Page 159 of Bonded in Death

“This boy’s good.” Cyril gave McNab a slap on the back. “If you ever decide to work in the public sector, you’re hired.”

“Thanks. EDD and New York, that’s home. Can I get a fizzy from the kitchen AC, LT? I could use a hit of the sweet.”

“Get what you need.”

“I’ll see to breakfast. I could use some help with the chairs, a table.”

She gave Summerset a little credit for moving the civilians out. Then focused on the screen.

She saw how it would work—had to allow for complications, but she saw how it would work.

Feeney got there first. He looked like he’d slept in his clothes—but that was usual.

He took a look at the board, then moved to stand beside Eve, studied the screen.

“That’s his hole? Big, fancy one.”

“Yeah. A few decades in a cage makes you want some space.”

“He won’t have it much longer. The kid there?”

She nodded when he pointed to the storage room. “Yeah. That’s where he did the recording. No reason to move him.”

“He didn’t plan on letting the boy out of there breathing.”

“No. But he has to keep him going until noon for the follow-up.”

Feeney checked the time. “We’ll have the kid home in time for his breakfast. Got the security system?”

“Roarke’s working that. It’s one of his.”

Feeney grinned. “Ain’t that sweet?”

When he leaned over Roarke’s shoulder, and they began to talk e, Eve left them to get more coffee.

No booster, she decided. Too close to go time, and she’d found yet another wind. This one, a gale.

She caught the smell of food as Summerset and his friends carried in the domes, plates.

Galahad caught it, too, and he padded in, looking innocent.

“More coming now,” Roarke said.

“Yes. I’ll see to it.” Summerset went out, and minutes later, Baxter and Trueheart came in.

“I knew we could count on you.” Scanning the table, Baxter rubbed his hands together.

“Can I pour you some coffee, Detectives?”

“Ms. Wright.” Baxter laid a hand on his heart. “I fell in love with you when I sawThis Side of Morning.”

Laughing, she reached out to take his hand. “You couldn’t have been six when I played Eloise. And that vid’s hardly appropriate for a child.”

“I was twelve the first time I saw it after I figured out how to shut down parental controls. It was love, and no woman yet has met that standard.”

Callendar popped in. “Breakfast! Woo!”

“Let me make introductions,” Marjorie began, and continued as the others straggled in.

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