Delusion in Death

murmured.
    “Lieutenant, Agent Teasdale. I’ve arranged for the Callaways to be brought into New York. They should be at Central by fourteen hundred.”
    “That’ll work.”
    “The search warrant proved more problematic. However, given the scope of the investigation, and the crime, I was able to persuade the appropriate judge to sign off. If you agree, a team from HSO will assist whoever you send to Arkansas.”

    “That works, too. I’ll get back to you on that. I’ve got some arranging of my own to do.” She clicked off, tagged Baxter.
    “Get Trueheart, huddle with Teasdale. You’re going to join an HSO team in Arkansas on a search of Callaway’s parents’ house.”
    “Arkansas? Barbecue!”
    “Glad I can bring a smile to your face. Look for mementos of the Urbans, letters, journals, photos, discs. Religious stuff, political stuff—anything personal Callaway might have left there. Anything from when he was a kid. Schoolwork, music, books. See if there’s anything that shows he had an interest or aptitude for science.”
    “I got it, Dallas. When do we leave?”
    “Teasdale will let you know. And contact the locals, Baxter. HSO might shoulder them aside. Let’s reach out there, cop to cop.”
    “Got that, too. Are we using Roarke’s transpo?”
    “Forget it,” she said, and cut him off. “Peabody, contact Callaway.”
    “Me?”
    “Don’t squeak. Jesus. You tag him. The lieutenant would appreciate him coming down to Central, if he has the time.”
    “So I’m polite.”
    “Polite, even deferential. We could use his help. He’s familiar with both attack locations, and knew several of the victims. You can let it slip we had a lead fizzle out, and we’re backtracking. He wants to be involved, he wants to know what’s going on and have some role in the investigation. I haven’t given him much chance. Now I am. He’s going to jump at it. He’ll make noises about his schedule,” she speculated, “but he’ll come in. When he does, we’ll take him in the conference room.”
    “You want him to see the boards?”
    “With a few adjustments. Ask him if he can come in about three, three-thirty.”

    “After you’ve got his parents in.”
    “And it’ll give him time to plan what he wants to say, how he wants to behave. It’ll also tip him away from any impulse he might have to hit some deli or sandwich shop at lunchtime.”
    “Should I tag him now?”
    “Yeah. We’re in the field, the lead went south. I’m on the ’link with the commander. No, the chief. Let’s take it to the top. We’re scrambling. We’re sweating. We don’t know when or where he’ll hit again.”
    “Got it.”
    Eve checked the time while Peabody made contact. She nodded at the frustration, and yes, deference in Peabody’s tone. Just the right notes.
    By the time Peabody finished, Eve managed to squeeze into a street-level spot a half a block from Fisher’s apartment building.
    “Just like you said,” Peabody reported. “His schedule’s very tight. Lots of work piled up. He’s taken on some of Joe’s outstanding projects. But, of course, he wants to do everything he can to help. He’ll be there.”
    “Okay, we’re going to separate. Talk to the roommate, and whoever she gives you. I want a coworker she was friendly with, hung around with. Get the picture, like we got from the widow.”
    “Okay. What are you doing?”
    “I’m going back to Central, setting the stage. If you’re not back by the time the Callaways are in, sit tight. Just signal me, and I’ll let you know the play.
    “Take the car.”
    “Sorry.” Lips pursed, Peabody tapped at her right ear. “I think standing out in the wind before clogged up my ear. Did you say take the car?”

    “Keep it up, you’ll be the one hoofing it.”
    “I don’t wanna hoof it. But, Dallas, it’s really cold.”
    “I have my magic coat.” She opened it enough for Peabody to see the lining.
    “Sweet! Like the jacket. Oooh, let me—”
    Before Peabody could get her fingers on it, Eve tugged the coat back into place, got out of the car. “If you get anything new, anything useful, pass it to me. Otherwise, just write it up.”
    “You’re not really going to walk all the way back, are you?”
    “I know how to ride a subway.”
    Her coat billowed in the wind as she strode off, and she pulled out her ’link to contact Mira, give her the time, the setup.
    “I’ll be there,” Mira assured her. “Do you intend to bring in Agent