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“Time’s part of the problem One of six, lieutenant What does that say to you?”

“That he has five more in mind, and wants us to know it He enjoys his work and wants to be the focus of our attention” She took a careful breath “There’s not enough for a full psychiatric profile We can’t say how long he’ll be satisfied by the thrill of this murder, when he’ll need his next fix It could be today It could be a year fro careless”

Whitney htful termination?”

The knife slicked with blood The s I can’t handle”

“Be sure of it, Dallas I don’t need an officer on a sensitive case like this who’s worried whether she should or shouldn’t use her weapon”

“I’m sure of it”

She was the best he had, and he couldn’t afford to doubt her “Are you up to playing politics?” His lips curved thinly “Senator DeBlass is on his way over He flew into New York last night”

“Diplo suit”

“I’ to work on it He wants to talk to the investigating officer, and he went over e it Orders caive the senator your full cooperation”

“This is a Code Five investigation,” Eve said stiffly “I don’t care if orders ca confidential data to a civilian”

Whitney’s sood, ordinary face, probably the one he was born with But when he sainst the cocoa colored skin turned the plain features into the special

“I didn’t hear that And you didn’t hear ive him no more than the obvious facts What you do hear entleant asshole Unfortunately, the asshole has power So watch your step”

“Yes, sir”

&nbs

p; He glanced at his watch, then slipped the file and disc into his safe drawer “You’ve got time for a cup of coffeeand, lieutenant,” he added as she rose “If you’re having trouble sleeping, take your authorized sedative I want my officers sharp”