Calculated in Death

needed to practice getting to it in these ankle-breakers.” The shoes, the same deep color as the dress, sparkled like the diamond around her neck. “It’s doable.”
    “I’m a very lucky man.”
    “Goes without saying.”
    “It can’t be said often enough. You look stunning. Wear these.” He took a box out of his pocket, flipped it open to a pair of long diamond and ruby earrings.
    “Are they new?”
    Her accusatory tone made him laugh. “They’re not, no. I got them out as they work well with the dress. I’d another necklace in mind, but I think the Giant’s Tear is exactly right, and a sentimental favorite. I’ll be dressed in a minute.”
    “It’s just wrong because you will be, and it took forever to make me up like this.”
    “Worth every moment. McNab and I—and Feeney—are set, by the way.”
    “Good.” She turned back to the mirror, again drew her weapon.
    So was she.
    •   •   •
    S he dealt with Baxter’s
hubba-hubba
, Trueheart’s blush, Santiago’s wiggled eyebrows by coolly ignoring them. Because she figured it helped tamp down nerves, she let Peabody do a couple exaggerated runway strides and turns to a chorus of wolf whistles.
    Once the expected bullshit ran its course, she ran through the op, the positions, the codes.
    “Any questions, problems, concerns, let me hear them now.”
    “Can we list popcorn as an expense?” Baxter wanted to know.
    “No, and no corn. I don’t want slippery fingers. Those of you on theater security or staff, head out now. Those of you going in as guests, give it twenty. Checks every fifteen.”
    She scanned the room. “Let’s go catch a vid.”
    Having Mavis along for the ride kept things light. Her
out there
took form in a cascade of shimmering blonde intersected with a multitude of thin purple braids that matched the color of her dress. Emerald green ribbon—the color of her shoes—twined around each braid. Beside her, Leonardo wore the emerald green in a long-jacketed tux with purple shirt and tie.
    “I wish you could have some of this bubbly.”
    “After,” Eve told her.
    “You’re not even afraid.”
    “Just that I might trip in these damn shoes.”
    “Those shoes are magalicious, Dallas. We all look magalicious.”
    “I might be sick.” Peabody, in vivid gold, pressed a hand to her stomach.
    Leonardo took out a little silver box, opened it. “Peppermints. They help. The first time I did a red carpet, I
was
sick. Remember, Mavis?”
    “Poor babydoll.” She cooed at him. “He barely made it to the john before he booted.”
    “You’re not going to be sick.” McNab rubbed her back. “You’re going to have fun.”
    He wore what Eve supposed could be called a tux, except every time he moved or the light hit the material, colors shimmered. An instant of red, an instant of blue, an instant of gold.
    It made her a little dizzy.
    She looked away, checked in with her team.
    “Everyone’s in place. No sign of the suspect. Reineke reports the crowd at the barricades is bigger than expected.” Nearly there, she thought. “Mavis, Leonardo, you’re all right with getting out first?”
    “No prob,” Mavis assured her.
    “I just want you out, and out of the way.”
    “Don’t worry.” Leonardo put his big arm around Mavis. “I’ll take care of her.”
    “Oh, honey bear.”
    “No kissy-face, we’re about to pull up. You mingle, and until this goes down I don’t want you too close to me.”
    “We’re all good. You stay that way,” Mavis warned, and gave Eve a quick hug. “And you can follow my lead,” she told Peabody. “Well, Dallas’s for the op, but mine for the show. Remember?”
    “Smile, but keep it easy and natural. Shoulders back, don’t slouch. It’s okay to wave. If I pose, oh God, shift my weight to my back foot. And looking-over-the-shoulder shots are usually flattering.”
    “Nailed it in one.” Mavis patted Peabody’s arm. “Here we go. Catch this bastard quick, okay, so we can have some fun.”
    The driver, one of Roarke’s personal security team, opened the door. The sea of sound rolled in. Shouts, calls, flashes from cheap home cams and vids.
    Leonardo stepped out first, offered Mavis his hand. And when she slid out, the sea of sound crested. Despite the circumstances, despite the tension, it gave Eve a boost to hear the crowds shout out Mavis’s name.
    “She’s kind of a sensation,” Eve observed. Then shifted modes. “Exiting vehicle now, Peabody to follow.”
    At her nod,