In Death 20 - Survivor in Death

Services caseworker, was abducted-- fill in the rest.”
    “Can I say Newman was assigned to the invasion survivor, nine year old Nixie Swisher?”
    “Yes, get it out there. And that multiple premortem burns on Newman’s body indicate she was tortured before her throat was cut in the same manner as the members of the Swisher household. Ms. Newman’s body was discovered in an alley--”
    “We’ve got all that.”
    “Say it again. Say it again--her naked body, covered with electrical burns, with its throat slit, was discovered after being dumped in an alley. Witnesses saw a black FourStar van, forged New York license AAD-4613, exiting the alley moments before the body was discovered. Lieutenant Eve Dallas, primary, and Officer Troy Trueheart, acting as aide, encountered a van of this description when leaving the scene.”
    “And pursued,” Nadine finished. “Which leads right back to the flight show. Good. Solid. Thanks. How many witnesses?”
    One, Eve thought, and only on the taillights. But why quibble. “When contacted, Lieutenant Dallas would neither confirm nor deny the report.”
    “A formal one-on-one would round this off sweet.”
    “I’m cutting back on sweets. Later.”
    Juggling plans in her head, Eve headed to her office, then swung toward Roarke’s. She gave a quick knock, opened the door. And winced.
    It was full of people. Or more accurately, it was full of Roarke and holos. His admin, Caro, sat in her tidy way, her hands folded in her lap. Two men in square, collarless suit jackets, and three women in similar conservative corporate gear studied yet another holo of some sort of elaborate development, complete with winding river and a sheer tower ringed with people glides.
    “Sorry.” She started to back out, but Roarke lifted a hand.
    “Ladies, gentlemen, my wife.”
    They all looked over at her. She saw, clearly enough, the measuring of the females--and the reactions of puzzlement, even amusement. And she could understand it. There was Roarke, rangy and stunning in his dark suit, power like an aura around him.
    And here she was, banged-up boots, hair she couldn’t quite remember if she’d even finger-combed that morning, and a weapon harness over her shirt.
    “We’re just wrapping up,” he told Eve, then turned back to the group. “If you have any further questions, relay them through Caro. I want the changes discussed and implemented by this time tomorrow. Thank you. Caro, stay a moment.”
    The holos, save Caro’s, winked off. Caro rose. “Lieutenant Dallas. It’s good to see you.”
    “Good to see you, too.” Now, Eve thought, she’d have to make chatty talk. “Ah, how’s Reva?”
    “She’s very well. She’s moved back to the city.”
    “Well, good. Tell her hi.”
    Caro turned to Roarke. “You’re conferencing again at eleven with the engineers on the project. And have a one o’clock with Yule Hiser that we’ve switched to ‘link. Your two o’clock is Ava McCoy and her team. Then you’re clear for your five o’clock. The Fitch Communications meeting is tentatively scheduled for nine p.m., via holo.”
    “Thank you, Caro. Anything urgent, you know where to reach me.”
    She nodded. “Lieutenant,” she said, and winked out.
    “Who were the suits?” Eve asked.
    “Architects. I’m still making some refinements on a new development on Olympus.”
    “Six architects for one development.”
    “A rather large and complex one--and that includes buildings, landscape, water, interiors . . . And you don’t care.”
    She felt a little pinch of guilt, right between the shoulder blades. “Not much, but that’s not the same as not being interested. Which I am, in a supportive kind of way.”
    He chuckled. “What do you need?”
    Now annoyance slapped over the guilt. “Just because I said I was interested and supportive doesn’t mean I need something from you.”
    “It doesn’t, no.” He leaned back on his desk. “But you came in here because you did. There’s no need to feel guilty about it, or to start worrying that I’m carving off my own worktime to help with yours. I wouldn’t if I didn’t want to do it.”
    “Well, how do you feel about giving me a building downtown?”
    “Which would you like?”
    This time she chuckled. “Showoff. Have you got something untenanted? Something we can secure and wire up within twenty-four?”
    “I imagine we can come up with something. That’s your trap. Why downtown?”
    “Because I know they’re based