In Death 19 - Visions in Death

imaging comp, slid the sketch in.
    "He's got layers of sealant on his face and it distorts it some. You need to factor that. I know I shouldn't ask how long, but I have to." "I wish I could tell you." He handed her the copy. "How cooperative are they?" He nodded to the anteroom where the witnesses waited.
    "Unbelievably. Almost make me want to hang up my cynic's cap and wear the badge of the optimist." "Then it'll be quicker." He studied the sketch again. "Artist is good. That'll help considerably. I'm pushing everything else aside till we have him for you, Lieutenant." "Thanks." She wanted to stay, watch the process, somehow hurry it along. She wanted to be at the hospital with Peabody, somehow bring her back. She wanted to yank and draw on every line and thread at once.
    "You can't be everywhere, Eve." She glanced over at Roarke. "Shows? I feel like I'm running in place. Goal's in sight, but I'm stuck in this spot. Maybe you could contact the hospital again, charm some information out of somebody. I just make them mad." "People tend to get cross when someone threatens to pull their brains out of their nostrils." "You'd think they'd give me points for creativity. I'm too wired." She shook herself as they headed toward her division.
    "Damn chemicals. You take the hospital, check in on Summerset. Talk the e-talk with Feeney, and I'll cut through the rest. Do you need me to find you a space?" "I'll manage." "Dallas!" Celina sprang off a bench. "I've been waiting.
    They said you were on your way in. You haven't answered your voice or email." "Been busy. Getting to it." "Peabody." She clamped a hand over Eve's arm.
    "She's holding. I'm really pressed, Celina. I can give you a few minutes in my office. You set?" she asked Roarke.
    "I am, yes. I'll meet you out here." "I'm sorry." Celina pushed her hands through her luxurious hair. "I'm upset." "We all are," Roarke told her. "It was a long, difficult night." "I know. I saw . . ." "Let's take it in here." She led the way into her office, shut the door. "Have a seat." Though she knew caffeine wasn't the best idea at the moment, she wanted coffee. Ordered two.
    "What did you see?" "The attack. On Peabody. God, I was in the tub. Hot bath before bed to relax me for today. I saw her walking sidewalk, buildings. He he just leaped out at her. It was like a blur, and the next thing I know I'm floundering around in the tub like a damn trout. I tried to contact you." "I was already in the field, and went straight to the hospital.
    I haven't gotten to a lot of my messages." "He knocked her down. He was kicking her, and she was fighting him. He hurt her. It was terrible. For a minute, I thought she was dead, but--" "She's not. She's holding." Celina clutched the coffee in both hands. "She's not like the others. I don't understand." "I do. Just tell me what you saw. I want the details." "They're not clear. It's so damn frustrating." She set the mug down with a snap. "I talked to Dr Mira, but she won't budge on the time element for the next session. I wanted to go under immediately. I know, I know I'd see more. But I saw I heard screaming, shouting, and he threw Peabody down. I saw him jump into ... It was a van. I'm sure it was a van. Dark. But everything seemed dark. He was hurt. There was pain." "She got to her weapon."
    "Oh. Good. Good. He was afraid. I feel. . . it's hard to explain it, but I feel it. His fear. And not just of being seen, or caught, but of something else. More. Of not finishing? I want to know, I want to help. Can you convince Dr Mira?" "She won't budge for you, she won't for me." Sitting on her desk, Eve tapped her fingers on her knee. "If I could get a personal item from someone I believe was a victim, a previous victim, would you get anything from it?" "Very possibly." Excitement shone in Celina's eyes as she leaned forward. "It's more what I do. That connection. If I could link, I might see something." "I'll work on that. I don't know if I can be there for your session today. We've caught a break and I'm following it through. The witnesses from last night got a pretty good look at him." "Thank God. If you can identify him, this will be over.
    Thank God." "I'll work on getting you something as soon as I can." "Anytime. Absolutely anytime. I'll come in as soon as you want me. I'm sick about Peabody, Dallas. Just sick about it."
    Some time during the endless night, McNab dropped off in the chair beside Peabody's bed. He'd lowered the guard so he could reach her