Memory in Death (In Death #22)(90)

"You had fights? You and Mr. Mira?"

"We're married, of course we had fights. Have them. He may seem easygoing, but he's got a mile-wide stubborn streak in him. I love it."

She brushed her hair back as she turned her head to look at Eve. "I imagine we've had a few bouts that could compete with the rounds you and Roarke have. But they bought the package, didn't they? Yours and mine, just as we bought theirs. So we find ways of dealing, of making it work. So you drive this big machine on a nasty day. Which, by the way, is a very sexy ride."

Eve had to grin. "It is, isn't it? So, how soon did the two of you bump heads?"

"Oh, God, we went at each other over buying our first sofa for our first apartment. You would have thought it was the most vital purchase we'd ever make. We ended up buying nothing for nearly a month because neither of us would give in. Then we settled on something completely different, opened a bottle of wine, and made very enthusiastic love on it."

"It's stress, right? Mostly stress and figuring each other out. People who haven't been hooked up long, they're starry-eyed, sure, and spend a lot of time boinking like bunnies, but they snipe at each other over little stuff. And you add major stress, and there ends up being some tension."

"Generally speaking. Specifically speaking about the Lombards, I'd be surprised if there haven't been some difficulties over the last several days. But often, most often, people tend to keep those private battles private."

"But they show, especially to a trained observer. And these two look smooth as glass. She's like the poster girl for wifely behavior. It just hits me wrong." She shifted in her seat. "I know I'm not much in the wifely department, but it makes me want to take another sniff at her. Going out for coffee and bagels, the morning after your mother-in-law's been bludgeoned to death? Come on."

"It's not unusual to do something basic, something everyday, to compensate for trauma."

"Well, how about tapping room service, then? Sure, it was an economy hotel, but it ran to room service."

"Devil's advocate," Mira said, holding up a hand. "She's not used to that sort of thing, more used to doing the food shopping and preparation. I agree, it would've been simpler and more sensible under the circumstances, but it's difficult to see that as suspicious behavior."

"It's more the ball of it. Of her. She does everything just so. Like she's got some checklist. Okay, turn on the tears. Now be brave, bite your lip, turn the guileless, supportive look on your husband. But don't forget your makeup and hair. There's a certain vanity in there that doesn't click with the rest of her."

"You don't like her."

"You know, I don't." Stopped at a light, Eve tapped her fingers on the wheel. Naked fingers, she realized. She'd forgotten her gloves back at Central. "And there's no reason not to like her, on the surface. So it's my gut telling me she's off. Something about her is off, that's all. And maybe I'm just full of shit, maybe I'm reaching. So your impression's going to weigh."

"But no pressure," Mira murmured.

"I'm telling her I'm bringing you along to counsel," Eve continued as she parked. "Just to offer a hand since she's had a couple of tough blows back-to-back."

"And she'll believe that?"

Eve smiled thinly. "She's not the only one who can put on a show. You want to be careful getting out. That sidewalk's going to be slick."

"It's nice," Mira said easily, "to have someone worry."

Vaguely embarrassed, Eve waited until the street was clear to climb out. Inside, she nodded toward security, then logged Mira in. "Any movement upstairs?" she asked the woman on duty.

"None reported."

"She order any food?" At the security woman's raised brow, Eve spoke casually. "Just want to make sure she's taking care of herself. Also, if my men have been hitting room service, I need to keep tabs for the budget."

"I can check on that for you."

"Thanks." She moved to the elevator, got on with Mira. "Just want to see how well she's taking care of herself," she said to answer Mira's unspoken question. "Be interesting to see what she's been eating."

She acknowledged her man on the door. "I want transportation for the witness to and from the hospital, but I want a delay. I don't want her leaving for thirty minutes after I do. Got that?" Yes, sir.

Eve knocked, waited. Zana opened the door with a quick, tremulous smile. "I'm so glad you're here.

I just talked with Bobby's nurse, and she said he's awake, so... Oh." She stopped when she spotted Mira. "I'm sorry. Hello."

"Zana, this is Dr. Mira. She's a friend of mine."

"Oh, well, it's nice to meet you. Please come in. I can, uh, get some coffee?"

"That's all right, I'll take care of that in a minute. Dr. Mira's a counselor. I thought, under the circumstances, you might want to talk to someone. Maybe Bobby, too. Mira's the best," Eve added with a smile, laying a hand on Mira's shoulder to make it seem more friendly than official. "She's helped me a lot with... issues."

"I don't know what to say. Thanks so much for thinking of me, of us."