Brotherhood in Death by J. D. Robb Read Free Book Online

Hank, put these people out. Now.”
    Eve leaned forward, just a little. “You can kiss my ass.”
    Color flooded Mandy’s face. “How
dare
you. You can be sure I’ll contact your superior and report your behavior.”
    â€œThat would be Whitney, Commander Jack. Cop Central.” Eve tookout her badge. “Make a note of the name and number. I cleaned up some of your husband’s blood in that ridiculous old house today—you think about that. You think about that and the fact that you can’t find him. And you remember Dennis Mira ended up unconscious on the floor, shedding some of his own blood because he tried to help. And you—”
    â€œEve,” Roarke murmured.
    â€œNo, bullshit, not done. And you think about the fact a cop came to your door to inform you, to gather information in the investigation of your husband’s whereabouts, and you stonewalled. As a cop I’m now looking right at you, right straight at you as my chief suspect.
    â€œYou got anything hiding in your closets, sister? I guarantee I’ll find it.”
    Astonished outrage stripped Mandy Mira’s face of color. “Get them out. Get them out of my house.”
    She stalked off as Eve turned back to the entrance foyer.
    Hank closed the doors behind them.
    â€œLieutenant? Sir? I want to apologize for—”
    â€œYou got your job, I’ve got mine.”
    â€œAre you certain Senator Mira was injured, and is missing?”
    â€œYes.” The change in tone had her glancing back at him. “Do you know who he was set to meet at the brownstone today?”
    â€œI don’t, but I’ll try to find out. I do know he was due home more than an hour ago. I should be home myself, but Mrs. Mira insisted I stay until he got home.”
    â€œIs that usual?”
    â€œIt’s not unusual. If I find out anything that can help, I’ll contact you at Central. Just FYI—she will contact the governor and your commanding officer.”
    â€œShe can contact God as far as I’m concerned.”
    When the elevator doors shut, Roarke slid his hand down to take hers. He could all but feel the rage vibrating off her skin.
    â€œI’ll be Riff,” he said.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI’ll be Riff, which leaves you with Raff.”
    He saw the momentary confusion on her face, then the quick glint—a reluctant humor—in her eyes. “Why do you get Riff? Because it’s first?”
    â€œBecause I like the sound of it. I think it suits me. You’re more a Raff, definitely. My Raff.”
    â€œThat’s Lieutenant Raff.”
    â€œAs you like.”
    â€œYou’re trying to calm me down so I don’t bust up the elevator.”
    â€œIt’s a by-product of calming myself. I don’t often have an urge to strike a woman—it’s just against my nature. But I had a powerful one up there.”
    â€œWhen I mentally punched her, blood exploded out of her nose.”
    â€œWell then, that will have to do us both. And yet . . .” He brought her fingers to his lips. “We’ll go home and work into all hours trying to find the breathtakingly rude bitch’s husband.”
    â€œHe has to be a dick. Nobody would stay married to that unless he was a dick. But yeah, we’ll work on it.”
    He kept her hand in his as they crossed the lobby. “Maybe he faked an abduction to escape her.”
    â€œIt would be hard to blame him, except he’s a dick.”
    She contacted Mira as Roarke drove home, let her know she’d notified Mandy Mira.
    â€œHow did she take it?”
    â€œShe claims it’s bullshit you and Mr. Mira cooked up, insulted me, Roarke, both of you, and intends to contact the governor and Whitney to report me. I told her to kiss my ass.”
    â€œI’ll take care of it.”
    â€œHey, no. I don’t want you to—”
    â€œI’ll take care of it, Eve. I insist.