Page 119 of Bonded in Death

“He again used an Urbans-era device, incendiary, planting it under the table he’d booked.”

“Does he think the women he targeted are lamebrains?” Callendar wondered.

“Yeah, he does. Had this device worked as he planned, he would have killed the three women and anyone else within approximately a ten-foot radius.”

“Collateral damage,” Baxter muttered.

“Which wouldn’t concern him at all. This is his war. It’s retribution, sure, but it’s also finishing his mission. And that was to eliminate the entire team.

“If you haven’t read Dr. Mira’s profile, do so. He doesn’t take the simple way, considers himself too clever for simple. He considers the layers of complications and unnecessary steps a puzzle the opposition can’t solve.”

From his seat, Santiago pointed to the board. “Wrong about that.”

“Damn right. While he’s had a few years since his escape to sharpen his skills, they’re not as sharp as he believes. He won’t resist being in the area, having a view of the target area today. Thirteen hundred fortheir arrival, fifteen minutes more to detonation. There are multiple areas where he can find that view. We need to cover as many as possible.

“Peabody, on-screen. The target, here.”

“He’d like to be inside,” Jenkinson said. “Watch his work. But unless he’s a serious fuckhead…”

“He won’t be,” Eve finished. “Across the street’s most probable. Plenty of good views. My information says he’s not a sniper. But he may want that bird’s-eye. Lieutenant Lowenbaum’s team will sweep and man the rooftops. DS Jenkinson and Detective Reineke will cover this restaurant.”

One by one she assigned teams while Peabody worked the screen.

“He works alone, he’ll be alone. Just a well-dressed man browsing a shop, having a bite to eat, taking a walk. But he will, almost certainly, be armed. He will, following patterns, very likely be armed with an Urbans-era weapon.”

Eve scanned the room. “He had a stockpile; he’s using it. I’m running rentals on the residential and commercial spaces above street level. If he snagged one, it would be within months, as he couldn’t be sure of this step until his targets were in New York. He’s got money, but his funds have limits.”

“And that neighborhood don’t come cheap,” Carmichael pointed out.

“As he has some B and E skills, we’ll sweep any empty unit, make sure he hasn’t set up shop. EDD will monitor comms and the street. Questions.”

She fielded them.

“Commander Whitney, are we a go?”

“You’re a go.”

“Be ready to roll at noon. If anyone catches a case—”

“I’ll see it’s covered,” Whitney said.

“Thank you, Commander. Peabody and I will be in the field. Peabody, with me. Keep the conference room,” she added as they started out. “We’ll break it down when we have him.”

“It’s a lot of area to cover. With binocs, he could hole up in any building on that side of the block.”

“He could, and he might.” Without hesitation, she chose the glides. “But he’s a risk taker. He’ll want to be close, close enough to hear the bang.”

Fast-walking on the glides, she glanced at Peabody. “What do people do when there’s a boom?”

“Scream, panic, run.”

“He put a cam in the back of the limo so he could watch Rossi die. None in the restaurant, but he’ll want to watch that panic, hear the screams.”

They took the clanging metal stairs to the garage.

“That’s not going to happen.” As they crossed to the car, Peabody caught her breath. “What does he do next?”

“We watch for someone who reacts to nothing at thirteen-fifteen.” Eve got behind the wheel. “Easiest for us if he’s set up in one of the restaurants or shops. But you’re right, a lot more area to cover than that. Check the in-dash incoming for those search results.”

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