In Death 15 - Purity in Death

wondering why I'm telling you all this. Thank you, Summerset," she said when he set two glasses of wine and a small tray of canapes on the table. "How lovely."
    "Enjoy. Just let me know if I can bring you anything else."
    "No particular reason," she said to Eve when Summerset went back in the house. "I suppose the tranquility of this spot made me think of them, appreciate them. Not everyone has such a steady, undemanding childhood."
    "I don't have time for a session," Eve began, but Mira covered her hand.
    "I wasn't speaking only of you. The children who were damaged by these people will have a great deal to overcome. You understand that."
    "And I'd understand killing what hurts you?"
    "This is a different matter, and I wondered if you'd been able to separate it. What you did was done in pain and fear and immediacy. To protect yourself, to save yourself. What's being done here is cold, calculating, thorough. It's organized and it's pompous, for lack of a better word. This isn't self-defense. It's arrogance."
    The tension in Eve's shoulders eased. "I was beginning to wonder if anyone else saw it. Starting to wonder if I was drawing a hard line on this because if I didn't, it made what happened with me the same."
    "You killed to live. This group is living to kill."
    "I'd like to see that on a goddamn media release." Eve lifted her glass, drank.
    "Whoever formed the group, whoever holds the top position of authority, is intelligent, organized, and persuasive. Others would have to be brought in, recruited for the highly specialized technical positions. They understand the power of the media. They need public support."
    "They're beating that drum pretty good."
    "Yes, so far. I don't think this infection used to terminate is a coincidence. It's another symbol. Our children have been infected by these monsters. Now we infect them because the law could not, would not. The use of the word guardian, another symbol. We'll protect you. You're safe now that we're here."
    "How long before they expand their horizons?"
    "Unchecked?" Mira picked up a small disc of bread and creamy cheese. "Groups tend to evolve. Successful groups tend to seek out other ways to use their skills and their influence. The child predator today, the acquitted killer tomorrow. The street thief, the chemi-head. If New York is to be pure, these infections must be eliminated."
    "I think at least one cop's involved. A social worker. Some of the families the victim's messed with."
    Mira nodded as if she'd expected nothing else. "Look for people with connections to your victims who hold high-level skills. Neurology, computer science, physics, sociology, psychiatry. And look for wealth. The research and equipment needed here would require heavy funding. You can expect another death and another statement very soon. They need to keep this story in the forefront. Purity is on a mission, Eve, and it's using our children to drive it."
    "They'll have to put a spin on what happened with Halloway - with Feeney and McNab."
    "Yes." Mira watched a hummingbird, iridescent as a jewel, dart in for a blossom with a blur of wings. "I'm sure it will be very well-written."
    Eve ran her glass in small circles on the tabletop. "Roarke and I have gone around on this some. We're close to the same line, I guess, but not quite on the same side of it."
    "I'd say that was a good thing."
    Surprised, Eve looked up. "How?"
    "You're not the same person, Eve, nor would either of you want to be. Seeing this from two sides would, I'd think, help keep you both honest. And interested."
    "Maybe. We pissed each other off."
    "Another part of marriage."
    "It's a damn big slice of ours." But her shoulders relaxed a little. "Keep each other honest," she murmured. "Maybe. So . . . Did you talk to Feeney?"
    "He isn't ready. He's handling himself well. The work heals him, as it does you."
    "What about McNab?"
    "I can't tell you specifics about what we discussed. It's confidential."
    "Okay." Eve stared at the tangled vines and bold blue flowers. "Can you tell me . . . do you think I should cut him loose from duty on this? Roarke can get him into this Swiss clinic, one that specializes in this sort of injury, next week, but in the meantime, maybe he shouldn't be on the job. Maybe he should be with his family or something."
    "He is with his family. By keeping him on the team, by continuing to value his input, his resources, you're helping him to cope. What you're doing for him right now is helping a great deal