The In Death Collection: Books 26-29 by J.D. Robb Page A

out like that, and she hired someone who tailors the hit to the client’s specifications.”
    â€œFantasy Hits R Us.”
    â€œThere’s a way to make money, people find it. I’m going to go over her financials and have Roarke comb them. But so far, nothing’s popped there either. No suspicious withdrawals, no payments that don’t jibe.” She paced. “Good-looking woman. She’s got style, power. The sort that could talk a lover, if he’s stupid enough, into doing her dirty work for her.”
    â€œBut then if she had a lover,” Peabody pointed out, “why is she paying Charles five thousand a bang, twice a month?”
    â€œExactly, so…” Eve turned back. “How do you know what Charles charges a bang?”
    â€œAh.” Peabody fussed with her hair, pulled at the silver buttons on her suit jacket. “Maybe, being curious, I looked up his rates when we were sort of dating.”
    â€œUh-huh. Well, I can agree that if a woman’s getting strange for free, she’s unlikely to pay ten grand a month for a couple thrills. See what you can find.”
    Moving away again, Eve pulled out her ’link to schedule an appointment with Mira, and to put a hold on an interview room.
    â€œLadies.” Roarke spoke from the doorway of their adjoining offices. “Peabody, you look ravishing.”
    â€œI do?” She nearly squealed it. “But in a screen-friendly, trustworthy, public servant kind of way?”
    â€œYes, indeed. The color’s wonderful on you.”
    â€œJesus,” Eve said under her breath, and earned a mild stare from her husband.
    â€œBreakfast?” he said.
    Peabody watched as Eve scowled, shrugged. Then Roarke lifted his brows with those dreamy eyes steady. Her lieutenant rolled hers, but stomped off to the kitchen.
    â€œYou guys don’t even have to talk.” Resting her chin on her fist, Peabody sighed. “You just know.”
    â€œIt does come in handy from time to time. How was your date night?”
    â€œIt was mag. Really. Mostly because we both agreed we like noisy, crowded clubs better than grown-up, sophisticated ones. But it’s good to try something new.”
    â€œStop socializing with my partner,” Eve called out from the kitchen.
    â€œFinancials,” Peabody mouthed.
    â€œAh, yes.” Casually, Roarke strolled over, gave a quick glance at the data on screen. He winked at Peabody and sent her pulse scrambling, then continued on to the kitchen where his wife was taking an annoyed bite out of a bagel.
    â€œBreakfast,” she muttered at him.
    â€œSuch as it is. Why don’t I go over the financials? I can do it in considerably less time than you or Peabody, which frees you up to go out and browbeat suspects.”
    She frowned, chewed. “You’d have to do it straight. No unregistered, no illegal hacking.”
    â€œYou underestimate the skill of an honest man.”
    â€œYeah, but I’m talking to you.” She grinned over another bite of bagel. “I could use the help, if you’ve got the time between schemes of universal financial domination.”
    â€œI’ll work it in. Now.” He brushed a crumb away from the side of her mouth, kissed her. “Go protect and serve.”
    â€œGood idea. Peabody,” she said as she headed out, “with me.”
    â€œI haven’t really started on—”
    â€œThe civilian’s got it. Let’s go take a few kicks at the grieving widow.”
    â€œThat’s lots more fun.” Peabody jumped up, grabbed her garment bag. And because Eve was already out of earshot, turned back as Roarke came out of the kitchen. “Do you like the earrings?”
    He stepped closer to give them a good study. “They’re charming.”
    â€œBut in a—”
    â€œIn a professional and intuitive police detective sort of way. You’ll be wonderful and look the