Page 93 of Random in Death

Relief swamped her when she drove through the gates. Even in the rain, the house looked beyond a dream. Lights gleaming in windows through the gloom, blossoms forming streaks of color and shape.

And quiet, she thought as she pulled up. Already the quiet after so much noise, such relentless movement.

She dragged herself out of the car, through the rain, and into the house, where Summerset and Galahad waited.

“You’ve had a long, wet day, Lieutenant.”

She had nothing, so kept walking.

“Was there another? After last night?”

She glanced back as both the man and the cat watched her. “No. But there will be.”

“She may be wet,” Summerset told the cat, “but she’s wrung herself dry. Go on now, go see to her. Roarke will be a little while yet.”

In the bedroom, she dragged off her damp jacket and considered it done. As she had the day before, she dropped facedown on the bed.

Thirty minutes, she told herself, and went out.

She didn’t feel the cat leap onto the bed, or spread himself over her ass to guard her.

When Roarke came in a half hour later, Summerset waited.

“She’s upstairs. Exhausted.”

“Small wonder.”

“You’re a bit fagged yourself. How was Philadelphia?”

“Dry, so there’s something. And all’s in place.”

“That’s good. After last night, I anticipated considerable fatigue. I made fresh pasta and meatballs.”

“That will be very welcome, on both our counts. She’s closer.”

Understanding, Roarke laid a hand on Summerset’s arm. “I had a brief update, and she’s closer.”

“Go tend to your wife.” Summerset gave the hand on his shoulder a brief pat. “There’s cherry pie for later.”

“You’ve been busy.”

“It kept my mind occupied.”

“She’ll find him.”

“She will, and you’ll help her.”

“As I can.”

Roarke walked up, made his way to the bedroom.

Galahad blinked his eyes open but maintained his perch.

“We’ll both see to her now, won’t we?”

He sat on the side of the bed, skimmed a hand lightly over her hair.

He took off his suit jacket, his tie, his shoes. Then lay down beside her. After setting his mental clock for ten minutes, he dropped into sleep with her.

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