“Understood. Make a list of those you feel, at this time, require you and your partner to interview. You can delegate the rest, and request additional manpower to cover it, if necessary.”
“Yes, sir. I’d prefer to do at least a standard run on those individuals before making that list. The killer obtained the poison and brought it to the event. A connection to Fitzhugh and/or Lane would be key. Cross-referencing the guests, staff with the beneficiaries of the victim’s will, and Lane’s will, as she may have been the intended victim, will also give us some direction.”
“I can authorize more eyes on the cross-referencing.” He sat back when she said nothing. “Problem, Lieutenant?”
“Sir, we’ve barely begun the investigation, but are making considerable progress in the initial processes. I’ve already pulled three additional detectives into that process and assigned uniforms for Ms. Lane’s security. I don’t feel the need, at this point, for additional officers to take up routine procedures.”
Whitney nodded, tapped his fingertips together. “What you’re not saying is within hours of this murder, the NYPSD will add considerable manpower and budget to this single investigation. Because the victim is famous.”
He hadn’t reached the position of command without knowing how to interpret even a carefully worded statement. So she laid it out plainly.
“I have two detectives working the stabbing death of a waiter. A mixed-raced male, age thirty, sliced up on his way home from work. This is day three of that investigation. There’s been no demand for a media conference, no additional manpower or budgetary increase. He had a six-month-old son, but he wasn’t famous.”
“Your point, Lieutenant, carries the weight of morality and the heft of equality. But it doesn’t account for politics or the voraciousness of the media—which carries its own weight. I have no doubt your detectives will pursue this victim’s killer as dedicatedly as you will Fitzhugh’s.”
“Yes, sir. No question.”
“But the Fitzhugh investigation will lead every media vehicle today, tomorrow, and very likely until you identify and apprehend his killer. After that, there will be more—the follow-ups, the profiles. He was—is—a household name,” Whitney continued as he rose. “The president of the United States has already issued a statement of condolence and a call for justice. Other heads of state will do the same. You’re in the crosshairs on this, Dallas, and I intend to give you every tool available.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And to that end…” Whitney turned to Kyung.
“The mayor will give a statement to the media in approximately thirty minutes,” Kyung began. “It will be made clear—I’ve seen the draft of the statement—that the mayor’s office has every confidence in the NYPSD, and in you and your team to conduct this investigation. To the conclusion, the apprehension of whoever took Fitzhugh’s life. The mayor will take questions for about five minutes.”
Kyung paused, gave her a quiet look of sympathy. “You can expect that to expand to at least ten, if not more.”
“Got it.”
“It’s a bit more than politics, Lieutenant, though I understand your feelings on it. The mayor serves the city as well, and all in it. Whether a waiter or a vid star. But the vid star, and the ways and means of his murder, bring the drama, the scope, the fascination. You want to get on with your work, but this is part of that. You will reassure.”
“Reassure who? And how? I don’t have anything yet.”
“Your presence brings reassurance. And, though it annoys you, drama and scope.” He smiled at her then. “There’s no need for me to tell you what to say or how to say it. You dislike that part of your job, but you know that part of your job. And if I tried to guide you, it would just piss you off.”
“Got that one.”
He smiled again. “I will ask that you also take questions. There will be a deluge, and many will annoy you, but I’ll end that part of things as soon as I can. It won’t be as soon as you like.”
“You’re cleared to give them TOD and COD,” Whitney told her. “Much of the rest is, well, theater. But it’s necessary.”
“Lane is, at my request, working on a statement of her own. I also requested she run it by me before issuing it. I think running it by Kyung makes more sense.”
“I’ll see to that,” Kyung agreed. “If you, and Detective Peabody, if available, will meet me in the media room in forty minutes.”
“I’ll attend. I won’t speak.” Whitney sat again. “I’m window dressing—and reassurance and support, as is Chief Tibble, who will also attend. Theater,” he said again, “and when the show’s over, you’ll get back to work.”
He paused a moment. “I’d like an update on the investigation into the stabbing case when you have it.”
Before she could speak, Peabody knocked and stepped in. “I’m sorry, I was delayed. I spent a little more time with Ms. Lane, helping her and her assistant with her statement.”
“You have it?”
“I have a copy,” she told Eve. “I promised we’d clear it asap.”
“If you’d send it to me, Detective, I’ll see to that,” Kyung said.
“Did you get anything else out of Lane?” Eve demanded.
“Not really. She’s holding up reasonably well. Her assistant, that’s Dolby, broke down a couple times, and she did better when she focused on him. She has a lot of questions, and I gave her the standard. Media’s camped out, and security’s run a few pushier types out of the building.”
She let out a breath. “I checked in with the team on the crime scene before I left. Nothing that pops on the electronics so far, and there’s still a lot to go through in the residence, but nothing that pertains as yet.”
“Keep me informed.” Whitney tapped his wrist unit. “Forty minutes, Lieutenant.”
“Yes, sir. Peabody, with me.” She strode out, decided not to even attempt the elevators, so headed back to the glides. “Media bullshit in forty, and that’s after the mayor does a song and dance. COD and TOD confirmed, and Fitzhugh died healthy and fit. I need you to go through the guest list, start doing some runs on the plus-ones. The brass is going to overwhelm us with help on that kind of thing, but you get going on it. I’ll do the same with the invited types.”
“Okay.” Peabody slipped her PPC back in her pocket. “Statement to Kyung—it’s a good one, I think. She’s not an idiot, and kept it brief, with a plea for privacy she knows she won’t get.”
“We’re heading to Queens to shake down her former stalker after the media circus. We should have both wills by then, so you can go through them on the way. We’ll flag any beneficiary who was at the party, or connected to someone who was, take a harder look. I want us—you, me, our division if necessary, EDD—to handle as much of this as possible before they send in officers to assist in the investigation. If we need to, we’ll pass on some of the drone work, but that’s it unless we stall.”
“Jeez, we haven’t had time to stall.”