"Robb, J D - In Death 23 - Survivor in Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robb J D)

УRecords ID twelve-year-old Coyle Swisher.Ф There were framed sports posters on his walls.
Baseball taking the lead. Some of his blood had spewed onto the torso of the Yankees current
hot left fielder.
Though there was the debris of an adolescent on the floor, on the desk and dresser, she saw no
sign Coyle had had any more warning than his parents.
Peabody pressed her lips together, cleared her throat. УQuick, efficient,Ф she said in flat tones.
УNo forced entry. No alarms tripped. Either the Swishers neglected to set them--and I wouldn't
bet on that--or somebody had their codes or a good jammer. Girl should be down here.Ф
УOkay.Ф Peabody squared her shoulders. УIt's harder when it's kids.Ф
УIt's supposed to be.Ф Eve stepped to the next room, called for lights, and studied the fluffy pink
and white bed, the little girl with her blonde hair matted with blood. УNine-year-old Nixie
Swisher, according to the records.Ф
УPractically a baby.Ф
УYeah.Ф Eve scanned the room, and her head cocked. УWhat do you see, Peabody?Ф
УSome poor kid who'll never get the chance to grow up.Ф
УTwo pair of shoes over there.Ф
УKids, especially upper income, swim in shoes.Ф
УTwo of those backpack deals kids haul their stuff in. You seal up yet?Ф
УNo, I was just--Ф
УI have.Ф Eve walked into the crime scene, reached down with a sealed hand, and picked up the
shoes. УDifferent sizes. Go get the first on scene.Ф
With the shoes still in her hand, Eve turned back to the bed, to the child, as Peabody hurried
out. Then she set them aside, took an Identipad out of her field kit.
Yes, it was harder when it was a child. It was hard to take such a small hand in yours. Such a
small, lifeless hand, to look down at the young who'd been robbed of so many years, and all the
joys, all the pains that went in them.
She pressed the fingers to the pad, waited for the readout.
УOfficer Grimes, Lieutenant,Ф Peabody said from the doorway. УFirst on scene.Ф
УWho called this in, Grimes?Ф Eve asked without turning around.
УSir, unidentified female.Ф
УAnd where is this unidentified female?Ф
УI ... Lieutenant, I assumed it was one of the vies.Ф
She glanced back now, and Grimes saw the tall, lean woman in mannish trousers, a battered
leather jacket. The cool brown eyes, flat cop's eyes, in a sharply featured face. Her hair was
brown, like her eyes, short, choppy rather than sleek.
She had a rep, and when that icy gaze pinned him, he knew she'd earned it.
УSo our nine-one-one calls in murder, then hops into bed so she can get her throat slashed?Ф
УAh . . .Ф He was a beat cop, with two years under his belt. He wasn't ranking Homicide. УThe
kid here might've called it, Lieutenant, then tried to hide in bed.Ф
УHow long you had a badge, Grimes?Ф
УTwo years--in January, Lieutenant.Ф
УI know civilians who've got a better sense of crime scene than you. Fifth victim, identified as
Linnie Dyson, age nine, who is not a fucking resident of this fucking address. Who is not one
Nixie Swisher. Peabody, start a search of the residence. We're looking for another nine-year-
old girl, living or dead. Grimes, you idiot, call in an Amber Alert. She may have been the reason
for this. Possible abduction. Move!Ф
Peabody snagged a can of Seal-It out of her own kit, hurriedly sprayed her shoes and hands.
УShe could be hiding. If the kid called it in, Dallas, she could be hiding. She could be afraid to
come out, or she's in shock. She could be alive.Ф
УStart downstairs.Ф Eve dropped on her hands and knees to look under the bed. УFind out what