we’re going to be monitoring Nadine when she boxes Steinburger into an interview. But better, we’ve got Pearlman’s electronics. I’m hoping EDD can track back, using the buried account you found, link the embezzlement to Steinburger.”
    “See? Enough fun for all. I’d like finishing out the financials. And you?”
    “Waiting for Reo to get me search warrants. Then I’m going to turn the bastard’s residence, vehicle, and office inside out until I find something to put his murdering ass away for several lifetimes.”
    “Even more fun. I’d enjoy poking and peering into someone’s private belongings.”
    “You’ve got plenty of experience.” She considered. “You could be useful.”
    “My mission in life.”
    “It would spare Feeney an e-man if I had my own geek along to deal with Steinburger’s electronics. That’s your favorite poke and peek area anyway.”
    “You know me so well.”
    “Once done, you could dig into the Pearlman angle.”
    “He’s bound to have data on the B.B. Joel account on his comp. A man must monitor his money, after all.”
    “I guess he must.”
    She caught him up on the