In Death 23 - Born in Death

fifty-three minutes, Peabody walked out of Interview. “I’m kind of torn. I’m out fifty, but it was fairly frosty to watch her go down. Didn’t just crack, she exploded.”
    “And knew more of where the secrets are locked than her boss.” Eve rubbed her hands together. “Double or nothing on Chase?”
    “I figured we’d hit Bullock next.”
    “Nope, I’m saving her for last.”
    “No bet,” Peabody decided. “You’re hitting your stride.”
    As they turned, they saw Baxter hotfooting it down the hall. “Sweeper report, wanted to hand-deliver it.” He slapped a file, with disc, into Eve’s hand. “On Sloan’s vehicle. They found a single hair, headrest, driver’s seat. It’s Chase’s. EDD report,” he added, handing her another. “My new best friend, McNab, found transmissions to and from a Doctor Letitia Brownburn, London. Authorities there have already picked her up, and acted on a warrant to close down Sunday’s Child, until further investigation into its practices. There are also transmissions to Cavendish’s office—Madeline to Bruberry, and from Madeline to the London office where she conversed for some length with Stuben. They spoke cryptically, of an imminent delivery.”
    “Cavendish and Bruberry both sang like fat ladies,” Eve told him. “We’re taking Chase next.”
    “I’ll be in Observation with Reo.”
    “Baxter, why don’t you take this round. I’ll observe.” Peabody glanced at Eve. “That work for you?”
    “Fine.”
    “I appreciate it. How do you want to handle it?”
    “Hard and mean. No deals, no good cop. He’s got a temper. Let’s piss him off.”
    “Like your style.”
    They went in together. Eve slapped the files on the table where Chase sat with three lawyers.
    “Record on.” She read off the data. “There’s one suit in here too many.” She shot up a hand before any one of them could speak. “Anything over two reps is at my discretion. One of you get out.”
    “As Mr. Chase is a British citizen and the absurd charges levied against him so serious, we require special representation for international law, for criminal law, and for tax law.”
    “I don’t much care what you require. One of you get out. Now, or this interview is over, and your client goes back to sit in his cell until you’re down to two.”
    “We expect some courtesy.”
    “You’re not going to get it. Detective.” She turned for the door.
    “I can handle international and criminal.” The lone woman, a brunette of about fifty, spoke in clear, unaccented tones. “I think it’s in our client’s interest to have this straightened out as soon as possible.”
    One of the men rose, strode stiffly out of the room.
    “Mr. Chase, you’ve been read the Revised Miranda, is this correct?”
    When he sat stonily silent, the woman spoke again. “Mr. Chase acknowledges the reading of his rights.”
    “I hear that from him, on record, or again, this interview is over.”
    “I was read my rights,” Chase snapped. “And manhandled. I intend to file charges of police brutality.”
    “You look okay to me. Are you requesting a physical examination to document any injuries you may have incurred during your arrest?”
    “You attacked me.”
    “Beg to differ, and the assault against me was recorded. Now, do you understand your rights and obligations, Mr. Chase? He answers,” Eve said again. “On record.”
    “I understand them, such as they are in this uncivilized city of yours.”
    “Good. In this uncivilized city we like to put people in cages for their entire natural life for various offenses. Now, where should we start?”
    “Lieutenant.” The brunette took a sheet of paper from her briefcase. “If we could clear up the matter of one Tandy Willowby residing temporarily in Ms. Bullock and Mr. Chase’s New York home?”
    “Residing? Is that what you Brits call it when a woman’s locked in a room and held against her will?” She shook her head at Baxter. “And they say we speak the same language.”
    “Didn’t look like she was residing to me. Bet you like women locked up and helpless, Chase. Pregnant, too, so they can’t fight you off. Fucking pervert.”
    “We will make note of any obscenities,” the brunette said primly.
    “Wanker.” Eve grinned darkly at Chase. “I bet you watched Tandy on that security screen while you slapped the monkey.”
    “You disgusting bitch.”
    “Mr. Chase.” The brunette laid a hand over his. “Lieutenant, please. I