Page 74 of Devoted in Death

“I suck at it, you know I do. I don’t get why you keep getting pissed that I suck at it.”

“You don’t, so when you do something that sucks, as you say, it’s very annoying.” He continued to change while she said nothing. “Both children?”

“It looks like the boy’s going to make it. His older sister shielded him as best she could with her own body.”

“And Baxter?”

“He’ll get through it. It’s what we do.”

“It is, yes. It’s what you do.” And for better or worse, what he often did now as well. “And this Banner?”

“He’s solid, like I said. He came here on his own nickel, hopped a shuttle when he got the alert about my searches. Then drove the rest of the way when weather dumped him in Cleveland. He’s been pursuing this, mostly on his own time, since last summer because the feds and the locals don’t think his vic was in the stream. I do. Anything we can get may help us find Jayla Campbell before it’s too late.”

“Then we’d best get to work on it.”

“I’m sorry. I am.” Though she felt annoyance at every damn thing tangling up with the sorry. “And I’m going to be sorrier because I forgot to tell you Peabody and McNab are coming, too.”

“Banner told me.”

“Shit.”

He crossed to her, set his hands on her shoulders. She noted, with relief (and a little more guilt) the temper had faded from his eyes. “It’s our home, and those you want are welcome here. But—”

“Not strangers with stunners.”

“Unless you give me prior notice.”

“Got it.”

“All right, then. We’ve left our guest cop alone in your office long enough.”

“I thought he’d take longer to settle in. He’s been going since yesterday.”

“Then I imagine he could use a beer and a meal.”

“Thanks.” She cupped his face, kissed him. Gave him another as she’d decided, positions reversed, she’d probably have slapped harder than he had. “Seriously.”

“You’re welcome.” He kissed her back. “Seriously.”

They started out together.

“Perhaps you’d fill me in,” Roarke suggested, “as I’m apparently well behind.”

“It’s a lot.”

Eve gave him a quick roundup as they moved to her office. There Banner sat in the sleep chair, the cat comfortably on his lap. He looked half asleep, roused himself when they came in.

“Sorry. Zoning out some.”

“The lieutenant tells me you’ve been at this since yesterday. I expect you could use a beer.”

The wary look on his face lifted with an easy grin. “I sure wouldn’t turn one down.”

“Eve?”

“Yeah, beer’s great. I’ll get it. And food, I guess. Pizza work?”

Banner flashed that grin a second time. “When doesn’t it?”

---