“I know you guys are as good as we are. I’m not here in any way to take the case away from you. Just here to coordinate resources you guys might not have, get you on the front of the line for databases and such. This is odd, I know, to come all the way up from Washington and-”
“Wait, what?” I said. “From Washington? Why didn’t they just send someone from Twenty-six Fed?”
“Because I wanted the best,” Donald Dunning said, coming in behind her. “You solved two. That’s what Freddy told me. You got two kidnapped kids back safely.”
“It was actually three, but yes.”
Okay, now I saw where this was going. Dunning was flexing his considerable muscle, using his juice to pull out all the stops.
He obviously didn’t realize the strange kind of animal that an investigation in New York City is. I’m sure Homecoming Queen Emily Parker kicked ass out in those big square states where they didn’t have things like subways and Brooklyn and eight million people. The NYPD, despite its gruff demeanor, Bugs Bunny accent, and lack of executive hair, was the investigative equal of any law enforcement agency, especially when in its own backyard.
But I knew if I made some kind of jurisdictional stink, the Feds could invoke the Federal Kidnapping Statute and actually take over the case.
Instead of ranting and raving, I stood there politely holding my tongue and keeping a stiff smile.
“MR. DUNNING, I’D like to speak to you and your wife further in a moment,” Agent Parker said. Her demeanor was the perfect mix of directness and caring. “I just need to go over a few things with Detective Bennett first. Will you be in the kitchen?”
“Oh, of course,” Dunning mumbled before leaving the study.
That was about as polite a “get lost” as I’d ever seen. I was impressed. Maybe Agent Parker had some chops after all.