In Death 03 - Immortal in Death

the same time, having them both on my mind. I worried I was just overlapping, but then I started to wonder. I saw both bodies, Peabody. There was the same overkill, the same viciousness."
    "I don't think it was luck. I was in on both of them, too, and I was six steps behind the whole way."
    "You catch up fast." Eve stepped off the glide to take the elevator to her level. "Don't beat yourself up over it, Peabody. I've got more than double your time on the job."
    Peabody stepped into the glass tube, gave a disinterested glance at the city below as they climbed. "Why did you bring me in on these?"
    "You've got potential -- brains and guts. That's what Feeney told me when he brought me in under him. That was Homicide, too. Two teenagers hacked to death and strewed over the skyramp at Second and Twenty-fifth. I stumbled along about six paces behind him, too. But I found my rhythm."
    "How'd you know you wanted Homicide?"
    Eve stepped out of the tube, turned down the corridor toward her office. "Because death's an insult anytime. When somebody hurries it along, that's the biggest insult of all. Let's get a couple of coffees, Peabody. I want to put this all in black and white before I take it to the commander."
    "I don't suppose we could actually eat something."
    Eve tossed a grin over her shoulder. "I don't know what's in my AutoChef, but..." She trailed off as she walked in and found Casto sitting at her desk, long, denim-clad legs propped up and crossed at the ankles. "Well, Casto, Jake T., you look right at home."
    "Been waiting for you, darlin'." He winked at her, then flashed a killer smile at Peabody. "Hi, there, DeeDee."
    "DeeDee?" Eve murmured, then walked over to order coffee.
    "Lieutenant." Peabody's voice was stiff as iron, but her cheeks were glowing pink.
    "It's a lucky man who gets to work with a couple of cops who are not only smart but a joy to look at. Could I get a cup of that, Eve? Strong and black and sweet."
    "You can have the coffee, but I haven't got time for a consult. I have some paperwork to see to, and an appointment in a couple of hours."
    "I won't keep you." But he didn't shift when she handed him the coffee. "I've been trying to light a fire under Dickhead. The man's slower than a three-legged turtle. You being primary, I figured you could requisition me a sample. I've got a private lab we use now and then. They're quick."
    "I don't think we want to take this out of the department, Casto."
    "The lab's approved by Illegals."
    "I meant Homicide. Let's give Dickie a little more time. Boomer isn't going anywhere."
    "Hey, you're in charge. I'd just like to put this one behind me. Leaves a bad taste. Not like this coffee." He closed his eyes, sighed. "My Jesus, woman, where'd you get this? It's gold."
    "Connections."
    "Ah, that rich fiance of yours, sure." He savored another sip. "A man would be hard pressed to tempt you away with the offer of a cold beer and a taco."
    "Coffee's my drink, Casto."
    "Can't blame you." He shifted his admiring gaze to Peabody. "How about you, DeeDee? Got a taste for a cold one?"
    "Officer Peabody's on duty," Eve said when Peabody was reduced to stammers. "We've got work to do here, Casto."
    "I'll let you get to it." He unfolded his legs and stood. "Why don't you give me a call when you go off duty, DeeDee? I know a place that has the best Mexican food this side of the Rio Grande. Eve, you change your mind on letting me rush that sample through, let me know."
    "Close the door, Peabody," Eve ordered when Casto sauntered out. "And wipe that drool off your chin."
    Appalled, Peabody lifted a hand. Finding her chin dry didn't improve her humor. "That's not funny. Sir."
    "Cut out the 'sir.' Anybody who goes around answering to DeeDee loses five points on the dignity scale." Eve dropped down in the seat recently warmed by Casto. "What the hell did he want?"
    "I thought he told us clearly enough."
    "No, that wasn't enough to bring him over here." She leaned forward, engaged her machine. A quick test of security showed no breaches. "If he was in here, I can't tell."
    "Why would he go into your files?"
    "He's ambitious. If he could close the case ahead of me, it would look damn good. And Illegals doesn't like to share, anyway."
    "And Homicide does?" Peabody said dryly.
    "Hell no." She looked up, grinned. "Let's get this report hammered out. We're going to have to request an off world toxicology expert. We better be able to back up the hole we're going to put in the budget."
    Thirty