Divided in Death (In Death #18)(45)

"I'm stalled in traffic. Why don't these people have jobs? Why don't they have homes?"

"And some nerve they have being out and about on your streets. I'm on them myself, and about to pick up a package. I need to take it home. I very much want you to see it, so you'll want to meet me there."

"What? Why? Goddamn ass**le maxibus! I'm driving here. I'm heading to the East Side, if I don't indulge in a major vehicular accident just to clear the goddamn roads!"

"I'm running that errand for you myself. Come home, Eve."

"But I-" She snarled at the 'link when the transmission ended, then in disgust tossed it at Peabody. "It's gone wonky."

"No, sir. He cut you off. He wants you to go back to the residence, where he's bringing Reva Ewing."

"How do you get that?"

"I watch a lot of spy vids. He must have found something, and he wants to discuss it with you in the most secure location. This is really chilled, you've got to admit."

"Yeah, so chilled, I've yet to talk to Morris, or have another look at the bodies. I haven't booted Dickhead around the lab to see if there's any forensics that might be useful. And, much as I hate it, I haven't talked to the media liaison about a spin when we drop charges on Ewing."

"Those usual routines don't apply as much when you're Bonding."

"Bonding? How am I bonding? I'm not interested in bonding, in fact I dislike bonding intensely."

"No, no, Bonding. Like Bond, James Bond. You know, ult spy guy."

"God." Eve shot down a cross-street, and made it a block before she stalled again. "Why me?"

"I really dig the spy vids, even the old ones. Gadgets and sex and sophisticated quips. You know, Dallas, if Roarke was an actor he could completely play Bond on vid. He's a total Bond."

Eve plowed through the light, cast her eyes to heaven. "God, I repeat. Why me?"

***

She slammed into the house, bared her teeth at Summerset.

"Your associates have arrived. Suitable quarters have been prepared for them. Going by previous experience, I am about to have food supplies completely restocked, with an emphasis on items without any nutritional value whatsoever."

"And you're telling me this because, somehow, I look like I give a shit?"

"You are mistress of this house, and responsible for the comfort of your guests."

"They're not guests. They're cops."

Peabody loitered as Eve charged upstairs. "Is it okay if McNab and I have the room we took last time?"

Summerset's stony countenance softened with a smile. "Of course, Detective. I've arranged it."

"Mag. Thanks."

"Peabody!" Eve's aggrieved voice shot down the stairs. "With me, goddamn it."

"Bad traffic," Peabody grumbled. "Terrible mood."

She had to bolt up the stairs, then streak down the hall to catch up with Eve.

"If you're going to brown-nose the resident cadaver, do it on your own time."

"I wasn't brown-nosing." But the comment had Peabody's nose twitching. "I was merely inquiring about my quarters during this operation. Besides, I don't have to brown-nose Summerset. He likes me."

"That ascribes to him the capacity for human emotions." She swung into Roarke's office, and frowned when she saw him serving coffee to both Reva and Caro. "You might've told me you were bringing them here," she complained, "before I fought my way to the Upper East Side."

"Sorry for the inconvenience, but here is where we need to be."

"This is my case, my investigation, my op. I decide where we need to be."

"This isn't about authority, Lieutenant. And when your knowledge of electronics meets or exceeds mine, we'll re-evaluate." His tone was entirely too pleasant. "In the meantime... coffee?"

"I don't have time for coffee."

"Help yourself, Peabody," he invited, then took Eve's arm. "If I could have a moment, Lieutenant."

She let him lead her into her office. She didn't like it, but she allowed it. Then she blasted him when he'd closed the door. "We need to set some parameters. You're working in conjunction with EDD. You do not have the authority to transport my suspect, and her mother, whenever and wherever you choose. Your personal feelings for them take a backseat, and if they can't, you're out."

"It was necessary. You're irritable and annoyed," he snapped as she started to steam. "Well, so am I. So we can stand here and piss on each other for the next ten minutes, or get on with it."

She had to take a breath, then two, before she managed to control her temper. He looked ready to brawl. Not that she minded that so much, but she was more interested in why.

"Okay, you are irritable and annoyed. What set you off?"

"If you'd give me a few minutes without crawling up my ass, I'll show you."

"I don't like what I see, ace, I'm crawling right back."

He stepped back to the door, then turned to her again. "I realize that I have, on occasion, acted in a way that failed to show the proper respect for your authority and your position. That was wrong. Not that it might not happen again, but it was wrong. This isn't one of those times."