Rapture in Death by J. D. Robb Read Free Book Online Page B

him, glanced over and grinned at her.
    We’ll just have to wipe that smug look off your face, pal, she thought. Real soon.
    “Eve, we didn’t hear you come in.”
    “Obviously.” She snagged an unidentifiable canape from the tray and stuffed it into her mouth.
    “I don’t believe you’ve met our guests. Reeanna Ott, William Shaffer, my wife, Eve Dallas.”
    “Watch yourself, Ree, she’s armed.” With a chuckle, William crossed over to extend a hand. He moved in a lope, like a thin horse going out to pasture. “A pleasure to meet you, Eve. A genuine pleasure. Ree and I were so disappointed we were unable to attend your wedding.”
    “Devastated.” Reeanna smiled at Eve, her green eyes sparkling. “William and I were desperate to meet, face to face, the woman who brought Roarke to his knees.”
    “He’s still standing.” Eve flicked Roarke a glance as he handed her a glass of wine. “For now.”
    “Ree and William were in the lab on Tarus Three, working on some projects for me. They’ve just gotten back on planet for some well deserved R and R.”
    “Oh?” Like she gave a rat’s skinny ass.
    “The on-the-board project’s been a particular pleasure,” William said. “Within a year, two at most, Roarke Industries will introduce new technology that will revolutionize the entertainment and amusement world.”
    “Entertainment and amusement.” Eve smiled thinly. “Well, that’s earth shattering.”
    “Actually, it has the potential to be just that.” Reeanna sipped her wine and sized Eve up: attractive, irritated, competent. Tough. “There are potential medical breakthroughs as well.”
    “That’s Ree’s end.” William lifted his glass to her with easy, intimate affection in his eyes. “She’s the med expert. I’m just a fun guy.”
    “I’m sure, after putting in a long day, Eve doesn’t want to hear us talk shop. Scientists,” Reeanna said with an apologetic smile. “We’re so tedious. You’re just back from Olympus.” Silk whispered as Reeanna shifted that staggering body. “William and I were part of the team that designed the amusement and medical centers there. Did you have time to tour them?”
    “Briefly.” She was being rude, Eve reminded herself. She would have to become accustomed to coming home and finding elegant company, to seeing gorgeous women drool over her husband. “Very impressive, even at mid-construction stage. The medical facility will be more so when it’s staffed. Was the hologram room in the main hotel yours?” Eve asked William.
    “Guilty,” he said with a sparkle. “I love to play. Do you?”
    “Eve considers it work. As it happens, we had an incident while we were there,” Roarke put in. “A suicide. One of the autotronic techs. Mathias?”
    William’s brow furrowed. “Mathias… young, red hair, freckles?”
    “Yes.”
    “Good God.” He shuddered, drank deeply. “Suicide? Are you sure it wasn’t an accident? My recollection is of an enthusiastic young man with big ideas. Not one who’d take his own life.”
    “That’s what he did,” Eve said shortly. “He hanged himself.”
    “How horrible.” Pale now, Reeanna sat on the arm of a couch. “Did I know him, William?”
    “I don’t think so. You might have seen him at one of the clubs while we were there, but I don’t remember him as much of a socializer.”
    “I’m terribly sorry, in any case,” Reeanna said. “And how awful for you to deal with such a tragedy on your honeymoon. Let’s not dwell on it.” Galahad leaped onto the couch, skimmed his head under Reeanna’s elegant hand. “I’d so much rather hear about the wedding we missed.”
    “Stay for dinner.” Roarke gave Eve’s arm an apologetic squeeze. “We’ll bore you to tears with it.”
    “I wish we could.” William offered Reeanna’s shoulder the same smooth stroke as she gave the cat’s head. “We’re due at the theater. We’re already late.”
    “You’re right, as always.” With obvious regret,