Delusion in Death

recognized you, caused you more grief and trouble. Dead’s better.”
    The rant was so unPeabody, Eve sat in silence. “I’m not sure how to respond,” she decided.
    “We should go get a goddamn drink. A whole shitload of god-damn drinks.”
    “Jesus, don’t cry.”
    “I’ll cry if I fucking want to.” She sniffled, swiped. “Fucking bitch.”
    “It’s mean to call me a bitch when I’ve shared personal trauma.”
    “I didn’t mean you! I meant your—I meant McQueen’s fucking bitch. I should’ve been there for you.”
    And she’d know not to use the M word, not to say mother . Thatwas very Peabody. “Roarke sent for Mira after McQueen killed Stella. And he had Mira bring Galahad.”
    Now the tears really rolled—big, fat drops until Peabody had to dig through her pockets to find an old tissue. “I love him.”
    “He’s a pretty good cat.”
    Wet laughter blew through the tissue. “Sure he is, but you know I meant Roarke. I love him. And if something terrible happened to McNab, I’d fight you for him. And I’ve been practicing.”
    “So warned.”
    “You’re okay?”
    Eve thought it over. “I’m okay. There’s probably going to be some rough spots here and there, but I’m okay. Sperm and egg—that’s what they were. For eight years, between the two of them, they made me a victim. They made me afraid and gave me pain. Now they’re dead. I’m not a victim. I’m not afraid. And pain? Not much. They can’t hurt me anymore, so what I have, it’s just echoes. It’ll pass.”
    She pulled up in front of the little house in Brooklyn. “Do something about your face. You’re all splotchy.”
    “Crap.” Peabody began lightly slapping her hands over her face.
    “What does that do?”
    “Makes it all red, distributes the blood. Maybe. It’ll calm down in a few minutes. Just keep Mrs. Cattery focused on you.”
    “Christ. Stay behind me.”
    Peabody got out, lifted her reddened face. “It’s really windy, and cold. It’ll just look like I’m windburned.” She took a steadying breath. “Did you tell me this when we were in the car and on our way to interview so I couldn’t hug you?”
    “It’s a side benefit.”
    “I’m going to hug you later. You won’t know when it’s coming.”
    “The same goes for my boot up your ass.”

    “That’s a given. It’s a daily surprise.”
    “Settle down, and let’s do this.”
    “It’s a nice house,” Peabody observed as they walked to the door. “Nice neighborhood.”
    “He was the only one on the team who did the campaign who didn’t live within blocks of the office.”
    “Wife and kids. Fenced yard. Dog.” She nodded toward the back. “See, doghouse.”
    “What’s in a doghouse? Mini-screen, AutoChef?”
    “Probably a ratty blanket and a collection of soup bones. How’s my face?”
    “I’ve seen worse.”
    With that ringing endorsement, Peabody angled herself slightly behind her partner as Eve knocked on the door.

16
    Eve pegged the woman who answered as a well-toned sixty-five. Her hair, a stylishly streaky sweep, swung around a tired face currently dominated by suspicious eyes.
    “Can I help you?”
    “Lieutenant Dallas, Detective Peabody, NYPSD. We—”
    “Of course, I recognize you. Have you found the person responsible for Joe?”
    “We’re pursuing all leads. We’d like to speak to Mrs. Cattery if she’s available.”
    “She’s resting. Can you talk to me? I’m her mother. I’m Dana Forest. I don’t want to disturb Elaine if there’s nothing new. She’s barely slept since—”
    “I’m up, Mom.”
    Eve caught a glimpse of the woman on the stairs. She wore a bulkysweater over blue and green sleep pants, thick red socks on her feet. Her hair, a deep, bark brown, hung in a lank tail down her back. Bruises of grief and exhaustion provided the only color in her face. If her mother looked tired, Elaine Cattery looked utterly depleted.
    “Lainey, you need some rest.”
    “Don’t worry.” She came down, leaned against her mother in a way that made them a unit. “Where are the kids?”
    “Sam and Hannah took them to the park to let the dog run, just to get them out for a little while.”
    “It’s so cold.”
    “Everyone’s bundled up. Don’t you worry.”
    “I’m sorry. We’re leaving you out in the wind. Please, come in.”
    “How about some tea?” Dana kept her arm around her daughter.
    “I’ll make some tea.”
    “That’d be great.” Elaine stepped away, moved into a living