Page 136 of Fury In Death

“Elevator stopped between floors—or I assume between. I felt it stop, started for my weapon. He dropped out of the ceiling grate, took me down. He’s fast. I drew my weapon, and he knocked it out of my hand.”

She circled her right wrist. Not broken, but bruised, maybe sprained.

She went through the steps of the struggle.

“He wanted me to listen.”

“To his fists?” Nadine shook her head when Eve offered what was left of the wipes back. “Keep them. Your mouth and nose are still bleeding a little.”

“He had to convince me to listen. He had me. I’m hurt, can’t get to my weapons. Obviously I can’t retreat and regroup. If he’d wanted me dead, I’d be dead.”

“So you listened.”

“I listened, and my recorder was on, so it’s on record.”

“Then send me a copy of the record. You need to go home.” Where, Peabody thought, Summerset—an Urban War medic—could assess and treat her injuries.

Whether she liked it or not.

“I’ll have a uniform take you home, and I’ll finish up here.”

“I want to know how he got in.”

“And I’ll send you that . . .” Peabody answered her ’link. Listened. “Send me the feed. Are you actually wondering if that portion would apply?” she said in a tone that had Eve lifting her brows at pissed-off, authoritative Peabody. “Make it now.”

She lowered the ’link. “Walked in the main entrance, and yeah, like you suspected, went to the mezzanine level, straight into the men’s room. Approximately fourteen minutes later, he came out of a staff lounge on the third floor and went into a service elevator.

“Into it,” she added, “by prying the doors open. With his hands.”

“Yeah.” Eve laid her right hand on her left shoulder. “He could do it.”

“Seven minutes ago,” Peabody continued, “he exited a service elevator on the basement level, and left the building by an emergency exit.”

“He knows the building, inside and out. He plans, all contingencies.” Eve sat back a moment, closed her eyes. “He made his way here through shafts, through vents. He knew we’d check the feed, see him, ID him. It doesn’t matter to him now.”

“Dallas.” Nadine held out a case with the little blue blockers inside. “Take a blocker. Go home. You’re not going to find him tonight, and if you did, you’re in no shape to handle him. My sources tell me Calvin Banner’s in custody.”

“I want to take him in the box.” And no, she had to admit, she wasn’t in shape to do that tonight, either. “If they set bail, no matter how high, he’ll pay it. And if he gets out on bail—”

“Mass murder, Dallas. Trust Reo and the PA’s office on this. I’m pulling a uniform to get you home.”

“Yes to the blocker, no to the escort. I can drive, and if I can’t, I’ll set it on auto.” She got to her feet, took back her clutch piece.

“Look at that. He busted the holster. Grabbed it right off my ankle, which feels it, and busted a damn good holster.”

She put it in her field kit. “How’s the face?”

“How does it feel?” Nadine asked her.

“Pretty fucking awful.”

“Then it matches how it looks.”

“Great. Peabody, secure the scene, send me the security feed, your report. Nadine, get the hell out. Do not tag Roarke, either of you. Do you understand me?”

“He may be strong, but even he couldn’t smash that rock-hard head of yours. I’m getting the hell out because I’m walking you out. I live here,” Nadine said before Eve could object. “I can go where I want.”

“I won’t inform Roarke because I know you don’t want him to have that extra time to worry. But,” Peabody added, “I want a tag when you get through the gates.”