Page 123 of Thankless in Death

She adjusted the map, highlighted her target area.

“Computer, search and list all luxury hotels, all luxury apartment buildings, condos, or rental homes within highlighted area.”

Acknowledged. Working...

“Secondary task. Search and list all high-end furniture stores, specialize in contemporary, trendy. Just the borough of Manhattan for now.”

She paced as the computer acknowledged.

“Next task. Search and list any and all gourmet markets that deliver within highlighted area.”

He had the droid, she thought, and he could send it out to shop, but it was worth a shot.

Initial task complete. Results on screen...

Eve looked at the list, dragged her hands through her hair at the number to wade through.

“Okay, there has to be a way to refine that.”

She’d spread herself thin with assigning men to protective details. And it would take a squad of cops hours if not days to check with every single location.

His own place, she thought. Privacy, status, less chance of being nailed by security or a nosy desk clerk, even with the change in looks.

“Computer, save hotel list, but separate.”

She’d scrape up a uniform, put him on a ’link, have him contact the hotels—again. But her gut said he’d rent his own space now.

Secondary task complete. Result on screen, split with residential locations...

Eve scowled at the list. “I said Manhattan only.”

Affirmative. Results listed are for Manhattan only...

“Shit.” This time she pulled at her hair.

Some results are specialty outlets, the computer continued. Some deal only or primarily with one type of item. Lamps, tables, chairs—

“Okay, okay, I get it. Would he do that?” she wondered. “Would a guy take that kind of time, going to a lamp store, a table store? I don’t think so, but...”

She stepped out into the bullpen briefly. “Baxter! My office.”

She circled back, paced. Foot hurts. Probably wouldn’t walk around the city. Use websites, the ’link. Order that way, pay electronically. If he—

“Yeah, boss?” Baxter flipped off his shades, hooked them in his breast pocket.

“You’ve got pretty swank digs, right?”

His grin spread. “I do what I can.”

“I’ve seen your ride. Shiny penis metaphor.”

“Hey.”

“It is what it is.” Eyeing him, she eased down a hip on her desk. “You got the slick wardrobe, the slick ride, so you’ve got slick digs and sexy furnishings, right?”

“I like looking good, living good. What’s the deal, LT?”

“Reinhold. I figure he’s got to be getting or already has a place of his own. Something swank, and I’m working on it. But when you get a swank space, you need to furnish it. He’d go for trendy, high-end. He’d like paying a premium. It’ll make him feel superior. My list here has all these specialty shops.”

---