Page 78 of Bonded in Death

“Are you serious?”

“I reprogrammed it, as I thought you’d find it more professional. Or at least amusing.”

She tucked her hands in her pockets. “Sort of both.”

“I forgot you had elevators,” Peabody commented. “The way they’re worked into the walls, you don’t really see them. Smooth ride.”

“We do what we can.”

The elevator didn’t open into the room, but the wide hall just outside it. Once again, Roarke gestured.

“Take a look. If you want changes, we’ll see about making them.”

She stepped in. A big room, a wide view of the back gardens, the grove, the little pond.

A room that maybe edged really, really close to swank on her gauge, but didn’t go over the top.

He’d brought in a table. Nothing you’d see in any cop shop’s Interview A, not with that gleam of polish on actual wood. And the chairs were dark green leather, generously sized. Rather than dull beige walls, these hit creamy. No two-way mirror, but art she imagined he’d personally selected.

It held a sofa as well, a couple more chairs.

She turned to the large wall screen.

“If you need to display anything there, it’s now connected to your command center. AutoChef, friggie.” He opened a carved cabinet with gracefully curved legs. “D and C unit.” Now he pressed a control that had one sliding out of the wall.

“Frost extreme!” was Peabody’s opinion.

“And handy as well. Washroom.” He gestured to a door. “You can speak with our guests individually or as a group, whatever works for you.”

“One at a time for now. A couple more to come, right?”

“Yes.”

“Peabody’s been briefed on Ivan Draski and my decision regarding him.”

“Ah, well then. I did wonder. Will the room suit you?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“I think you’ll find them interesting individuals. I certainly have on this very brief acquaintance. They’re grieving, and they’re grateful. The bond with Rossi, and each other, it’s strong. It shows.

“When do you want to begin?”

“No time like now. Peabody, pull up the files from my office unit. I’ll go get Ivanna.”

“You’ll start with her? I’ll go down for her.”

“Okay, save me a trip. And, Roarke, keep an eye on the rest of them. Especially Light-Fingers Harry. This place is full of the swank.”

He laughed at that. “The bond, Eve. Harry would hardly steal from the home where Summerset lives. Or, if he’s still in the game, from the home of a cop.”

“And still.”

Shaking his head, Roarke started out. “Ah, nearly forgot. Summerset’s planning a dinner for tonight.”

“Hey, I can’t—”

Roarke waved a hand. “I told him he should have tonight, especially,to reconnect with his friends without the cop and the civilian consultant in the mix.”

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