In Death 15 - Purity in Death

distrust politicians in general."
    Franco angled her head. "If you're thinking to insult me enough that I'll toss you out of this press conference, let me tell you, in the insult game, cops are amateurs compared to politicians."
    She checked her slim, gold wrist unit. "We're due. At least comb your hair."
    Keeping her face carefully blank Eve raked her fingers through her hair, twice. "That's it."
    Franco paused with her hand on the doorknob, looked Eve up and down. "How in God's name did you manage to snap a man like Roarke?"
    Very slowly, Eve got to her feet. "If you're thinking to insult me enough that I plant a fist in your face and get myself removed from this investigation so you can toss the media a more attractive image as primary, I'll tell you that while it's very tempting, I'm going to see this case through. I'm going to close it. After that, all bets are off."
    "Then we understand each other. Whatever our personal feelings, we see this case to closure."
    Franco stepped out and was immediately swallowed by her pack of aides.
    "Lieutenant! Lieutenant!" Chang trotted after Eve, hustling to catch up with her long, angry strides. "I have your media schedule for tomorrow."
    "What the hell are you talking about?"
    "Your schedule." He handed her a disc. "You will begin in the seven o'clock hour of Planet with a two-minute interview with K. C. Stewart. This is global and has the highest ratings. At ten, we have arranged for a live feed from your office at Central with the crew from City Beat. Again, this is the highest rated-"
    "Chang, do I have to explain to you where this disc is going to end up if you keep talking to me?"
    His mouth thinned, then pursed. "This is my job, Lieutenant, and I've worked very hard to arrange for these appearances in order to keep the agendas of the NYPSD and the office of the mayor at the forefront of this media blitz. The latest polls-"
    "The latest polls are going to end up in the same place this disc does if you don't get out of my face." Riding on fury, she snapped the disc in half, then whirled around and stormed straight to the commander.
    "You either want a cop or a media shill. I won't be both. If, in your opinion, the media perception is more important than my investigation, then respectfully, sir, you're full of shit."
    He caught her arm before she could spin away. "One moment, Lieutenant."
    "You can write me up, you can bust my rank, but I will not spend the hours I should be in the field doing my job as some talking head on-screen so the mayor's office gets better numbers."
    "As long as you're under my command, Lieutenant, you will not tell me what you will or will not do."
    Behind her, Chang smirked. Then carefully schooling his face, he held out a copy of the broken disc. "Commander Whitney, as Lieutenant Dallas has damaged her copy, I'll prefer to give you her media schedule for tomorrow."
    "What media schedule?"
    "We have several important segments booked, including appearances on Planet, City Beat, Del Vincent, and The Evening Report. We're waiting for confirmation on Crime and Punishment and Speak Back."
    "You've booked my lieutenant on no less than four media appearances?"
    Chang nodded. "We're very pleased with the schedule, but it can be improved. We're arranging a satellite interview from Delta Colony. The ratings are very high there for crime segments."
    "Are you aware, Mr. Chang, that Lieutenant Dallas is the primary in charge of a priority homicide investigation?"
    "Yes, this is why-"
    "Are you also aware that standard procedure requires that your office clear any such demands as this media schedule with my office before confirming the appearances?"
    "I believed it was made clear at this afternoon's meeting. The mayor-"
    "What was made clear at this morning's meeting was that Lieutenant Dallas would participate in this press conference, and that at my directive she would make herself available for comment to the media. This schedule has not, and will not, be approved by me. I'm not wasting my lieutenant's valuable time on media pandering."
    "The mayor's office-"
    "Can contact me," Whitney interrupted. "Don't again presume to give one of my cops orders, Chang. You overreach your authority. Now back off. I need to speak to my lieutenant."
    "The media conference-"
    "I said back off." The flare from Whitney's eyes could have seared through stone. Eve heard Chang scramble back.
    "Commander-"
    He held up a hand. "You've come perilously close to being written up for