In Death 15 - Purity in Death

him be squared away going to handle having a son who's corrupting his mind and body with illegals? That was his term, right? Just like unnatural acts was his term. A chemi-head, homosexual son. Boy, that had to burn his white-bread, homophobic ass."
    "Poor kid."
    "Yeah, and now his father can use him as a symbol, as an excuse to kill. There are all kinds of cancers," she mumbled. "Dallas," she said when her dash 'link beeped.
    "In your vehicle?" Nadine asked. "You may want to pull over somewhere. You're going to want to hear this."
    "I can hear and drive at the same time. I'm talented that way."
    "I've got another statement from The Purity Seekers. Going to air in fifteen."
    "Delay the broadcast. We need to-"
    "I can't hold the story for you, Dallas. I won't. I'm giving you a heads up. I'll also air whatever comment you want to make, whatever statement you or NYPSD wants to issue. But this is on in fifteen."
    "Damn it." Frustrated, Eve swung toward the curb, cutting off a cab before she shot up a curbside parking ramp to the crowded second level. "Let's have it."
    "'Citizens of New York,'" Nadine read in perfect on-air pitch, "'we wish to assure you of your safety and restate to you our promise to seek justice on your behalf. We are committed to our vow to protect the innocent while meting out the due punishment to the guilty that the shackled hands of the law cannot provide. '"
    "'We are you: your brothers, your sisters, your parents, your child. We are your family as we are your guardians. '"
    "'Like you, we are saddened by the tragic death of a New York Police and Security officer who died two days ago. Detective Kevin Halloway's death during the performance of his duty is yet another example of the blight that plagues our city. We hold Louis K. Cogburn directly responsible for this despicable crime. If not for Louis Cogburn's previous actions, which made necessary the punishment he received, Detective Kevin Halloway would be alive today, doing what he was allowed to do - within the limitations of our current laws - to serve this city. '"
    "'We ask you, the citizens of New York, to join us today in a moment of silence for the memory of Detective Halloway. And we offer his family, his friends, his fellow officers our condolences at this grievous time. '"
    "'Louis Cogburn has been punished. Justice has been served, and will continue to be served. '"
    "'We send out this warning to all who seek to harm our brothers, to all who prey on our children and the innocents, that our hand will be swift, it will be sure. You will no longer find sanctuary behind the law. '"
    "'We stand for purity. '"
    "'We stand for the people of New York.'"
    "Smart," Eve said when Nadine finished.
    "Very smart. Make yourself one of the people so it doesn't look too much like Big Brother's watching you. Express regret over the death of a cop and point the finger at someone else. Restate your goals so your message is loud and clear, and leave it ringing in your audience's ears that you stand for the people. It's textbook PR."
    "Isn't anyone hearing what I'm hearing?" Eve demanded. "'Don't any of you worry your poor silly heads over any of this. We'll take care of it. We'll decide who's guilty, who's innocent . Who lives, who dies. And if, gee, somebody gets caught in the crossfire, it's not on us.'"
    "No, you're not the only one hearing it." Nadine shook her head. "But a lot of people are going to hear just what they want to hear. That's why this is textbook PR, Dallas. It works."
    "I'll be damned if they're going to use one of us as a symbol. You want a comment, Nadine, here it is: Lieutenant Eve Dallas, primary investigator on the Purity homicides, states that EDD Detective Kevin Halloway was killed in the line of duty by a terrorist organization calling themselves The Purity Seekers. This organization is suspected of being responsible for the murders of four civilians and a police officer. Lieutenant Dallas further states that she, the members of her investigative team, and every officer, every resource of the New York Police and Security Department will work to uncover, identify, and arrest all members of this terrorist organization so that they may be tried under the codes of this city and if found guilty, be punished to the full extent of the law."
    "Got it, got it. Not bad," Nadine said as she turned back from her recorder. "How about a one-on-one followup?"
    "No. I'm busy, Nadine. And I have to help bury a cop today."
    ***
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