In Death 18 - Divided in Death

deal with the sculpture. “So McNab could punch him a few times for Peabody.”
    “I think Peabody might have handled it on her own, but he deserved a shot. Got a good, solid right for such a skinny guy.”
    She checked her wrist unit. It looked as if she was going to be right on time for Nadine.
    Screw political wisdom.
    “I’m going to have to go in, do the paperwork, warm up Bissel in Interview. Going to take some time. Maybe you could fill in Reva and Tokimoto, make sure they know their assistance and cooperation have been noted and appreciated. Let Reva know I’m going to clear it so she gets five private minutes with Bissel. And maybe you could tell Caro she did a good job raising her kid.”
    “You could tell her that yourself.”
    “Guess I could. Meanwhile”—she jerked a thumb so he’d step with her into the relative quiet of the gallery—”you’ve been putting in a lot of time and energy as regards this investigation. Personal interest or not, that’s also noted and appreciated.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I guess it’s going to take you some time to get your own stuff back in order. All that universal magnate and corporate god stuff.”
    “A few days. A week or so, we’ll be on balance again. I’m going to have to be out of town for a bit. Some of it needs to be hands-on.”
    “Okay. But you figure you’ll be back in order in about a week?”
    “More or less, why?”
    “Because when you’re all set, I’m going to take you away for a long weekend. So you can relax.”
    His eyebrows shot up. “Are you?”
    “Yeah. You’ve been revving on all engines. You need a break. So we’ll say . . . a week from Friday. Where do you want to go?”
    “Where do I want to go? And you’re doing this because I need a break?”
    She glanced through the doorway, just to make sure nobody was paying any attention. Then cupped his face in her hands. “You do. Then there’s the fact that I intend to make you my sex slave for a couple days. So where do you want to go?”
    “We haven’t been to the island in a while.” He didn’t bother to check if anyone was watching, but leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
    “No. I’ll make the arrangements. I can do it,” she said when he didn’t quite hide the wince. “I can. Jesus, I can coordinate a major op, I should be able to coordinate some damn travel. Have a little faith.”
    “In you I have more than a little.”
    “Then I’ll see you later. I’ve got to go let the dogs out.”
    She headed out, then walked back and gave him a hard, short kiss. “Later, Civilian Baby.”
    She heard him laugh as she walked out, skirted around other cops. And when she was alone, riding down alone, she tapped her finger—the one that wore her wedding ring—against the image of the badge on her heart.