Page 126 of Devoted in Death

“She’ll want to walk it as well,” he commented. “Are you set, Ian?” he asked McNab. “The lieutenant wouldn’t care for it overmuch, but Summerset’s a good hand, and I can have him work with you while I’m in the field.”

“I’ve got this, but thanks.”

“Fuel up when you need to. It looks to be a long night.”

He met Eve downstairs, pulled the scarf out of her coat pocket, wound it expertly around her neck. “It’s bitter and filthy out.”

“I get that, and odds are slim they’re out hunting. But—” She walked outside, into the icy sleet and wicked cold. “It’s also the perfect time to grab somebody. Most people are inside—home, a bar, whatever. It’s good cover.”

Once inside the all-terrain, she frowned at the interior. “This isn’t the one from before.”

“It’s another one. A bit smaller as we’re not hauling people around with us. Quick,” he said as he punched it to a speed she wouldn’t have attempted unless in pursuit. “And agile.”

To demonstrate he hit vertical and flew over the gates.

“It moves. And this isn’t the way you figured to spend your evening.”

“I believe we’re past evening now. I enjoy working with McNab. His mind’s quick, his energy infectious. And I got a Bella report if you’re interested.”

She watched the streets. Plenty of cabs—few with lights on—fewer private vehicles. And a stingy scatter of pedestrians. “McNab gave you a Bella report?”

“He’s fairly mad for her. He and Peabody babysat last week so Mavis and Leonardo could have a date night. The three of them, I’m told, had a dance party. With costumes.”

“Huh.”

“She’s coming up on her first birthday. Have you given that any thought?”

“No.” Panic wanted to rise. “I don’t know how to buy a birthday thing for a one-year-old. You do it.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

She shifted her attention from the street to him for a heartbeat. He knew much about most, but she wasn’t sure even Roarke knew what you were supposed to get for a first birthday.

“I’ll ask Peabody.”

“Excellent idea.”

“There’s going to be a party, isn’t there? Some big, insane Mavis party. Possibly with costumes.”

“I imagine so.”

“I’m not wearing a costume, not even for Mavis. Or one of those hats. Those pointy hats.”

“There’s bound to be cake.”

“I like cake. They were getting bored.”

Not Bella, Roarke thought, or her parents. The killers.

“So they wanted to mix it up.”

“I think so.” She knew them now, knew them, and it... “It feels so. All the way here, they were on the move, had this goal—her dream of New York, and his romantic ideal to fulfill her dream. Then they got here. We assumed Kuper was their first in New York, but I’m not even close to assuming that now.”

“The tenant or owner of wherever they’re—nesting is how you put it.”

“Yeah. They could have gone the straight rental route, but it’s not pattern. Skipping out on the rent, stealing from wherever they work. I’ll bet you a night in costumes when we track them back, they’ll have skipped out on motels and flops, or used vacants, killed owners and tenants along their route.”

“I’m sorry, I’m still considering the bet for costumes as I don’t see how I can lose.”

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