Page 100 of Bonded in Death

“That’s one way to put it.”

“She brought up Ivanna, and then you told her Marjorie was in New York.”

“That’s on me,” Marjorie said.

“And do you tend to come to your cousin’s rescue?”

“She has a good heart, a good and generous heart. And a very chaotic brain. So yes, and I’m concerned. If she didn’t contact me on her own, he may have forced her. He may have hurt her. He may—”

“You’d have heard it in her voice.” Eve cut off the rising worry. “He hit on you next because you’re a woman, and therefore less. Less bright, lesscautious, less capable. Your cousin calls, you help. That’s your pattern. He’s using your pattern.”

“But my cousin…”

“We’ll check on her. What’s the address?”

“I—I need to go through my address book.”

“I have it. Roger and Darlena Corning,” Roarke said. “It’s not far.”

“Bring a car around,” Eve told Summerset. “Not mine. If he’s watching, he’d make it. What kind of building?”

“Luxury high-rise,” Roarke told her.

“Yours?”

“As it happens.”

“Handy. Underground parking?”

“Yes.”

“Fancy car,” she said to Summerset. “And not one of Roarke’s usuals.” As she swung on her jacket, she turned to Iris. “If she contacts you again, tell her you left a v-mail for Ivanna, and Marjorie’s checking her schedule.

“How far?” she asked Roarke.

“Five minutes.”

“Keep her talking as long as you can.”

“This isn’t a problem with Darlena.”

“Good. Stay in the house. Let’s go.”

“Thinks on her feet, that one.” Harry picked up the cat, who’d followed them up. “We could’ve used her back in the day.”

“I’m happy to make use of her now.” Marjorie laid a hand on Iris’s arm. “If he has Darlena, he needs her until we confirm. But I think the lieutenant’s right, darling. Darlena would never pull off that act.”

Eve took one look at the low-slung bold red sports car and gave Summerset points. If you were trying to go unnoticed, it was the last vehicle you’d pick.

So they’d go unnoticed for that reason alone.

“We didn’t have anyone on Corning.”

“She’s actually a third cousin.” Roarke took the wheel.

“Third cousin. How do people keep track? But he knew about her. She didn’t make the contact. Not a single waver in her voice, no hesitations. Just plowed right through.”

“He could’ve lifted her ’link, fed recordings of her voice into a simulator. Complicated, but he appears to like the complicated.”

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