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She knew it Detested it “I’ve worked under media heat before, Commander”

“True enough” As his ‘link beeped, he pushed its All Hold button and silenced it “Dallas, this isn’t an ordinary randchildren say, got juice, and you’re part of it You’ll need to prepare carefully for the press conference at two Believe me, the actors involved will play to the cameras They won’t be able to help themselves, and as they do, the story adds layers”

He leaned back, tapping his thigh “I’m also aware you’re not particularly interested in the public and media end of this You’ll have to consider that end, in this case, part of the job Don’t grant interviews or discuss any area of the case with any reporter prior to the press conference”

“No, sir”

“I want this to move fast I’ve already requested the ME put a rush on the autopsy The lab’s on alert We go by the book here, but turn those pages quickly Has Areena Mansfield requested her lawyer or representative?”

“Not as yet”

“Interesting”

“I don’t expect that to last long She was shaken, but my impression is she’ll want a rep once herrooe I don’t put complete faith in her state background checks on allto take some ti this ”

“Are the estimates of three thousand witnesses in the ballpark?”

Just thinking about it made Eve’s head throb “I’m afraid they are, Commander Obviously, we couldn’t hold the audienceWe did a person-by-person ID for name and residence as each was released Some statements were taken because, basically, some people couldn’t shut up Most of those, which I’ve revieere disjointed and essentially useless”

“Divvy up the audience witnesses in the squad I’ll pull in some detectives froet those numbers down”

“I’ll start that today, Commander”

“Delegate it,” he ordered “You can’t be spared for drone work Tag Feeney for the backgrounds on cast and theater personnel I want this to close He’s to prioritize the backgrounds over his current caseload”

He’ll ht, but she was pleased to be able to pass that part of the load over to the e-detective “I’ll communicate that to him, Commander, and send him the list”

“Copies to my attention After the press conference, I’ll need you to clear any and all media intervieith me before confirmation Dallas, you can expect to see yourself and your husband on-screen, in print, and blasted out of the goddamn tourist trams until this er team, let me know”