Survivor In Death (In Death #20)(8)

“Why does he talk like that?”

“He's not from around here, originally.”

“I was born across the sea, in Ireland.” Now he did smile, just a little. “I've never quite shaken the accent.”

Roarke gestured them inside the spacious foyer, where Summerset stood, with the fat cat sprawled at his feet. “Nixie, this is Summerset,” Roarke said. “He runs the house. He'll be looking after you, for the most part.”

“I don't know him.” And eyeing Summerset, Nixie cringed back against Eve.

“I do.” It was a big cup of bile to swallow, but Eve gulped it down. “He's okay.”

“Welcome, Miss Nixie.” Like Roarke, his face was sober. Eve had to give them both credit for not plastering on those big, scary smiles adults often wore around vulnerable kids. “Would you like me to show you where you'll sleep?”

“I don't know.”

He reached down, picked up the cat. “Perhaps you'd like some refreshment first. Galahad would keep you company.”

“We had a cat. He was old and he died. We're going to get a kitten next. . .”

“Galahad would be pleased to have a new friend.” Summerset sat the cat down again, waiting while Nixie loosened her grip on Eve's hand and moved closer. When the cat bumped his head against her leg, a ghost of a smile trembled on her lips. She sat on the floor, buried her face in his fur.

“Appreciate this,” Eve said to Roarke under her breath. “I know it's a major.”

“It's not.” There was blood on her as well. And the faint scent of death. “We'll talk of it later.”

“I need to go. I'm sorry to dump this on you.”

“I'll be working here most of the morning. Summerset and I will deal well enough.”

“Full security.”

“Without question.”

“I'll get back as soon as I can, work out of here as much as possible. Right now, we need to go notify the parents of the minor female vie. Peabody, you have the Dysons' address?”

“They're not home.” Nixie spoke with her voice muffled against Galahad's fur.

“Nothing wrong with your hearing,” Eve commented, and walked across the foyer. “Where are they?”

“They went to a big hotel, for their anniversary. That's why we could have a sleepover on a school night, me and Linnie. Now you have to tell them she's dead instead of me.”

“Not instead of. If you'd been in the room, you'd both be dead. Where does that get you?”

“Lieutenant.” The irritated shock in Summerset's voice had her doing no more than lifting a hand to jab a finger at him for silence.

“She's not dead because you're not. This is going to be hard on the Dysons, just like it is on you. But you know who's to blame for what happened.”

Nixie looked up now, and those quiet blue eyes hardened like glass. “The men with the knives.”

“Yeah. Do you know what hotel?”

“The Palace, because it's the best. Mr. Dyson said.”

“Okay.” It was the best, Eve thought, because it was one of Roarke's. She shot him a look, got a nod.

“I'll clear the way.”

“Thanks. I've got to go,” she said to Nixie. “You're going to hang with Summerset.”

“The men with knives could come looking for me.”

“I don't think so, but if they do, they can't get in. There's a gate, and it's secure, and the house is secure. And Summerset? I know he looks like a bony, ugly old man, but he's tough, and you're safe with him. This is the deal if you're staying here,” she added as she rose. “It's the best I've got.”

“You're coming back.”

“I live here, remember? Peabody, with me.”

“Her bag's right here.” Peabody gestured to the duffle she'd packed. “Nixie, if I forgot anything you want, or you need something else, you can have Summerset contact me. We'll get it for you.”

Eve's last look was of the child sitting on the floor between the two men, and seeking comfort from the cat.

The minute she was outside, Eve rolled her shoulders, rolled the weight off. “Jesus” was all she said.

“I can't imagine what's going on inside that kid.”

“I can. I'm alone, I'm scared and hurt, and nothing makes sense. And I'm surrounded by strangers.” It made her sick, just a little sick, but she pushed past it. “Check in with EDD, see where they are.”

As she drove back toward the gate, Eve used the dash 'link to contact Dr. Charlotte Mira, at home.

“Sorry. I know it's early.”

“No, I was up.”

On screen Eve could see Mira dab a white towel at her soft sable hair. There was a dew--either sweat or water--on her face.

“Doing my morning yoga. What's the matter?”

“Multiple homicide--home invasion. An entire family, save the nine year-old daughter. Sleepover friend murdered through mistaken ID. Kid's a witness. I've got her stashed at my place.”

“Yours?”

“Fill you in later, but that's how it stands. I'm heading over to notify next of kin on the daughter's friend.”