“Then how do you explain that photographer taking those pictures? The vigilantes took off those crazy-looking head covers and posed. I SAW it with my own eyes,” Sharon Augustine cried indignantly.

“Well, when I see it with my own eyes, I will make sure the FBI acknowledges your tip.” Bert moved off toward a quasifriend he knew in the police department, who was standing next to the curb looking glum.

“Those crazy-ass women did it again! Killer bees! This whole damn town is going to go to red alert. Who the hell would have thought of bumblebees? The vigilantes made jackasses out of us. Again! I’m thinking my pension is suddenly looking not so good. What’s your excuse, Navarro?” Leroy Jackson demanded.

“Honeybees, not killer bees. Not even bumblebees. There’s a difference! Nine hives were in that apartment! That translates into millions of bees. The queen was among them! Don’t even ask me what that means because I don’t know. Some beekeeper from Bethesda is on his way to take charge of the hives.”

“How’d those guys from the Post know to be here just when the vigilantes were leaving? Seems to me if you’re paying attention, and I’m paying attention, they always manage to show up to get their damn pictures. Something’s fishy there. I’m going to haul their asses in and go a few rounds with them. Don’t give me any of that shit that it’s just good reporting, that seventh sense that newshounds have. What do the brains in the Hoover Building think?” Detective Jackson asked.

Bert forced a laugh he didn’t feel. “They’re saying those women are smarter than we are. I’m not so sure they aren’t right.”

“You know what I think, Navarro? I think they have people here in the District helping them. Powerful people, influential people. That’s what I think.”

“All you have to do is prove it, Jackson. That’s not to say I disagree with you. On the contrary, I think like you do, but those influential, important people can bite you on the ass if you start something you can’t prove. You want to haul Robinson and Espinosa in, go for it. Been there, done that. You’ll have Lizzie Fox so far up your ass, you won’t be able to sit for a week. She’ll be at the station before you can get those two through the door. Like I said, been there, done that. By the way, you didn’t hear this from me, but the rumor is she’s going to be chief White House counsel. They offered her the job. What’s-his-name has some kind of medical condition and he’s moving on and the job was offered to Fox. Now, that’s what I call being high-powered and influential. You want to take a shot at it, go for it.”