Ceremony in Death (In Death #5)(97)

Mira’s recommendation for further testing, and for treatment as a mentally defective might have been sound, but it didn’t change the facts.

Mirium had butchered a man in cold blood, and would more than likely do her time in the quiet rooms of a mental health facility.

The truth testing hadn’t been much more helpful. It indicated the subject was telling the truth — as the subject saw the truth. There were gaps and hitches and confusion.

Likely due, Eve noted, glancing at the drug scan results, from having a half dozen illegal substances bouncing around in her system.

“Lieutenant?” Peabody stepped in, waited for Eve to look up. “Schultz from the PA’s office just tagged me.”

“What’s the status?”

“The lawyer won’t budge. She’s pushing for a truth test, but Forte keeps refusing. Schultz thinks she’s stalling, says she wants forty-eight to study all the reports and evidence. It’ll keep Forte in since bail was denied, but she’s insisting. Schultz thinks Forte’s ready to roll over, but she’s keeping him on a short leash.”

“Schultz give you all that?”

“Yeah, well, I think he was looking to make time. Fresh divorce.”

“Oh.” Eve lifted a brow. “And he likes a woman in uniform.”

“I’d say it’s more like he likes a human with br**sts at this point. Bottom line, he doesn’t think we’re getting any more tonight. The lawyer exercised her client’s right for minimum break. Schultz agreed to talk more in the morning. He’s headed out.”

“All right. Maybe it’s best to give them both time to stew. We’ll swing by Isis’s place. May be able to shake her.”

“You’ve got it pretty well wrapped.” Peabody fell into step beside her. “You’ll be able to relax some tonight at the party.”

“Party?” Eve stopped dead. “Mavis’s party? That’s tonight? Hell.”

“So speaks the party animal,” Peabody said dryly. “Personally, I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a shitty week.”

“Halloween’s supposed to be for kids, so they can blackmail adults into forking over junk food. Grown men and women running around in dopey costumes. It’s embarrassing.”

“Actually it’s an old, revered tradition with its roots in earth religions.”

“Don’t get started,” Eve warned as they rode down to the garage. She eyed Peabody suspiciously. “You’re not actually wearing a costume.”

“How else can I guarantee getting my share of candy?” Peabody brushed some lint from the front of her uniform.

The store was dark, and so was the apartment. No one answered the knock on any door. Eve considered, checked her watch. “I’m going to stake it out for a couple of hours. I’d rather hit her tonight.”

“She’s probably at the sabbat ceremony.”

“I don’t figure she’s in the mood for naked dancing under the circumstances. I’ll stick. You can catch transpo from here.”

“I can stay.”

“It’s not necessary. If she doesn’t show in a couple hours, I’ll head to Mavis’s.”

“Like that?” Peabody scanned Eve’s faded jeans, worn boots, and battered jacket. “Don’t you want to wear something more… festive?”

“No. I’ll see you there.” Eve climbed back in the car, lowered the window. “So, what are you wearing?”

“It’s a secret,” Peabody said with a grin and walked off to catch a tram home.

“Embarrassing,” Eve decided, and settling back, engaged her ‘link. The system put her through to Roarke at his midtown office.

“Just caught me,” he told her, and noted the edge of the steering wheel on the monitor. “Obviously, you’re not at home getting yourself ready for tonight’s festivities.”

“Obviously not. I’ve got a couple more hours here, so I’ll meet you at Mavis’s. We can duck out early.”

“I can see you’re already looking forward to an exciting evening.”

“Halloween.” She glanced over as a ghoul, a six-foot pink rabbit, and a mutant transexual crossed the street in front of her car. “I just don’t get it.”

“Darling Eve, for some it’s simply an excuse to be foolish. For others it’s a serious holy day. Samhain, the beginning of Celtic winter. The beginning of the year, the turn of it with the old dying and the new yet unborn. On this night the veil between is very thin.”

“Boy.” She gave a mock shudder. “Now I’m spooked.”

“Tonight we’ll concentrate on using it as an excuse to be foolish. Want to get drunk and have wild sex?”

“Yeah.” Her lips twitched. “That sounds pretty good.”

“We could get started now. A little ‘link sex.”

“That would be illegal over an official line. Besides, you never know when Dispatch is going to get nosey.”

“Then I won’t mention how much I want to get my hands on you. My mouth on you. How exciting it is to feel you under me, when I’m inside you and you arch back, struggling to breathe and fist your hands in my hair.”

“No, don’t mention it,” she told him as the muscles in her thighs tingled and went lax. “I’ll see you in a couple hours. We’ll, ah, go home early. Then you could mention it.”