In Death 18 - Divided in Death

secret agent toys. Once we verify where he is, we box in that sector. We close off alternate exits, take down the door. We go in fast, and we get him under control. There’s nothing in his dossier that indicates any training or skill in hand-to-hand beyond the basics. That doesn’t mean he’s not dangerous.”
    “He’s going to panic.” Feeney pulled on his bottom lip. “First kills were incapacitated when he took them out. He drugs the McCoy girl, does Powell while he’s zoned. Tried to hit Sparrow from a distance. This is face-to-face, so if he isn’t taken quick, he’s going to panic. More dangerous that way.”
    “Agreed. He’s an amateur who thinks he’s a pro. His life’s screwed. He’s pissed off and scared, with no place to go and nothing much to lose. Civilians are our first priority because he won’t think twice about taking any out, and we don’t know what kind of firepower he’s got in there. We remove the civilians, box him in. Take him out. And we want him breathing. He’s a key to the case against Sparrow. I don’t want to lose him.”
    “You’re going to end up fighting the spooks for him,” McNab said. “They’re going to want him.”
    “Exactly. I need Bissel to lock down the case on conspiracy to murder. I want to win this one. Feeney, I need you working with the geeks—with Ewing and Tokimoto,” she corrected. “However much Roarke trusts them, I want you at the helm on whatever electronics go into this op. Ewing’s tough, and she’s pulling her weight, but she might lose it in the crunch.”
    “She’s held up better than most, but I’m with you on that.” Feeney dug out his bag of almonds. “This is going to shake her some. I’ll stay on top of it.”
    “The Crisis Team is backup, backup only. I don’t want them cowboying this. Four of us go in, two teams of two. McNab and Peabody, I don’t want you guys thinking of each other as anything but cops. No personal feelings go through the door. If you can’t deal, tell me now.”
    “It’s a little hard for me to think of McNab as a cop when he’s wearing a shirt the color of a persimmon.” Peabody sent him an arched look. “But otherwise, no problem.”
    “We’ll do the job,” McNab assured her. “And this shirt matches my underwear.”
    “That’s something we all needed to know. If we all agree to keep our minds off McNab’s underwear, let’s get started.”
    “You said four of us,” Peabody pointed out.
    “Roarke goes in. McNab can handle any electronics Bissel may have on site, but he’s not trained in weaponry. Not the kind we may have to handle. Roarke knows his war toys. And he knows how to go through a door. Any objections to that?”
    “Not from me.” McNab shrugged. “I’ve seen his weapon collection. It’s beyond.”
    “Then let’s put both ends of this team back together and close this down. Feeney, I just need a word with you.”
    She waited until they were alone, and shook her head when he held the bag of almonds in her direction. “The . . . data we discussed before, the personal data that had come into my hands. I wanted to let you know it’s not going to be a problem. No action will be taken.”
    “Okay.”
    “I put you in a bad spot by telling you about the data, and my concerns. I shouldn’t have done that.”
    He folded the top of the bag, put it back in his pocket. “We go back too far for you to say that to me. Because we do, and I know where it’s coming from, I’m not going to be pissed at you for saying it.”
    “Thanks. My head’s been pretty screwed up.”
    “On straight now?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Then let’s load up the rockets and get the sucker launched.”
    “I’ve got one more thing to do, then I’ll be right behind you.” She went to her desk when he walked out, turned on her ‘link.
    “Nadine Furst.”
    “Dallas. It looks like I’m going to be able to clear my schedule in a couple hours. Three anyway. Since we missed that lunch, why don’t we get together today. Just you and me.”
    “Sounds like fun. Where should I meet you?”
    “I’ve got some business to take care of. Why don’t you meet me at Fifth Avenue, between Twenty-second and Twenty-third. Around two. My treat.”
    “Perfect. Looking forward to seeing you.”
    Eve disconnected, satisfied Nadine had understood the offer of a one-on-one. And that she’d be giving the top media hound in the city a story that would send the HSO scrambling for