twenty-one

Officer McDonald picked us up shortly after the hordes of onlookers began to lose interest and started drifting away. With rivulets of blood dripping toward my wrist, at least a few bystanders seemed relieved that I appeared to be safe and coherent. DeRosa and I piled into McDonald’s black and white, with me stuck in the back seat like a common criminal.

“I knew y’all were trouble,” McDonald joked.

“Can you do us favor?” DeRosa asked.

“I think you mean another favor,” I noted from the back seat.

“As long as you don’t use my name at the stationhouse. Remember, I’m gunning for promotion, not demotion.”

“Can you get us access to security footage from the station? I’d like to see if Igor made contact with anyone before or after the incident.”

“I can do that. What else?”

“Hello?” I said holding my hand like an Olympic torch. “I’ve got Igor’s DNA dripping down my arm.”

“That’s the problem with television crime shows,” DeRosa grumbled. “Everyone thinks there’s some master database of instantly accessible DNA.”

“Humor me,” I replied.

“Officer McDonald, can you set CeCe up with an evidence swab while I head over to the NIH?” DeRosa asked and then he turned to me, speaking through the police-grade chicken wire. “CeCe, I’ll pick you up at the station on the way back, but you have to promise to stay put. Do not move until I return. Igor was sizing up his opportunity today, but it wasn’t the right scene for him. He’ll make another attempt because this is his job and he doesn’t get paid until you’re dead.”

“Why can’t I come with you?”

“Because I’m no match for your impulsivity.”

“I’ll be bored,” I whined.

“And alone,” DeRosa answered. “You can kill time on the phone with Charlie. You owe him a call. I’ll be back later, and we’ll catch an evening flight.”

“You’re too tough on her,” McDonald remarked. “You never know with a DNA sample. It could turn something up.”

“See?” I said.

DeRosa adjusted the rearview mirror to catch my reflection. “I do see, but I’d like to return you to Long Island in one piece.”

“So I guess my death would be bad for your reputation?”

“Actually, I’m referring to your brains. Your insight is becoming invaluable.” He smiled into the mirror before turning to McDonald. “Keep her safe. You don’t want to deal with her father. Something goes wrong, he’ll have you transferred so far south you’ll be directing traffic in Puerto Rico.”

“I’m on it,” McDonald said, tipping his head once more.