Vendetta in Death (In Death #49)(96)

“Lieutenant, Detective, it’s good to see you again. This is the wonderful, if strict, Donnalou Harris, my nurse and keeper.”

“Oh now, Miss Eloise.” Donnalou gave a hearty laugh as she stepped forward to shake hands. “I’m pleased to meet you both. As you can see, Miss Eloise is feeling feisty this afternoon. I’m going to be out of a job pretty soon now.”

“Oh now, Donnalou,” Eloise said in a near perfect mimic. “Let’s get comfortable, have some coffee. And don’t give me that look,” she told Donnalou. “I’ve had enough tea these last few months to last me two lifetimes. And didn’t you give me a clean slate this morning?”

“Almost clean,” Donnalou corrected, but gave Eloise an indulgent look. “One cup, because you could charm the toes off a frog if they had any.”

“Let me just send for Ariel.”

“The droid went to see if your granddaughter’s available,” Eve told her.

“Oh, she’s out. I convinced her to get out of the house, go to the salon. It took some doing, but she needed to get out and about. She’d only go if Donnalou promised to stay until she got back. And I’m nearly back to fighting weight.”

“Nearly,” Donnalou confirmed.

“I see,” Eve said. “Do you expect her back soon?”

“I’m not sure.” Eloise picked up the remote to signal the droid. “Is this about Thaddeus, about your investigation? We heard that another man … I’ve tried to keep her occupied so she wouldn’t watch the reports, but she’s been hoping there would be word. That you’d found who’s doing this.”

“It must be hard on her,” Peabody said, sympathy fully in gear. “I know being able to lean on you, talk to you must help.”

“Nobody’s more loving than Miss Eloise,” Donnalou confirmed. “She pestered Miss Darla—with love—to get her to go out awhile, do something for herself. The girl’s selfless. I’m going to miss the pair of you.”

“No, you’re not, because you’re going to come visit. If Darla’s not back by the time we have our coffee, or when you need to leave, I can tell her what you want her to know. Although, I’m trying to keep her mind off all this. Best of all, I’ve convinced her to take a trip with me in about a week.”

“Two weeks,” Donnalou corrected. “No flying for two weeks more.”

Eloise rolled her eyes. “Two weeks. We both need a change of scene, and I think some time basking in the sun on the C?te d’Azur will do the trick. I’m going to book a villa, have the whole family come.” Her face lit up when she spoke. “I miss my kids! And I’ve had more than enough of being an invalid.”

“You don’t look like one,” Eve observed. “You seem stronger than you did even a couple days ago.”

“Every day—with this slave driver.” She patted Donnalou’s hand. “And, of course, with my darling Darla. I just … Darla!” Her smile bloomed bright when Darla hurried in. “I didn’t know you were back.”

“I was in the kitchen. I found the most beautiful strawberries at the market, so I was going to surprise you both with a tea party.”

“No tea!” Eloise said with a laugh. “Please let it be coffee.”

“Well …” When she got a nod from Donnalou, she smiled. “Coffee it is. Just let me tell Ariel. She found me back there, told me we had guests, so I have her putting it all together.”

“You sit down, Miss Darla. I’ll take care of it.” Donnalou got up.

“Thank you.” Darla sat beside Eloise as Donnalou went out. “She’s an absolute treasure. I don’t know what we’d have done without her. I hope you haven’t been waiting long. I went straight back to the kitchen when I got home, didn’t check in with Donnalou or Ariel. I had marketing.”

“We haven’t been here long.”

“Grand convinced me to get out.” She looked at her grandmother, wiggled her hand and its pale pink nails. “And you were right, as always, Grand. I needed to get out, but next week, we’re both going for the works. I already booked a day.”

“Heaven.” Eyes closed in anticipatory bliss, Eloise let out a happy sigh. “Absolute heaven.”

“And I’m sorry, Lieutenant, Detective, I’m stalling a little. Trying to hang on to the good feeling just a bit longer.” Lips trembled, then firmed. “You have news about Thaddeus?”

As she spoke his name, Darla reached out to take her grandmother’s hand.

“We’re actively pursuing several lines of investigation. Eloise said you’re aware there’s been a third murder.”

Darla cast her eyes down, nodded. “It’s why Grand talked me into getting out. It’s all so horrible.”

“The three men who were murdered all have connections to women in your support group.”

While Eloise gasped, Darla fluttered a hand to her throat. “I—I don’t understand.”

“McEnroy connected to both Jasmine Quirk and Leah Lester. You connect with Thaddeus Pettigrew. Una Ruzaki’s ex-husband, Arlo Kagen, was murdered last night.”

“Dear God, Darla! To think I’ve been urging you to go back to that group. You can’t, you simply can’t until this is all settled.”