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a faulty investigation to hit a PR-inspired deadline.” 
    “ Every investigation for this office had better be top notch, but be careful what you discount.”  Cecelia drew her thick lashes together, cranking the threat in her glare to gladiator level. “There’s nothing trivial about this deadline. Bringing tourism into Philadelphia shows industry this is a thriving city, a place people want to visit and a place their employees will like to live. The mayor can’t get new industry to come in if people think this is a war zone.”
    “I’m more interested in making sure we have a safe city for our citizens to live in now .”
    Cecelia’s animation quieted abruptly with a chilling change. “Don’t ever make the mistake of insinuating that the safety of our citizens is not my first priority.”
    There was the face and voice of Cecelia’s dangerous political ambition. Kirsten was duly warned, but she wouldn’t bow to pressure. “I didn’t insinuate anything. If we’re both after the same thing – protecting Philly’s citizens – then I don’t understand rushing due process.” 
    The unflattering look Cecelia gave her questioned Kirsten’s IQ before her gaze swept the hallway that grew more crowded with people. “Step into the pressroom.”
    Once Kirsten entered the room, Cecelia followed her and closed the door. She swung around and crossed her arms. “We aren’t rushing due process, just being efficient. All of these businesses and people pay taxes that finance salaries, as in money for your position that will be the first cut when the coffers run dry. Solve this murder ASAP and put a lid on the media so we can focus on the higher-priority news of an expanding tourism program.”
    “Not until I get my questions answered,” Kirsten persisted.
    “Such as?”
    “Why was the body of a destitute woman dropped on Judge Berringer’s yard? We need to interview his neighbors – ”
    “No, no, no.”  Cecelia shook her head like a dog splaying water. “I told the judge we’d keep him and his wife out of the limelight. Reporters are camped out there as it is. Don’t give the media anything.”
    “The media is already digging around. If we shove this under the rug they’ll cry foul and how will that look in the news?”  Kirsten understood both sides of the media, better than most in the DA’s office.
    “I’ll worry about the press. You worry about closing this case, Massey. You’ve got to learn how things work around here. You’ve been here a year. That’s long enough to have a clue on how we roll in Philly. They may do things differently in Chicago, but here we protect our innocent VIPs – and that includes judges – from being harassed by news vultures.”
    That was how Cecelia rolled , not the city.
    Kirsten tapped a finger against the files she still carried. “If the Stanton murder fits a domestic violence profile, we’ll limit city resources on investigating, but – ”
    “There is no but ,” Cecelia sliced in. “Judge Berringer has had no case involving Sally Stanton. I checked that out myself this morning. Stanton was probably just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Process the paperwork, declare it DV and move on.” 
    “I’ll file my report once I’ve finished – ” 
    Cecelia released a hiss of frustration. “This wouldn’t even make the news if not for being a slow news day. Don’t be so anal.”
    Kirsten slapped her head. “Yeah, I’d hate to be that invested in finding a killer.” 
    Cecelia gave her a don’t-be-so-dramatic eye roll. “What about St. Catherine’s? They’re behind Philomena House. You want to stir up trouble for that little church after all the bishop has been through?”
    She would poke at Kirsten’s empathy for someone publicly humiliated, blast it. “No, of course not – ”
    “Then don’t,” Cecelia snapped. “Even the media has enough sense to leave them alone after victimizing St. Catherine’s twice in the past year. The