New York to Dallas

like a cookie, and more coffee.”
    “Huh.”
    As he sat his smart ass down, she decided she wouldn’t mind a cookie herself.

4
     
    W hen Eve walked into Whitney’s office the next morning, she’d already decided how to play it. She had data, theories, and specific individuals who needed a good talking to.
    How she divulged it was key.
    The meeting with the feds, the prison rep, the lawyers, and the department’s Fugitive Apprehension team could be a lot of blather, spinning, glad-handing, or a pissing contest.
    Personally she enjoyed a good pissing contest, but not when she was pressed for time.
    So she went in prepared to play the game with every intention of winning it.
    “Lieutenant Dallas.” Whitney remained at his desk as he introduced her to the feds.
    She judged the curvy brunette, Special Agent Elva Nikos, and her partner, Scott Laurence, with his boxer’s build and shiny pate, as seasoned.
    And hoped they weren’t assholes.
    “Lieutenant Tusso is heading the FA team. We’re waiting on the representative from Rikers.”
    “While we are,” Nikos began, “I’d like to relay to you what Agent Laurence and myself have related to both Commander Whitney and Lieutenant Tusso. We’re not here to shut you out or step on your toes. We understand that the NYPSD apprehended the subject and built a case for conviction, and that you, in particular, Lieutenant Dallas, have a vested interest in locating Isaac McQueen.”
    “Then let me relay to you I don’t care who finds McQueen and slaps him back in a cage. You and your partner, Lieutenant Tusso and his team, or me and mine—or any combination thereof. I don’t care if it’s somebody’s grandmother with a can of pepper spray and a good right hook.”
    “I appreciate that, Lieutenant. You can be assured that any leads or information we generate during this investigation will be shared.”
    “Ditto. I can start now, or wait until the prison rep decides to join us. Commander?”
    Whitney watched her carefully. “You have new information, Lieutenant?”
    “I believe I’ve . . . generated possible leads, yes, sir.” At his nod, she continued. “I accessed the employment records of guards and other staff who most often came into contact with McQueen. As all of the staff can and would be considered suspects, this access fell into the boundaries of procedure. Executing standard runs and probability scans, I’d like to bring in Kyle Lovett, a guard assigned to McQueen’s block, and Randall Stibble, a lay counselor.”
    “What do you have on them?” Nikos demanded.
    “I’m assuming you don’t need to see my work,” Eve said, on the dry side. “Lovett’s done two rounds in a gambling addiction program. Since his wife left him eighteen months ago, I’m betting he needs round three. McQueen likes addictive personalities.”
    She had more, but the access there dipped into shadow territory.
    “Stibble counsels chemi-heads and alcoholics. He brings his own personal experience. He’s been in and out of rehab since he was sixteen, did time as a juvie and an adult for illegals-related offenses. McQueen doesn’t do illegals, drinks—wine is his choice—in moderation, but he attended Stibble’s sessions regularly. He doesn’t waste his time or do anything without a purpose.”
    “You suspect either or both of these men aided McQueen in his escape?” Lieutenant Tusso asked.
    “I think one or both did more. McQueen works with a partner until she bores him, screws up, or fulfills her purpose. He’d want someone on the outside. He’d need to get and receive communication from her.”
    “He needed a liaison,” Nikos said.
    “And has likely worked with more than one over the past twelve years. We’re going to find his visitors list leans heavily toward females. We connect someone at the prison—and my money’s on either or both of these men—we have a lead on the partner. She’ll be an addict of some kind, likely have a sheet for grifting at the least. She’ll be between the ages of forty-five and sixty. Attractive.”
    Now it got trickier.
    “I have a short list of names of women who fit the partner profile, and have connections or associations with either Stibble or Lovett. We could get lucky and match one up with the visitors list.”
    “That’s considerable, and in a short amount of time.”
    Eve merely glanced at Nikos. “We don’t have any to waste. He’s already hunting.”
    “We know McQueen prefers urban environments,”