In Death 07.5 - Midnight in Death by J.D. Robb Read Free Book Online

Palmer’s official records.”
    “I know it.” The admission covered both statements, and frustrated her equally. “I have to start somewhere. Go away and let me work.”
    “Done with me, are you?” He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers.
    The sound of a throat being loudly and deliberately cleared came from the doorway. “Sorry.” Peabody managed most of a smile. She was pale, and more than a little heavy-eyed, but her uniform was stiff and polished, as always.
    “You’re early.” Eve rose, then slid her hands awkwardly into her pockets.
    “The message said to report as soon as possible.”
    “I’ll leave you two to work.” Alone, Roarke thought, the two of them would slip past the discomfort faster. “It’s good to see you, Peabody. Lieutenant,” he added before he closed the door between the rooms, “you might want to check the names of deceased relatives. The transfer and disbursement of funds involving accounts with the same last name and blood ties are rarely noticed.”
    “Yeah, right. Thanks.” Eve shifted her feet. The last time she’d seen her aide, Peabody had been wrapped in a blanket, her face blotchy from tears. “You okay?”
    “Yeah, mostly.”
    Mostly, my ass, Eve thought. “Look, I shouldn’t have called you in on this. Take a couple of more days to level off.”
    “Sir. I’d do better if I got back to work, into routine. Sitting home watching videos and eating soy chips isn’t the way I want to spend another day. Work clears it out quicker.”
    Because she believed that herself, Eve moved her shoulders. “Then get some coffee, Peabody, I’ve got plenty of work here.”
    “Yes, sir.” She stepped forward, pulling a small wrapped box from her pocket, setting it on the desk as she went to the AutoChef. “Your Christmas present. I didn’t get a chance to give it to you before.”
    “I guess we were a little busy.” Eve toyed with the ribbon. Gifts always made her feel odd, but she could sense Peabody’s eyes on her. She ripped off the red foil, opened the lid. It was a silver star, a little dented, a bit discolored.
    “It’s an old sheriff’s badge,” Peabody told her. “I don’t guess it’s like Wyatt Earp’s or anything, but it’s official. I thought you’d get a kick out of it. You know, the long tradition of law and order.”
    Absurdly touched, Eve grinned. “Yeah. It’s great.” For the fun of it, she took it out and pinned it to her shirt. “Does this make you the deputy?”
    “It suits you, Dallas. You’d’ve stood up wherever, whenever.”
    Looking up, Eve met her eyes. “You stand, Peabody. I wouldn’t have called you in today if I thought different.”
    “I guess I needed to hear that. Thanks. Well…” She hesitated, then lifted her brows in question.
    “Problem?”
    “No, I just…” She pouted, giving her square, sober face a painfully young look. “Hmmm.”
    “You didn’t like your present?” Eve said lightly. “You’ll have to take that up with Leonardo.”
    “What present? What’s he got to do with it?”
    “He made that wardrobe for your undercover work. If you don’t like it…”
    “The clothes.” Like magic, Peabody’s face cleared. “I get to keep all those mag clothes? All of them?”
    “What the hell am I supposed to do with them? Now are you going to stand around grinning like an idiot or can I get on with things here?”
    “I can grin and work at the same time, sir.”
    “Settle down. Start a run and trace on this rope.” She pushed a hard-copy description across the desk. “I want any sales within the last week, bulk sales. He uses a lot of it.”
    “Who?”
    “We’ll get to that. Run the rope, then get me a list of private residences—upscale—sold or rented in the metro area within the last week. Also private luxury vehicles—pickup or delivery on those within the last week. He needs transpo and he’d go classy. The cage,” she muttered as she began to pace. “Where the hell did he