In Death 04 - Rapture in Death

who was connected with the others? It could be as simple as their common interest in electronic games."
    "We looked there already."
    "So look again," she told Peabody. "And look deeper. Not all the clubs and loops are above ground. If Mathias was used to help develop the system, he might have bragged about it. Those hobby hackers use all kinds of compu-names. Can you find his?"
    "Eventually," Feeney agreed.
    "You can contact Jack Carter. He was his roommate on Olympus. Maybe he can give you a boost on them. Peabody, contact Devane's son, see what you can shake out of him on this angle. I'll work on the Fitzhugh angle." She glanced at her watch. "I'll make a stop first. Maybe I can cut through some of the layers." She felt she was back to square one, looking for the connection. There had to be one, and she was going to have to involve Roarke to find it. She called him from her car 'link.
    "Well, hello, Lieutenant. How was your nap?"
    "Too short and too long ago. How long are you going to be in midtown?"
    "Another few hours at any rate. Why?"
    "I'm coming by. Now. Can you squeeze me in?"
    He smiled. "Always."
    "It's business," she said, and cut him off before she could smile back. Daring her auto-drive, she programmed destination, then used her 'link again. "Nadine."
    Nadine angled her head, shot Eve a cold look. "Lieutenant."
    "Nine a.m., my office."
    "Should I bring a lawyer?"
    "Bring your recorder. I'll give you a jump on tomorrow's press conference re Jess Barrow."
    "What press conference?" The image and voice quality sharpened as Nadine went immediately to private, dragging headphones over her hair. "There's nothing on schedule."
    "There will be. You want that jump, and you want the official report from the primary, be there at nine."
    "What's the catch?"
    "Senator Pearly. Get me everything. Not the official data, the quiet stuff. His hobbies, playgrounds. His underground connections."
    "Pearly was clean as a church choir."
    "You don't have to be dirty to play underground, you just have to be curious."
    "And what makes you think I can get private data on a government official?"
    "Because you're you, Nadine. Feed the data to my home unit, and I'll see you at nine hundred hours. You'll beat the pack by two hours easy. Think of those ratings."
    "I'm thinking. Deal," she snapped and signed off.
    When Eve was able to glide smoothly into the parking facility at Roarke's midtown office, she began to think more kindly toward vehicle maintenance. Her VIP space was waiting, locking its security shield the moment she shut down.
    The elevator accepted her palm print and zoomed her up to the top floor in a quiet, dignified ride.
    She'd never get used to it.
    Roarke's personal assistant beamed at her, welcomed her home, welcomed her in, and escorted her through the plush outer offices, down the streamlined corridor, and into the elegant efficiency of Roarke's private office.
    But he wasn't alone.
    "Sorry." She struggled not to frown at Reeanna and William. "I'm interrupting."
    "Not at all." Roarke walked over, kissed her lightly. "We're just finishing up."
    "Your husband's quite the slave driver." William held out a hand to shake Eve's warmly. "If you hadn't come along, Reeanna and I would have to do without our dinner."
    "That's William." Reeanna laughed. "He's either thinking of electronics or his stomach."
    "Or you. Can you join us?" he asked Eve. "I thought we'd try the French place on the skyline level."
    "Cops never eat." Eve tried to adjust herself to the easy social tone. "But thanks."
    "You need regular fuel to help the healing process." Reeanna narrowed her eyes for a quick, professional survey. "Any pain?"
    "Not much. I appreciate the personal service. And I wonder if I could speak to you for a few minutes on an official matter -- if you have time after your meal."
    "Of course." Curiosity flitted over her face. "Could I ask what it's about?"
    "The possibility of doing a consult on a case I'm working on. If you're agreeable, I'd need to do it tomorrow, early."
    "A consult on an actual human being? I'm there."
    "Reeanna's weary of machines," William put in. "She's been making noises for weeks about going back into private practice."
    "VR, holograms, autotronics." She rolled her beautiful eyes. "I long for flesh and blood. Roarke has us set up on the thirty-second level, west wing. I should be able to nudge William through a meal in an hour. Just meet me there."
    "Thanks."
    "Oh, and Roarke," Reeanna continued as she and