“Shitload is the right word,” Burnside said. “It’s entirely circumstantial and there are big holes in the narrative. We can prove he was in the house, but not on the day of the murder. A good lawyer will tear us apart with that. The only case I could make in court today is for burglary.”

“Then it’s fortunate we aren’t in court today, isn’t it?” Lansing said. “I believe you are mistaken, Counselor. We have a strong case that’s only going to get stronger as more evidence is gathered and analyzed. We have momentum on our side.”

“I agree,” Captain Moffett said.

Of course he did, Eve thought. Both men badly needed a win, something positive to tell the media that would redirect the spotlight away from their scandals and failures. Burnside pissed Eve off, but she admired the ADA for her integrity. Burnside wasn’t afraid to stand up to the sheriff.

“Look what the task force has accomplished already,” Lansing said. “It’s phenomenal. The important thing now is finding the bodies. Everything else will fall into place after that.” Lansing shifted his gaze to Eve. “You took a butcher off the streets in record time. I’m damn impressed.”

“It was a team effort, sir,” Eve said.

“Bullshit. You made the key discoveries that led us to Coyle. Own it. You have the right stuff, Ronin. The public saw it in that YouTube video and so did I. That’s why I granted your transfer to RHD, and not to capitalize on your publicity, as some people thought.” Lansing glanced sharply at Moffett, then back to Eve. “I’m having a press conference out front in ten minutes. I want you, Burnside, and the captain there with me.”

Eve wasn’t surprised about the immediate press conference, but she was struck by his blatant hypocrisy. He’d just denied that he was motivated by publicity when he promoted her and then, in the next breath with a straight face, he’d said he wanted her at a press conference. It was duplicity born out of his desperate political need, now and then, to capitalize on the good news and distract the public from the scandals in the department.

But there were dozens of reasons why Eve thought it was a bad idea for the department and the case if they stepped in front of the cameras now. For one thing, Burnside was right. Come Monday, the judge could see that all they had was a burglary case and let Coyle walk out on bail—then they’d all be humiliated.

“I think it’s too soon to be holding a press conference,” she said. “We shouldn’t go public until we have more evidence.”

Moffett and Burnside stared at her in shock. Duncan simply grimaced. Some color rose in Lansing’s cheeks. He glared at her.

“Are you telling me you have doubts about your case?”