«Do you want to leave?»
«I'd like to be with her, when she thinks it's right.»
Eve leaned forward. «Do you understand I'm here to help you?»
«I believe you're here to do your sworn duty.»
«I'll help you get out.»
«Eve,» Mira interrupted.
«I will help her get out. Look at me, Diana. Look at me. You're smart, and you know if I say I'll do it, I'll find a way. If you're straight with me, you'll walk out of here with me today, and never have to come back.»
There were tears, just a glimmer of them, but they never fell. Then her eyes were dry. «My mother will tell me when it's time for me to leave.»
«Do you know Deena Flavia?»
«I don't know anyone by that name.»
«Icove.»
«Dr. Wilfred B. Icove was one of the founders of Brookhollow. The Icove family is one of our biggest benefactors.»
«You know what happened to them?»
«Yes, Lieutenant. We had a small service in our chapel yesterday to honor them. It's a terrible tragedy.»
«Do you know why it happened to them?»
«It would be impossible for me to know the reason they were killed.»
«I know why. I want to make it stop. The person who killed the Icoves and Ms. Samuels wants to make it stop, too. But her way is wrong. Killing is wrong.»
«In wartime killing is necessary and encouraged. In some cases it's considered heroic.»
«Don't play games with me,» Eve said impatiently. «Even if she considers it a war, she can't get them all. But I can stop it. I can make it stop. Where do they make you?»
«I don't know. Will you destroy us?»
«No. Jesus.» Eve reached over, gripped Diana's hands. «No. Do they tell you that? Is that one of the ways to keep you here, keep you in line?»
«No one will believe you. No one will believe me. I'm just a little girl.» She smiled when she said it, and looked ageless.
«I believe you. Dr. Mira believes you.»
«Others—higher authorities, or smaller minds—if they believe, they'll destroy or lock away. Life's important; I want to keep mine. I want to go now, back with the other girls. Please.»
«I'll stop the tests, the training.»
«I believe you. But I can't help you. May I be excused?»
«All right. Go on.»
Diana rose. «I don't know where I began,» she said. «I don't remember anything before the age of five.»
«Could it be here?»
«I don't know. I hope she does. Thank you, Lieutenant.»
«I'll take her back.» Mira got to her feet. «Would you like me to bring in another student?»
«No. I want whoever's next in line of authority. Vice president.»
«Ms. Sisler,» Diana told Eve. «Or Ms. Montega.»
Eve nodded, had gestured Mira to take Diana out, when her communicator beeped. «Dallas, what've you got?»
«You alone?» Feeney asked.
«Yeah, for the moment.»
«I got enough of a match on the driver's ear, left hand, profile to just squeak by getting a warrant on Avril Icove.»
«Son of a bitch. Avril Icove was seen by numerous people, including Louise and Roarke, at the same time. Going to be an interesting interview. Wrap it up, haul it in. We're going to organize a full search, cooperating with the locals. I need you heading that. We'll get droids from our house to maintain the security of the operation. I'll leave you McNab, but I need Peabody. Tag Reo, give her what you've got and have her arrange the warrant. I'm going to pick up our suspect.»
17
It took time, and she chafed at it. Time to requisition, receive, and program a team of search droids that Feeney could oversee. Time to do the diplomacy dance with the locals. Time to wait while Reo argued her way into a warrant.
«Questioning as possible witness to a crime,» Reo said. «That's the best you're going to get with Feeney's partial match. Particularly given that Avril Icove gave a live screen interview at the WBI Center at eleven this morning to Nadine Furst, as part of a three-part series of one-on-ones. Furst sure as hell ropes them in. You can pull Avril Icove in for questioning, but you're not going to get an arrest warrant.»
«I'll take what I can get.»
Peabody came up at a half-jog. «No progress on the suspect or the vehicle. No name match on any of the known names she's used on any transport, public or private. Had a number of privates, and was able to eliminate all but three. None to New York, city or state, but we've got privates to Buenos Aires, Argentina, Chicago, and Rome, Italy. Icove property or facilities in each location.»
«Argentina. Shit.» Eve yanked out her communicator, keyed in her notes, and contacted Whitney. «Sir, I need International Relations. I believe Rodriguez, Hector, and Cruz, Magdalene, listed as Diana Rodriguez's parents, may be in immediate danger. The probability is high that Deena is there, or en route. I need the locals to put them in protective custody.»
«This widens to international, we won't be able to keep our grip on it for long.»
«I don't think I'll need long. I'm bringing Avril Icove in for questioning.»
It was after eight P.M. when Eve approached the Icove residence. The house was dark but for the security lights.
«Maybe she's at the beach house. Or she's grabbed the kids and gone rabbit.»
«I don't think so.» Eve pressed the bell, produced her badge foe the security plate. The same do-not-disturb message relayed, and she countermanded.
The household droid answered. «Lieutenant Dallas, Detective Peabody. Mrs. Icove and the children are in seclusion and don't wish to be disturbed. I'm to ask if your business can wait until morning.»
«It can't. Tell Mrs. Icove to come down.»
«As you wish. Will you step into the living room?»
«Not this time. Just get her.»
The droid started up the stairs, and Avril started down. Household security cameras, Eve thought. She'd watched and heard.
«Lieutenant, Detective. You have some news on the investigation?»
«I have a legal writ requiring you to accompany me to Central for questioning.»
«I don't understand.»
«We have reason to believe you were a witness to a homicide morning at Brookhollow Academy.»
«I've been in New York all day. My father-in-law's memorial.»
«Yeah, interesting how that works. We've identified Deena Flavia. I spoke with Diana Rodriguez personally. Yeah, that gives you a little jolt,» Eve observed when Avril visibly jerked back. «I've got enough to start blowing the schools, the Center, and several other facilities wide open. And when I do, I'm going to find more, enough to arrest you and Flavia on multiple counts of conspiracy to murder. But for now, Mrs. Icove, you're a witness. We're going downtown to talk about it.»
«My children. They're resting. It's been a hideous day for them.»
«I bet it has. If you're not comfortable leaving them with their care droid, I can arrange for a representative from Child Protection—«
«No! No,» she said more calmly. «I'll leave instructions with the household. I'm entitled to contact someone, aren't I?»
«You're entitled to ask for and receive a lawyer or representative or to contact the representative of your choosing. That party can demand to verify the writ, and be present during interview.»
«I'll need a moment to contact someone, to see to my children's welfare.»
She went to the 'link first, ordered privacy mode, turned her back. Her voice remained at a murmur throughout. When she clicked off, turned, the fear on her face was gone.
She brought all three droids in, giving specific and detailed instructions on what to do should either or both of the children wake, what they were to be told. The do-not-disturb was to go on and remain on until she countermanded.
«It's important that my representatives meet me here, and that we all go in together. Can you indulge me an hour?»
«Why is that?»