The jolt of adrenaline that hit Eve’s system was better than a six-pack of Red Bull. Eve shared looks with the three detectives, who were all smiling.

“Thank you,” Eve said. “I’ll make sure my neighbor asks for him when she calls.”

She hung up. Everybody high-fived each other. For a moment, whatever resentment Biddle and Garvey had toward her disappeared and they all enjoyed the satisfaction of making a connection between their suspect and the victims. It was an inevitable discovery. Biddle and Garvey would certainly have contacted Mr. Plumber in the course of their own investigation to see if Coyle had serviced Tanya’s home. But Eve jumped on it first and did so in a way that wouldn’t tip off the suspect that the detectives were onto him.

“Let’s get a warrant,” she said.

“Yeah,” Duncan said. “Can I have a word with you?”

“Sure,” Eve said, wondering why he wanted to talk away from Biddle and Garvey.

He led her back to his cubicle and spoke to her in a hushed tone. “You’re in charge, so I don’t want to say something that might further undermine your tenuous authority over Crockett and Tubbs.”

“I appreciate that,” she said, wary now.

“I should be the one to walk the warrant through,” Duncan said, meaning that he wanted to prepare the paperwork, present the case to the assistant district attorney, and then go with the prosecutor to see the judge.

“I’m the lead detective on this and I’m capable of writing a warrant.”

“I’m sure you are and can do a passable job.”

“Passable?”

“The fact is what we have on Coyle is bullshit.”

“You just heard the call. Coyle was in her house.”

“It feels great to establish a connection, but it doesn’t feel nearly as good as the connection,” Duncan said. “It’s like the difference between masturbation and sex.”

“I’m not following,” Eve said.

“Just because Coyle fixed a leaky faucet in Tanya’s house weeks ago doesn’t mean he went back Wednesday and butchered her.”

“I don’t see how that applies to your masturbation and sex metaphor, but I get your point anyway. What does that have to do with you writing the warrant instead of me?”

“There are ways of writing it so it sounds like what we have constitutes strong probable cause.”

“Then why are you complaining about the evidence?” she said. “Tell me what to say and I’ll write it up.”

“The problem is the ADA and the judge aren’t stupid and they won’t really be fooled by great writing. But I have proven credibility that’ll ease any doubts that they have. I’ll sell it just by having this wrinkled bulldog face,” Duncan said. “But if it’s you who walks it through, they will see all the holes and question every conclusion.”

“So you’re saying we’ll get the warrant because of your skill at smoke and mirrors and your established relationships with the ADA and the judge,” she said. “It’s not about my age, sex, inexperience, or notoriety.”